iPad Pro Magic Keyboard vs upcoming (in June) Brydge Max+

[pdoherty]

So I got the new 12.9 Pro today and decided to pickup a Magic Keyboard and Pencil 2 to go with it. I already have a Brydge Max+ on order, but figured I owed the Magic Keyboard a try. Some of the things I’m noticing:

Pros:

* Looks nice (even though only black or white are offered, the Space Gray iPad doesn’t look wrong with it)​

* Keyboard typing is nice in terms of feel​

* backlighting (automatically adjusts) is great​

* Great gesture support​

* Connects and powers via the magnetic spots on the back of the iPad​

* Pass-through charging via the connector on the bottom-left of the keyboard​

Cons:

* No function keys across the top​

* Angle you can set is pretty limited - a few times already in the first two hours I’ve dislodged the iPad magnets from trying to change it​

* When at maximum angle the keyboard area is invaded by the bottom edge of the iPad - very annoying to have the iPad get in the way. This will likely bug people like me, who aren’t exactly great typists but closer to fast hunt-and-peck typists. Buyer beware.​

It looks like the Brydge will have a larger trackpad with fully-responsive gestures (will see when it releases next month), and solves the biggest issue I have (the invading iPad edge over the keyboard) since it attaches to a hinge that is aligned with the back edge of the keyboard (so the more you angle the iPad, the further from the keyboard it gets).

Any other views on how these will compare?

 

[cupcakes2000]

Very much looking forward to see how the new Brydge keyboard fairs. I like the look of it.

 

[rumz]

Yeah— the angle limit on the Magic Keyboard combined with the lack of function keys are deal breakers for me currently. For this new Max+ keyboard— it will all depend on how well they execute that hinge. There’s some talk of wobbling, so we’ll see how the final production unit performs. Even if the trackpad isn’t up to the level of an Apple trackpad, I can live with that.

 

[TheRealAlex]

Sorry Brydge, connecting via Bluetooth is a deal breaker. I need my Bluetooth for my PS5 controller for Diablo Immortal and Earbuds.
And the latency with Bluetooth Vs Apple hardwired connecting directly via the Smart connector.

I like the Folío Touch by Logitech because unlike Apple or Brudge+ Logitech is Half the Price AND it actually Protects the iPad Pro

 

[cupcakes2000]

Sorry Brydge, connecting via Bluetooth is a deal breaker. I need my Bluetooth for my PS5 controller for Diablo Immortal and Earbuds.
And the latency with Bluetooth Vs Apple hardwired connecting directly via the Smart connector.

I like the Folío Touch by Logitech because unlike Apple or Brudge+ Logitech is Half the Price AND it actually Protects the iPad Pro

On the contrary, I prefer the easily removable ‘naked’ iPad of the magic keyboard and the brydge.

 

[pdoherty]

@TheRealAlex How does the Brydge using bluetooth preclude you using a PS5 controller and earphones on bluetooth as well?

 

[Lobwedgephil]

I have tried Bridge twice on the 12.9 model, and and both times the hinge connecting the iPad broke off within a couple of weeks. Hopefully this new one is better, I like them, just haven't worked out for me. Big fan of the magic keyboard now though, but price sucks.

 

[pdoherty]

Yeah, they totally revised how the iPad connects - now it just uses the magnets like the Magic Keyboard does (no more awkward cramming the edges of the iPad into those two slots).

 

[jyyz]

FWIW I was really skeptical about the Magic Keyboard… I did pick up one with my new iPad today… I really, really like. Like really like it. ?‍♂️

 

[AndrewWx]

I am going to take a chance on the new Magic Keyboard. I know it's pricey but it seems good. I do wish it had the function keys though. Since my IPP is still on back order I will wait and watch for reviews of all of the keyboards.

 

[jyyz]

I am going to take a chance on the new Magic Keyboard. I know it's pricey but it seems good. I do wish it had the function keys though. Since my IPP is still on back order I will wait and watch for reviews of all of the keyboards.

You’ll like it. The white looks sick too: I guess until it gets dirty and then it doesn’t.

 

[AutomaticApple]

@TheRealAlex How does the Brydge using bluetooth preclude you using a PS5 controller and earphones on bluetooth as well?

I assume due to the increased latency caused by multiple Bluetooth accessories being connected.

 

[pdoherty]

I assume due to the increased latency caused by multiple Bluetooth accessories being connected.

