Anyone here returning the Magic Keyboard?

[E pow]

I have been enjoying mine all morning. No issues, or bubbles for me. Sorry you are having those issues. Hopefully Apple will take care of you and replace. This is truly a great keyboard/case. Everything all in once place now.

 

[Macintosh101]

Agree about the function keys. It would be nice if Apple at least allow for keyboard mapping so we could add back some of those functions.

Yes, I mean it wouldn’t be hard to do and would satisfy the section fo the user base who want that kind of thing.

 

[jazz1]

I received my Magic Keyboard today for the 12.9 iPad Pro. It’s nice, but to be honest it doesn‘t scream premium to me and I really miss the function keys. I’ve also been using the iPad a lot with the regular external Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad up until now which has been a very nice experience. I do need a keyboard when I‘m out travelling to work however etc (once the lockdown is lifted) and so feel quite torn, so the new Magic Keyboard cast would would come in useful...

Another issue is that I have some imperfections around the palm rest of my Magic Keyboard case. Would any of you retrun it for this? See photOs below. The trouble is in the UK shipping dates have slipped until the end of May, so I would have to wait a long time for a replacement...

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I had similar quality issues with my first Apple Folio for my 2018 iPad Pro 12.9". Even worse more issues showed up over time before I returned/replaced it on warranty.

Heck yes, I would return it. I've got one on order, and for this amount of money is should not have scars. I should admit I do have the original Apple Folio Keyboard, so my sacrifice would be less as I can still type on a keyboard.


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Follow-up. Does iOS 13 allow the use of function keys?

 

[jcshas]

Mine is arriving either today or tomorrow, but I’m about 99.9% certain I’ll be keeping it. The 3rd party keyboard options currently available are just too kludgy IMO. As with most Apple products, there are alway trade offs; especially the cost, but at least I can reasonably assume it will work as designed.

 

[ascender]

I dont usually put stickers on things but the Smart Keyboard is so plain and boring that I had to put something to break the monotony of a black featureless slab. Recently I pealed it off and I could see the damage it was already doing. The material they use is just awful and its a shame that they didnt correct that on their premium priced Magic Keyboard.

I think stickers are fine just so long as you’re not planning on selling the folio/keyboard. As well as the bubbling with some, they all seem to leave a discolouration regardless of how long they’ve been on for.

 

[johnnylarue]

Salient question: have any ASKs ever made it to the refurb store or is that not a thing (ie for sanitary reasons?) The MK seems like a prime candidate for a higher than normal buyers remorse return rate.

I admit I still want one of these (against all logic), but damn it’s a lot of money for a gadget with the finish of a designer looseleaf binder. Given that I‘m the kind of nerd that would put a case on even the cheapest iPad, it’s a bit of a leap throwing down $300+ on something that will likely be looking a little dog-eared within a year.

I find it hard to believe Apple couldn’t have thrown us a bone and used their cheaply-sourced leather for these instead of this ugly-wearing black space rubber... but hey, gotta keep the shareholders happy I guess. 😑

 

[0128672]

It's a good question about ASKs in the refurb store. I check refurbs daily and haven't seen any ASKs in the Accessories category https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/accessories. In fact, it's rare for any product to appear in that category.

 

[duanepatrick]

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So if the magic keyboard was lightly damped by 'sweat' or perhaps any liquid material, this would happen? Hmm...interesting...thank goodness I did not order it yet.

 

[Lumen777]

I received my Magic Keyboard today for the 12.9 iPad Pro. It’s nice, but to be honest it doesn‘t scream premium to me and I really miss the function keys. I’ve also been using the iPad a lot with the regular external Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad up until now which has been a very nice experience. I do need a keyboard when I‘m out travelling to work however etc (once the lockdown is lifted) and so feel quite torn, so the new Magic Keyboard cast would would come in useful...

Another issue is that I have some imperfections around the palm rest of my Magic Keyboard case. Would any of you retrun it for this? See photOs below. The trouble is in the UK shipping dates have slipped until the end of May, so I would have to wait a long time for a replacement...

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I'm returning my extended keyboard because my computer does not recognize the extension. My 2014 imac does, though.

 

[DarwinOSX]

I’ve seen a few folios which look like they’ve been blistered. I’ve also had one here where people put stickers on and removing the stickers has actually lifted the top material away so its left bubbles.

That wasn't very smart of them

 

[jazz1]

Given the history of Apple Folio materials I certainly would not put a skin on them unless I thought it would be a permanent addition, and of course the skin was somehow more durable than the folio. Unfortunately that seems doubtful that any third party skin would be a long term solution.

