iPad Pro Two questions for iPad Pro/magic keyboard users

[kofman13]

1. Is it too top heavy for lap use? Like when ur on a bench or a couch and you put the ipad/magic keyboard on your lap to work or type, does it keep wobbling or fall back since the top is heavier than the bottom? Normal laptops dont have this issue because the bottom is always heavier than the screen. I’m worried if i get magic keyboard it will always fall over on my lap.
2. Right now i use an extternal Bluetooth keyboard with my ipad and i always use brightness/volume Hot keys all day and i feel like ill miss not having shortcut function keys with magic keyboard, having to constantly mouse up to control center and dragging a slider instead of pressing one key. Or moving my hand off trackpad and dragging down control center etc. anyone here in the same boat? Did you get used to not having shortcut keys?

 

[MrEcted]

1.) It's certainly lap-able, though yes it is top-heavy. For me it's best if I set it on a pillow that's resting on my lap because the hinge for the screen doesn't tilt far enough to make it comfortable for me, though different people will have different body types and different ways to position things so others might have a different experience. I'd say it's possible but not ideal, a traditional laptop computer is certainly more comfortable IMO.

The Magic Keyboard is quite heavy actually and most of the weight is on the keyboard end, so it does help to balance things out a little. It's actually surprisingly heavy.

2.) Personally I didn't have any issues adjusting at all, though I'm not the type to constantly fiddle around with things like brightness and volume.

 

[Adelphos33]

1) I have never really enjoyed using any kind of iPad on my lap with any kind of keyboard case. iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard are no different.

2) I don’t have an issue with this, but if you are used to using the hot keys, you may

 

[gsal]

The MKB gives you the best iPad experience by a distance in my opinion. I can’t be without it. It is a really well thought out product that takes the iPad up to another level.

You will have to use it for yourself to know what I’m saying.

 

[Aiii83]

1. Is it too top heavy for lap use? Like when ur on a bench or a couch and you put the ipad/magic keyboard on your lap to work or type, does it keep wobbling or fall back since the top is heavier than the bottom? Normal laptops dont have this issue because the bottom is always heavier than the screen. I’m worried if i get magic keyboard it will always fall over on my lap.
2. Right now i use an extternal Bluetooth keyboard with my ipad and i always use brightness/volume Hot keys all day and i feel like ill miss not having shortcut function keys with magic keyboard, having to constantly mouse up to control center and dragging a slider instead of pressing one key. Or moving my hand off trackpad and dragging down control center etc. anyone here in the same boat? Did you get used to not having shortcut keys?

1. It very much is, yes it's top heavy, but the Magic Keyboard is weighted as such that I can push it up way past a 45 degree angle and it still falls forward rather than backwards. I'd almost say it's magic, but it's just science, I suppose.
2. I don't adjust my brightness a lot, and there's physical volume keys at the top of the screen, but I just instinctively swipe up to control center and then double finger swipe there to finetune both of those that I don't even notice it. For all the other function keys there are hotkeys that you just memorize (CTRL+CMD+Q for lock, CMD+H for Home, OPT+CMD+D for Dock, Shift+CMD+3/4 for screenshots, etc). It's not really a thing for me anymore. I'd prefer if they were there, though, but it is what it is and the minor inconvenience at this point doesn't make a difference when I just really love the Magic Keyboard experience over all. The keys and trackpad, the design, and the way it's weighted perfectly just make it not matter that much that there's not a play/pause function key for me, so to say.

