One reviewer of the new iPP https://www.macstories.net/stories/ipad-pro-2021-review/ and his comments on the MKB compatibility.
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5th Gen 12.9 iPad Pro Smart Folio Keyboard Is 3rd + 4th Gen Redux
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As I said earlier when all of this started blowing up, I imagine Apple only did that release as a legal thing. Only it took a life of it's own, making it the garbled mess that blew up. We've seen the Apple fanatics who get so anal about their products that ANYTHING seen as a possible defect will lead to dozens of attempts to return a product until they are satisfied.
As another reviewer pointed out the new iPP is slightly thicker, so it isn't as fitted as it was before, but it isn't readily noticeable either.
This was a heads up of the possibility that turned into making the 2020 keyboard look like a one year only lifespan product when it isn't.
...And if it caused a few people to purchase a new Smart Keyboard when they had one already, Apple wasn't going to turn down that sale.
As another reviewer pointed out the new iPP is slightly thicker, so it isn't as fitted as it was before, but it isn't readily noticeable either.
This was a heads up of the possibility that turned into making the 2020 keyboard look like a one year only lifespan product when it isn't.
...And if it caused a few people to purchase a new Smart Keyboard when they had one already, Apple wasn't going to turn down that sale.
I begrudgingly ordered the 12.9 Smart Folio in Navy for pickup today to go along with my new iPad scheduled for delivery later today. I hate my paid $100 for it. I did see some knockoffs for $30 on Amazon but the Apple Pencil holder was an eyesore. I was using a knockoff Smart Cover for my 2017 10.5” Pro which worked fine, although felt cheap, that I paid around $25 for back in 2017. I was hoping to find something simplistic like that.
Anyway, I am excited about having a “premium” Smart Cover to go along with a $1300 device. I guess it makes sense.
Anyway, I am excited about having a “premium” Smart Cover to go along with a $1300 device. I guess it makes sense.
I use this one all the time and it really makes the 12.9 ipad pro a great device. I have a MKB, but only use it sometimes at this point.
I can't stomach another $350 in accessories for this device yet. Hopefully it goes in sale in a couple months.
If I didn’t already have a MKB I’d look at discounted 2020 ones. All the reviewers who’ve posted videos show they work perfectly. As for the folio I did get a knockoff from Amazon for $25-30 and it looks really nice, and has a magnetic flap that flips over to securely hold the pencil as well as keep the whole thing closed. I don’t mind paying the high Apple prices on the Smart Keyboard folio or the MKB but the folios, Apple’s or any others, are just going to get beat up and aren’t really worth more than $30. Even Apple’s Smart Keyboard folio develops rough spots on the underside of the keyboard that rests on whatever surface you use it on. For that reason I’ve placed skins on mine. The skins cost almost as much as the folio I bought.
The best iPad cases I’ve ever used are the Zugus and they’re under $75. Apple’s price for the folio is completely ridiculous and not worth a penny over $50 and that’s being generous.
The best iPad cases I’ve ever used are the Zugus and they’re under $75. Apple’s price for the folio is completely ridiculous and not worth a penny over $50 and that’s being generous.
Yeah i was gonna go with the white one but i found a “Used:like new“ prev gen for 130 less and am gonna just do that.
tbh my biggest need from it vs another keyboard case is the smart-charging, not really into using a dongle for just one accessory
tbh my biggest need from it vs another keyboard case is the smart-charging, not really into using a dongle for just one accessory
Okay, two things will be obvious in this post. First, I obviously do not know how to adjust my iPhone camera to capture the desired images. Secondly, I have not cleaned the screen but that is on purpose.
You are looking at the 5th gen iPP with the 2020 MKB. When I look at the screen, I think that right in the center I see marks made by the MKB. I have sparingly touched the screen, but I do not have a count.
So how else might these marks in the middle of the screen be explained?
You are looking at the 5th gen iPP with the 2020 MKB. When I look at the screen, I think that right in the center I see marks made by the MKB. I have sparingly touched the screen, but I do not have a count.
So how else might these marks in the middle of the screen be explained?
