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Combined Weight of a 12.9-inch iPad Pro and a Magic Keyboard Is Heavier Than a 13-inch MacBook Air

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Apple hasn't specified the weight of its new Magic Keyboard, but a MacRumors reader who received their unit early has weighed the larger model for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro and found it to be 710 grams. That makes the Magic Keyboard heavier than the iPad Pro, which weighs 641 grams.

EBC4B2D2-E53F-4CFC-AA99-12E3605F206B.jpeg
Image by OzMoon​

It's not surprising that the keyboard has to have some heft to counterbalance a connected iPad Pro and provide a sturdy base for working on. But that makes their combined weight 1,351 grams, which is heavier than a 13-inch MacBook Air (1,290 grams) and closer to the weight of a 13-inch MacBook Pro (1,370 grams).

So if you were expecting a 12.9-inch iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard to be a lighter option than using a laptop when you're on the road, then it's worth being aware that that's not necessarily going to be the case. On the other hand, 9to5Mac claims the Magic Keyboard for the 11-inch iPad Pro weighs 601 grams, which would mean that their combined weight would be 1,072 grams. That's lighter than any MacBook that Apple currently sells.

In our upcoming review of the new Magic Keyboard, we'll look at weight considerations, portability, and more. Apple's Magic Keyboard includes a floating cantilevered design for viewing angles, a backlit keyboard with scissor-switch keys, and an integrated trackpad. You can order one for the 11-inch iPad Pro for $299, and for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro for $349 on Apple.com.

Article Link: Combined Weight of a 12.9-inch iPad Pro and a Magic Keyboard Is Heavier Than a 13-inch MacBook Air
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2020/04/20/magic-keyboard-ipad-pro-heavier-macbook/
When all the technology is packed into the screen, obviously adding a MacBook Pro keyboard to it it’s going to make a much heavier
 
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And the combined weight of an SUV and a trailer is more than that of a pick up truck... But just like I can drive the SUV without the trailer, I can use the iPad without the keyboard...

So the use cases are still very much there for this combination. Take the keyboard when you need it...

How does the weight compare to a Surface with a keyboard?
 
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I have been feeling like the case is more of a desktop accessory than a carry around item so most of the time I think the weight will go unnoticed. If you remove the iPad and put it in a lighter case on the go you may never even notice the weight. Still, I want my keyboard with me and so, for now, keyboard folio for me.
 
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Genuinely very happy about this. Anyone who uses a Smart Keyboard Folio knows that they are WAY too susceptible to falling backward because virtually all of the weight is in the iPad. Seems like the added heft on the bottom will balance that out and make this (typing on my 11” Pro, waiting on a Smart pre-order) feel much more genuinely like a laptop replacement.

Also, cannot WAIT for backlit keys

(one more thing: if people are worried about this weighing too much…just remember, Apple laptops weighed 7+ lbs once upon a time ;-)
 
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gsmornot said:
I have been feeling like the case is more of a desktop accessory than a carry around item so most of the time I think the weight will go unnoticed. If you remove the iPad and put it in a lighter case on the go you may never even notice the weight. Still, I want my keyboard with me and so, for now, keyboard folio for me.
Click to expand...
I’m sure there has to be a better solution for using the iPad Pro on the desktop. For instance, an external Keyboard and a Magic Trackpad, while having the iPad on a stainless steel stand. Which is the solution I’ve been tempted to adopt, because I already have the smartkeyboard folio case to use the iPad Pro on the go.

But unfortunately, on my desk, I already use a desktop Mac, while using my iPad. And I don’t want to have two keyboards and two trackpads/mice. So, for now, the only solution I see is pair and unpair the Magic Keyboard and the Magic Trackpad each time I am using either the iPad or the Mac. Which is a pain because I use them for different purposes, sometimes simultaneously, and I really need a seamless experience between them.

Yes, there are 3rd party keyboards that switch from one device to another, with hot keys to pair it with 3 different devices, but there’s nothing similar with trackpads... maybe there are iPad compatible mice that can switch between iPad and Mac with just one button?

If you have a good solution in mind, please share!
Thank you.
 
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TPALTony said:
And the combined weight of an SUV and a trailer is more than that of a pick up truck... But just like I can drive the SUV without the trailer, I can use the iPad without the keyboard...