There are something like 79 channels and bluetooth devices automatically choose unused channels when they start up.

 

[omelet1978]

I’ve owned a Brydge keyboard before BUT for me personally I did not end up keeping it more than a few months.

The bluetooth was an issue with having to tap the keyboard a few times to wake it up but supposedly that’s been fixed. The main issue that I had was that it dobled the thickness of the iPad Pro. Also having function keys is one thing but imho they didn’t work that great. The brightness would go from too dim to too bright with just one key push for example. That being said, the keyboard solidly built and the typing experience was great.

Overall though the Brydge Keyboards are quality products that look like they are designed by people passionate about what they do. I’m using the Magic Keyboard and have been for over a year but it’s more of a personal choice than anything else.

 

[LFC2020]

Has to be the magic keyboard ?

 

[Rafterman]

Sorry Brydge, connecting via Bluetooth is a deal breaker. I need my Bluetooth for my PS5 controller for Diablo Immortal and Earbuds.
And the latency with Bluetooth Vs Apple hardwired connecting directly via the Smart connector.

I like the Folío Touch by Logitech because unlike Apple or Brudge+ Logitech is Half the Price AND it actually Protects the iPad Pro

I like the Logitech Combo, just released. I'ts like the Folio, but the keyboard magnetically removes from the bottom to save the weight when using the iPad in tablet mode - like a Microsoft Surface Pro.

 

[haruhiko]

No Smart Connector no go.

 

[Isengardtom]

I love my Magic Keyboard.

Personally I always find the “deal breaker” of having no function row keys massively overblown.
I don‘t have any use cases where I miss this.

 

[pdoherty]

The biggest issue I have with the Magic Keyboard I’m using right now, but considering returning, is that the screen angle makes the bottom of the iPad interfere with typing. My fingers keep hitting it.

 

[Boni3990@]

Personally I always find the “deal breaker” of having no function row keys massively overblown.
I don‘t have any use cases where I miss this

 

[Macalway]

You've got to hand it to them, they improve these things. Those hinges were ok, until the AMK came out. Then in comparison, not so much.

The new version looks pretty good, if you ignore the weight part. But the AMK weighs a lot also. If the trackpad gets good reviews (old version had issues) I'm all over it.

But then you have a rather weighty 13" ish iOS convertible. This is good

note: Should be in the accessories forum.

 

[Rafterman]

Personally I always find the “deal breaker” of having no function row keys massively overblown.
I don‘t have any use cases where I miss this

Most of the typical function keys can be replicated on the Magic keyboard, like Home (cmd H) and you can reprogram a key, like the globe key, to be escape. But I do miss volume control.

 

[ericwn]

Just wanted to follow up with some first hand experience with the Brydge 12.9+

I’ve had this now for a bit more than a week and have to say I really like it. The keyboard itself has a great set of keys, the colour is matched nicely to my iPad Pro and the magnetic connection so far has worked really nice.

While typing on a desk I don’t really have any bounce in the display part and the thing sits super sturdy on the table.

Writing on my lap is also very easy, it provides a pretty stable platform so far.

I love how easy the iPad can be separated from the keyboard.

Charging via USB-C and the battery life of the Brydge is displayed in the battery widget on the iPad.

Yes, it certainly is heavier than other solutions as it also needs to provide a counter-weight for the iPad Pro’s weight sitting on the top but I knew that going in.

 

[pdoherty]

Update - as mentioned I returned the Magic Keyboard within the return period as the “invading on the keyboard keys” was too much. I waited for the Brydge Max+ and got it, but returned it as well and got a cheapie off Amazon that has a great keyboard but a crappy trackpad (I disable it each power up). The Brydge was a heavy pig and simply ridiculous to use. Even on my lap the weight of it cutting into my legs was unacceptable.

 

[ericwn]

Update - as mentioned I returned the Magic Keyboard within the return period as the “invading on the keyboard keys” was too much. I waited for the Brydge Max+ and got it, but returned it as well and got a cheapie off Amazon that has a great keyboard but a crappy trackpad (I disable it each power up). The Brydge was a heavy pig and simply ridiculous to use. Even on my lap the weight of it cutting into my legs was unacceptable.

Feels pretty close to my older 13” MBPs from back in the day before they messed all keyboards up but that’s of course absolutely personal preference.

Please share a link to the keyboard you ended up getting.