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madat42

macrumors 6502
Mar 25, 2011
326
128
I’m not worried about the screen now that I’ve got a screen protector on, however someone else brought up the exposed MK aluminum spine being a scratch magnet. All the demo MKs at the Apple Store were already scratched up so yeah it’s a problem it seems. If you lay the keyboard on a flat level surface, the spine doesn’t actually touch when you open and close the case. I think scratches can happen as folks lay the keyboard down, typically end first, at an angle. That’s where the spine hits the surface or any debris potentially. For now I’ve placed some black grip tape on the spine to act as ‘feet’. I think DBrand is already selling MK wraps that include protection for the spine so I might invest in that.
 

vine-boating

macrumors 68020
Aug 10, 2017
2,229
572
I’m not worried about the screen now that I’ve got a screen protector on, however someone else brought up the exposed MK aluminum spine being a scratch magnet. All the demo MKs at the Apple Store were already scratched up so yeah it’s a problem it seems. If you lay the keyboard on a flat level surface, the spine doesn’t actually touch when you open and close the case. I think scratches can happen as folks lay the keyboard down, typically end first, at an angle. That’s where the spine hits the surface or any debris potentially. For now I’ve placed some black grip tape on the spine to act as ‘feet’. I think DBrand is already selling MK wraps that include protection for the spine so I might invest in that.
What screen protector are you using?
 

davideotape

macrumors 6502a
Nov 16, 2012
531
145
The glass protector I have on my M1 looks great, the only difference is there’s more glare. I’ll get it for the m4 if I pick it up
 

geoelectric

macrumors 6502
May 19, 2008
376
66
If you lay the keyboard on a flat level surface, the spine doesn’t actually touch when you open and close the case. I think scratches can happen as folks lay the keyboard down, typically end first, at an angle. That’s where the spine hits the surface or any debris potentially.

The problem is unless I open it a little in my hands before putting it down, I can’t pull the screen upwards this way. Even if I could get a grip from that position, it’s going to lift the keyboard with it unless I put a hand on the palm rest.

After using the 2018 and its fully enclosed MKB for a few years I’m also very used to putting the folded combo down spine first then pulling the keyboard downwards. I’m surely not the only one. John Gruber even complained about needing to do that in his original Magic Keyboard review, IIRC.

I’m trying to change habits up, but I still find the spine design in general to be a baffling one. It seems like a usability regression in every possible way.
 
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madat42

macrumors 6502
Mar 25, 2011
326
128
The problem is unless I open it a little in my hands before putting it down, I can’t pull the screen upwards this way. Even if I could get a grip from that position, it’s going to lift the keyboard with it unless I put a hand on the palm rest.

After using the 2018 and its fully enclosed MKB for a few years I’m also very used to putting the folded combo down spine first then pulling the keyboard downwards. I’m surely not the only one. John Gruber even complained about needing to do that in his original Magic Keyboard review, IIRC.

I’m trying to change habits up, but I still find the spine design in general to be a baffling one. It seems like a usability regression in every possible way.
I completely agree with you. Was my habit as well with the old MK to put the spine down on the surface first then start opening the keyboard. I wish they hadn’t eliminated the part of the cover that protected the spine. Hope someone makes something that can clip on at least.
 
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TracerAnalog

macrumors 6502a
Nov 7, 2012
796
1,462
The Magic Keyboard design for the M4 iPad Pro’s seems to be an all-out effort to go thinner and lighter:
- A metal frame keyboard
- Zero space in between it and the screen of the iPad

Not using a screenprotector you will soon be confronted with ‘mysterious’ scratches on your pricey, brand new M4 iPad.

In the past the rubbery surface of the MKB kept a particle stuck, leaving perhaps a tiny dent in the screen surface. Hardly visible.

What were they thinking at Apple HQ when they approved this design??
Bingo! Another newbie post to rile us up. Bye…
 

Geekett

macrumors member
Sep 17, 2021
57
42
I went to the Apple Store and didn’t see this problem.
Time will tell but I wonder if some are not trying to promote screen protectors or other ugly dbrands 🙄
Anyway, if the new iPad Pro has such flaw, I would return it right away
Wouldn’t want to put a cheap layer on the amazing tandem oled !
 

Puonti

macrumors 68000
Mar 14, 2011
1,567
1,187
This is how I do it when I want to open my M4 Magic Keyboard. It's simpler in action than written out:
  1. Use one thumb (say, left) on the front edge as a stopper
  2. Pick the case up by the spine with the other hand (say, right)
  3. Turn the case so that the front edge faces up and one side edge (in this case right) faces towards your chest
  4. The thumb you used as a stopper is now at the top, use it and your index finger to pry the case open
  5. Once the case is open hold on to the keyboard side (in this case with your left hand) and tilt the iPad's screen upwards while still supporting the case by the spine with your (in this case right) palm. The iPad will rotate down on its own. You'll quickly get a feel for how much tilt you need for smooth action
  6. Once the spine hinge locks in place, grab the iPad side of the case from the sides with both hands and set the keyboard down on a clean surface facing you
  7. Adjust second hinge to your liking. Enjoy!
Note: you know your own physical abilities better than I do. Don't attempt this if you don't feel comfortable opening the Magic Keyboard in mid air. I'm not responsible if you fumble or the magnets don't hold.
 
