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Smart Keyboard has terrible reviews. Is it really that bad?

Compared to a real keyboard, it sucks. Compared to the software keyboard, it's amazing.

I've had it for a week and a half with my 10.5". I don't type a lot on my iPad, but I find myself typing a lot more now. It's fine for taking meeting notes, writing longer emails, and using for keyboard shortcuts in apps like Affinity Photo. I wouldn't want to write a bunch of articles every day or a novel on it. The thing I hate most about it is that it doesn't have a home button or function keys like many third party keyboards do. I find myself trying to hit an escape key that didn't exist to close out of a menu, dropdown or whatever. I hate controlling the system volume using the hardware buttons way at the top, so I end up having to use control center which in iOS 11 is a much bigger gesture. Playback buttons would be welcome.

I wish it was a bit more rigid, less clunky to unfold and set up, had a stronger magnetic grip, had a Pencil holder, had a palm rest area, and had a simple gesture swiping/text selection trackpad so I don't have to take my hands off the keys so often. Otherwise it's decent, thin, and a bit overpriced.

Apple also doesn't sell the back case any more to go with it, so you're kinda screwed there until a third party solution that isn't garbage and fits properly shows up. I've been struggling to find something ahead of my vacation.
 
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I love the keyboard but got the Smart Cover too and works well with both

The 12.9 on screen keyboard is good though. So much better than the 9.7 one
 
Bizarre but nice advantage. When I set the iPad with keyboard open down its very easy to pick up using the gap where the trifold is. The surface Pro Kickstand doesn't have the bottom piece and a laptop stands with no back support (kickstand or trifold) needed.

Perhaps silly but it was unexpected and quite nice to set it down then easily reach over and pick it up that way.

On the downside I have encountered a couple of times when a backlit keyboard would have been useful. It could have easily been overcome (flip on a light) but backlighting would have been useful.

Still very happy. I use it to type my blog and find it to be just about like any other laptop I've used (I'm a bad typer so keep that in mind).
 
throAU said:
I love mine.

it is leagues ahead of the surface type cover in my opinion. I like typing on it. I've typed a lot on it since it was released.
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its ok to type on but I wouldn't put it above the surface. Although if you have the 12.9 maybe? The 10.5 is stlil a little too cramped for completely relaxed typing, but feels better than old netbook tiny keyboards. My surface pro 4 type cover is comfortable to type on, and the size and spacing of the keys just seems spot-on. Also has a trackpad but lets not open that can of worms..


Separate to typing, I *hate* the 'stand' angle. Way too steep and basically unusable. It means that if I'm using it to watch video, I end up putting it in keyboard mode to get a decent viewing angle, but that isn't ideal
 
mrklaw said:
its ok to type on but I wouldn't put it above the surface. Although if you have the 12.9 maybe? The 10.5 is stlil a little too cramped for completely relaxed typing, but feels better than old netbook tiny keyboards. My surface pro 4 type cover is comfortable to type on, and the size and spacing of the keys just seems spot-on. Also has a trackpad but lets not open that can of worms..


Separate to typing, I *hate* the 'stand' angle. Way too steep and basically unusable. It means that if I'm using it to watch video, I end up putting it in keyboard mode to get a decent viewing angle, but that isn't ideal
Click to expand...

I don't have a problem with the size.

Where I rate it as leagues ahead is materials and typing feel.

I spent a lot of time typing on surface pro 3 and 4 type covers (I had 2 of each due to RMAs) - I didn't use an external keyboard with any of them and they were my primary work device.

We have a fleet of them. I did notice the quality control and typing feel varies considerably from one surface cover to the next.

Much prefer the iPad Pro keyboard.
 
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When you throw your Smart Keyboard in a big attached to the iPad does it stay attached? Or does it come off relatively easy?
 
Robdmb said:
When you throw your Smart Keyboard in a big attached to the iPad does it stay attached? Or does it come off relatively easy?
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It stays on just as well as a traditional smart cover, if not better. it has stronger magnets that hold it to the screen (as in, covering the screen, it is more effort than say, an original ipad smart cover to open).

It won't fall off.
 
Actually if anything I wish it detached a bit easier. It'll stay attached just fine. i'm very happy with that aspect of the ASK
 
I got the ASK for my 12.9 and have enjoyed having it every day since then. It did stop working - wouldn't connect through the smart connector or would disconnect, but the Apple Store replaced it for free even though it was outside the warranty - before they increased the exchange period - and it makes typing anything particularly lengthy MUCH better. I think it's definitely worth it
 
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