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Ipad Pro Magic Keyboard and CoverBuddy combo order thread
- Thread starter marine0816
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Just received my Cover Buddy and Thin Sleeve from Comfyable. The sleeve is great I’m keeping it. I haven’t decided if I’m going to keep the Cover Buddy. I have a D Brand skin on the back of my iPad Pro that I love. I believe it is keeping my cover buddy from connecting to my keyboard. The contacts on the back of my IPad aren’t making a connection with the cover buddy on. I’m going to have to pull the skin off to actually see if that’s the issue. I really don’t want to pull the skin off though. I have it perfectly lined up. Decisions have to be made. Also the cover buddy doesn’t fit in the new Sleeve.
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- it seems the CoverBuddy only is using 4 magnets, whereas the 6 are present in the Magic Keyboard. With the CoverBuddy on, you can watch the lower part of the iPad not stay connected to the lower hinge assembly you open it. With it off, the iPad magnets hold the case solidly to the lower Magic Keyboard hinge. This isn’t the reason that the Magic Keyboard remains open a little bit, however, with the CoverBuddy on. The CoverBuddy is 1.5mm thick. This is apparently enough to cause the iPad to fit just a little too tight between the Magic Keyboard double-hinged rear cover and the keyboard / trackpad. The tolerances are very tight. The metal support with the USB-C connector even flexes a tiny bit when you close the Magic Keyboard with the CoverBuddy on. I think the company will need to drop the CoverBuddy thickness to 1mm or less. I’m not sure if they can produce a case this thin that still contains strong enough magnets. We’ll see. I also hope they increase to 6 magnets as well. It’s interesting that the 11” iPad works fine with the CoverBuddy case. The Magic Keyboard has two more magnets on each side of the trackpad that are supposed to hold the iPad in place and keep the case closed. Those no longer make strong connection on the 12.9” iPad with the CoverBuddy on. They must still work OK on the 11” iPad.
I’ve studied the design of the CoverBuddy case for the 12.9” iPad Pro (I’m and engineer
- it seems the CoverBuddy only is using 4 magnets, whereas the 6 are present in the Magic Keyboard. With the CoverBuddy on, you can watch the lower part of the iPad not stay connected to the lower hinge assembly you open it. With it off, the iPad magnets hold the case solidly to the lower Magic Keyboard hinge. This isn’t the reason that the Magic Keyboard remains open a little bit, however, with the CoverBuddy on. The CoverBuddy is 1.5mm thick. This is apparently enough to cause the iPad to fit just a little too tight between the Magic Keyboard double-hinged rear cover and the keyboard / trackpad. The tolerances are very tight. The metal support with the USB-C connector even flexes a tiny bit when you close the Magic Keyboard with the CoverBuddy on. I think the company will need to drop the CoverBuddy thickness to 1mm or less. I’m not sure if they can produce a case this thin that still contains strong enough magnets. We’ll see. I also hope they increase to 6 magnets as well. It’s interesting that the 11” iPad works fine with the CoverBuddy case. The Magic Keyboard has two more magnets on each side of the trackpad that are supposed to hold the iPad in place and keep the case closed. Those no longer make strong connection on the 12.9” iPad with the CoverBuddy on. They must still work OK on the 11” iPad.
Hmmm interesting! I guess it’s whether you want the extra protection of the CoverBuddy and have that as your backing or keep to the Dbrand skin?
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I’ve studied the design of the CoverBuddy case for the 12.9” iPad Pro (I’m and engineer
Great report there and sounds about right for sure.
I’m really not sure like you say if the company will be able to produce a case thin enough to work?
I emailed them again 2 days ago to ask about the redesigned 2020 12.9” cases availability and no reply yet. Will keep people posted!
The only part that is annoying me currently is that, when the CoverBuddy is attached, the USB-C port is now so recessed that literally the only cable which will plug in securely is the official Apple charging cable?
Literally every other cable or dock connector I’ve tried won’t push in far enough due to the case. I’ve tried: HyperDrive dock, Anker 7-in-1 adapter, Samsung T5 SSD cable, a few other charging cables....
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The only part that is annoying me currently is that, when the CoverBuddy is attached, the USB-C port is now so recessed that literally the only cable which will plug in securely is the official Apple charging cable?
Literally every other cable or dock connector I’ve tried won’t push in far enough due to the case. I’ve tried: HyperDrive dock, Anker 7-in-1 adapter, Samsung T5 SSD cable, a few other charging cables....
I have a different brand case right now (nothing like a coverbuddy, but something along the lines of this thread was in my long term plans) which has a similar issue. It makes me wonder why these case makers don't leave slightly larger holes.
With mine, at least, the bottom is a bit rubbery and it squishes so plugging in a USB-C cable is a two-handed affair but it is doable and it stays in place.
