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Anyone here returning the Magic Keyboard?
- Thread starter Macintosh101
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I had to send back the first one, now waiting for the new. It was not possible to wait with sending back until the new one arrives...
Always planned on returning it, purchased as a test.
Only things bothering me at this point- on my 11’’ I keep hitting my fingers on the bottom of the iPad when typing the top row of letters our numbers. I like scroll direction to be old school on the keypad, this makes the app closer / swiper work in reverse. I have to drag down to drag the page square up.
Otherwise Apple follow scroll direction natural on the screen and scroll direction oldschool on the trackpad as I selected.
Spell checking is a little strange, still checking this out
There is alot of attention to detail in the keyboard implementation. Props
Only things bothering me at this point- on my 11’’ I keep hitting my fingers on the bottom of the iPad when typing the top row of letters our numbers. I like scroll direction to be old school on the keypad, this makes the app closer / swiper work in reverse. I have to drag down to drag the page square up.
Otherwise Apple follow scroll direction natural on the screen and scroll direction oldschool on the trackpad as I selected.
Spell checking is a little strange, still checking this out
There is alot of attention to detail in the keyboard implementation. Props
I'm returning my 11" Magic Keyboard. It's almost as if Apple sees this as a desktop dock, and not a travel accessory. The keyboard and trackpad are nice and far better than the Smart Keyboard Folio, but what I will miss most is the backlighting. It is just too heavy and can't be used in tablet mode without removal, so it's not a good value proposition if you already own the Folio. I may be in the minority, but I always liked the Folio keyboard better than the MacBook butterfly keys anyway, so it's not too much to give up for the better portability. If I were using it as my only device, I'd probably keep it, but the Logitech Ultrathin BT mouse gives me most of the advantages of the trackpad in very small and convenient to carry package.
I love this Magic keyboard, no way I’m returning it.
You need to learn to type like me. I type in the traditional sense for all “letters” (ie the 3 main rows of keys)...but I hunt/peck for the numbers on the top row....one finger style! So no chance for me hitting the bottom of the iPad when typing numbers😊
I took to this Keyboard case like a duck takes to water. The trackpad is the main selling feature for me. The integrated trackpad transforms the way I use the iPad. It feels like a natural extension of my MBP.
I Returned My 12.9 Magic Keyboard.
Pros:
- Very nice Desktop Dock
- Clever design and good use of magnets
- Elevated Screen. Even the small 1” elevation is beneficial to posture/perception
Cons:
- Top Row Keys - Esc. Fn. Media Keys. The omission is a pretty big blow to the future of “Pro” Apps
- Angles - The range is surprisingly limited
- Poor Lappability. It feels very unstable in lap use
- Low Keys - Great key travel but since the base is so thin it still feels like I’m tapping on a desk
- Hinges are uncomfortably tight. The way it slams shut feels so aggressive
- Weight distribution. Its not only that its heavy, it makes a perfectly balanced iPad incredibly imbalanced
- Keyboard is too exposed. Membrane over the Smart Keyboard repels debris.
- Mouse implementation just isnt there yet. It feels more like a hack than a feature
- Overdeveloped - Lots of great features but I’m realizing all I want is a basic Smart Keyboard with Trackpad
- Impractical Case. Not folding back makes it clear that this was designed as a desktop dock rather than an iPad Case. Thats fine if that is what you are looking for but it’s incredibly impractical in actual use because in the field then if you want to use your iPad as an iPad then not only do you have to manage a naked iPad, you also have to carry around an empty iPad case.
I know we’re still in the honeymoon stage with a new Apple product so critical opinion doesn’t go over well. But my general takeaway is that “The Magic Keyboard turns the worlds best tablet into a mediocre laptop”. I think its a good start but this just isnt the right product for me and I’m glad to be back with the Smart Keyboard.
Pros:
- Very nice Desktop Dock
- Clever design and good use of magnets
- Elevated Screen. Even the small 1” elevation is beneficial to posture/perception
Cons:
- Top Row Keys - Esc. Fn. Media Keys. The omission is a pretty big blow to the future of “Pro” Apps
- Angles - The range is surprisingly limited
- Poor Lappability. It feels very unstable in lap use
- Low Keys - Great key travel but since the base is so thin it still feels like I’m tapping on a desk
- Hinges are uncomfortably tight. The way it slams shut feels so aggressive
- Weight distribution. Its not only that its heavy, it makes a perfectly balanced iPad incredibly imbalanced
- Keyboard is too exposed. Membrane over the Smart Keyboard repels debris.
- Mouse implementation just isnt there yet. It feels more like a hack than a feature
- Overdeveloped - Lots of great features but I’m realizing all I want is a basic Smart Keyboard with Trackpad
- Impractical Case. Not folding back makes it clear that this was designed as a desktop dock rather than an iPad Case. Thats fine if that is what you are looking for but it’s incredibly impractical in actual use because in the field then if you want to use your iPad as an iPad then not only do you have to manage a naked iPad, you also have to carry around an empty iPad case.
