What’s New With the iPad Pro Magic Keyboard

[jazz1]

I would probably go this route if it was still around. I still miss the Smart Cover from my iPad Pro 1st gen. I just need a keyboard in a pinch when I am out and about. Most of the time I use my iPad as a tablet and do serious typing on it with an external keyboard on a table. One of the benefits to that Logitech kickstand case is that it lets you remove the keyboard and set the angle. As you mentioned, it’s heavier and I would prefer something like this. Maybe a third party will fill the void.

I do have a new iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard on the way. I also own the M1 combo.

My spouse has an older iPad. I got her a stand alone Apple Keyboard and a case that turns into a stand. For occasional use I thought it did a great job and was bee portable. I actually like the Apple stand alone keyboard’s typing feel than the Magic Keyboard for the iPad.

 

[Supermallet]

Of course this keyboard wouldn’t work with the previous iPad Pro or the previous keyboard wouldn’t work with the new iPads. Apple wants you to spend that $$$$

James

I’m so pissed about this. I think Apple said the new keyboards require the M4 chip to work (which is why the new Airs use the old keyboards), but if you’re telling me that the M4 is required to get function keys working then Apple should shut down because their engineers are clearly wholly incompetent.

Having a lighter, more functional keyboard is something every existing iPad owner who uses a keyboard wants. So of course Apple made sure to make exactly that only compatible with the newest, most expensive iPads. Just disgusting artificial segmentation.

 

[LedRush]

is there a USB port on both sides of the hinge? I can only find photos taken from the left side showing the left port

You don’t need a USB port on the right side…that’s where the iPad’s port is.

 

[Nekronos]

I’ve been using the Smart Folio Keyboard case for 6 years with an iPad Pro. It is an earlier type of keyboard like thiis with magnetic attachment and no sides. I much prefer it over the Logitech kind that cover the sides. Those end up feeling bulky and heavy. The no-side keyboards are lighter and because there are no sides, it is easy to take the iPad off and use it as a tablet. Having sides mean that you need to pry the iPad out of the case each time which would suck.

I’ve never damaged my iPad because the keyboard didn’t protect the sides. Unless you drop it on the floor, there just isn’t much that is going to damage the iPad. When transporting, I use a slide in soft “briefcase” that I also carry my laptop in.

the price of these is getting a little into nose-bleed territory for a keyboard.

the Logitech has side protection and the keyboard magnetically attaches, thisis also how it is powered - very easy to detach.

 

[dpace32]

Does the M1 iPad Pro keyboard work with the new M4 iPad Pro? Any reason why it wouldn't fit?

 

[zilchfox]

The passthrough charging isn’t new…

 

[chrispyk]

I would probably go this route if it was still around. I still miss the Smart Cover from my iPad Pro 1st gen. I just need a keyboard in a pinch when I am out and about. Most of the time I use my iPad as a tablet and do serious typing on it with an external keyboard on a table. One of the benefits to that Logitech kickstand case is that it lets you remove the keyboard and set the angle. As you mentioned, it’s heavier and I would prefer something like this. Maybe a third party will fill the void.

There are a few third party options available on Amazon. However, Best Buy shows an Apple Smart Folio available on May 15: https://www.bestbuy.com/site/apple-smart-folio-for-ipad-pro-13-inch-m4-black/6535070.p?skuId=6535070

 

[Nekronos]

As someone who has owned two iPads in the past, I just don’t see the value over having a touchscreen device with a keyboard, over a laptop with a full-blown operating system. As a video/photo professional, I loved having something as small as my 9.7 inch iPad Air 2, but when you add in the bulk and weight of a keyboard and it’s thicker than a laptop, I just don’t understand why that’s a benefit over having a thin, powerful laptop. Can someone please enlighten me?

ipad pros with magic keyboards are cost prohibitive and a very niche product, limited optimal use case scenario for those who really want that touch screen and utilize the apple pencil - primarily artists. Most other folks are just over-paying for a nice looking toy.

An ipad paired with a keyboard makes the most sense when the cost is less than an equivalent macbook or for folks who prefer a touch screen or the fact that it's an extension of the iphone on a larger screen - and what comes to mind for that is students/aging adults.

If you buy the cheapest ipad + something like the logitech combo where it functions as a decent case, doesn't require batteries and the keyboard magnetically attaches, I think that's compelling as an inexpensive, easy to use, flexible laptop replacement.

In short, a macbook pro is a more compelling product for typical use cases at the price point that the ipad pro 13" with magic keyboard is at.

 

[mansplains]

Can't believe Apple opted for screen lock over an eject key!

