What’s New With the iPad Pro Magic Keyboard

[genova35]

Author,

The #1 criticism of the last model was its weight; it was surpassingly heavy. Consider bringing up any weight improvements, if there are any, during reviews of subsequent models.

My #1 criticism of these two designs is that it takes the fact it is tablet and destroys it.

I want to be writing something, using the trackpad, have an idea and need to flip the keyboard around, grab the pencil and do a quick sketch, and then flip it back around and continue typing.

Such a missed opportunity. I think the Logitech cases come the closest to nailing it for me, but I would love a branded option…maybe v3

 

[Six0Four]

No way that metal keyboard deck is not scratching that iPad. Not a chance...

 

[Fuzzball84]

Dot the brightness keys change screen brightness or keyboard backlight brightness?

 

[Darth Tulhu]

So, really, when you boil it down, with this new Magic Keyboard you gain the same sort of function keys that you have on a Mac along with a larger trackpad. Both are definitely welcome but not earth-shattering. Would I buy one if I bought the new IPP? Sure!

For fall protection, the edges of the current 2019 model have a lip that protrudes just a smidge beyond the device's edge. This does not protect against all falls (especially those directly on the edge of the device), but if the iPad hits the surface at any kind of angle, it does afford some protection. It's not an Otterbox by any means, though.

I have different cases for different purposes for my iPad Pro, but not one for drop protection. Too much bulk.

I'm also CAREFUL with my iPP like I am with my M2 MBA, which is always naked.

Dropping an iPP in it's MK is equivalent to dropping an MBA/MBP, so complaints about that don't really make sense and/or are not fair, to me at least.

 

[needsomecoffee]

Put macOS on the Magic Keyboard?? 😏

Yes... enable MacOS via a MKB Ultra Pro. Read this before flaming:

MacPad: How I Created the Hybrid Mac-iPad Laptop and Tablet That Apple Won’t Make

It all started because I wanted a better keyboard for my Vision Pro. I had no idea that, in looking for one, I’d accidentally create the hybrid Apple computer of my dreams. As I quickly discovered after working on the Vision Pro daily, you can get by without an external trackpad, but a keyboard is

www.macstories.net

 

[garethjs]

I love my 2022 iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard, but damn this is giving me FOMO

FOMO on something that looks mostly identical to the previous version u own?

 

[derekamoss]

The iPad Pro is not meant for light tasks. For that you have the Air.

As long as it uses iOS then light tasks is all iPads will ever be used for.

 

[Darth Tulhu]

My #1 criticism of these two designs is that it takes the fact it is tablet and destroys it.

I want to be writing something, using the trackpad, have an idea and need to flip the keyboard around, grab the pencil and do a quick sketch, and then flip it back around and continue typing.

Such a missed opportunity. I think the Logitech cases come the closest to nailing it for me, but I would love a branded option…maybe v3

Yes.

But instead I always felt that the Magic Keyboard should be able to open all the way and fold down to the point where I can have the iPad sit screen-up OVER the keyboard without undocking it or lifting the KB at all. The upper swivel hinge stop was disappointing.

That way, switching from writing to drawing and back would have been seamless.

Maybe next time...

 

[Abazigal]

Author,

The #1 criticism of the last model was its weight; it was surpassingly heavy. Consider bringing up any weight improvements, if there are any, during reviews of subsequent models.

Isn't the bottom weighted to offset the iPad making it top-heavy? If you didn't add weights to the base of the keyboard, you risk the keyboard tipping over when the iPad is attached.

 

[Darth Tulhu]

As long as it uses iOS then light tasks is all iPads will ever be used for.

Logic, FCP, Procreate, hell, even Garageband are heavy enough.

And iPadOS has been forked from iOS, so let's not be disingenuous.

That said, the iPad is INTENDED to handle lighter-than-MBP tasks, as the latter is a truck as compared to the car that is the iPad. Still, the iPad is pushing some tonnage.

 

[Darth Tulhu]

Yes... enable MacOS via a MKB Ultra Pro. Read this before flaming:

MacPad: How I Created the Hybrid Mac-iPad Laptop and Tablet That Apple Won’t Make

It all started because I wanted a better keyboard for my Vision Pro. I had no idea that, in looking for one, I’d accidentally create the hybrid Apple computer of my dreams. As I quickly discovered after working on the Vision Pro daily, you can get by without an external trackpad, but a keyboard is

www.macstories.net

That is a great story, and shows great promise. Except for the fact that this guy sawed his truck and car in half to make an El Camino.

Bringing a polished version of this to market can be problematic due to two things...

Cost and CHOICE

He has an MBA AND an iPad working together like they do now, except he broke his Mac to have "one" device. WHYYYYY???

So, how much would the "Mac side" cost without a screen? What if a user wants the MK typing/navigation experience *GASP* WITHOUT macOS?

How do you pick?

I know it's hard for Mac users to accept, but not every iPad user wants a Mac. I'd venture to say that most iPad users don't want macOS.

Looks like Apple doesn't either: macOS looks and feels more and more like iPadOS with every release.

But I see the potential: MacOS Dock for iPad -- All the MK hardware plus a 20GB chip that stores MacOS and all the switching firmware, and perhaps even an extra battery.

Sounds like a startup opportunity to me ('cause Apple ain't doing this over selling you both a Mac and an iPad).

