I agree, except for the weight, which I am getting used too, Apple has hit a home run with this product. It is truly magic!
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iPad Pro The Everything Magic Keyboard Thread
- Thread starter Royksöpp
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I just got the MKF for my 2018 12.9 last night and enjoy it, though it is a bit of a beast in terms of weight. I also have the 2018 11 inch with the older keyboard folio, and that one seems like a much better alternative for throwing in my backpack/purse for super casual around town use once life is back to normal, but the 2018 12.9 with the magic keyboard folio would definitely be in my carry-on for real travel (along with the 11 in just a regular case. I’m not someone who was dying for mouse/trackpad support, but I actually really like it!
It really gives the iPP that last step of a laptop alternative feel when doing “office work,“ while letting me maintain the tablet functionality, which is necessary for my work (I teach online and draw on a whiteboard extensively) and also is my preferred form for casually sitting around and browsing/playing a game.
I like having the regular folio for the 12.9 as well— that will be what I use while drawing/for casual use. Then pop it into the MKF for typing.
It really gives the iPP that last step of a laptop alternative feel when doing “office work,“ while letting me maintain the tablet functionality, which is necessary for my work (I teach online and draw on a whiteboard extensively) and also is my preferred form for casually sitting around and browsing/playing a game.
I like having the regular folio for the 12.9 as well— that will be what I use while drawing/for casual use. Then pop it into the MKF for typing.
Same for me on most of this with two slight variations. Instead of also buying a standard folio for drawing/writing with Apple Pencil, watching movies, playing games, etc, I just put a dBrand skin on the back. It's actually quite nice! I had to wait a couple of days between when I got my Pro and when I got the Magic Keyboard, so I put that skin on it right away and just used it only as a tablet for those couple of days. I really like using it that way a lot and never did that with my previous iPad Pros. I may splurge someday and just get a real folio, but probably not.
Also, unfortunately, I had to sell my 2018 11" in order to partially fund the 2020 12.9", so I don't really have an alternative iPad for more portability. So now I have two larger-than-iPhone devices to choose from to take with me: either my work-issued 15" MBP or my 12.9" iPad Pro. I already do 100% my personal (not job-related) computing on the iPad and can do my job from it too, so I can't think of a single situation going forward where the 12.9" iPad Pro isn't the device I grab and go with every time. It really does fully feel like a modular laptop now.
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The weight difference is not trivial, that's for sure. But it's also not unmanageable. Just kind of feels to me like you're carrying around a Macbook Air. Better than carrying around my 15" MBP, which truly is a beast weight wise.
I got my 11” magic keyboard last Thursday, and the 12.9” today. The 12.9“ feels full-size and comfortable for me; the smaller 11” keyboard feels a little cramped even though the typing experience isn’t bad at all. I also got a new 12.9” 2020 ipad pro and I’m trading in my old 12.9” iPad Pro. I am going to see how I feel about the 12.9” from a portability and tablet-ability standpoint, and may end up selling that. I have too many Apple devices.
I'm new to the 12.9" and still not used to the size yet, but it's only been a couple of days. I definitely feel like it's a completely different use case than the 11". I would almost describe it as its own category of tablet. Add the Magic Keyboard and it's almost something I would consider a separate product line.
I just got the MK for my 11. Picture time!
Arrived today, i can only say that it is fantastic! It types amazing, it feels good, it is stable, sturdy, love It.
I also love how easy i can pull the tablet of from it’s case to use it naked, really refreshing after using the Smart Keyboard Folio for a year.
11” iPad Pro 2018 + Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro
I also love how easy i can pull the tablet of from it’s case to use it naked, really refreshing after using the Smart Keyboard Folio for a year.
