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

[wegster]

Eh - it's a compromise device for many.
I bought a MBP 16" 32GB 2TB because I was slamming my 16GB MBP15 as well as the storage.
I picked up an Apple refurbed last gen 12.9" iPad Pro to finally replace an Air 2, with a thought to see - can I even remotely use the IPP as a travel 'computer lite,' knowing I can't run VMs, SQL and other tools, but maybe I can do <some things> with it.

I'm annoyed there are no function and ESC keys on the new keyboard, and still in the air about purchasing one or not, but willing to see how much I can/can't do on an IPP, and if not with Apple's keyboard/touchpad, then with the keyboard case on order + a bluetooth trackball.

In my case, it might be an expensive experiment, and perhaps an 'almost here' MBP14 with 32GB RAM and 2TB SSD would have been my personal 'ideal compromise' system (assuming they offer it), but then I still needed a 'quick consumption device' as at the very least, I spent an hour or two unwinding from work before sleep on news, forums, and some emails.

Personally, I'd have liked it a bit more if it came with an actual protective cover, and that went into the keyboard, so yes, I think there's an element of style > substance with the new keyboard offering, but it may work out w/out too much annoyance.

 

[Osamede]

Someone on another thread mentioned that this keyboard is very "un-Apple-like". He's spot on. Who the hell approved this thing? You can't really use it as a case if you plan to use your iPad as a tablet. You would need to remove it, which negates the protection of the case and makes it vulnerable to dropping it. If you have a separate case on your iPad for protection while using it as a tablet, you would need to take it out of the case to mount it on the keyboard. The positioning mechanism only allows for limited view angles. The weight is ridiculous. The USB port is practically worthless. The price is astronomical.

Jobs was all about Form and Function combined. This misses both individually...

...and definitely together.

You unwittingly have explained exactly what this accessory is positioned and targeted for: desktop usage at your home base. I say unwittingly, because you then go on to talk about "form and function", where it becomes clear that you know not what the intended function is....


Apple is very successful at design partly because they do a great job of defining specific target use cases and focus on optimising the product for those things.

Apple is not stupid. This accessory is designed for your desk. And to be bought by someone who wants specifically this device and doesnt mind paying a premium for a desk-optimised accessory for it.

This way, Apple can strategically push their tablet-format devices along an evolution towards eventually replacing the lower end of the laptop format, by serving that particular customer segment very well.

For other tablet user segments who prioritise mobility, Apple has left room open for third parties to make accessories, licence them - and pay Apple to do so. Win-win for them.

Meanwhile the peanut gallery keeps cackling without a clue.....

 

[bluespark]

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...

The weight itself is news since many people look to this site for information on Apple products and people do care about the weight relative to other devices. Interestingly, you seem to assume that merely reporting on the weight of this product relative to other products somehow constitutes criticism. It doesn't. Readers are completely capable of using this information to decide whether this product fits their needs.

 

[turbineseaplane]

It should be fun to watch the same crowd who argued that the ever growing MacBook trackpads were "game changers" and "so much better to use the larger they get!"..

...now somehow argue that the tiny little trackpad on this accessory is somehow now "all I need" and/or "great".

The RDF is very strong indeed and can make one argue that up is down and they are both great at the same time.

 

[Jro29]

The weight itself is news since many people look to this site for information on Apple products and people do care about the weight relative to other devices. Interestingly, you seem to assume that merely reporting on the weight of this product relative to other products somehow constitutes criticism. It doesn't. Readers are completely capable of using this information to decide whether this product fits their needs.

I don't think this was an objective reporting of the weight. It was totally portrayed as a negative. It probably is for some and not for others. I do think it's probably necessary for it to be stable.

 

[bluespark]

Someone on another thread mentioned that this keyboard is very "un-Apple-like". He's spot on. Who the hell approved this thing? You can't really use it as a case if you plan to use your iPad as a tablet. You would need to remove it, which negates the protection of the case and makes it vulnerable to dropping it. If you have a separate case on your iPad for protection while using it as a tablet, you would need to take it out of the case to mount it on the keyboard. The positioning mechanism only allows for limited view angles. The weight is ridiculous. The USB port is practically worthless. The price is astronomical.