So the use cases are still very much there for this combination. Take the keyboard when you need it...

How does the weight compare to a Surface with a keyboard?
Click to expand...
My Surface Pro with the Alcantara keyboard weighs 1080gr.
 
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This is a perfect example of today's empty "news" business.

Modularity has always had a penalty in size. That's not even remotely news in a design perspective.

Further the point of the keyboard is to provide tablet users with a desktop option for those who might want it . Most likely at their desk, not on the go. That said, you might occasionally take it on the go, not regularly.

If you always or regularly need a keyboard on the go, well.....the concept of a laptop such as.....the MacBook Air exists.

No sugar Sherlock. Actual news please. Not click-chasing to nowhere...
 
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Osamede said:
This is a perfect example of today's empty "news" business.

Modularity has always had a penalty in size. That's not even remotely news in a design perspective.

Further the point of the keyboard is to provide tablet users with a desktop option for those who might want it . Most likely at their desk, not on the go. That said, you might occasionally take it on the go, not regularly.

If you always or regularly need a keyboard on the go, well.....the concept of a laptop such as.....the MacBook Air exists.

No sugar Sherlock. Actual news please. Not click-chasing to nowhere...
Click to expand...

This IS actual news. We're only learning about the weight of the keyboard today. The specs aren't listed on the Apple store either.
 
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well the iPad Pro

offers

better performance
better battery
better screen
better speakers



than the macbook air

if anything it is the macbook air that is overweight compared to the performance it offers and just lighter by a few grams compared to the macbook pro and ipad pro.
 
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I know I've said it before, but its worth considering if you are someone who can get your work done on iOS. Apple launched the new MacBook Air and the revised iPad Pro & Magic Keyboard on the same day.

The iPad Pro is significantly faster; has a better screen; much better front-facing camera and FaceID as well as being more modular - use as a tablet, with the Pencil, or in a laptop form factor.

Its interesting times for their lineups, particularly if the transition to ARM happens soon.
 
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ascender said:
I know I've said it before, but its worth considering if you are someone who can get your work done on iOS. Apple launched the new MacBook Air and the revised iPad Pro & Magic Keyboard on the same day.

The iPad Pro is significantly faster; has a better screen; much better front-facing camera and FaceID as well as being more modular - use as a tablet, with the Pencil, or in a laptop form factor.

Its interesting times for their lineups, particularly if the transition to ARM happens soon.
Click to expand...


if you dont need the desktop apps the ipad pro is the better product to buy
 
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Lots of defensive comments on here so far, am I missing something in the original article that implies the MBA is better than the pro as it seemed to be just pointing it out weight considerations rather than coming down on one side or the other?

Personally I think that it is an interesting point that I would not have actually considered unless prompted (although I am still an iPad + Laptop guy at the moment anyway).
 
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The iPad is a much better mobile device than a MacBook since it’s faster, has Face ID, has cellular, etc. I definitely want a keyboard on the go, so this notion that keyboards are only for desktop use is crazy (almost as crazy as the reality that MacBooks still don’t have Face ID and cellular).

This is a tough call. The folio is lighter, but has fewer viewing angles and no trackpad. Magic Keyboard is a better input device but it’s significantly heavier and can’t fold around like the folio. Well in any case I’m going to own both soon so if we’re ever able to safely be mobile again I’ll see what works!
 
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nickgovier said:
The MacBook Air offers infinitely better performance in Xcode than the iPad Pro.
Click to expand...

that's only important is you are a developer

which is about 1 out of 10 customers

for the majority which is more than 80% the iPad Pro offers better value than the Macbook Air again with the following:

better performance
better battery
better screen
better speakers
better front facing camera
face id
also apple pencil support


than the macbook air
 
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Thats a good thing, at least for me.

As long as the balance is good. I had a Surface Pro 5 with the Surface Keyboard and it felt completely unbalanced.
 
supertiffany said:
that's only important is you are a developer

which is about 1 out of 10 customers

for the majority which is more than 80% the iPad Pro offers better value than the Macbook Air again with the following:

better performance
better battery
better screen
better speakers
better front facing camera
face id
also apple pencil support


than the macbook air
Click to expand...
so yes, those are better for consumers, media consumption.....where an ipad should be enough ...the ipad pro+magic keyboard is waste of money for that, or just a nice to have
 
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