iPad Pro Bluetooth Keyboard or Apple Smart Cover Keyboard ?

[vish26]

Hi Guys,

Just need a quick piece of advice and suggestion, When i purchased my iPad Pro 11" I wanted to buy an Apple Smart Cover I was torn between should i buy only the Apple Smart Cover or the Apple Smart cover with Keyboard. At that point of time what i thought was, i am not a blogger or YouTuber or journalist and so i do not need to type heavily day in and day out at all times yes i do type but I am not like in the keyboard typing 24/7. So i thought buying the Apple Smart Cover with the Keyboard would be futile and overspent. And so i bought the Normal Apple Smart Cover for the 11" Now i do realise that having an physical Keyboard on your iPad definitely helps it speeds up your productivity. So my question is if i buy any Bluetooth keyboard that would drain the battery on the iPad eventually right ? And with Apple Smart Cover with Keyboard I will have to keep detaching my normal Apple Smart Cover everytime i want to use the Apple Smart Cover with the Keyboard so there is disadvantage in both the situation ! Plus the Apple Smart Cover with the Keyboard is expensive isn't it? That is another factor. So what do you guys suggest should i buy any Bluetooth external keyboard or should i go for the Apple Keyboard Smart Cover ?

 

[ericwn]

If you plan to type mostly at a desk then an external keyboard with Bluetooth makes a lot of sense. Modern Bluetooth keyboards hold a charge for weeks or months at a time and have almost no day to day impact on battery life of the iPad.

If you feel you’re mostly on the go then a keyboard cover thing makes more sense.

 

[Ludatyk]

So what do you guys suggest should i buy any Bluetooth external keyboard or should i go for the Apple Keyboard Smart Cover ?

Umm.. the cheaper route would buy a Smart Cover and find a decent Bluetooth keyboard. I bought a 3rd party Smart Cover off Amazon for about 20 bucks and I’ve been using Logitech Keys-To-Go for awhile now. However, it’s up to you to decide. I don’t have any issues with battery drainage... I tend to use Bluetooth headphones as well.

But some prefer the Apple Smart Keyboard Cover because how well it’s integrated with the iPad Pro.

 

[vish26]

If you plan to type mostly at a desk then an external keyboard with Bluetooth makes a lot of sense.

Yes I am mostly gonna be using the iPad at a desk not infact not atall on the go.

If you feel you’re mostly on the go then a keyboard cover thing makes more sense.

very much stationed in none.placr and desk.

But some prefer the Apple Smart Keyboard Cover because how well it’s integrated with the iPad Pro.

And since Apple Keyboard on the Smart Cover does not use Bluetooth to connect to the keyboard, it also does not drains the battery of the iPad Pro as an external bluetooth keyboard would do.

 

[sparksd]

Yes I am mostly gonna be using the iPad at a desk not infact not atall on the go.



very much stationed in none.placr and desk.



And since Apple Keyboard on the Smart Cover does not use Bluetooth to connect to the keyboard, it also does not drains the battery of the iPad Pro as an external bluetooth keyboard would do.

I use Bluetooth keyboards of different makes - including the Logitech Slim Folio case - with my 10.5 and 2018 12.9 iPad Pros and don't see any detectable battery drain due to their usage. And I use them with Bluetooth headphones and earbuds.

 

[Ludatyk]

And since Apple Keyboard on the Smart Cover does not use Bluetooth to connect to the keyboard, it also does not drains the battery of the iPad Pro as an external bluetooth keyboard would do.

You mention battery drainage as if it would be rapidly declining. My Apple Watch uses iPhone bluetooth in order to operate... should I be concern of my iPhone battery drainage? And you just mention that you’ll mostly be in at your desk.. why would drainage be a concern when you can simply plug in your iPad.

 

[vish26]

You mention battery drainage as if it would be rapidly declining. My Apple Watch uses iPhone bluetooth in order to operate... should I be concern of my iPhone battery drainage? And you just mention that you’ll mostly be in at your desk.. why would drainage be a concern when you can simply plug in your iPad.

yes i agree that if i am gonna be just at one place why should charging be a problem, but isn't charging on and off again and again detrimental for the iPad battery health?
[automerge]1574276976[/automerge]

I use Bluetooth keyboards of different makes - including the Logitech Slim Folio case - with my 10.5 and 2018 12.9 iPad Pros and don't see any detectable battery drain due to their usage. And I use them with Bluetooth headphones and earbuds.

I am using a Chinese make bluetooth keyboard purchsed from AliExpress for $15 does it mean the low quality and build of the Chinese Keyboard is causing the battery drain in my iPad when i use it with the Chinese Keyboard ?

 

[JayMysterio]

This is ALWAYS my first recommendation with an iPad.

https://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/multi-device-keyboard-k380

$30 well spent.

 

[vish26]

This is ALWAYS my first recommendation with an iPad.

https://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/multi-device-keyboard-k380

$30 well spent.