 

[dockgaze]

I keep reading the promo material about the “new larger trackpad,” but looking at my current Ipad/Magic Keyboard I just don’t see where is the space for that enlargement with inclusion of the new function keys??? Is it actually noticeably “bigger” or just marginally so?

 

[TheWraith]

amazon package weight list for old and new one is the same. 2.2 lbs vs 2.29 so actual keyboard will likely be just as similar

of course—they lied. technically it is less...but so little that they couldn't say it.

typical.

 

[Kirkster]

Waiting for the OtterBox Symmetry folio. Hands down the best case. It already looks like the Magic Keyboard does not tilt far enough back for lap use. And no protection on the sides of the iPad. So….. gunna be a nope from me again.

 

[SunnyFL]

I could swear while watching the event video they showed a keyboard with a numeric keypad. I was sure hoping that was the case

 

[tkaravou]

Yes.

But instead I always felt that the Magic Keyboard should be able to open all the way and fold down to the point where I can have the iPad sit screen-up OVER the keyboard without undocking it or lifting the KB at all. The upper swivel hinge stop was disappointing.

That way, switching from writing to drawing and back would have been seamless.

Maybe next time...

This is why I love the Folio Keyboard, you can fold it over. I really wish they kept that one.

 

[throAU]

Put macOS on it you cowards.

Well, I don't want macOS on it, but what I do want:
Don't terminate background apps like terminal windows
Give the ability to RUN macOS apps
Give the ability to run parallels.


And I'll be all over this like a fat kid on cake.

 

[heretiq]

Yes... enable MacOS via a MKB Ultra Pro. Read this before flaming:

MacPad: How I Created the Hybrid Mac-iPad Laptop and Tablet That Apple Won’t Make

It all started because I wanted a better keyboard for my Vision Pro. I had no idea that, in looking for one, I’d accidentally create the hybrid Apple computer of my dreams. As I quickly discovered after working on the Vision Pro daily, you can get by without an external trackpad, but a keyboard is

www.macstories.net

I read that months ago and love what Federico did with his MacPad. There was no intention to flame -- I just thought the idea of macOS in a keyboard funny in the moment. However, the idea of a headless computer (i.e. a keyboard with SOC, power supply, ports, etc.) is not new and is a serious option -- but not in this case. The reason is that the iPad is already a complete computer with embedded SOC complex, so putting those items in the magic keyboard will result in an impractically expensive and duplicative combination that disturbs the established order to essentially accomplish what we already have. The answer to the problem that drove Federico to build the MacPad (better integration of external keyboard into visionOS) can be easily solved in visionOS/macOS/iPadOS updates (which we might see at WWDC) vs peturbation of an entire carefully crafted ecosystem to solve a problem that is essentially a missing software feature -- which is unlikely to happen.

 

[dancefreak]

No way that metal keyboard deck is not scratching that iPad. Not a chance...

Just like the way every MacBook Pro screen is scratched.

 

[PaperMag]

Isn't the bottom weighted to offset the iPad making it top-heavy? If you didn't add weights to the base of the keyboard, you risk the keyboard tipping over when the iPad is attached.

Isn't the new iPad Pro lighter than the previous design—and so counter balance characteristics of a Magic Keyboard also be made lighter—addressing the #1 criticism of the previous years?

And isn't the new Magic Keyboard no longer made of plastic but aluminum on the inside, and so addressing the weight and weight distribution characteristics of a more aluminum Magic Keyboard be pertinent to writing a review?

 

[Abazigal]

Isn't the new iPad Pro lighter than the previous design—and so counter balance characteristics of a Magic Keyboard also be made lighter—addressing the #1 criticism of the previous years?

And isn't the new Magic Keyboard no longer made of plastic but aluminum on the inside, and so addressing the weight and weight distribution characteristics of a more aluminum Magic Keyboard be pertinent to writing a review?

The new 11” iPad Pro is about 20 grams lighter. I am not sure if that’s enough to make the base of the keyboard any lighter.

Also, I have not been able to find any information about the weight of the magic keyboard, so I guess it would be hard to write about something you don’t have information about.

 

[PaperMag]

My #1 criticism of these two designs is that it takes the fact it is tablet and destroys it.

I want to be writing something, using the trackpad, have an idea and need to flip the keyboard around, grab the pencil and do a quick sketch, and then flip it back around and continue typing.

Such a missed opportunity. I think the Logitech cases come the closest to nailing it for me, but I would love a branded option…maybe v3

That's what Apple's Smart Keyboard Folio was but seemingly iPad Pro users let sales languish. I'm bummed about that.

 

[AppleUser93]

I don’t get how the larger iPad keyboard is the same price as the newest gen entry level iPad…

 

[Pakaku]

Put macOS on the Magic Keyboard?? 😏

A magical keyboard dock that transforms iOS into OS X just by magnetically attaching to it... sounds like a pretty cool idea

 

[PaperMag]

Yup. When docked the combo of Pro and Keyboard were actually heavier than an MBA. This was a point of criticism from me [...]

Yeah it was heavier than many laptops. Hand anyone a Magic Keyboard with an iPad Pro inside and they're first comment would be something like "***** thats heavier than it looks!" You get used to it but its not fun one-handing it.

as well as the way the lower edge of the iPad hovered over the row of keys so the tips of my fingers were constantly smacking against it when I was seriously typing. It's hard to tell without looking in person whether they managed to actually fix that or not.

That must be frustrating. Hope a reviewer covers any improvements on that pain-point.