Jobs was all about Form and Function combined. This misses both individually...

...and definitely together.

The things you described are exactly what I like about this keyboard. When I'm using an iPad as a tablet, I want to feel it in my hands and I don't want the added bulk of a case. When I'm on the go, I want protection against the screen being scratched by other items in my bag. And when I'm using it at my desk (or in my case, on a plane, in a hotel, or at a remote work site), I want to be able to pop it open and use it like a laptop. In short, this seems like a home-run device to me, both from a form and a functionality perspective.

I agree that the price is astronomical.

 

[petvas]

The trackpad works very well as you would expect it from an Apple trackpad, but yes, it is too small and should be bigger. It is not a showstopper, but I would love to have a bigger trackpad. The MacBook Pro has a very big trackpad, maybe too big But definitely better than the one found on the Magic Keyboard.

 

[Jro29]

In a world in which the Smart Keyboard Folio is $179, is it really that unreasonable for the Magic Keyboard is $299? And are we really saying that the addition of in integrated trackpad isn't a significant improvement?

 

[bluespark]

I don't think this was an objective reporting of the weight. It was totally portrayed as a negative. It probably is for some and not for others. I do think it's probably necessary for it to be stable.

I certainly didn't take it that way. Most of the points made were factual. The one "opinion" statement was the observation that the weight probably is necessary for stability, which if anything is a pro-Apple point.

 

[Jro29]

I certainly didn't take it that way. Most of the points made were factual. The one "opinion" statement was the observation that the weight probably is necessary for stability, which if anything is a pro-Apple point.

I went back and looked at the actual article and you're right. I was confusing the reaction here with editorial from the article.

 

[petvas]

The weight is required for making the iPad stay stable. It makes it also possible to sit comfortable on the lap. I don't see any other way for them to achieve that.

 

[StandingGoose]

And while I really like iPads they're just not there in terms of functionality for me, I would much rather use a Surface device. The kickstand is absolutely awesome.

The built-in kickstand is nice. Both it and the Apple Keyboard/Folio only help with landscape orientation. I often find myself propping up my iPad Pro in portrait mode when reading at a table (usually PDF's, or the e-edition of my local newspaper). I want shallow and steep orientations in both landscape and portrait mode, and ability to use the keyboard for the more vertical case of each.

 

[hipnetic]

The weight is required for making the iPad stay stable. It makes it also possible to sit comfortable on the lap. I don't see any other way for them to achieve that.

This is a critical point for me. Every evening, I've got my MacBook on my lap in my living room. So for me to even entertain the possibility of using an iPad Pro as a laptop replacement, it would need to be able to be used on my lap, and sometimes at awkward angles. If the total weight is about 3 lbs, that's just slightly above the MacBook Air, and somewhat below the MacBook Pro 13. That hardly sounds "too heavy" to me.

The smallish trackpad is a bummer, but it looks "big enough" that it might be workable. The bigger concern for me might be the lack of an ESC key, though if I can remap that via some other key-combo, I could probably work around that, too. That's assuming that this thing could be usable when remote desktop-ing to a "real" computer to access apps like IntelliJ. It's possible that the delay when using a remote desktop would make for an unhappy user experience, though.

I'm still thinking that this is something that I personally don't need right now, and would find myself preferring to use my MacBook Pro 16 (which I just bought a few months ago) in most use cases. But I'm certainly intrigued by it and would love to experiment with using one as a laptop replacement. Probably not intrigued enough to spend $1400 on an iPad Pro + Pencil 2 + this magic keyboard/case.

 

[darkslide29]

In a world in which the Smart Keyboard Folio is $179, is it really that unreasonable for the Magic Keyboard is $299? And are we really saying that the addition of in integrated trackpad isn't a significant improvement?

Not just the trackpad, but an all-new scissor keyboard, plus back lighting, multi-angle (over the total of two on the keyboard folio), and pass through charging.

 

[turbineseaplane]

In a world in which the Smart Keyboard Folio is $179, is it really that unreasonable for the Magic Keyboard is $299? And are we really saying that the addition of in integrated trackpad isn't a significant improvement?

lmfao - some of you guys would defend ANYTHING Apple does

 

[glowplug]

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.