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madat42

macrumors 6502
Mar 25, 2011
326
128
I went to the Apple Store and didn’t see this problem.
Time will tell but I wonder if some are not trying to promote screen protectors or other ugly dbrands 🙄
Anyway, if the new iPad Pro has such flaw, I would return it right away
Wouldn’t want to put a cheap layer on the amazing tandem oled !
I’m happy to ditch the screen protector after others go first ;). For $13 bucks though it’s cheap, keeps the aesthetics intact, and works surprisingly well at keeping fingerprint smudges off. The only downside was the glare but I’m no longer noticing it. Maybe when the sun comes out…
 
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Geekett

macrumors member
Sep 17, 2021
57
42
I’m happy to ditch the screen protector after others go first ;). For $13 bucks though it’s cheap, keeps the aesthetics intact, and works surprisingly well at keeping fingerprint smudges off. The only downside was the glare but I’m no longer noticing it. Maybe when the sun comes out…
I never put a screen protector on my iPad Pro 2020. Not a single scratch on the screen but must say it’s a fingerprints magnet. I have to wipe it at least every week !
 

NervousFish2

macrumors 6502
Mar 23, 2014
363
664
I dislike glass screen protectors because of their reflectivity - threw my last one away. I do like having a lightweight microfiber cloth with me and I just lay it over the keyboard and trackpad area when I close the case - causes no harm and solves the case rubbing problem.
This is the solution. I use one on my macbook pro too. You can get very thin ones made just for this purpose. I tend to use the ones made by RadTech. They make them specifically to fit MBP keyboards.

https://www.radtech.com/products/screensavrz-macbook-pro-keyboard-cover
 
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richpjr

macrumors 68040
May 9, 2006
3,763
2,594
I dislike glass screen protectors because of their reflectivity - threw my last one away. I do like having a lightweight microfiber cloth with me and I just lay it over the keyboard and trackpad area when I close the case - causes no harm and solves the case rubbing problem.
That was the first thing that crossed my mind when reading about it - not that I think it is a big problem.
 

Melbourne Park

macrumors 65816
An anti-glare screen protector would be cheaper than buying a 1 TB iPad m4 Pro along with the extra charge for the matt screen ...

I wonder too - if one uses AppleCare, would Apple replace an iPad with a marked OLED screen? Might be worth it if they would ... my Ultra watch is on monthly AppleCare. I guess that is why nothing has happened to it! Friends tell me one has to buy AppleCare for iPhones, because Apple will replace them if the screen breaks. Will they do the same for a scratched screen on an iPad?
 

cmbarclay

macrumors 6502
Nov 9, 2009
499
410
I was thinking after watching a few reviews, the metal plam rests and being in my carry on... not a good combination. So I bought this and put it on.

 
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Harmonious Zen

macrumors 6502a
May 18, 2013
874
551
I’m looking at my Magic Keyboard and I’m not seeing how the YouTuber could have possibly scratched the corner of his iPad like that. The rubber ring around the keyboard elevates the screen a little bit. The only way it’s possible is if he got something stuck between the screen and the keyboard accidentally.

Or it was his pencil.
 
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Rafterman

Contributor
Apr 23, 2010
7,267
8,809
I don't know about this, Apple probably uses one of those machines that can do repetitive tasks, like one that can open and close an iPad and case over and over thousands of times to test the design. Its not impossible, but I would think they would have discovered if this scratching was happening.
 

PaperMag

Suspended
May 13, 2023
220
383
Glass can't get scratched by the plastic in the keyboard.
  • When you see scratches that's usually the oleophobic coating, which wears down anyway after a few years of use. You can restore oleophobic coating (usually $15 on Amazon).
  • Or the glass is scratched by sand or barely visible rock particles that our fingers pick up and maybe get rubbed in by the keyboard (or just generally picks up this stuff being in a bag)
Obviously a screen protector will prevent this. Also gently wiping the keyboard and display regularly will help (use a microfiber cloth lightly lubricated with distilled water or a screen cleaning spray).

But overall, you can't see the scratches when the screen is on, and they can't be felt, so in the end its a non-issue outside of any sensitivities to aesthetic imperfection. I find that I get annoyed of that stuff, at first, but after years of use it doesn't phase me.

Also, I think what Apple is using for oleophobic coating and display glass has gotten better in the last few years. My older iPhones used to have a ton of micro-scratches but my 4-year old iPhone doesn't have visible scratches on it, and there is no display I use more and in so many varied environments.
 

geoelectric

macrumors 6502
May 19, 2008
376
66
That YT with the posted “not what it seems” video had what looked like pretty deep scratches.

I agree with his take that it wasn’t likely the keyboard, as they’re too big to be caused by play in the cover and some looked curved. But I cannot imagine he would make them using a Pencil without feeling it grind.

I kind of wonder if he put it in a sleeve with grit at the bottom and then it jostled around. That’s what it looks like most to me.
 

th1nk

macrumors regular
Nov 11, 2008
222
476
lmao yeah apple surely forgot to think about this while designing, testing and releasing the product. the trolling in this forum really is unbelievable.
 
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