I have an unused skin for my 12.9” 2018 iPad Apple folio. Once I saw how wonky they Apple folio was with normal use, I just put the skin away unused. I did get a replacement from Apple and it has fared a little better than the original that showed some kind of collapse basket weave surfacing from the original surface. Now it just looks dull and shiny depending on where my hands generally position themselves. I expect the same to hold true with the new Magic Keyboard folio as it looks like the same material.

Of course new buyers of the Apple folio might not know that the materials used have been a less than durable regarding the surface appearance. So I am not criticizing anyone at all about what disappointment they might develop.

Do I regret purchasing the original Apple folio, the original Keyboard folio, or even the new Magic Folio? No, after my experience with the first Apple Folio I know what to expect. I want a trackpad, keyboard folio that hopefully makes the best use of iOS 13X and beyond. But, I do think Apple can and should do better. They should strive to produce products that are “insanely great”!

 

[nylon]

Agree about the function keys. It would be nice if Apple at least allow for keyboard mapping so we could add back some of those functions.

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Yes, I mean it wouldn’t be hard to do and would satisfy the section fo the user base who want that kind of thing.

I believe you can do some keyboard mapping in conjunction with the globe key in 'accessibility' settings but I'm not positive. Dig through the accessibility settings and have a look.

 

[DylanMcD8]

Agree about the function keys. It would be nice if Apple at least allow for keyboard mapping so we could add back some of those functions.

Maybe Full Keyboard Access would work?

 

[tbayrgs]

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I believe you can do some keyboard mapping in conjunction with the globe key in 'accessibility' settings but I'm not positive. Dig through the accessibility settings and have a look.

You can customize the modifier keys (control, option, cmd, caps lock, globe) but only to the other modifier key options (i.e. change ‘control’ to ‘option’) or as an Escape key (which I did map to my caps lock), but that’s it. Nothing for it inside Accessibility

Maybe Full Keyboard Access would work?

Full Keyboard Access allows you to use keyboard shortcuts to navigate but those options are also predetermined (i.e. use Tab-C to open Control Center). What I can’t do is map keys to control volume, brightness, keyboard brightness, media, etc. Activating Full Keyboard Access also produces a perpetual blue box that highlights what is selected on screen—quite annoying and not worth having one or two keyboard shortcuts.

 

[nylon]

You can customize the modifier keys (control, option, cmd, caps lock, globe) but only to the other modifier key options (i.e. change ‘control’ to ‘option’) or as an Escape key (which I did map to my caps lock), but that’s it. Nothing for it inside Accessibility



Full Keyboard Access allows you to use keyboard shortcuts to navigate but those options are also predetermined (i.e. use Tab-C to open Control Center). What I can’t do is map keys to control volume, brightness, keyboard brightness, media, etc. Activating Full Keyboard Access also produces a perpetual blue box that highlights what is selected on screen—quite annoying and not worth having one or two keyboard shortcuts.

Hmm, interesting. I wonder if they add more options down the line. Would be great to be able to create your own keyboard shortcuts.

 

[laurayuan]

Take it to an Apple store.

 

[naturalstar]

I’d return it, but that’s just me.

I’m not sure how keen I am on the amount of debris that seems to cling to the keyboard either. How easy is it to get rid of? Will a can of air do it, wipe down with a microfiber cloth, other?

 

[jazz1]

I plan to use a very small USB-charged vacuum keyboard cleaner. I’d be worried compressed air would drive grunge in.

 

[VSG]

Follow-up. Does iOS 13 allow the use of function keys?

Well, at least it supports the Dashboard-key and the like. Plus: The FN-key itself switches keyboards when writing text which comes in handy – and is annoying since with the Wireless Keyboard you get the “delete”-key by pushing FN+backspace which doesn’t work.

Does the Magic Keyboard come with a dedicated delete-key?

 

[fnsroot]

I am also on the fence returning the keyboard. I really love the typing experience, the backlit of the keys is great and overall the „floating design“ is useful. However, while the trackpad works well it feels too small. The space restriction is clearly given due to the overall size of the iPad (i.e., no protruding edges of the keyboard), yet, for instance pinch-to-zoom in particular feels awful. I feels like a limited zoom of 10%, repeating and repeating to get to a zoom level which would be possible by one gesture on a „regular trackpad“ or directly on the iPad (use case: editing pictures in Pixelmator Photo or Lightroom).

