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iPad Anyone using their 12.9 without magic keyboard ?
- Thread starter kp98077
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Apple_Robert
Contributor
I really like my lowly iPad Pro 11" (2020) as well. Maybe one day I will get to the big time and upgrade like those in this thread have. 😀
Ludatyk
macrumors 604
Indeed! I was reluctant at first, but bought it specifically for the iPP... been using it for over a year.
LFC2020
macrumors P6
All they need to do is move the damn lightning port from underneath to the top 🤦♂️ So stupid having to turn the mouse upside down to charge.
Apple_Robert
Contributor
I think the Magic Keyboard is great outside of the mini keys (+, -) which is an odd placement (at least for me) and really cramps my typing when entering passwords. The mini key on the top left I don't ever use so, it doesn't bother me. Maybe Apple will do something about those mini keys. They bug me. lol
I have the 2017 12.9, so no MKB. I rarely use a keyboard, use the darn thing all the time, but am trying to convince myself I can switch to the 11”. But my eyes aren’t getting any better and I worry about how small it really will be. I’d like to get more in the groove of using it for a digital notebook, and I’m for sure hindered by the size of the 2017 variant. I pick up my daughters 10.5 and it’s small…. Crap, see, this is how I decide nope, gotta have the 12.9. Then I’m all - there is no way you are getting 1TB for the ram (need the space too - or I keep using the cloud). Basically at this point I go shop for something else 🤣
most of my use would be as a tablet with Affinity Designer and occasionally Procreate.…
hurry up Monday.
most of my use would be as a tablet with Affinity Designer and occasionally Procreate.…
hurry up Monday.
Apple_Robert
Contributor
I have aging eyes and I don't find the text small on the 11". You can try increasing the size of the font.
I use my Ipad with out the magic keyboard (haven't bought one yet) I am planning on getting one soon but just finished paying the $2000 for the 12.9”
runebinder
macrumors 6502a
Got my 12.9 on Tuesday and went with the Spigen Rugged Armor Pro case for it. It’s my second iPad Pro and replaced a 2017 10.5 model for which I had the smart folio keyboard cover for that one, rarely used it and never liked how uneven it looked when used as the cover. Based on that I’ve decided to not go with the MKB or smart folio keyboard for this one. I’ve got an old Bluetooth Apple keyboard somewhere, so I can always dig that out if I need a proper keyboard experience.
runebinder
macrumors 6502a
I’m in the same boat eye wise, it’s one of the reasons I decided to upgrade my old 2017 10.5 to a 12.9 and haven’t regretted it. I also use Procreate and have Affinity Designer and Photo and those apps are so much better on the bigger screen, especially for drawing as the larger canvas feels less cramped to work on.
Worth keeping in mind that with the lack of the thick top/bottom bezels that are in the 2017 models, the new 12.9 is probably smaller than your current one. This doesn’t feel significantly bigger to use compared to my 10.5, and the weight on both seems about the same.
rumz
macrumors 65816
Go pick up a 2018 or later 12.9. I owned the original 2015 12.9 so I know where you’re coming from— the newer ones *feel* smaller and balance better in the hands, I think.
The M1 is a bit heavier (and thicker, technically, but I haven’t noticed that) than the 2018/2020, but it just takes a little adjustment.
It might still be a bit bigger than you’d like for a digital notebook… but it’s worth giving the new form factor a look.
rumz
macrumors 65816
As for the original topic… haven’t picked up a magic keyboard yet for the 2021 / M1. Still flying case-less! I kept my 2018 attached almost constantly to a Brydge Pro+ keyboard… it was such a hassle to remove it from those hinges (Something the MKB would solve, it with the trade off of less lap-a-bility and limited tilt angles). So, essentially it was an iOS touch-interface laptop.
I'm quite enjoying the freedom of no case on the M1, and I’ve never liked having much more than a Smart Cover or sleeve for my ipads. Maybe its just because I was an early adopter of the original iPad and so there weren’t many case options for a while— I bought a simple leather sleeve off Etsy that I’d use whenever I was going to transport my iPad anywhere. Otherwise, totally case-less at home and likely to continue that with this new iPad Pro— except when wanting to type with a physical keyboard.