Yeah, exactly.
I saw a review of the CoverBuddy somewhere where someone actually hacked/sliced away at the port opening on the case to make it work?! Extreme though that it is, it would work for cable only solutions but for docks/hubs like the Hyperdrive it just doesn’t work as they sit flush to the iPad or case!
This is what I found on my 2018 iPP, MKB and brand-new CoverBuddy.
I noticed one of the pins on the cover buddy pin connector was a little lower. This could be the reason I’m able to charge my i pad with the cover buddy but not have keyboard input. That and the D Brand skin.🤔
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I just saw your post. After i posted.
Hmmm...odd. Mine seems to be able to charge from both ports (iPad and Magic Keyboard) as well as having full use of the keyboard/trackpad with the CoverBuddy installed. Might be more the DBrand skin? I think due to the connectors, anything at all thickening your the distance between the iPad and Magic Keyboard would cause issues?
Yes. It’s the D brand skin. If i push down on the back of the case i have keyboard input. If the lower pin was even in height with the other two. It probably would work with skin on it.
Sounds like a faulty coverbuddy then from the picture.
I just setup a return with Amazon for a replacement Cover Buddy. I’ll try the new cover buddy out with the proper sized pin connector. Before I pull my D Brand skin off. I love this skin too much. Lol
Update from SwitchEasy direct when I queried the issues with the new 2020 version of the 12.9” model of CoverBuddy:
“We have been modifying the new tooling so the new version will come out in about 55 days or so.
For the reason why 11” CoverBuddy can work with the Magic Keyboard but 12.9” can’t?
It’s due to Apple products original design and the dimension of closeness, IPad Pro 12.9” + magic keyboard, the closeness/fitness is even more than iPad Pro 11” + magic keyboard; so, 11” CoverBuddy is ok, but we have to modify 12.9” CoverBuddy even thinner to fit with IPad Pro 12.9” + magic keyboard.”
So there’s definitely a new 12.9” version coming and looks like they’re going to try and make it even thinner!
“We have been modifying the new tooling so the new version will come out in about 55 days or so.
For the reason why 11” CoverBuddy can work with the Magic Keyboard but 12.9” can’t?
It’s due to Apple products original design and the dimension of closeness, IPad Pro 12.9” + magic keyboard, the closeness/fitness is even more than iPad Pro 11” + magic keyboard; so, 11” CoverBuddy is ok, but we have to modify 12.9” CoverBuddy even thinner to fit with IPad Pro 12.9” + magic keyboard.”
So there’s definitely a new 12.9” version coming and looks like they’re going to try and make it even thinner!
That’s great news. It must be incredibly thin. The currently 12.9” CoverBuddy adds 1.5mm, so that means they probably dropped it back to 1mm, which is amazing since they still need to include magnets. I imagine the the side bumpers are probably still the same as before. Just effects the back cover. Thanks for the update. I guess I’ll return my CoverBuddy 12.9” on Amazon and wait for the one that fits. I hate to strain Magic Keyboard hinge when I try to close it with the CoverBuddy in place.
Yeah, I was really glad that they confirmed and are making it work definitely.
Quite a long time to wait for it, but it’ll be worth it for sure!
@SimonMScott what was the email address you contacted them? On their website?
@The Game 161 Yeah, just the general support email I think it is. It’s an *employeename*@ person who gets back to you though. Why do you ask? Are you not getting any replies?
@The Game 161 Yeah, just the general support email I think it is. It’s an *employeename*@ person who gets back to you though. Why do you ask? Are you not getting any replies?
A mate of mine was looking about ordering and wanted to see if they add a timeframe for the new 12.9
I may get one when the new one is released. Only if i decide to use the Apple Pencil again though.
@The Game 161 Cool! Well they definitely said that the updated model would be available within 55 days (quite random and precise but there you go)!
Why do you not use the Apple Pencil??
Yes - must be tricky setting up a production process for that?
Just not really used it since I got the MK. Guess if I take it off as an iPad I would use it...I mainly used Apple Pencil for navigation so now with trackpad just not used it much. Better to have it then not at all I guess
Yeah, I would imagine so. So I’m impressed they’re doing it all!
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Aaah yes, I get you. Similar to me, but I use it a lot for note taking and drawing/sketching too.
Just received the Cover Buddy for my 2018 11” iPP. I ordered the 2020 version of the CB, just so the camera cutout would match the Magic Keyboard.
Everything about it is fine. Magnets work well and it closes all the way. Was hoping I could put the Apple Pencil in the slot in such a way so that it would not charge. No luck; it automatically rotated because of the magnets.
Everything about it is fine. Magnets work well and it closes all the way. Was hoping I could put the Apple Pencil in the slot in such a way so that it would not charge. No luck; it automatically rotated because of the magnets.