Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Apple Launches Magic Keyboard Folio for 10th-Gen iPad With Two-Piece Design, Kickstand, and Function Row

DMG35 said:
They don’t have to make the exact same heavy Magic Keyboard every year “for the environment.” They do it because it’s easy. I’m not saying they have to completely redesign it, but they could make a lighter keyboard for sure.
Click to expand...
The weight is there so the iPad doesn't tip over while on your lap and stays steady so it doesn't lift up while you are typing. They have a different, lighter keyboard for people who don't want the weight. There are also many 3rd party keyboards if Apple doesn't make the one you want.
DMG35 said:
And to your point it’s ridiculous to think that Apple has to make a backwards compatible device every single year. They don’t, and shouldn’t.
Click to expand...
The M2 iPad didn't get a redesign which is why the smart connector is in the same place, and why the previous keyboards are compatible.
 
darngooddesign said:
The Pro has the smart connector on the back, the iPad has the smart connector on the side.

It would be ridiculous for Apple, who says they care about the environment, to break backwards compatibility by moving the Smart Connector.
Click to expand...
The new keyboard is not compatible with the prior iPads (9th gen and older) due to the change of design anyway. The old keyboard does not work with the new 10th gen iPad either even though they have the smart connectors at the same location.
 
darngooddesign said:
The weight is there so the iPad doesn't tip over while on your lap and stays steady so it doesn't lift up while you are typing. They have a different, lighter keyboard for people who don't want the weight. There are also many 3rd party keyboards if Apple doesn't make the one you want.

The M2 iPad didn't get a redesign which is why the smart connector is in the same place, and why the previous keyboards are compatible.
Click to expand...
So make a lighter iPad then. Do something!!
 
imcesarleyva said:
Completely blows my mind that this keyboard is not available for the new iPad Pro...why is the basic ipad getting all the good updates (landscape camera)?
Click to expand...
I bought the Logi Combo Keyword for my 11 inch iPad. By far the best accessory that you can buy for an iPad Pro. It's game changing and super versatile. Trackpad as keyboard are high quality and feel no different to using a Mac touchpad.
 
  • Like
Reactions: sonictonic
I’m surprised they didn’t release a new Magic Keyboard with function row. Unless this means they’re planning a redesign of it next year?
 
  • Like
Reactions: gegy
Logitech will come out with a keyboard for ~$150 that is essentially identical to Apple's Magic Keyboard Folio. They essentially already sell one for the older 10.2 iPad. It might be somewhat bulkier, but it will provide more protection.
 
xxFoxtail said:
While I agree, it’ll unfortunately probably be another 18 months before a refresh. Makes me wonder what happened to those rumors with the MagSafe charging and 4-pin Smart Connector. Was there supposed to be a redesign this year with a landscape camera, but it had to be scrapped?
Click to expand...
Maybe it is like the same scenario with iPad Pro 4th Gen minor upgrades, and the 5th Gen had the major upgrades
 
sonictonic said:
Really woulda loved the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro to get this new functionality and versatility. This update cycle is astoundingly messy lol...

As people have mentioned, I too will continue enjoying my Logitech Combo Touch.
Click to expand...

Yeah I agree, its really weird..this new magic keyboard I would have for sure bought not sure why they decided to put it on the cheaper ipad only if you are gonna make a keyboard make it for both
 
  • Like
Reactions: sonictonic
I like the function keys but why did they have to move the smart connector to the bottom edge? Looks like a Surface clone now.
 
DMG35 said:
Lol and the ungodly expensive Pro gets another year of the same Magic Keyboard. Wtf Apple….
Click to expand...
Agree. Currently using the folio keyboard because I just don't like the weight and ergonomics of the Magic Keyboard on my 11" M1 Pro. This would have been an awesome upgrade for me as it's essentially the perfect mix of Folio and Magic Keyboard without any of the drawbacks of either.
 
Thinking of selling my 4th gen Air for this to get the awesome keyboard...
 