I wanted something with backlit lighting and this one does not have it. infact none of the Logitech keyboard except the newly launched MX series have backlit.

 

[JayMysterio]

I wanted something with backlit lighting and this one does not have it. infact none of the Logitech keyboard except the newly launched MX series have backlit.

Apple's smart keyboards don't have backlit lighting as well. I apologize, I didn't catch that backlit lighting was a requirement.

 

[Shirasaki]

Apple Smart Keyboard is the product that, if you did not buy it in the first place, it makes little to no sense to buy later on. I tried a few Bluetooth based keyboard case from third parties, and all of them had a huge problem of having difficulty to setup and tear down when needed. I went to Apple Smart Cover before, having the same thought as yours. But I could not get over its price point for overall weaker protection.

Then, I decided to jump the ship and went for Apple Smart Keyboard, and never regretted since. The Typing experience lives up its reputation of being the best experience of similar products, and it is extremely easy to setup and tear down. Does not drain power or need to recharge batteries. Yes, it does not have a backlight and kinda shame on that one, but overall I like it more. Plus, the key spacing is good enough that I much less likely hit the language selection key at the bottom left corner, something I hated a lot on third party products.

Hope this can help.

 

[Ludatyk]

I wanted something with backlit lighting and this one does not have it. infact none of the Logitech keyboard except the newly launched MX series have backlit.

Yeah, Logitech doesn't make the K811 anymore.. I was lucky enough to purchase one back in 2016, I have the luxury to use it with my iPP. But I prefer to have it with the iMac and the Keys-To-Go for the iPP. But you shouldn't have any crazy battery drainage when dealing with bluetooth keyboard.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Hi Guys,

Just need a quick piece of advice and suggestion, When i purchased my iPad Pro 11" I wanted to buy an Apple Smart Cover I was torn between should i buy only the Apple Smart Cover or the Apple Smart cover with Keyboard. At that point of time what i thought was, i am not a blogger or YouTuber or journalist and so i do not need to type heavily day in and day out at all times yes i do type but I am not like in the keyboard typing 24/7. So i thought buying the Apple Smart Cover with the Keyboard would be futile and overspent. And so i bought the Normal Apple Smart Cover for the 11" Now i do realise that having an physical Keyboard on your iPad definitely helps it speeds up your productivity. So my question is if i buy any Bluetooth keyboard that would drain the battery on the iPad eventually right ? And with Apple Smart Cover with Keyboard I will have to keep detaching my normal Apple Smart Cover everytime i want to use the Apple Smart Cover with the Keyboard so there is disadvantage in both the situation ! Plus the Apple Smart Cover with the Keyboard is expensive isn't it? That is another factor. So what do you guys suggest should i buy any Bluetooth external keyboard or should i go for the Apple Keyboard Smart Cover ?

You could buy a Smart Keyboard from Logitech.

It's worth mentioning that this Logitech Smart Keyboard is backlit.
https://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/slim-folio-pro

The Apple Smart Keyboard is much more expensive.

 

[JayMysterio]

You could buy a Smart Keyboard from Logitech.

It's worth mentioning that this Logitech Smart Keyboard is backlit.
https://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/slim-folio-pro

The Apple Smart Keyboard is much more expensive.

Yes.

That would have been the first suggestion, if the backlit keyboard had been mentioned. That keyboard is a favorite among many iPad pro reviewers, they just don't care for the difficulty in removing it if necessary. If the need was just any keyboard, and keep using the already owned smart cover case, and external would be a great choice because of price. Working at a desk, it's always a nice option to be able to place your keyboard however far you prefer from the iPad.

 

[sparksd]

Yes.

That would have been the first suggestion, if the backlit keyboard had been mentioned. That keyboard is a favorite among many iPad pro reviewers, they just don't care for the difficulty in removing it if necessary. If the need was just any keyboard, and keep using the already owned smart cover case, and external would be a great choice because of price. Working at a desk, it's always a nice option to be able to place your keyboard however far you prefer from the iPad.

I have the Slim Folio on my 12.9 Pro and it's easy to remove - the upper corners pop right off. I have plastic shell cases that are much more difficult. I like the Slim Folio much more than the pricier Apple keyboard case.

 

[JayMysterio]

I have the Slim Folio on my 12.9 Pro and it's easy to remove - the upper corners pop right off. I have plastic shell cases that are much more difficult. I like the Slim Folio much more than the pricier Apple keyboard case.

In looking at reviews, that was the most frequent complaint I saw. I ended up going with the Brydge because (and a discount ) of it's ease. I didn't recommend that, because the weight of the combination of keyboard and iPad is a dealbreaker for many. Great appearance though, so so typing experience. Everyone ( reviewer wise ) seems to love the Slim Folio typing experience the most of all keyboards for iPads.

 

[sparksd]

This is ALWAYS my first recommendation with an iPad.

https://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/multi-device-keyboard-k380

$30 well spent.

That is a great keyboard - I use one with my docked laptop. If the OP wants an inexpensive backlit keyboard, this one works well -

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FFVVDJ8/

Yes, I also have one of these - I have more keyboards than I care to account for. And more cases ...