So I am debating with myself sticking to the regular folio and adding the Magic Trackpad 2 or just living with the „pain“. Nonetheless, overall the keyboard is great.

 

[Mobileadam]

I am also on the fence returning the keyboard. I really love the typing experience, the backlit of the keys is great and overall the „floating design“ is useful. However, while the trackpad works well it feels too small. The space restriction is clearly given due to the overall size of the iPad (i.e., no protruding edges of the keyboard), yet, for instance pinch-to-zoom in particular feels awful. I feels like a limited zoom of 10%, repeating and repeating to get to a zoom level which would be possible by one gesture on a „regular trackpad“ or directly on the iPad (use case: editing pictures in Pixelmator Photo or Lightroom).

So I am debating with myself sticking to the regular folio and adding the Magic Trackpad 2 or just living with the „pain“. Nonetheless, overall the keyboard is great.

I find the one finger from each hand makes pinch to zoom so much better on this trackpad.

 

[DSTOFEL]

Mine has shipped and arrives this Friday. That‘s great since I have until April 30 to return a Smart Keyboard Folio I bought “open box” for $145. I’ll have a week to compare them head to head before deciding which to keep!

If I do return the MKC it won’t be because of the price or the fact that it doesn’t fold back for use in portrait mode. I knew these things going in.

There are only two reasons that I would decide to return the MKC and stick with the SKF:

• Viewing angle - If Im not happy with it. The viewing angle seems a bit restricted based on some reviews.
• Case Material - For the price Apple is charging, I assumed that the MKC would have come with premium material on the cases exterior. Instead it appears to be the same “rubbery“ feeling material used on the SKF...that marks so easily and that doesn’t wear well. This is disappointing!

So, I’m glad the MKF will arrive in time for me to do a full comparison.

 

[Cryates]

There are only two reasons that I would decide to return the MKC and stick with the SKF:

• Viewing angle - If Im not happy with it. The viewing angle seems a bit restricted based on some reviews.

Not sure if you like the SKF or not, but the angle is greater than the SKF at maximum tilt. Viewing angles were my number one concern, and actually nearly caused me to cancel my order, but I’m overjoyed with the amount of angle available here. The negative remarks on limited viewing angles are in large part overblown.

 

[DSTOFEL]

Not sure if you like the SKF or not, but the angle is greater than the SKF at maximum tilt. Viewing angles were my number one concern, and actually nearly caused me to cancel my order, but I’m overjoyed with the amount of angle available here. The negative remarks on limited viewing angles are in large part overblown.

Thanks...That’s great to hear! That was really a big concern for me!

I don’t hate the SKF. In fact, I find it a solid product. It’s just a bit on the utilitarian/boring side for my taste in terms of design. I could definitely live with it. Would have loved to see the SKF come with color options and with a more premium exterior material.

 

[canyonblue737]

I’ve used a Smart Keyboard Folio for 3+ years and since the launch of the 3rd gen iPad Pro 11 also. I love the thin nature of the cover and being able to flip it back but wished it had a trackpad and a bit nicer keyboard feel. I’ve been excited about the Magic Keyboard but I travel every single week (and still do in CV19, I’m “essential”) and I was worried about weight, having to remove the iPad to use it as a tablet, if the iPad was really secure “floating” like that via magnets on your lap or on a plane tray table. I ordered to try and I‘ve had it now for a day.

I LOVE IT. I just love it. You can’t tell from the pictures but this thing is SOLID, nothing at all like the keyboard folio. The weight is “heavy” but ZERO factor if you are using the device on a desk, tray table or your lap to type because it is supported. If you need to use the iPad as a tablet you just pull it off and frankly it creates a new love for the thinness and feel of the naked iPad. Need to set your naked iPad down to write on it? Just lay it on the folded closed Magic Keyboard or just not worry about it, I plan on not worrying. That said I’ll use my iPad 80% of the time mounted and with the trackpad and great keyboard writing a lengthy post like this has been wonderful... no more reaching up to the screen to move the cursor to correct a typing error or inset something, now its like a real computer and fast and accurate.

The iPad is REALLY securely attached. The magnets are so much stronger than the Smart Keyboard Folio and you can literally pick this up one handed by the corner of the keyboard bottom (ZERO flex) and shake it sideways and upside and the iPad will not get detached nor will the hinge and viewing angle change. It is SOLID, nothing at all like the flimsy SKF.

It’s a different beast but it is for me. I love it and won’t be returning it.