AppleFan1179 said:
I posted this in another iPad Pro thread, it's no less valid in this one...

I don't understand why the worst iPad got the best keyboard, but keeps the bad Apple Pencil?

The new pros are a speed bump, and a slight screen/usability improvement?

This is just such a jumbled product lineup.

It's clear the Air basically needs to go, as it's in a middle ground that I don't think needs to exist.

Anyone who cares about power is going to go with a Pro for the extra couple hundred bucks.

Anyone who just wants an iPad for couch surfing and light emailing will just get the cheapest one available.

I just don't understand why anyone buys an iPad Pro right now unless they absolutely have to.

It's clear that Apple knows what people want in a keyboard, and I'd buy that keyboard for my iPad Pro RIGHT NOW if it was available. I hate that I can't lay my iPad down flat. HATE. I love the function keys and the larger trackpad. It's a fantastic design. And yet....only available for the base iPad. Seems dumb.

The camera shift to side of the iPad for use in landscape mode makes perfect sense and is overdue. It makes even MORE sense for the iPad Pro with Face ID that is covered by my thumb 85% of the time when I pick it up. Why in the hell wouldn't they do this for the new Pro?
Click to expand...
Probably because it wouldn’t be compatible with the Pencil 2 charging.
 
What a mess of a line up. So confusing. The pro had two screens. One is XDR one does not.

The iPad 10 inch. Uses the new keyboard but uses and old processor and the first gen pencil. None of the other iPads us the new keyboard.

The iPad Air-don’t know why this is called air anymore-and the iPad have very fractional dimension differences. As does the iPad Air and the 11 pro.

The other two iPads have colors. Not the pro. The feature differences are needlessly fractional and it makes it hard to decide. And the features you want in a single iPad are spread across the range so you can’t even get what you want.

If I want an 11 inch iPad with and XDR display, color, and the new keyboard, every feature exists. But an iPad with those features doesn’t exist.
 
  • Like
Reactions: AppleFan1179
I have a 2018 11 inch iPad Pro, for me it still seems pretty fast which is a testament to how far ahead it was at the time. With the 2022 11 inch I was prepared to upgrade but I think I'll hold off and see how 16.1 performs on my iPad Pro first, as I want to try the buggy Stage Manager and have no interest in using an external monitor so I may be in great shape. If they had done ANYTHING significant beyond the M2 I would upgrade in an instant but the lack of the XDR display in the 11 inch, the fact its obvious the Pro in the next gen will get the landscape camera and more it just seems if my good ole 2018 iPad Pro can hold out, I should hold out for the 2024 Pro revisions which should be significant.

The new regular iPad is very nice IMHO, I have no use for it but it will make a ton of people happy.
 
DMG35 said:
They don’t have to make the exact same heavy Magic Keyboard every year “for the environment.” They do it because it’s easy. I’m not saying they have to completely redesign it, but they could make a lighter keyboard for sure.

And to your point it’s ridiculous to think that Apple has to make a backwards compatible device every single year. They don’t, and shouldn’t.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry, I'm THRILLED they kept compatibility which such an expensive accessory. I don't know an obvious way to improve the Magic Keyboard right now that makes breaking compatibility worth it. "Lighter" ok... honestly what, a few grams maybe, it's already very thin for what it is and how beefy the hinge has to be?
 
canyonblue737 said:
I'm sorry, I'm THRILLED they kept compatibility which such an expensive accessory. I don't know an obvious way to improve the Magic Keyboard right now that makes breaking compatibility worth it. "Lighter" ok... honestly what, a few grams maybe, it's already very thin for what it is and how beefy the hinge has to be?
Click to expand...

How about just releasing a new keyboard like they did with the new iPad today? They could give people the option of using the existing magic keyboard or using the new folio keyboard (which looks much nicer btw).

And of course the new iPad kept compatibility. Its the same iPad they've had since 2018.....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back