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iPad Pro Magic Keyboard not folding back into “tablet mode”, have to detach

sflomenb

sflomenb

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 22, 2011
915
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I use my 2018 iPad Pro with Keyboard Folio extensively. I use it a lot as a tablet, and love having the keyboard there whenever I want to use it. I was very excited to see the new Magic Keyboard, and ordered it when it was available.

I foolishly assumed that the keyboard would fold backwards similar to the keyboard folio. It does not. If you want to use the iPad as a tablet, you’d need to detach it.

I’m not sure I’d like using the iPad naked. Thinking of also keeping the keyboard folio and possibly just detaching from the magic keyboard and attaching to the folio when I want to use as a tablet for extra protection.

What are your thoughts on this? Does it bother anyone? Is anyone not getting the magic keyboard because of this?
 
sflomenb said:
I use my 2018 iPad Pro with Keyboard Folio extensively. I use it a lot as a tablet, and love having the keyboard there whenever I want to use it. I was very excited to see the new Magic Keyboard, and ordered it when it was available.

I foolishly assumed that the keyboard would fold backwards similar to the keyboard folio. It does not. If you want to use the iPad as a tablet, you’d need to detach it.

I’m not sure I’d like using the iPad naked. Thinking of also keeping the keyboard folio and possibly just detaching from the magic keyboard and attaching to the folio when I want to use as a tablet for extra protection.

What are your thoughts on this? Does it bother anyone? Is anyone not getting the magic keyboard because of this?
Click to expand...
You could also use it in easel mode.
https://twitter.com/x/status/1252295258504757248
 
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The SwitchEasy coverbuddy might be of interest to you. I have one and will be testing it when my Magic Keyboard arrives tomorrow.
 
AutomaticApple said:
You could also use it in easel mode.
Click to expand...
Its weird how “drawing mode” is suddenly being talked about when artists have been doing this for the last two years with the regular Smart Keyboard.

In fact, the Magic Keyboard hinge actually does this much worse because any pressure flattens out the hinge. But the Smart Keyboard has more points of contact so it doesnt flex at all.

9708F73A-9327-4C17-826F-4B4DF460926A.jpeg
 
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Carole F Baskin said:
oh wow this so utterly ridiculous.
Click to expand...
I thought so too. 😅
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Patriks7 said:
Except it isn’t. Everything I have read about it indicates that it’s a nightmare to use it on anything other than a straight surface. This will be a lot more versatile.
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They call it the "Surface" for a reason. 😂
[automerge]1587589870[/automerge]
KittyKatta said:
Its weird how “drawing mode” is suddenly being talked about when artists have been doing this for the last two years with the regular Smart Keyboard.

In fact, the Magic Keyboard hinge actually does this much worse because any pressure flattens out the hinge. But the Smart Keyboard has more points of contact so it doesnt flex at all.

View attachment 908325
Click to expand...
Wait, really? I guess it wasn't popularized until recently.
 
AutomaticApple said:
I thought so too. 😅
[automerge]1587589815[/automerge]

They call it the "Surface" for a reason. 😂
[automerge]1587589870[/automerge]

Wait, really? I guess it wasn't popularized until recently.
Click to expand...
im pretty sure it was recent too, I looked up and nobody has done this until late 2019
 
I actually like it like this as it’s dead’s easy to just take the tablet off and use as a tablet and when I use it as a tablet will be at home more often than not anyway so using it naked i don’t see as an issue
 
sflomenb said:
I use my 2018 iPad Pro with Keyboard Folio extensively. I use it a lot as a tablet, and love having the keyboard there whenever I want to use it. I was very excited to see the new Magic Keyboard, and ordered it when it was available.

I foolishly assumed that the keyboard would fold backwards similar to the keyboard folio. It does not. If you want to use the iPad as a tablet, you’d need to detach it.

I’m not sure I’d like using the iPad naked. Thinking of also keeping the keyboard folio and possibly just detaching from the magic keyboard and attaching to the folio when I want to use as a tablet for extra protection.

What are your thoughts on this? Does it bother anyone? Is anyone not getting the magic keyboard because of this?
Click to expand...

I frequently use the iPad naked (without any case/keyboard on it), as well as any other devices. I really dislike my devices getting bulky with cases or heavier than they need to be.

I used the Keyboard Folio with my 12.9”, but never folded it back, just because of how bulky and heavy it became to use as a tablet. 100% this is much less of an issue with the 11” model though for the short stretch that I had one.

My thoughts on this Magic Keyboard? I love it for the fact that I can take the iPad off with a single hand and use it as a casual tablet much more easily now, not to mention that the Magic Keyboard sits upright like a stand for when I want to place the keyboard back. However, I kept thinking about this with the 11” and wonder given it being a smaller tablet if it would be as important.


In regards to the iPad on the keyboard tipped back for drawing - do people prefer drawing with the iPad upright on a slight angle? I’ve always just put it flat on a surface for writing.
 
profets said:
I frequently use the iPad naked (without any case/keyboard on it), as well as any other devices. I really dislike my devices getting bulky with cases or heavier than they need to be.

I used the Keyboard Folio with my 12.9”, but never folded it back, just because of how bulky and heavy it became to use as a tablet. 100% this is much less of an issue with the 11” model though for the short stretch that I had one.

