iPad Pro Does your M4 iPad Pro (2024) Magic Keyboard rock / wobble?

[jlevy73]

Based on that YouTube video, I might have expected that, but it wasn't the case in that particular store I visited. But like I said, there were some security cables attached which could have affected the assessment, and the old version in the store wasn't brand new either, so that might have changed things.

However, I think it does illustrate there may be some variability in the stability from unit to unit, although there does seem to be a real trend indicating that the new version is less stable than the old version.

 

[jlevy73]

Just tested this with my 2024 Magic Keyboard with my new iPad Pro M4 11’. It doesn’t have that problem.

I actually like this keyboard so much more than the previous generation of Magic Keyboard. The screen pivot point is lower on the back and it just feels so much more natural.

I also love that it opens with much less force, like it’s spring loaded or something.

That's good to hear. Could just be that mine is defective.

 

[Wizec]

That's good to hear. Could just be that mine is defective.

I wonder. I just put mine on a flat table and tipped the screen all the way back. When I tap it, it doesn’t rock/wobble any more than the old combination.

The keyboard itself never leaves the table unless I whack the screen. Now, in the video it looked like a 13” iPad, and that certainly could be different given how much more mass that is.

 

[EugW]

I wonder. I just put mine on a flat table and tipped the screen all the way back. When I tap it, it doesn’t rock/wobble any more than the old combination.

The keyboard itself never leaves the table unless I whack the screen. Now, in the video it looked like a 13” iPad, and that certainly could be different given how much more mass that is.

In my unscientific in-store test, the 2024 11" was noticeably more stable than the 2024 13". Not only 11" lighter, it's also much shorter in height, not just because it's smaller, but also because it has a flatter aspect ratio. The 13" is a 1.33:1 screen, whereas the 11" is 1.45:1.

OTOH, that huge trackpad on the 2024 13" was truly luxurious. Plus the 13" has the same key spacing as the Macs. The key spacing on the 11" is smaller, albeit still fine.

 

[Wizec]

I have average sized hands at 5’ 11” and I’m finding that I type better on my iPad Pro Magic Keyboard than on my 14” Lenovo 9i laptop 😮

 

[transmaster]

I can easily pair my iPad Pro 13' with my Q1 Keychron. The only thing I need to add is a pointer, I don't know if an iPad will work with a BT trackball.

 

[transmaster]

😁😁😁😁😁😁😁

using ipados 13.4 with the logitech mx ergo plus trackball

I’ve been working with iPadOS 13.4 on my iPad Pro, 12.9”, second generation ever since the update. The iPad is my primary writing tool (along with the logi keyboard cover). I picked it up nearly a …

arcanesciencelab.wordpress.com

 

[macmus12]

In my unscientific in-store test, the 2024 11" was noticeably more stable than the 2024 13". Not only 11" lighter, it's also much shorter in height, not just because it's smaller, but also because it has a flatter aspect ratio. The 13" is a 1.33:1 screen, whereas the 11" is 1.45:1.

OTOH, that huge trackpad on the 2024 13" was truly luxurious. Plus the 13" has the same key spacing as the Macs. The key spacing on the 11" is smaller, albeit still fine.

I think 11' is a better option, 13' seems like missed oportunity

 

[papbot]

For those who have or are concerned about this wobble there is a cheap easy way to compensate for it, I believe. Until I came across these threads I was not aware of this possibility. It does depend on the surface you’re using it on, and in my specific use I have a lap desk that is tilted just slightly towards me, or it’s resting on my lap, or on a pillow on my lap, which all tilt the MKB just a bit towards me so I never noticed this. Also I never go banging my fingers on the upper portion of the screen since light touches are all that’s required; most of the time when I touch the screen I use a stylus or the pencil. Others use the trackpad. Either way there just isn’t going to be much of a wobble.

For any that also had the previous MKB you’ll see how the exterior material wraps over the bottom hinge adding additional support in back. Without that material the hinge would be slightly elevated over any surface as the hinge in the new MKB is. So for those concerned you could purchase a couple of small rubber adhesive bumpers to stick on the bottom of the hinge which would take up that gap when the the MKB is unfolded. That should prevent most if not all of the wobble. I did notice when taking a very close look at my old MKB that the material that wraps over the hinge had a couple very tiny areas on the ends that had frayed. I remember seeing threads here in the past from those complaining about this. As I’ve had that MKB for 4+ years I‘ve not been bothered by it. Apple has avoided that potential issue by having a bare hinge.