 

[kofman13]

1. It very much is, yes it's top heavy, but the Magic Keyboard is weighted as such that I can push it up way past a 45 degree angle and it still falls forward rather than backwards. I'd almost say it's magic, but it's just science, I suppose.
2. I don't adjust my brightness a lot, and there's physical volume keys at the top of the screen, but I just instinctively swipe up to control center and then double finger swipe there to finetune both of those that I don't even notice it. For all the other function keys there are hotkeys that you just memorize (CTRL+CMD+Q for lock, CMD+H for Home, OPT+CMD+D for Dock, Shift+CMD+3/4 for screenshots, etc). It's not really a thing for me anymore. I'd prefer if they were there, though, but it is what it is and the minor inconvenience at this point doesn't make a difference when I just really love the Magic Keyboard experience over all. The keys and trackpad, the design, and the way it's weighted perfectly just make it not matter that much that there's not a play/pause function key for me, so to say.

sounds great. im used to the Magic Trackpad standalone pad with my Mac. the Magic Trackpad on the iPad keyboard looks much smaller. did you find its big enough to scroll and pinch and gesture ?
also when you use it on your lap you said its doable but do you find yourself pressing hard with wrists to keep it from falling?

 

[Aiii83]

sounds great. im used to the Magic Trackpad standalone pad with my Mac. the Magic Trackpad on the iPad keyboard looks much smaller. did you find its big enough to scroll and pinch and gesture ?
also when you use it on your lap you said its doable but do you find yourself pressing hard with wrists to keep it from falling?

Not at all, as I say, it's weighted to the point where it doesn't fall backwards unless you angle it back over 45 degrees. Which, you know, you don't ever do.

Trackpad is dependent on size. On 11-inch it is a bit too small in height for my tastes, a minor inconvenience you can get used to. In 12.9-inch it's just fine. That said, on my desk at work I do have a Magic Trackpad 2 next to it for convenience.

 

[RiotMilk]

I'm a new Pro user (havent had an ipad since my ancient one from 2012, must have been a Gen 2?) and got the 12.9 incher with magic keyboard and absolutely love it.

i have no issues with weight or balance using it in my lap, the only flag i'd raise is it can only lean back a certain amount - with my macbook pro, i sometimes like to lay down on the couch and prop my knees up and lean the macbook against that (such that the keyboard is at a strong angle with the screen tilted all the way back) but the magic keyboard doesn't let you move it that far back so that particular position doesn't work.

besides that it's a pretty phenomenal experience IMO. no real problems with trackpad size to me, and i love the experience using it as the cursor will "snap" onto clickable elements and highlight them, it's pretty nice feeling.

the only thing is i will occasionally try to hit "escape" but it's missing the top row there and i'm like ugh i guess i have to tap the screen itself like a savage! lol and just because i am so used to MBP keyboard i do sometimes have to fight the inclination to do the same with brightness and volume, but it's a lot more natural feeling for me to swipe down control center on the screen to do those things because i'm used to that from iphone as well. so those ones i have no real problem with

also FWIW i'm using the previous gen magic keyboard which i had bought on sale in march and it fits and works perfectly fine

i am also getting a smart folio for when i want to take it off and use it more in classic ipad fashion

 

[DreamPod]

You can add your own keyboard shortcuts - it's not perfect, but there are a number of default commands you can bind, and you can create SIRI Shortcuts for other purposes (IE, Media->Set Volume) and bind keys to them. To do so, go to Settings->Accessibility. Choose Keyboards->Full Keyboard Access, then Commands and you can assign key combinations to those commands.

For balance, I don't use it on my lap, but I just tried it - it's a *little* top-heavy, but if I leave my wrists resting on the keyboard to the sides of the trackpad the weight of my hands keeps it up just fine. The actual screen hinge and magnets setup is very strong, it's not going to flop back on its own. I have the 12.9" Ipad Pro.

 

[JSteele]

Honestly the keyboard has made the iPad feel a lot like a laptop replacement. Even just the simple things like doing cmd + z to undo or just typing this. Couldn’t imagine not having it. It is pretty heavy, I lay on my back and put it on my tummy in bed.

 

[Apple_Robert]

In my opinion, it works very well as a small laptop. I have used it several times on my lap and didn't have any problems typing or having to keep the iPad from tipping over.

 

[RaceTripper]

It’s too top heavy for lap use, IMO. It flips over backwards very easily. If you’re paying attention you can probably manage it, but don’t be too surprised when you find it on the ground unexpectedly. Also, the keyboard is positioned back further than on a laptop, so it feels unnatural to use on a lap.