 

[JayMysterio]

If the Brydge is acceptable, it is an attractive backlit keyboard ( appearance wise ) option.

It also has the added benefit of since it's bluetooth you can always use it separately.

 

[danmart]

I use an Apple Magic Keyboard with my 12.9 Pro. It’s fantastic, you really could write a book using it.



Don’t worry about the power consumption of Bluetooth, it‘s negligible compared to something like screen brightness.

 

[sparksd]

In looking at reviews, that was the most frequent complaint I saw. I ended up going with the Brydge because (and a discount ) of it's ease. I didn't recommend that, because the weight of the combination of keyboard and iPad is a dealbreaker for many. Great appearance though, so so typing experience. Everyone ( reviewer wise ) seems to love the Slim Folio typing experience the most of all keyboards for iPads.

I was concerned about the removal issue before I bought it because of similar reviews I read - I like to switch out cases for different uses and if it was hard to remove, I planned to return it. It really surprised me - like I said, it's one of the easiest case for changeout that I have. But you're right about these kind of cases adding weight and bulk but that's also an issue I don't care about.

 

[vish26]

Apple's smart keyboards don't have backlit lighting as well. I apologize, I didn't catch that backlit lighting was a requirement.

Actually my requirement is a little subjective with Apple Keyboard I am ok if it does not have a Backlit Keyboard because Well ! It is Apple but if I decide to buy any third party bluetooth keyboard I am looking for a Backlit Keyboard in it.

I would like to very much buy this one but it is super expensive

https://www.vinpok.com/products/vinpok-taptek-thinnest-wireless-mac-mechanical-keyboard

 

[Digitalguy]

Actually my requirement is a little subjective with Apple Keyboard I am ok if it does not have a Backlit Keyboard because Well ! It is Apple but if I decide to buy any third party bluetooth keyboard I am looking for a Backlit Keyboard in it.

I would like to very much buy this one but it is super expensive

https://www.vinpok.com/products/vinpok-taptek-thinnest-wireless-mac-mechanical-keyboard

I wouldn't buy a keyboard you haven't tried yourself.... Some influencers on the internet give a lot of hype to mechanical keyboards (probably because they are good for gaming), which in my opinion are horrible to type on. While I don't like zero travel keyboards I also don't like keyboards which have too much travel, they slow me down more than anything. I particularly like the old apple mac bluetooth keyboard (the one before the magic one), with very good travel (much more than the magic but still not excessive and clunky as some mechanical keyboards). For the me the ideal travel is between 1.3 and 2 mm, anything less or more is not great. Having said that, I really like the Apple smart keyboard and have no problem writing very long texts on it and don't miss a laptop keyboard when I use it. I have many bluetooth keyboards, mainly from logitech, but also from Microsoft, Brydge, etc. And my favorite is by far the Surface pro brydge keyboard (first generation). Brydge used to make amazing keyboards until a couple of years ago, then they have ruined the latest generations (lower travel, poor key feel) and I am not going to buy anything anymore from them. But I love the ones that I have (and have returned the others)

 

[sracer]

Unfortunately for the OP, there is no Smart Cover option for the 11" Pro. There's a Smart Folio, but that is not the same as a smart cover.

Actually my requirement is a little subjective with Apple Keyboard I am ok if it does not have a Backlit Keyboard because Well ! It is Apple but if I decide to buy any third party bluetooth keyboard I am looking for a Backlit Keyboard in it.

I would like to very much buy this one but it is super expensive

https://www.vinpok.com/products/vinpok-taptek-thinnest-wireless-mac-mechanical-keyboard

Keyboard tastes are very personal and I know that mechanical keyboards are all the rage, but as a software developer of nearly 45 years (who used nothing but mechanical keyboards exclusively for the first 35 of those years) I find mechanical keyboards to be cumbersome and fatiguing.

But if you are keen on mechanical, you might find this one a possibility:

DIERYA Mechanical Gaming Keyboard 60% True RGB Backlit Bluetooth 4.0 Wired/Wireless LED Computer Keyboard for Multi-Device iPhone Android Mobile PC Laptop

$48

 

[vish26]

Unfortunately for the OP, there is no Smart Cover option for the 11" Pro. There's a Smart Folio, but that is not the same as a smart cover.


Keyboard tastes are very personal and I know that mechanical keyboards are all the rage, but as a software developer of nearly 45 years (who used nothing but mechanical keyboards exclusively for the first 35 of those years) I find mechanical keyboards to be cumbersome and fatiguing.

But if you are keen on mechanical, you might find this one a possibility:

DIERYA Mechanical Gaming Keyboard 60% True RGB Backlit Bluetooth 4.0 Wired/Wireless LED Computer Keyboard for Multi-Device iPhone Android Mobile PC Laptop

$48

View attachment 878390

That is s great suggestion! And well within my budget !! Loved it. But the problem is i am in India