 

[mrklaw]

I wonder if the smart keyboard connector on the back is in the same place, and the magnets for attachment are in the same place? i.e - can you physically attach and use the old keyboard on the new pro (and the new keyboard on the old pro)?

there are weight and thickness differences but the 2020 M1 pro wasn't initially 'compatible' because it was a tiny bit thicker, but then it was unofficially mentioned it was supported. The new lighter ipad pro should still balance fine on the new keyboard - but the older pro may be too heavy for the repositioned hinge on the new keyboard (even if it techcnially works)

thats what I'm curious to hear from those that get it first. Being able (even 'unofficially') to use the old magic keyboard would be a help for many to lower the upgrade cost

 

[bejib66000]

My biggest concern is the lack of side protection on this and the folio case. One slip and the corner is going to get dinged up. Has anyone that owned these type of cases in the past have any comments?

Oh and the price.

I wish someone would release a bumper for an iPad, similar to the ones available for iPhones.

 

[Karma*Police]

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

Agreed. It’s a poor laptop replacement and it doesn’t provide a means for people to use it as a drawing tool.

Let’s also not forget the thing is very heavy while offering limited protection. It looks cool but overall a very poor design IMO.

 

[Tagbert]

Can someone please let me know how you access the ‘£’ symbol?

Option-3 = £

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

But most people don’t need a full desktop OS. A tablet with a keyboard does most things, hell most people I know just use their phones for everything.

Did you read the post I replied to? It referenced a MacBook, hence my comment that the iPad can't replace a MacBook.

 

[cnnyy20p]

That perfect 90 degrees though.

 

[miamialley]

That’s disappointing. They still haven’t figured out how to make it more stable when using it on a lap or when in bed and viewing angles are still somewhat limited.

I hate the little wobble when you tap the screen while it’s on the Magic Keyboard.

 

[Karma*Police]

The cantilever design was pretty much the best solution possible. Otherwise all you can do is increase keyboard base weight or increase resting footprint, neither of which anyone really wants. I don’t see what else can be done just due to physics. It’s the necessary trade off of having a detachable tablet/keyboard.
Obviously decreasing the tablet weight is the other way to go and is the most ideal way to increase stability, but that would of course require not also reducing the weight or footprint of the keyboard base. In this case Apple reduced the weight of the new MK (not sure by how much though). I wonder if people would have been happy if Apple kept the MK the same weight as before for better stability. I kind of think most people prefer the reduced overall weight though.

There are other ways to deisgn it for better stability without adding weight to the base, such as kick stands. In fact, Apple’s folio for the iPad has it and is more functional at a lower price. I think Apple just wanted to make something that looks cool and different but they ended up making something that’s less useful that doesn’t do anything exceptionally well, including offering a position that allows users to draw/write on the iPad.

 

[Darth Tulhu]

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

Understandable. For me I just found the price shocking, until I started looking into alternatives.

Apple is CLEVER with their (albeit expensive) pricing, but from an "Apple-product-price" perspective, the Magic Keyboard is a good value at best, and comparably priced at worst.

I did this cost comparison when I bought my M1 way back:

Magic Trackpad - White Multi-Touch Surface: $129.00
Magic Keyboard - US English: $99.00
Smart Folio for iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) - White: $99.00

Subtotal: $327.00
Shipping: FREE
Estimated tax: $22.89
Total: $349.89

PS:
Parts consolidation fee: FREE
Keyboard backlight: FREE
Pass-thru USB charge-point FREE
MagSafe pairing FREE

After evaluating my intended iPad use, I ended up with ALL of the above AND the Magic Keyboard, along with a few aluminum stands from Amazon.

 

[Darth Tulhu]

Never?

Jobs didn’t agree with App Store. Or pencils.
Keyboards and mice were seen as accessibility options not mainstream…

Never say never

Steve Jobs' objection to "pencils" was to their role as a NECESSITY for input and device interaction.
This is a common misconception.

Keyboards and mice on the iPad are STILL optional, and ALWAYS will be.

While I agree that no one can predict the future, we can take an "educated" guess regarding macOS on iPad
(iPad haters WILL NOT like this):

1. Apple is a business... they WANT you to buy both a Mac and an iPad (for as long as they can get away with it)
2. Apple (and 3rd-party developers) has been already developing and releasing iPad versions of heavyweight Mac apps
3. Every new version of macOS looks and feels more like iPadOS, NOT the other way around
4. Apple has been giving the iPad Mac-like capabilities like Stage Manager, mice/trackpad support as ways to address iPad / Mac parity gaps
5. In the end, iPadOS & iOS are BOTH based on OSX aka macOS (Steve said iOS IS OSX in the iPhone intro keynote)
6. Apple is using "mobile chips" on their desktops. And "desktop class" chips on iPad. Mac/iPad hardware consolidation is 99% there already (base and mini iPads are the holdouts).

And this is the BIG one for me:

7. An OS designed for touch can be easily navigated with a cursor, but an OS designed for a cursor cannot be easily navigated with a finger. You end up with the Windows experience (which FWIW many can tolerate, but not me)

Given the above, I predict that Apple will keep bringing the iPad capability closer to the Mac to the point where it'll be moot to have macOS around at all. We will have appleOS and iOS (Apple forked iPadOS away from iOS for a REASON).