Ten bucks says that was somewhat intentional.

 

[darkslide29]

Making it this heavy? Courage.

 

[AppliedMicro]

As gutted as I am myself for Apple to get of it...

Honestly I’m gutted they got rid of the 12” Macbook it was the ultimate portable work device for 90% of people.

Honestly, it wasn't.

Mediocre-at-best performance aside, restricting connectivity to one single USB-C port was just silly. And plain inconvenient. As were the amount of adapters needed for even basic use:
Connecting a run-of-the-mill USB-A flash drive? Only possible with an adapter.
HDMI connector to a video projector? Only possible with another adapter.
Connecting a power adapter to charge/hold charge at the same time? Need a bigger, more expensive adapter.
Oh, you're trying to copy a presentation from that flash drive, that you want to give on an an external monitor or video projector? Unplug monitor adapter, plug in USB Adapter, copy file over, unplug adapter, plug in HDMI adapter... unless you're using one of those bigger "docking station" type of things. Though why would you want to, with such a small notebook?

USB-A devices and microSD cards are used by many people. As are HDMI connectors. All lacking on the 12" MacBook.
Also, the keyboards on the 12" MacBooks were pretty bad and unreliable (the ratios of sold units to units needing keyboard replacement was astonishingly high).

Had they made the 12" just slightly thicker, added a second or third USB-C port (in addition to the headphone jack. And/or maybe, HDMI and one USB-A instead) and made it with a better keyboard, it might have been a hit - and indeed ultimate portable work device). And they could have probably done that within only a 100g more in weight.

Also, with this anemic connectivity, it was perceived as well overpriced, in comparison to the 13" models. It's only selling point was the lightweightedness. Which limited its appeal. Few people are paying more money for less performance and less ports.

 

[zhenya]

This is a critical point for me. Every evening, I've got my MacBook on my lap in my living room. So for me to even entertain the possibility of using an iPad Pro as a laptop replacement, it would need to be able to be used on my lap, and sometimes at awkward angles. If the total weight is about 3 lbs, that's just slightly above the MacBook Air, and somewhat below the MacBook Pro 13. That hardly sounds "too heavy" to me.

The smallish trackpad is a bummer, but it looks "big enough" that it might be workable. The bigger concern for me might be the lack of an ESC key, though if I can remap that via some other key-combo, I could probably work around that, too. That's assuming that this thing could be usable when remote desktop-ing to a "real" computer to access apps like IntelliJ. It's possible that the delay when using a remote desktop would make for an unhappy user experience, though.

I'm still thinking that this is something that I personally don't need right now, and would find myself preferring to use my MacBook Pro 16 (which I just bought a few months ago) in most use cases. But I'm certainly intrigued by it and would love to experiment with using one as a laptop replacement. Probably not intrigued enough to spend $1400 on an iPad Pro + Pencil 2 + this magic keyboard/case.

Well good news. The new keyboard is incredibly stable for use in your lap. Easily as stable as a regular laptop in a majority of positions, and far better than any other tablet/keyboard setup I’ve ever used. Stable enough that I can take extensive written notes on the screen without removing the iPad from the keyboard.

 

[ericwn]

As gutted as I am myself for Apple to get of it...

Honestly, it wasn't.

Mediocre-at-best performance aside, restricting connectivity to one single USB-C port was just silly. And plain inconvenient. As were the amount of adapters needed for even basic use:
Connecting a run-of-the-mill USB-A flash drive? Only possible with an adapter.
HDMI connector to a video projector? Only possible with another adapter.
Connecting a power adapter to charge/hold charge at the same time? Need a bigger, more expensive adapter.
Oh, you're trying to copy a presentation from that flash drive, that you want to give on an an external monitor or video projector? Unplug monitor adapter, plug in USB Adapter, copy file over, unplug adapter, plug in HDMI adapter... unless you're using one of those bigger "docking station" type of things. Though why would you want to, with such a small notebook?

USB-A devices and microSD cards are used by many people. As are HDMI connectors. All lacking on the 12" MacBook.
Also, the keyboards on the 12" MacBooks were pretty bad and unreliable (the ratios of sold units to units needing keyboard replacement was astonishingly high).