I know we’re still in the honeymoon stage with a new Apple product so critical opinion doesn’t go over well. But my general takeaway is that “The Magic Keyboard turns the worlds best tablet into a mediocre laptop”. I think its a good start but this just isnt the right product for me and I’m glad to be back with the Smart Keyboard.
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I am through with day 1 of the Magic Keypad - I think a lot of people are realizing that alternative setups (smart keyboard folio, Bluetooth keyboard and pointing device, etc) may be better solutions for certain use cases. I think the Magic Keypad is great and I intend to keep it, but I can see using the Smart Keyboard folio in certain situations, and I still use my Magic Trackpad 2 along with the case because it is so big and comfy on the desk. So this product is not really a solve-all - it is a good implementation of a certain solution (typing in laptop form) for certain people.
Hmm, i transition fine between my Butterfly Macbook Pro and Mac Pro Magic keyboard, but hand positioning on the 11'' iPad Magic keyboard has me both touch typing the wrong keys immediatly to the left of the ones i want and hitting my hand underneath the iPad even though im not trying to type numbers. The 12'' will probably be easier, otherwise i just have to adjust.
If someone told me i could return it for 3x’s the cost, but couldn’t re-buy it for a year i wouldn’t do it.
Best new apple release since airpods.
Best new apple release since airpods.
Seems way too expensive for what it is. I went for the Smart Folio instead.
Same here. As previously mentioned in this thread, I was really struggling with the size of the trackpad and thus, constraints using gestures as I think it should work. I am back to my Folio in combination with Magic Mouse 2, which for me (!) is the more useful setup. However, I miss typing on the Magic Keyboard which was just superb.
It really is a great keyboard. My Mac keyboards currently range from the original Wireless Keyboard (lots of travel) to a 2018 MBP (very little travel). The MKB was designed with help from Goldilocks (in the best sense) - it's right in-between and perfect, at least for me.
Mine doesn't have the marks or bubbling, which I am grateful for - I am considering returning it however, because of the price
I really like:
1) The soft touch feel. I prefer this material over colder aluminum. I think it suits the iPad well
2) Keyboard and Trackpad. This functions perfectly. While I wish the trackpad was bigger (don't we all), ultimately the actual typing and seamlessness of using the trackpad just feels absolutely fantastic. This is a great keyboard and the best feeling keyboard I have used with any iPad ever
3) The floating design. Very easy to clip and take iPad off, the magnets work perfectly, just strong enough to firmly hold the iPad in place but not difficult to remove the iPad when necessary.
4) The fact you don't need to charge the keyboard. I know many iPad keyboard now don't, but I would say most do require external charging (at least when looking at the entire iPad keyboard market for all models). This is simple, only need to charge the iPad, and the Keyboard will always work fine.
5) The Weight. I like this! I like how the keyboard is a solid piece and it adds to stability of the entire product. I think this enhances the typing experience a lot. I have owned a Surface Pro 3 and that is sort of the opposite - it is anything but a solid typing experience because of the thinness of the keyboard there.
But a few glaring things for me:
1) Price. For me, this was 470$ CAD all in. Almost 500$, which is a lot for a keyboard. (I am using he 12.9"). This is over 1/3 the price of a new MBA tax included for me, which has the added benefit of being a Mac running macOS.
Also it doesn't feel like a 500$ product should, it feels like I should have paid half the price for it. I would certainly keep it if it was 250$, but at this price it is just too "bare bones" for what it is.
2) It doesn't drastically alter my use of the iPad. I mainly use the iPad to scroll through apps (I still find it easier using a finger than the trackpad for gesture; they are more natural).
I have noticed I reply to most of my emails on my workstation OR on my iPhone! Even with this it hasn't changed that
Also I use my iPad primarily for writing, annotation, highlighting etc - functions that make extensive use of the Apple Pencil but not the keyboard.
3) The limited range of motion of adjusting the keyboard. I really don't like this. I find it very limiting.
4) Lack of function keys just feels wrong and dilutes the function of the keyboard to "typing only".
Overall, the one thing that is making me lean towards returning it over keeping it is the price. I can afford it, no issues there. I can deal with the limited ROM, the lack of function keys, I enjoy the utility of it
But I do not feel it is worth the price. I would gladly buy it at half the price it currently is, but I also feel there will be a significantly improved second generation version somewhere down the line that will fix every issue this one has, or majority of issues, and along with that might be a new iPad Pro or new design to complement it.
I know it is cheaper in the States, and more expensive in markets other than Canada, but I still think the asking price is too much.