There is also a very expensive way of dealing with the wobble. A number of people here in the past had referred to a leather case for the MKB by Pad & Quill, now called Burton cases. The exterior leather forms that additional support that‘s missing from the bare hinge, it also would negate the need for any skins on the surface of the MKB. But you’d be spending about $180.

 

[macmus12]

For those who have or are concerned about this wobble there is a cheap easy way to compensate for it, I believe. Until I came across these threads I was not aware of this possibility. It does depend on the surface you’re using it on, and in my specific use I have a lap desk that is tilted just slightly towards me, or it’s resting on my lap, or on a pillow on my lap, which all tilt the MKB just a bit towards me so I never noticed this. Also I never go banging my fingers on the upper portion of the screen since light touches are all that’s required; most of the time when I touch the screen I use a stylus or the pencil. Others use the trackpad. Either way there just isn’t going to be much of a wobble.

For any that also had the previous MKB you’ll see how the exterior material wraps over the bottom hinge adding additional support in back. Without that material the hinge would be slightly elevated over any surface as the hinge in the new MKB is. So for those concerned you could purchase a couple of small rubber adhesive bumpers to stick on the bottom of the hinge which would take up that gap when the the MKB is unfolded. That should prevent most if not all of the wobble. I did notice when taking a very close look at my old MKB that the material that wraps over the hinge had a couple very tiny areas on the ends that had frayed. I remember seeing threads here in the past from those complaining about this. As I’ve had that MKB for 4+ years I‘ve not been bothered by it. Apple has avoided that potential issue by having a bare hinge.

There is also a very expensive way of dealing with the wobble. A number of people here in the past had referred to a leather case for the MKB by Pad & Quill, now called Burton cases. The exterior leather forms that additional support that‘s missing from the bare hinge, it also would negate the need for any skins on the surface of the MKB. But you’d be spending about $180.

case on a case?

that bottom part seem to flop tho, why it's not attached to MK ? That must be nightmare to use on lap

 

[papbot]

case on a case?

that bottom part seem to flop tho, why it's not attached to MK ? That must be nightmare to use on lap

Yeah that loose bottom segment would concern me as well. But I believe some here on Macrumors bought the previous version which had the same design. But between the cost and that aspect I’d have to read a lot of good reviews first. A skin would be a lot cheaper but more tedious to install.

 

[Chudley]

A bit of carbon fibre sticky tape from Amazon fixed my wobble and protection problem . Looks pretty flash too ! Cost me 19Aud

 

[EugW]

A bit of carbon fibre sticky tape from Amazon fixed my wobble and protection problem . Looks pretty flash too ! Cost me 19Aud

Glad it worked. How thick is that tape?

 

[Chudley]

Glad it worked. How thick is that tape?

Couple of mm I guess.

 

[EugW]

Couple of mm I guess.

Thanks, but that attachment doesn't list the thickness.

I'm not sure if the space below the hinge is closer to 1 mm or 2 mm.

 

[papbot]

Thanks, but that attachment doesn't list the thickness.

I'm not sure if the space below the hinge is closer to 1 mm or 2 mm.

Anything that you put on the bottom of that hinge will work if you’re having an issue. These small bumpers from Amazon, and there are multiple varieties would work well.

Cabinet Door Bumpers, Cabinet Bumper Clear Self Adhesive, Rubber Bumpers Stripes, Clear Bumper for Cabinets Pads for Sound Dampening Buffer Pads (40pcs)

Cabinet Door Bumpers, Cabinet Bumper Clear Self Adhesive, Rubber Bumpers Stripes, Clear Bumper for Cabinets Pads for Sound Dampening Buffer Pads (40pcs)

www.amazon.com

 

[EugW]

Anything that you put on the bottom of that hinge will work if you’re having an issue. These small bumpers from Amazon, and there are multiple varieties would work well.