Had they made the 12" just slightly thicker, added a second or third USB-C port (in addition to the headphone jack. And/or maybe, HDMI and one USB-A instead) and made it with a better keyboard, it might have been a hit - and indeed ultimate portable work device). And they could have probably done that within only a 100g more in weight.

Also, with this anemic connectivity, it was perceived as well overpriced, in comparison to the 13" models. It's only selling point was the lightweightedness. Which limited its appeal. Few people are paying more money for less performance and less ports.

Agree completely. And still I would have bought it if it had a better keyboard. Unfortunately it came with this subpar one.

Here’s to hoping that at least the typing feel is much improved on this iPad keyboard.

 

[nvmls]

The current Airs are actually decent wee laptops IF you choose the correct CPU.

I sincerely wish I could agree with you.

[automerge]1587433547[/automerge]

As gutted as I am myself for Apple to get of it...

Honestly, it wasn't.

Mediocre-at-best performance aside, restricting connectivity to one single USB-C port was just silly. And plain inconvenient. As were the amount of adapters needed for even basic use:
Connecting a run-of-the-mill USB-A flash drive? Only possible with an adapter.
HDMI connector to a video projector? Only possible with another adapter.
Connecting a power adapter to charge/hold charge at the same time? Need a bigger, more expensive adapter.
Oh, you're trying to copy a presentation from that flash drive, that you want to give on an an external monitor or video projector? Unplug monitor adapter, plug in USB Adapter, copy file over, unplug adapter, plug in HDMI adapter... unless you're using one of those bigger "docking station" type of things. Though why would you want to, with such a small notebook?

USB-A devices and microSD cards are used by many people. As are HDMI connectors. All lacking on the 12" MacBook.
Also, the keyboards on the 12" MacBooks were pretty bad and unreliable (the ratios of sold units to units needing keyboard replacement was astonishingly high).

Had they made the 12" just slightly thicker, added a second or third USB-C port (in addition to the headphone jack. And/or maybe, HDMI and one USB-A instead) and made it with a better keyboard, it might have been a hit - and indeed ultimate portable work device). And they could have probably done that within only a 100g more in weight.

Also, with this anemic connectivity, it was perceived as well overpriced, in comparison to the 13" models. It's only selling point was the lightweightedness. Which limited its appeal. Few people are paying more money for less performance and less ports.

Absolutely, we grabbed a few from a batch and the performance was insulting, needless to say the keyboard, lack of connectivity, storage, RAM, etc. Even with its anemic 5w processor, would get hot and had no thermals whatsoever.
One of the worst designed machines of the industry, a Cook era signature product. They were all returned within 10 days.

 

[Jro29]

lmfao - some of you guys would defend ANYTHING Apple does

I’m not defending anything. There’s nothing to defend. Apple has made a business decision. It’s not up to me to decide how people spend their money. I just find it interesting that multiple people on here who own the Smart Keyboard folio (and therefore have established they value it at least at $180) have somehow determined that $300 for a significantly superior product is somehow beyond the pale. It’s not logically consistent. But people aren’t rational all of the time.

 

[sakurarain]

I guess Apple will add something to the part above the keyboard, maybe a big touchbar😝😝😝😝😝

 

[Jury]

I sincerely wish I could agree with you.

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Absolutely, we grabbed a few from a batch and the performance was insulting, needless to say the keyboard, lack of connectivity, storage, RAM, etc. Even with its anemic 5w processor, would get hot and had no thermals whatsoever.
One of the worst designed machines of the industry, a Cook era signature product. They were all returned within 10 days.

Agreed, I can't tolerate the lack of attention to detail that Tim Cook foster at Apple over the years and it's why the product feels very ordinary.

 

[aleni]

This entire debacle reminds me of that one designer Chris Bangle that designed the BMWs. Have you seen surface pro devices with kickstand? Best there is period. Apple instead chose to roll with Jony ives worst designer on the planet and you get something like an ipad today. Have to build these niche products just to make it work without falling over.

jony Ive worst designer on the planet? Yeah right.