My thoughts on this Magic Keyboard? I love it for the fact that I can take the iPad off with a single hand and use it as a casual tablet much more easily now, not to mention that the Magic Keyboard sits upright like a stand for when I want to place the keyboard back. However, I kept thinking about this with the 11” and wonder given it being a smaller tablet if it would be as important.


In regards to the iPad on the keyboard tipped back for drawing - do people prefer drawing with the iPad upright on a slight angle? I’ve always just put it flat on a surface for writing.
Click to expand...
writing is different from drawing, I always like drawing at a angle its more precise, while writing I am so used to writing in flat. Best example is why people like 24fps for movies than 48fps or even 30fps because they are so used to it that way; but when it comes to home videos or indie they like 30fps or even 60fps feel
 
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Patriks7 said:
Except it isn’t. Everything I have read about it indicates that it’s a nightmare to use it on anything other than a straight surface. This will be a lot more versatile.
Click to expand...

"This will be a lot more versatile"? Sorry but that's the most ridiculous thing I've read today.
 
I use my iPad for writing notes a lot.

Instead of the flipping of the case hack that has been shared often, I just take the iPad out of the MK, close the case then place the iPad on top of the closed case. This works perfect for me.

You can force a very slight wobble if you touch it in the exact spot but I‘ve been able to avoid it when writing.

This is a compromise. I’ve got the standard folio and Smart Keyboard Folio cases, they work much better for tablet use clearly as you can just flip the front of the case to the back. I’m willing to live with this compromise for the benefits of the standard of this keyboard and trackpad.

I would probably still travel with the standard folio case if I knew for definite I wouldn’t require a keyboard on my trip.
 
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drxcm said:
Ha!

This is the predominant reason I didn’t order one.
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Ya in the other Thread I started people made good points. They sacrificed lightness for stability which is what the magic keyboard is praised for laptop stability. But you can flip it back too much or it’ll flip over. So there’s compromises to make it work.
 
Rather than flipping the entire setup over to have a flatter drawing angle, simply set it up like this
forums.macrumors.com

Found the drawing mode on the Magic Keyboard...

No problem! It’s surprisingly comfortable right?! especially when it’s in your lap it works fantastic i think. Yeah definitely digging how easy it is to switch back and forth between the two.
forums.macrumors.com forums.macrumors.com

I’ve used this position for taking notes next to my iMac most of the day, as I’ve previously used a separate stand for, and it is rock-solid. Takes only a second to switch modes, no slipping or weak points at all.

26c9c205dfda9c71dfb90f299b6da214.jpg
 
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I "love" the design of the Magic Keyboard, at least, aesthetically, but I would never order one because of the reason you have stated as I use my iPad MOSTLY for drawing or use it as a tablet. But if i was someone who wrote a lot on the keyboard and used rarely for drawing or in tablet mode, then i would buy it. Other than that, I would look elsewhere as I would hate using the iPad naked because i am quite clumsy so I am still hoping that Logitech brings their Combo touch keyboards to the pro series of iPad as well, always loved the surface style stands and detachable keyboards.
 
sflomenb said:
I’m not sure I’d like using the iPad naked. Thinking of also keeping the keyboard folio and possibly just detaching from the magic keyboard and attaching to the folio when I want to use as a tablet for extra protection.
Click to expand...

You're planning on carrying 2 keyboard cases? I think you might just wanna admit that the magic keyboard's compromise is too big for you and return it. I would absolutely love to go out and buy it but I'm not putting my naked iPad on the table in the lecture halls nor am I willing to carry 2 cases
 
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I have a Magic Keyboard, the aluminum kind that Apple has been selling for years, and Magic Trackpad, and Smart Cover (to protect the screen and use as a stand). Keyboard is top notch and full size. Together they are cheaper than the new ipad keyboard trackpad cover, and you have no compromises.

i guess there’s a use case where you need it all together when you move around. But most of us do our desk work at a desk for a period of time, and that’s where my two Magic’s live... on my desk. i can take them to another desk if I think I’ll be using them that way for a while.

If I we’re needing keyboard and trackpad most of the time, I’d buy a MacBook Air

My iPad is very portable without all that extra stuff, and I take notes with it using Nebo and Pencil. So I rarely need the desktop configuration away from my home office

PS I have a mini 5.

I think there’s a use case for the new combined cover keyboard and trackpad, and iPad pro, but I think it’s for a much narrower audience than Apple marketing leads us to believe.
 
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Just looking into this because I am considering a new 12.9 iPad (though the more I research, it might be best to wait to see if they announce a new one before the end of the year).

This is the same concern I have with this keyboard case. I was hoping it could fold back like their older case I use with my old 9.7 Pro. I can't imagine having to take it off the case and just leave the case sitting somewhere every time I want to use tablet mode.

Also, the weight of this thing really makes it for someone that is using it as a laptop replacement. For me, the screen is too small for it to replace my 15 inch MBP, so I guess I will look for alternative keyboard cases. I mainly use the iPad as a tablet rather than a laptop replacement, but like someone said, if it isn't for me, no one is making me buy it. ;)
 
I think the idea is you detach it from the case when you want to use it as a tablet and reattach when you want to use it as a "laptop".
 
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