Think about it, the paradigms are there already.

 

[Darth Tulhu]

What exactly do you mean by "three-finger drag"? I don't see anything other than cycling through open Spaces or Stages when using three fingers on either my Mac or iPad.

Three finger drag (hidden in Accessibility trackpad settings on Mac) is a macOS accessibility feature where using three fingers to select an item allows you to drag it around WITHOUT clicking.

It replaced the tap-then-tap-and-hold drag feature that Windows recently got (the Mac has had it since forever).

When using a trackpad on an iPad you have to click and hold the button down with your thumb and use your index finger while dragging. This sucks for me, as it's regressive in the Mac-user world.

I get that this is normal everywhere else, but I have NEVER used it. Three-finger drag is THE reason I use a Mac.

Scrubbing a timeline on a video, for example. Or moving files between folders/applications.

After 6 months of living the iPad only life, I bought an M2 MBA.

All mouse and keyboard tasks are now done there, unless I need to travel (locally) and don't expect to do much file or video timeline manipulation but do expect long-typing sessions. That's where the MK comes in.

Otherwise for travel I bring both MBA and iPP, as this is a GREAT two-screen setup! But I digress...

 

[wbeasley]

Steve Jobs' objection to "pencils" was to their role as a NECESSITY for input and device interaction.
This is a common misconception.

Keyboards and mice on the iPad are STILL optional, and ALWAYS will be.

While I agree that no one can predict the future, we can take an "educated" guess regarding macOS on iPad
(iPad haters WILL NOT like this):

1. Apple is a business... they WANT you to buy both a Mac and an iPad (for as long as they can get away with it)
2. Apple (and 3rd-party developers) has been already developing and releasing iPad versions of heavyweight Mac apps
3. Every new version of macOS looks and feels more like iPadOS, NOT the other way around
4. Apple has been giving the iPad Mac-like capabilities like Stage Manager, mice/trackpad support as ways to address iPad / Mac parity gaps
5. In the end, iPadOS & iOS are BOTH based on OSX aka macOS (Steve said iOS IS OSX in the iPhone intro keynote)
6. Apple is using "mobile chips" on their desktops. And "desktop class" chips on iPad. Mac/iPad hardware consolidation is 99% there already (base and mini iPads are the holdouts).

And this is the BIG one for me:

7. An OS designed for touch can be easily navigated with a cursor, but an OS designed for a cursor cannot be easily navigated with a finger. You end up with the Windows experience (which FWIW many can tolerate, but not me)

Given the above, I predict that Apple will keep bringing the iPad capability closer to the Mac to the point where it'll be moot to have macOS around at all. We will have appleOS and iOS (Apple forked iPadOS away from iOS for a REASON).

Think about it, the paradigms are there already.

Great detailed response. Thanks.

I certainly agree an iPad can’t run MacOs with touch.

But from there I think we differ.
Some people who want MacOS on iPad would accept the need for keyboard and mouse if they could run full OS.

Of course some will complain as always.
But there is a good reason two devices, similar, exist.
They serve different use cases.
They have similar apps and code base often.
But the input is the sticking point. Always will be

 

[Darth Tulhu]

Great detailed response. Thanks.

I certainly agree an iPad can’t run MacOs with touch.

But from there I think we differ.
Some people who want MacOS on iPad would accept the need for keyboard and mouse if they could run full OS.

Of course some will complain as always.
But there is a good reason two devices, similar, exist.
They serve different use cases.
They have similar apps and code base often.
But the input is the sticking point. Always will be

Agreed on all counts.

And your last bit is a BIG sticking point, but that's the core of my post:

Apple IS addressing it by working towards making iPadOS the One Ring.

All while gently leading the macOS-user-base-horse to the water with iPad-like interface elements in every release.

 

[Darth Tulhu]

I wish someone would release a bumper for an iPad, similar to the ones available for iPhones.

View attachment 2376589

Man, I LOOKED.

But I just couldn't find it.

A Dbrand skin on the back and a bumper is EXACTLY what I want, as it wouldn't impede MK use...

 

[Shifts]

No one is mentioning the addition of the Esc key. I’d cop just for that. It’s always annoyed me.

Several people has mentioned it already.

 

[subjonas]

There are other ways to deisgn it for better stability without adding weight to the base, such as kick stands. In fact, Apple’s folio for the iPad has it and is more functional at a lower price. I think Apple just wanted to make something that looks cool and different but they ended up making something that’s less useful that doesn’t do anything exceptionally well, including offering a position that allows users to draw/write on the iPad.

Yes, I mentioned in addition to increasing weight one can increase resting footprint, meaning making the base bigger or adding things like a kickstand to support weight, but those require taking up more table space, ie. bigger footprint, which is not ideal. It can also be awkward to rest on some surfaces. Trade offs…