Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Resolved Does the new Magic Keyboard fold back?
- Thread starter kht410
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
It’s very important to me that it does this.
Unlike the current Smart Keyboard, I’m unsure how it would know to display the on-screen keyboard when folded back though? Currently this happens when the iPad is docked into one of the grooves. This design appears to me to always think the physical keyboard is in use.
Unlike the current Smart Keyboard, I’m unsure how it would know to display the on-screen keyboard when folded back though? Currently this happens when the iPad is docked into one of the grooves. This design appears to me to always think the physical keyboard is in use.
Looking at it online, I don't know that it does. The cover appears to not be attached around the hinge and does not look like it would have anywhere to go if the cover was folded all the way back. Also, I have not seen any materials from Apple that shows it folded back.
I agree. Looking at the attached screenshot from the Apple website it is difficult to imagine it folded back on itself.
OTOH it looks like it would be very easy to detach for handheld tablet use.
I can’t see how the fabric that wraps around the hinge in its closed state, would work folded back on itself, as it would bunch up between the two cover sections. I’m ok with it not working this way - I don’t like how the current folio works, as the keys on the reverse side of the iPad feels weird. What it will force me to do, is get a wrap to apply to the back of the iPad, so that when I do use it in tablet form, it’s got some protection from scratches.
I am curious to know how the new stand will work for writing on screen with the Pencil - whether there is enough resistance to bending / tilting that you can press on the screen. Again, not a deal breaker for me, as I love the idea of a better keyboard and trackpad, but there are enough times when I do use the Pencil for markup or quick notes taking while it’s in the keyboard position.
Apparently it does NOT fold back. Maybe its just me but isnt that a major problem?
In the commercials theyre constantly disconnecting it when using it as “not a computer”. So, not only does that remove any case protection, it also means that $350 stand is now a cumbersome (and heavy?) accessory. If thats the case then that seems more like a Portable Desktop Stand than a discrete iPad keyboard.
In the commercials theyre constantly disconnecting it when using it as “not a computer”. So, not only does that remove any case protection, it also means that $350 stand is now a cumbersome (and heavy?) accessory. If thats the case then that seems more like a Portable Desktop Stand than a discrete iPad keyboard.
Last edited:
Personally, I’d prefer the trackpad keyboard that Logitech is releasing for the iPad Air, etc. That would fold back, no problem. But I suspect their deal with Apple allowing them to use the Smart Connector involves staying away from the IPP, at least for now. I’m likely getting the new 12.9, but I’ll probably just go with the Smart Folio Keyboard — especially as I have a couple of Magic Trackpads sitting around that I can connect via BlueTooth
I think you’re right - the new keyboard is not meant to be a case, first, with integrated keyboard and trackpad, but rather a keyboard / trackpad accessory to use with the iPad Pro. The solution for some added protection, which I am going to use, is to get a wrap / skin to apply to the back of the iPad (or more likely to make one myself), just for the scratch protection when using it in tablet form. Places like dBrand sell them and they’re very easy to apply and don’t interfere with the connection point or magnets. I’ve also got a screen protection film applied, which adds some scratch protection and has the matte finish which makes note taking better using the Pencil.
I’ve just started using my old desktop stand for my 12.9” iPad, along with a Magic Keyboard and a soon to deliver new Magic Trackpad 2, and it feels like a new device to not have it be in the keyboard folio, where it’s lived for the past year.
That could be the point that Apple is trying to promote - the iPad Pro is a fantastical device to hold and use in its naked form, which I know I’d mostly forgotten.
I agree. I am not sure how I feel about that. For me the case would be on much of the time and I would only take the iPad out for writing. I generally don‘t fold back the keyboard any other time.
I’m fine with it being more of a power dock that you can still use as a case in transit. That’s incredible. It also looks super easy to just magnetically lift the iPad Pro out and link it right into your smart folio and keep on going with the drawing if needed. I got a white smart folio for my $699 refurb 3rd gen 12.9” on eBay for $42. I will be swapping between an Apple smart folio, and the magic keyboard, as needed.
Even if it did fold back would you really want to feel the keys when you held it? It's heavier than the standard keyboard as well. It's really not practical.
keep dreaming it probably can’t do that and what it already does. Just remove and place into smart folio or else use it naked. Or buy one of those crappy Smart Keyboard folios that’s what we’ve all had to deal with and it does what you need.
To me, though there is a lack of information at this point.. it seems clear that this is a relatively specifically targeted piece of kit.
