Smart Keyboard Folio VS Smart Keyboard

[S1004]

Hi there,

I'd really appreciate your insight and experience using the Smart Keyboard Folio.

For my older iPad Pro devices, I used Smart Keyboards. Both of them experienced connectivity issues a year later. They were treated kindly and only used at my desk, library, and classroom — however, both of them stopped working completely. This made me swear never to buy another Apple Keyboard again.

But here I am in 2021, looking to buy a keyboard for a new iPad Pro:

The Magic Keyboard is wonderful. Its one pivotal downside: inability to fold it away (easily) for writing purposes. I like to type assignments and take handwritten notes. This seems like a hassle to do with the Magic Keyboard. It is also on the more pricier side of keyboards available.

Then there is the new Smart Keyboard Folio. The material and design is familiar - just like the older Smart Keyboard - just with less folds and an additional viewing angle. This solves the issue brought by the Magic Keyboard, but simultaneously seems to be a risky purchase. It might give me the same connectivity issues as its 1st generation counterpart, and die on me in the near future.

Finally, there's the Logitech K380 I have been using with my other iPad devices and Laptop. It allows connection up to three devices at a time. It's not as portable and occasionally demands a compressed air duster's help to get rid of debris/dust but.. it's a great keyboard.

> Has Apple improved longevity and connectivity in its Smart Keyboard Folio?

> Will folding the Smart Keyboard Folio backwards (so that the iPad lays flat in notebook-format for handwritten notes) damage the connectivity parts over time?

> Which of the keyboards would you recommend?

I may end up not purchasing a keyboard and instead, haul the Logitech K380 around. However, I'm interested to hearing your experiences with the Smart Keyboard Folio. Or if you have the Magic Keyboard (and use it for handwritten notes or art), how are your experiences with it; what do you do when you need to use the iPad flat on your desk?

Thank you for reading

 

[0128672]

I've owned both the MK and SKF, but am now convinced the Logitech Combo Touch for iPad Air 4 is the best choice for me. In addition to the function keys and corner protection, the fabric is a non-concern compared with the MK and SKF. Having a detachable keyboard solved any concerns I had about the earlier version that did not detach. I did like the sealed keyboard of the SKF though.

I also own the K380 which I use with my Mac Mini and Apple TV. I like the ability to switch devices so easily and the feel of typing and playing games on it so much better than the Mac Magic Keyboard. At less than 1/3 of the price of the Magic Keyboard, it's a winner for my usage.

 

[LibbyLA]

I had a SKF for my iPP 11 2018 and only replaced it recently because I’d worn a hole in the fabric on the right side of the space bar. I got the iPP 11 on release day and used it daily several hours a day for over two and a half years. It was still working fine when I replaced it but I was able to get a refurb off Amazon for a good price so I got a new keyboard.

It took me a little getting used to after having both iPP 9 and iPP 10.5 with the floppy foldable keyboard, but I like the folio. I also got the folio for my iPP 11 2021 that I got on release day. For my purposes, the folio is the best option.

 

[ascender]

I've been using Magic Keyboards with a variety of iPads since they were released, but I still have s soft-spot for the Smart Keyboard Folio. If you don't necessarily want to turn your iPad in to a laptop-type device, its lightweight, much cheaper and nice to just have on it when you're doing emails.

The Logitech one looks nice too, but I'm trying to get back to using my iPad as a tablet first and foremost, so I've been using the folio on an Air and loving it. I know its much maligned, but I like mine.

 

[bettaboy123]

I have the Logitech Combo Touch for my iPad Pro 11 (2020) and it's awesome. I really like the built in kickstand and drop protection, the fact that the keyboard detaches and can be flipped over for holding all together, and the fabric they used for it is really nice. I wish the trackpad was larger and had a tap to click option but that's really my only minor complaint. Doesn't add too much heft and makes my iPad much more flexible.

 

[RossMc]

I have the Logitech Combo Touch for my iPad Pro 11 (2020) and it's awesome. I really like the built in kickstand and drop protection, the fact that the keyboard detaches and can be flipped over for holding all together, and the fabric they used for it is really nice. I wish the trackpad was larger and had a tap to click option but that's really my only minor complaint. Doesn't add too much heft and makes my iPad much more flexible.

There is a tap to click option its off by default you have to enable it in Settings > General > Trackpad