I really like:
1) The soft touch feel. I prefer this material over colder aluminum. I think it suits the iPad well
2) Keyboard and Trackpad. This functions perfectly. While I wish the trackpad was bigger (don't we all), ultimately the actual typing and seamlessness of using the trackpad just feels absolutely fantastic. This is a great keyboard and the best feeling keyboard I have used with any iPad ever
3) The floating design. Very easy to clip and take iPad off, the magnets work perfectly, just strong enough to firmly hold the iPad in place but not difficult to remove the iPad when necessary.
4) The fact you don't need to charge the keyboard. I know many iPad keyboard now don't, but I would say most do require external charging (at least when looking at the entire iPad keyboard market for all models). This is simple, only need to charge the iPad, and the Keyboard will always work fine.
5) The Weight. I like this! I like how the keyboard is a solid piece and it adds to stability of the entire product. I think this enhances the typing experience a lot. I have owned a Surface Pro 3 and that is sort of the opposite - it is anything but a solid typing experience because of the thinness of the keyboard there.
But a few glaring things for me:
1) Price. For me, this was 470$ CAD all in. Almost 500$, which is a lot for a keyboard. (I am using he 12.9"). This is over 1/3 the price of a new MBA tax included for me, which has the added benefit of being a Mac running macOS.
Also it doesn't feel like a 500$ product should, it feels like I should have paid half the price for it. I would certainly keep it if it was 250$, but at this price it is just too "bare bones" for what it is.
2) It doesn't drastically alter my use of the iPad. I mainly use the iPad to scroll through apps (I still find it easier using a finger than the trackpad for gesture; they are more natural).
I have noticed I reply to most of my emails on my workstation OR on my iPhone! Even with this it hasn't changed that
Also I use my iPad primarily for writing, annotation, highlighting etc - functions that make extensive use of the Apple Pencil but not the keyboard.
3) The limited range of motion of adjusting the keyboard. I really don't like this. I find it very limiting.
4) Lack of function keys just feels wrong and dilutes the function of the keyboard to "typing only".
Overall, the one thing that is making me lean towards returning it over keeping it is the price. I can afford it, no issues there. I can deal with the limited ROM, the lack of function keys, I enjoy the utility of it
But I do not feel it is worth the price. I would gladly buy it at half the price it currently is, but I also feel there will be a significantly improved second generation version somewhere down the line that will fix every issue this one has, or majority of issues, and along with that might be a new iPad Pro or new design to complement it.
I know it is cheaper in the States, and more expensive in markets other than Canada, but I still think the asking price is too much.
If not for the discount I received through the Apple Employee Partnership Program along with 3% cash back through Apple Card, I probably would have waited for a steeper discount. I’m sure there will be some Black Friday deals coming later this year.
I’m really in love with my iPad even more thanks to the Magic Keyboard. Yesterday I even brought my iPad Pro 12.9 with me to work instead of my MacBook and everything worked flawlessly. The entire device feels so much more versatile now and much more fun to use. So, definitely not returning it.
Forgot to mention the biggest reason I returned mine. Durability in Real World Use.
I’m surprised at the Apples decision to use that rubbery exterior material again. This is a premium product with incredible build quality, but based on the last 5 years of Smart Keyboards then that material is absolutely awful and its pretty clear that these will smudge, stain, discolor and deteriorate very rapidly.
I only had mine a few days and I could see the beginning of some touch blemishes so I could see how minor imperfections will be magnified over time. And considering this is probably the most expensive keyboard many of us have ever bought, a 2yr lifespan seems a bit short. (Luckily AppleCare+ covers keyboards now but most users are nearing the end of their warranty)
I’m surprised at the Apples decision to use that rubbery exterior material again. This is a premium product with incredible build quality, but based on the last 5 years of Smart Keyboards then that material is absolutely awful and its pretty clear that these will smudge, stain, discolor and deteriorate very rapidly.
I only had mine a few days and I could see the beginning of some touch blemishes so I could see how minor imperfections will be magnified over time. And considering this is probably the most expensive keyboard many of us have ever bought, a 2yr lifespan seems a bit short. (Luckily AppleCare+ covers keyboards now but most users are nearing the end of their warranty)
Not me...I just picked up my new 2018 and keyboard this month😊
This is what concerns me the most. How well does the MK withstand the rigors of travel/daily commute? I think its still a good investment tho; especially for those of us who use our iPads as our main computer. I figure if I take reasonably good care of it for the next year, I can resell at about 1/2 of the cost of what I paid for it which isn’t bad.
Same, i just ordered mines today for the 12.9 inch AMK .
I will come back with my review. I do noticed that when typing on the 12.9inch iPP in bed... it's alittle uncomfortable, so I decided to hop on the bandwagon Lol.
And AppleCare + is not going to be a huge benefit for those of us who are using 2018 iPP models, which makes longer-term durability in real world use a consideration, given the price.