11” iPad Pro 2018 + Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro
I sceptically ordered the Magic Keyboard. I received the 11” Magic Keyboard for my 2018 iPad Pro this past Monday. I cannot tell you how this has transformed my iPad. I bought the Brydge keyboard just over a year ago and ended up using it primarily as a stand as the typing experience was horrendous and the hinge design made it a chore to add and remove the iPad from the keyboard. The Brydge keys were far too small and mushy. While the keyboard on the 11” magic keyboard is smaller than the 12.9” version, the keys are phenomenal. They are larger than the Brydge and solidly built with the perfect amount of travel. I can type amost as fast on my 11” with the Magic keyboard as on my 15” MPB. I don’t think I’ve been in love with an Apple product as much as I am with the Magic Keyboard. It’s literally a paradigm shift in usability for the iPad. So much so that my iPad can do almost everything I need it to do on a daily basis. I’m only reaching for my MBP when I need to use a VM or manage my NAS or other software not available on the iPad. The experience is so good I’m thinking of replacing my ageing MPB with an iMac down the line and have the iPad as my sole mobile computer and simply using a Remote Desktop client when I need to access MacOS. Even though the cost is high I think Apple hit it out of the park with this product.
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I really like that the caps lock key has an LED indicator light on it so I can tell when it is activated, the Smart Keyboard didn’t have that and I could never tell when it was activated.
I’ve said this often and people are probably tired of hearing it, but if I didn’t have my work-issued MacBook Pro, I would not replace it with my own personally owned one. I’ve been all in on iPad Pro since the first year they came out. I’ve never had any trouble justifying that choice, but I think this Magic Keyboard eliminates a lot of the low hanging fruit as far as criticisms people have had against it as a productivity machine.
It’s a Bersem anti-glare. Dark mode looks nice with it because I don’t really see fingerprints and reflections. But like most anti-glare screen protectors, it’s noticeably grainy on medium to light backgrounds, and it reduces clarity. Also, there’s little room for error with this brand because it goes on very close to the edge of the screen on all four sides. The edges will bubble up with some cases if it‘s not on perfect. It’s not a big deal with the folio, SK, and MK. I like dark mode but I couldn’t stand seeing my fingerprints, but it‘s so much better now with this screen protector. I don’t like the graininess, but I’m tolerating it because of the benefits of anti-glare.
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Hopefully the link below works. It was cloud wallpaper I found online, then I blurred it and edit the colors a bit.
Cloud wallpaper
Question for y'all with the matte screen protectors; do you think they are a risk for potentially roughing up the keys on the magic keyboard? I wanted to know since I was considering picking up a screen protector since I draw a lot on my iPad. Thanks!
Finally got mine today for my 2018 12.9
I really like this for home use. I would never travel with it though, it’s just too bulky, can’t use it folded back. It’s perfect for my usage though (TV for using in the kitchen, using to surf the web at my desk, etc.). I just wish it fit in the Apple Leather sleeve
That being said, I never traveled with my 12.9 anyway, as I think it’s too large. I still have my 2017 10.5“ IPP, which I still think is the best all-around IPad ever (Portability/feels much sturdier than the 2018/2020 models). I also think the Smart Keyboard for that generation is the best all-around. Very portable, can be folded back. Never upgraded to the 11 because I feel the keyboard is far inferior in every way. It also fit perfectly with the Apple sleeve.
I’m keeping it because it‘s perfect for my unique usage. If I only had 1 IPad for home and travel, I would unfortunately have to return it, just too bulky/awkward for travel/couch use.
I really like this for home use. I would never travel with it though, it’s just too bulky, can’t use it folded back. It’s perfect for my usage though (TV for using in the kitchen, using to surf the web at my desk, etc.). I just wish it fit in the Apple Leather sleeve
That being said, I never traveled with my 12.9 anyway, as I think it’s too large. I still have my 2017 10.5“ IPP, which I still think is the best all-around IPad ever (Portability/feels much sturdier than the 2018/2020 models). I also think the Smart Keyboard for that generation is the best all-around. Very portable, can be folded back. Never upgraded to the 11 because I feel the keyboard is far inferior in every way. It also fit perfectly with the Apple sleeve.
I’m keeping it because it‘s perfect for my unique usage. If I only had 1 IPad for home and travel, I would unfortunately have to return it, just too bulky/awkward for travel/couch use.
My favorite thing about this keyboard is the lap-ability it offers. I’ve purchased (and returned) Surface Pros in the past due to how lousy the kickstand was to deal with when working on the couch - this is probably the best experience I’ve had in my particular use-case. Very happy with the product so far!