 

[jazz1]

While on the couch I use one of those laptop boards. It has padding on the bottom, and a slight curve for your tummy I got it on Amazon.

 

[Angler]

The MKB gives you the best iPad experience by a distance in my opinion. I can’t be without it. It is a really well thought out product that takes the iPad up to another level.

You will have to use it for yourself to know what I’m saying.

100% agreed!

 

[AutomaticApple]

1. Is it too top heavy for lap use? Like when ur on a bench or a couch and you put the ipad/magic keyboard on your lap to work or type, does it keep wobbling or fall back since the top is heavier than the bottom? Normal laptops dont have this issue because the bottom is always heavier than the screen. I’m worried if i get magic keyboard it will always fall over on my lap.
2. Right now i use an extternal Bluetooth keyboard with my ipad and i always use brightness/volume Hot keys all day and i feel like ill miss not having shortcut function keys with magic keyboard, having to constantly mouse up to control center and dragging a slider instead of pressing one key. Or moving my hand off trackpad and dragging down control center etc. anyone here in the same boat? Did you get used to not having shortcut keys?

It is lappable for about a half an hour. From there, it gets very uncomfortable.

 

[Bea220]

I’m currently using it comfortably on my lap while I sit on the sofa. My first time using this kind of set up. I’m still a tiny bit apprehensive but I’ve never owned an iPad before so I’m going through an adjustment period atm.

 

[NastyMatt]

I use mine a lot on my lap, sitting on the sofa I use it for hours - I also sit on my bed and use it on my legs (out straight) for whole mornings/afternoons (working from home fun!). Yes it feels like the weight is up high but it has never toppled over. Maybe just the way I use it.

Must admit I never adjust my screen brightness (don't even know what it is set at!!) and if I do adjust the volume I use the physical button. Most the time I use the sound (meetings) I use the volume on my headphones.

I know some say the trackpad is small but I really like the size, I have a 2017 MBP and it is too big for me as I find my thumbs quite often slightly touch it and the mouse ends up somewhere else on the screen.

 

[kofman13]

I just realized that the magic keyboard trackpad is not haptic click which I’m used to with MacBook Pro and magic track pad 2. It’s a “loud physical click” as some people say. How does the click feel on the mousepad?

 

[Bea220]

I just realized that the magic keyboard trackpad is not haptic click which I’m used to with MacBook Pro and magic track pad 2. It’s a “loud physical click” as some people say. How does the click feel on the mousepad?

It feels fine… nothing to write home about but the MK is a lovely (albeit pricey) device. Honestly, as expensive as this is if it saves me buying a MBP or MBA I’m good. I can’t stand the idea of an iPad without a keyboard. I just want the touchscreen for procreate and note taking/writing. Each day I get more comfortable with the idea of this replacing my 2013 MBP.

 

[papbot]

1. Is it too top heavy for lap use? Like when ur on a bench or a couch and you put the ipad/magic keyboard on your lap to work or type, does it keep wobbling or fall back since the top is heavier than the bottom? Normal laptops dont have this issue because the bottom is always heavier than the screen. I’m worried if i get magic keyboard it will always fall over on my lap.
2. Right now i use an extternal Bluetooth keyboard with my ipad and i always use brightness/volume Hot keys all day and i feel like ill miss not having shortcut function keys with magic keyboard, having to constantly mouse up to control center and dragging a slider instead of pressing one key. Or moving my hand off trackpad and dragging down control center etc. anyone here in the same boat? Did you get used to not having shortcut keys?

No issues using it on your lap. I know it’s too much information but I even use it while sitting on the toilet. On my lap I use a pillow. For a lot of typing, as someone else mentioned, one of those lap desks works very well. But the combo is quite stable for using on your lap with either nothing or a pillow as I do. In fact I’d say 99% of my usage is on my lap with pillow under a lap desk or just a pillow alone.