Apple Releases Black Version of Magic Keyboard for iPad Air

[satchmo]

It’s expensive and yet nobody else seems to make a cheaper model that compares. I tried loads of cheaper ones before giving in and buying the Apple one.

Don’t like that I had to get a white one, but nevermind.

ESR makes decent keyboard cases.

 

[zenwave]

Apple today released a new version of the Magic Keyboard for iPad Air in black.

Previously, the Magic Keyboard for iPad Air was only available in white. It is based on the older Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro and iPad Air, which was available in both black and white, and was replaced by a redesigned version with a aluminum top case, backlighting, and a trackpad with haptic feedback last year.

The Magic Keyboard for iPad Air continues to be priced at $269 for the 11-inch version and $319 for the 13-inch version.

Article Link: Apple Releases Black Version of Magic Keyboard for iPad Air

This REALLY *f'ing* pisses me off...

Bought my iPad Air a few months ago and had to have a magic keyboard with it… and now this stupidly white case/keyboard is populated with little gray and black smudges. (Try as I do to keep it clean.)

Planned obsolescence in action.
They should offer a trade-in for the white versions.

 

[snipr125]

£299 for a keyboard that isn’t even backlit. Yeah no thanks. But also I really want one 😂

They are definitely expensive but they are worth it in my opinion, just work so seamlessly with ipad pro/air. I got both the mk1 and m4 ipp mkb and they are probably the best devices i ever owned.

 

[Gator5000e]

ESR makes decent keyboard cases.

Yep. I have one and it’s very good. Even better considering the price. You can get one on Amazon for $120.00 or less. It comes in black, purple, steel blue or white.

 

[tooloud10]

The retail price is silly but these are regularly available for $100-150 a few months after release. That's how I've gotten all four of mine, and it's by far the best iPad keyboard available.

 

[Elusi]

So even though the M3 ipad air share thickness (?) and dimensions with the ipad pro m1 and m2, these new improved (with a function row, it seems) don’t work with the older Pro models?

They’re certainly not listed as compatible but figured someone must have tested?

 

[Hudsonty]

I’ve had one of these black ones for a few months. This isn’t new, and I just bought it with my iPad Air from Apple themselves.

 

[Slo Pesci]

A trackpad for ants 🐜🐜🐜

 

[ronno]

It might be a nice keyboard but it's nearly the same price as the base iPad and more than an Apple Watch SE. It's absurd.

But it’s Magic

 

[Hank001]

400 Euro for the 13 inch in Germany. HAHAHAHHA

€ 435 in Hungary

Magic Keyboard 13 hüvelykes iPad Próhoz (M5) – magyar – fekete

Az iPad Próhoz készült Magic Keyboard vékony, hordozható, és többféle szögben tudja tartani a készüléked. Kapható: apple.com.

www.apple.com

But they have the highest VAT rate in Europe, 27%

Taxation in Hungary - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[matt_and_187_like_this]

€ 435 in Hungary

Magic Keyboard 13 hüvelykes iPad Próhoz (M5) – magyar – fekete

Az iPad Próhoz készült Magic Keyboard vékony, hordozható, és többféle szögben tudja tartani a készüléked. Kapható: apple.com.

www.apple.com

But they have the highest VAT rate in Europe, 27%

Taxation in Hungary - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

keyboard as a luxury item here.

 

[RealE]

Still no backlighting like the white Air model?

No backlighting? I've wanted this for a while because I miss the function keys, but that's one step forward and one step back for a very expensive keyboard.

Article suggest it's backlit, but it's not.

Its actually shocking that Apple removed backlighting on the NEW keyboard compared to the Gen 1 MKB.

The lack of backlighting on a nearly $300 keyboard when the first gen magic keyboards had it is outrageous. Insulting really.

 

[ndouglas]

semi-on-topic, does anyone have a good alternative to the $320 absurdly overpriced keyboard?
i have one and i’m daily irritated by the feel of its inner metal getting more exposed. i’ve always been somewhat annoyed by the feel of the outer material too on the sharp (OK not exactly sharp, but not smooth) edges.

at the same time, the way it magnetically attaches and detaches, and various other convenience aspects, are just great and i suspect any other company’s approximation of this keyboard would be sub-par. i’d love to find one though, it’s terrible to see it deteriorating at such an exorbitant price. I’ve had it for just 1 year and… 4 months, I think. Previoiusly had the same keyboard with no issues, but i upgraded since the older version wasn’t comopatible with the 11” 2024 ipad pro…

maybe i just got unlucky with this particular item, and the next one i buy will be better. another $320… ugh.