I'm quite enjoying the freedom of no case on the M1, and I’ve never liked having much more than a Smart Cover or sleeve for my ipads. Maybe its just because I was an early adopter of the original iPad and so there weren’t many case options for a while— I bought a simple leather sleeve off Etsy that I’d use whenever I was going to transport my iPad anywhere. Otherwise, totally case-less at home and likely to continue that with this new iPad Pro— except when wanting to type with a physical keyboard.
ChloeXianah
macrumors member
As nice as the magic keyboard looks its just very expensive after i just spent £1800 on my ipad and the way I primarily use my ipad is not sitting up or needing to type.
I find the virtual keyboard perfectly fine & dictation works great too.
I use a regular folio slimline case (not a tri fold) and if i take my ipad anywhere i have a padded hard bodied carry case.
I will however be buying the 2nd gen pencil as I use my 1st gen one all the time.
More expense!
I find the virtual keyboard perfectly fine & dictation works great too.
I use a regular folio slimline case (not a tri fold) and if i take my ipad anywhere i have a padded hard bodied carry case.
I will however be buying the 2nd gen pencil as I use my 1st gen one all the time.
More expense!
runebinder
macrumors 6502a
The 2nd gen pencil is a great upgrade from the 1st. Being able to pop it magnetically on the top so it’s always charged is brillliant, so many times my 1st gen had run out of battery because having it stuck out the side of the iPad wasn’t exactly convenient. Pricey, but well worth it.
Danae02
macrumors member
I will never get a MKB. I am using a light ESR case- lighter than the Apple folio- and love it.
ESR Ascend Trifold Case for iPad Pro 12.9, Black
ESR Case Compatible with iPad Pro 12.9 Inch 2021 (5th Generation, 5G), Translucent Stand Case with Clasp, Trifold Smart Case, Auto Sleep and Wake, Support Pencil 2, Ascend Series, Black
www.amazon.com
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
DoubleFlyaway
macrumors 68000
To echo what others have said, for real try the 12.9. I had the 2017 and then when I first held the 2018 in the Apple Store, I was like holy s***! It is such a big difference. I even stuck it in my purse (in front of an Apple employee) to see if it would fit, and it did. I like both sizes, but if you are coming from the 2017, I really think you might find the current 12.9 design enough of a change to be totally happy. Best of both worlds.
It might not be perfect, but I’m going to try to go without the MKB. I’ve got a Logitech K810 that I’ve been using forever that I love and I’ll likely just roll with that when I need to do any serious text mangling on this thing. I do use the VMware Horizon client to do some actual work on this thing and with the K810, the Logitech MX Anywhere 2S, and a cheap compass knockoff stand, it actually does a fair impersonation of a “real” computer. Not as good as a (don’t kill me…LOL) Galaxy device in DEX mode and a nice portable USB-C monitor, but good enough in a pinch.
Apple_Robert
Contributor
You are right. Dictation does work well (for me) except I seem to struggle with telling Siri the right end sentence phrasing without it putting in the word period, comma, exclamation point etc. lol
So you keeping popping up in my iPad searches (I am new to this forum). I previously saw you purchased the 11 and 12.9 both with MKB. I also own a 2020 M1 MBP. Which iPad did you end up settling on? I go back and forth and I might also get both for more testing. In the store, my thoughts are the 11 is too small and the 12.9 is too big. This will only be used for media consumption. Do you enjoy the 12.9 on the couch or bed by just holding it? Or do you find that more enjoyable with the 11?
UltimateSyn
macrumors 603
My 12.9" iPad Pros (2018 & 2021) very infrequently ever left their Magic Keyboards.
Let me chime in here. I used to be in the camp that thought the 12.9 was enormous and a joke. Then I got one and now I love it. It's totally fine either on the couch or in bed. And the screen is beautiful. I'm a bit of a screen snob and mini-LED screens are phenomenal (blooming aside).
Username-already-in-use
macrumors 6502a
My 12.9 is 95% of the time in the Magic Keyboard. In that remaining 5% I really appreciate just what a wonderful seamless experience browsing is on the device, especially with gestures.