This is 'not' the same as the existing keyboard folio... not really.
This seems to me to be a desk-based thing. Although it conveniently folds up and acts as a protective carry-case (as the existing folio keyboard cover does) it seems it does not provide any alternative 'modes' of use.
Its quite clearly shown in the video that it is bot simple to detach, and expected to do so when it comes to other use-cases. Its also clear that this cannot fold back over itself.
So, this seems actually quite restrictive. I would suggest that its just really a useful desktop keyboard setup and doesnt lend itself for drawing, or portrait use etc.
As much as I like the look of this, it seems that you'd be better off with a 3rd party case with more usable 'modes' such as folding away the keyboard when not in use. Alternatively if you want this desktop style arrangement then you can just get an easel stand and a bluetooth keyboard and trackpad for a fraction of the price.
This is 'not' the same as the existing keyboard folio... not really.
This seems to me to be a desk-based thing. Although it conveniently folds up and acts as a protective carry-case (as the existing folio keyboard cover does) it seems it does not provide any alternative 'modes' of use.
Its quite clearly shown in the video that it is bot simple to detach, and expected to do so when it comes to other use-cases. Its also clear that this cannot fold back over itself.
So, this seems actually quite restrictive. I would suggest that its just really a useful desktop keyboard setup and doesnt lend itself for drawing, or portrait use etc.
As much as I like the look of this, it seems that you'd be better off with a 3rd party case with more usable 'modes' such as folding away the keyboard when not in use. Alternatively if you want this desktop style arrangement then you can just get an easel stand and a bluetooth keyboard and trackpad for a fraction of the price.
I do think Apple is making the new Magic Keyboard folio as both a desktop usable keyboard / trackpad that also is great for travel AND it makes it easy to use the iPad Pro separately for drawing, notes taking, etc.
Instead of always having to have the iPad Pro in a case, like I have had with the original keyboard folio, which has always bothered me when I folded the keyboard back around and have to touch the keys when holding the iPad, not to mention having to carry the added weight and thickness for no good reason.
I’ve recently pulled my iPP 12.9” out of the keyboard folio, and I’m using it with a separate stand, Apple Keyboard, a Magic Trackpad (delivering today) and Pencil. It’s crazy how using the iPad out of the case makes it feel like an all-new product. In just a few days that I’ve used it this way, I’ve grabbed the iPad way more and used it naked away from my desk, then when I’m back at my desk, it’s like it’s a laptop / desktop device.
Cool - a case that requires a second case.
Actually, I'll sometimes pop my 12.9 Pro out of the Logitech Slim Folio and put in a magnetic folio. I'd rather not do that but sometimes I want lighter but with protection.
That is indeed a major problem. It, perhaps, weighs a ton, and does not allow the iPad to be used as a tablet without taking it off. It seems more like a stand then. And this is Apple’s only accessory with a trackpad. So, we might be in the situation where Surface Pro is a more of tablet than iPad. Absurd.
Have to go to 3rd party solutions. Given Apple's price and the aforementioned functionality issue, there's a big incentive for others to step up - Logitech, Brydge, etc.
It, perhaps...?
why not wait and see before assuming? To me it looks quite light actually.
First of all, as someone else already noted, none of us know how much the new Magic Keyboard folio weighs. This assumption that it is heavy has been floating around based upon people seeing one of the actors in the Apple video showing the iPad Pro in the new keyboard folio and how easy it was to pull it off the ”stand”.
I am guessing that it is indeed heavier than the current keyboard folio, but we’re not talking 4 lbs. of lead in the base heavier. The reason the iPad can be pulled off the stand easier than what it takes to remove the iPad from the current folio, is that the iPad is only being held on by the magnets on half the back of the iPad and not at the leading edge, as it does on the current folio. This also provides an easier pull point to break the magnet’s hold as you lift the leading edge up and away from the stand / folio.
As far as the MS Surface devices being better tablets - they were never designed to be tablets and their performance as tablets is about as sub-par as you can get. What Apple is doing with these updates to iPadOS and things like the Magic Keyboard, is make what is undeniably the best tablet platform (and devices for that matter) and make them also work more like a laptop, so you really do get the best of both worlds. You can use the iPad without issue just as a touch input device, or you can connect a keyboard and trackpad (or mouse) and have a device more similar to a laptop. Or you can have both at the same time AND also draw on the screen for markups.
Surface devices are really PC’s with detachable keyboards. They really don’t function as touch input devices, because Windows was never meant to be a touch input system.