Cabinet Door Bumpers, Cabinet Bumper Clear Self Adhesive, Rubber Bumpers Stripes, Clear Bumper for Cabinets Pads for Sound Dampening Buffer Pads (40pcs)

Cabinet Door Bumpers, Cabinet Bumper Clear Self Adhesive, Rubber Bumpers Stripes, Clear Bumper for Cabinets Pads for Sound Dampening Buffer Pads (40pcs)

www.amazon.com

Those bumpers are 2.5 mm tall. I'm guessing that may be too tall. Most cabinet bumpers are that tall or taller. 1-2 mm bumpers are harder to find, but do exist.

 

[papbot]

Those bumpers are 2.5 mm tall. I'm guessing that may be too tall. Most cabinet bumpers are that tall or taller. 1-2 mm bumpers are harder to find, but do exist.

It would just add an extra millimeter of tilt to the MKB. You probably wouldn’t notice and it would eliminate any wobbling.

 

[EugW]

Another YouTuber complaining about the rocking, this time with the 11".

It would just add an extra millimeter of tilt to the MKB. You probably wouldn’t notice and it would eliminate any wobbling.

Ideally the MKB would be flush with the table, instead of being raised off the table by the bumper. I'm sure we'll be able to figure out the optimal bumper thickness in the coming months.

 

[axantas]

Nice to hear. Here's hoping the problem illustrated in the video is just a problem with his particular unit.

It is not a problem with his particular unit. The problem is, how he uses it. If he would hit it even harder, the whole thing would fall on its back. There is just one little problem: You do not hit the iPad with the stylus that way, unless you want to create that problem.

Just tested it myself. It is a non issue. I would not even have remarked that, not having watched the video.

 

[EugW]

It is not a problem with his particular unit. The problem is, how he uses it. If he would hit it even harder, the whole thing would fall on its back. There is just one little problem: You do not hit the iPad with the stylus that way, unless you want to create that problem.

Just tested it myself. It is a non issue. I would not even have remarked that, not having watched the video.

It's not a non-issue. I tested it myself in the store, and yes it's quite wobbly.

I don't buy the "you're tapping it wrong" argument. You can try to train yourself to be gentle, but the 13" iPad Air with the old Magic Keyboard beside it was considerably more stable.

 

[macmus12]

It is not a problem with his particular unit. The problem is, how he uses it. If he would hit it even harder, the whole thing would fall on its back. There is just one little problem: You do not hit the iPad with the stylus that way, unless you want to create that problem.

Just tested it myself. It is a non issue. I would not even have remarked that, not having watched the video.

it's definitely an issue, on lap, on couch with my ipad13.

 

[u2u2]

I brought my m1 to Best Buy today to trade it in for the m4 both 12.9/13. On their table I had the same rocking yet at home using it for 2+ years never once. Brought my m4 home and no rocking. So not really sure why some see it. Must be the surface and how they use it?

I think you nailed it with “…how they use it.”
Didn’t notice rocking when I was at the Apples stores demoing the new iPads.
Didn’t notice it when using my new 11” MKB at home. Now into day 3. I have a gentle touch on the screen.
Get heavier handed, for which there is no need, and it will rock. Tilting the top of the screen back more increases the likelihood of rocking. All a matter of force applied and leverage.
Much prefer the new MKB over my previous Gen 4 12.9” IPP model.

 

[macmus12]

I think you nailed it with “…how they use it.”
Didn’t notice rocking when I was at the Apples stores demoing the new iPads.
Didn’t notice it when using my new 11” MKB at home. Now into day 3. I have a gentle touch on the screen.
Get heavier handed, for which there is no need, and it will rock. Tilting the top of the screen back more increases the likelihood of rocking. All a matter of force applied and leverage.
Much prefer the new MKB over my previous Gen 4 12.9” IPP model.

this year model is excelect but less stable, and even lesser then macbook air.

 

[tomtad]

It is not a problem with his particular unit. The problem is, how he uses it. If he would hit it even harder, the whole thing would fall on its back. There is just one little problem: You do not hit the iPad with the stylus that way, unless you want to create that problem.

Just tested it myself. It is a non issue. I would not even have remarked that, not having watched the video.

It's a design flaw with the hinge 'bar' which unlike the first gen Magic Keyboard doesn't sit flush with the surface. This is why the iPad rocks back when it's pressed.

The design should have included either a thicker 'bar' or included some small rubber feet along its base to make sure it doesn't rock. As it currently stands however it's a flawed design.