5th Gen 12.9 iPad Pro Smart Folio Keyboard Is 3rd + 4th Gen Redux

[xenoako]

I want another human to see my screen as it is. Once finished at the Apple Store later today, I will clean the screen and see what happens next.

Two Apple store employees, one who handled the trade-in of my 4th gen iPP and a 'genius', took time to review this query. They believe there was a residue that made its way from the keyboard to the screen. Having done a thorough cleaning, the marks have yet to be replicated.
This still leaves me in a quandary about why the literal same keyboard with whatever foreign substance was involved never did leave keyboard markings on the screen of my 4th gen iPP.

 

[papbot]

Two Apple store employees, one who handled the trade-in of my 4th gen iPP and a 'genius', took time to review this query. They believe there was a residue that made its way from the keyboard to the screen. Having done a thorough cleaning, the marks have yet to be replicated.
This still leaves me in a quandary about why the literal same keyboard with whatever foreign substance was involved never did leave keyboard markings on the screen of my 4th gen iPP.

From the reviews I’ve seen being snug is frequently mentioned so that could bring any residue closer to the screen. Although a fair number of people have commented that they are using a glass screen protector with no issues so it can’t be that snug. I also have the Smart Keyboard folio and those keys actually rest against the screen so anything on them will smear the screen. I think just occasionally wiping down the keys will prevent any issues or just put a sheet of paper in when you close it up for a time. Personally using a sheet of paper for peace of mind versus spending another $350 is very appealing to me.

 

[xenoako]

From the reviews I’ve seen being snug is frequently mentioned so that could bring any residue closer to the screen. Although a fair number of people have commented that they are using a glass screen protector with no issues so it can’t be that snug. I also have the Smart Keyboard folio and those keys actually rest against the screen so anything on them will smear the screen. I think just occasionally wiping down the keys will prevent any issues or just put a sheet of paper in when you close it up for a time. Personally using a sheet of paper for peace of mind versus spending another $350 is very appealing to me.

I realize I am the outlier here, but I will depend on this 2021 iPP and 1 MKB to carry me forward beyond the 2022 iPP.
Pre-pandemic I averaged 8-10 countries each year so portability, reliability, and convenience emerge as priorities. I wish Apple would have been more specific about the need for a 2021 MKB to help clarify those of us who fall outside the norm.
In my context, the question is do I pay for AC and keep the 2020 MKB or do I sell the 2020 MKB, not pay for AC which I have never used for an iPad, and keep the discounted 2021 MBK which I have yet to open and test for myself.