Looking at my MKB, previous version, the edge border is raised enough - the keys are recessed - that the screen shouldn’t be able to touch the keys. Even with that extra .5mm it’s still a flat surface that should be held away from the keys by that raised edge. I assume it might be possible if additional pressure were applied to the case when closed that the iPP could bend just enough to make contact with the keys but unless there was some substance on the keys or there was some rubbing back and forth in addition to the pressure it doesn’t seem as if anything would be transferred to the screen that couldn’t be wiped off.
With the Smart Keyboard folio which wasn’t altered from the 4th gen to the 5th gen the keys actually touch the ipad screen but again unless there is some substance on them I’ve never seen residue of any kind on my screen. I have seen some sticky spots when I was using the keyboard after or while eating something and then closing the case. That residue was transferred to the screen but was easily removed. Anyway there are multiple YouTube video reviews showing the previous MKB used with the new iPP so any such irregularities should be noted.
With the Smart Keyboard folio which wasn’t altered from the 4th gen to the 5th gen the keys actually touch the ipad screen but again unless there is some substance on them I’ve never seen residue of any kind on my screen. I have seen some sticky spots when I was using the keyboard after or while eating something and then closing the case. That residue was transferred to the screen but was easily removed. Anyway there are multiple YouTube video reviews showing the previous MKB used with the new iPP so any such irregularities should be noted.
Sticky figures is a sound theory. However, I cleaned the keyboard when I switched from the 4th gen to 5th gen iPP. I thought I cleaned my hands and mainly used the trackpad. BTW, I have no memory of seeing anything like this when using the 4th gen iPP with the 2020 MKB.
Do you have a link to a YouTube video that would cast doubt on this quest?
I would clean the screen today and start over, but I must return to the Apple Store on Monday to trade-in my 4th gen iPP and I want them to see it in-person. I suppose any kind of warranty on my 2020 MKB has expired.
I don’t think any warranty would be current enough to cover this. This video shows the guy’s comparison which from the edges don’t appear any different from the 2020 version to the 2021. One other reviewer, the one I posted above, didn’t mention any issues and had used them for a while. I’m certain other videos will pop up soon enough, especially if others see an issue similar to yours. I get mine next week so ill be able to see for myself.
When he pulls up the black screen, I do not see any markings like I have seen on mine since at some point yesterday. I thought Apple said that a screen protector made the 2021 MBK a better match. I have never used a screen protector and I think Apple does not sell them.
In any event, I will wait to see on Monday at the Apple store if they can determine that perhaps my 2020 MKB has been damaged in some way.
Thanks for the helpful responses.
Here’s the latest review from this guy and his specific comment on any screen issue as yet.
Living with Apple’s 2021 iPad Pro: Take it From the Top
My new Silver 12.9” iPad Pro arrived yesterday and I am finally getting to kick the tires a little. I got home around 11 PM last night, so that at least gave me enough time to set it up and get the…
ipadinsight.com
The reviewer above got back to me about marks on the screen. He said the fit is snugger with the new ipad but he has not seen any screen issues and doesn’t use a screen protector either. He said he’s keeping an eye on it but doesn’t think there will be any problem.
Thanks. I will clean the screen and start over after a Apple employee looks at my screen tomorrow afternoon.
I bought an unopened genuine Surf Blue Smart Folio, and it works perfectly on my new 12.9. And it only cost me £30 on eBay. Result.
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I was able to do better with taking a photo this morning at my office. My initial impression is that my fingers must have had some kind of foreign substance that shows up clearly on the screen that may explain the obvious uniform marks. Again, however, I will wait until later today for the Apple Store to rule on how to understand what is in play.
Can they be cleaned off or are they etched into the screen? A couple years ago I had a case that had magnet indentations that propped up a stand. When the case was closed those indentations were against the iPad screen and I began to see marks of some kind on the screen spaced apart just like the indentations. I was able to clean them off but I began sticking a sheet of paper in there when closing it which took care of that. I’ve never liked screen protectors but a sheet of paper would fit and help with this.