Totally agree! I just received mine today and that‘s how I‘m using it now. I absolutely love it!
FYI the CML+shift+4 MacOS shortcut for screenshots works here.
Ordered an open box from Best Buy for $239 plus I used a $50 Best Buy rewards so brought it down to $189 so the price wasn’t too bad. Should be getting it Monday!
I’m super happy with the Magic Keyboard. I’ve been using it since delivery yesterday afternoon and cannot imagine using my ipad without it. At night I easily remove the ipad from the MK and read a novel in bed. With the MK already plugged into the charger it is so easy to put the ipad back on the MK and have it charge overnight. The typing experience is really great much better than the typing on the Smart Keyboard I still have and will not probably use again. I have no issue with the weight as it results in a super solid construction and good weight balance when using it on your lap.
One thing that will obviously take time to fix and will be up to the programmers of apps is that flipboard doesn’t currently work properly. I can use the trackpad to open an article but cannot use it to turn pages in Flipboard so really I have to use the touchscreen to use Flipboard. All of apple’s apps work well and are optimized for the MK although, in Apple News I cannot use the trackpad to swipe back to the main page when done reading an article.
I also find it will take some time to get used to the gesture to bring slide over up, I find it takes two tries to bring it up and to close it.
One thing that will obviously take time to fix and will be up to the programmers of apps is that flipboard doesn’t currently work properly. I can use the trackpad to open an article but cannot use it to turn pages in Flipboard so really I have to use the touchscreen to use Flipboard. All of apple’s apps work well and are optimized for the MK although, in Apple News I cannot use the trackpad to swipe back to the main page when done reading an article.
I also find it will take some time to get used to the gesture to bring slide over up, I find it takes two tries to bring it up and to close it.
I’ve had my magic keyboard for a few days now. Bought a magic mouse, black, to go with it. I’m not much into track pads but this one seems to work pretty well. The keyboard is a dream compared to the older one. I love this keyboard. I like how I have a free port now that charging is done through the charge port. Now that we have mouse support, I am hoping more apps take advantage of the mouse option. And I have a long standing request that I be able to play Minecraft with the keyboard and mouse exactly the same was as on the Mac. That would be a dream come true for me.
Ok so I just got mine (for 11-inch) in from Best Buy and have used this for an hour. First impressions and thoughts so far:
- Right when I held the box, I could already tell that it was going to be heavy and there is a very noticeable difference between this and the folio keyboard
- Keys are LEAGUES above the folio keyboard. It’s really good but to say it’s like a MacBook Pro 16-inch is an exaggeration
- Backlit keys are definitely a welcome addition
- The viewing angle is MUCH MUCH better than the one on the folio. Night and day
- I thought the trackpad would be annoyingly thin, but it’s not so bad and very responsive. I think I am more impressed with the trackpad than they keys on the keyboard
- Gesture experience (Swiping, scrolling, etc) is similar to the MacBooks
- Would I spend $300 on this? Well if the iPad Pro was my main device and if I were to use this very often I most probably would.
- If your work is mostly done on a desktop or a MacBook because of your workflow and application needs, then $300 is way too much to pay for a websurfing media viewing device where you end up just popping off the keyboard anyway. If you need a keyboard to just type on occasion or do minor work, the keyboard folio paired with a bluetooth mouse or simply using the touchscreen is more than fine
- This is as close to a viable MacBook touch screen experience as it gets
- Using on the lap still isn’t as good as a laptop but it’s much less awkward to use than the keyboard folio
- Weight of the keyboard stops becoming an issue. You get used to it after carrying it around for a few minutes
- Keep in mind that this keyboard might not fit the tablet pockets on some backpacks because it does increase the width a little bit. Some tablet pockets are made for the exact size of the 10.5 - 11-inch iPad. If it will fit with your old folio, it might not fit with the new magic keyboard!
- Try to score an open box if you can at Best Buy. I got mine for $239 (it was $10 off the other day). I ended up paying $189 using $50 in Best Buy rewards so it‘s definitely worth it for me
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