First Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro Hands-On Videos Appear Online

[jonnyb098]

Pro Apps need more RAM. The iPad has only 6GB of RAM, which is perfect for a tablet, but very low for a productivity workstation.

The iPad handles RAM completely differently than a Mac and has for years. 6GB is not massive but is definitely enough given that I can do high res image editing and artwork in affinity photo painlessly while also using slide over or switching apps a couple times. And that’s on my 2018 pro with 4GB.

Also with the rumor of an ultra high end iPad Pro Max (or whatever it’ll be called) coming later this year along with rumored pro apps they might beef that up to 8GB.

 

[rowspaxe]

Perhaps you can enlighten me somewhat. I don't use any apps on my Mac. I use Reddit, shopping sites, sports sites and many others....all through their website. I don't see the need or appeal for apps. What am i missing?

Nothing Unless you are an artist

 

[jimmy_uk]

RIP Microsoft Surface

Still desktop operating system VS mobile. I think plenty of people will still buy the Surface, maybe just not you?

 

[MrExitStrategy]

Alright, guys. I finally able to find a scale! I had to sneakily used the scale at the post office but here it is
It is 590 grams! which is twice as heavy as the Folio keyboard!

 

[joshwithachance]

Alright, guys. I finally able to find a scale! I had to sneakily used the scale at the post office but here it is
It is 590 grams! which is twice as heavy as the Folio keyboard!

Oooooo that's decently heavy!

 

[Mainsail]

This case makes sense for people who primarily use their iPad in laptop mode. At $300+, it would not make sense to buy if you only used it occasionally. Also, it does not have a tablet configuration. Yes, you can remove it from the case, but that presents other issues: where do you store the case? how do you protect your naked iPad? etc..

So, if you buy it, you probably fall into the category of folks that prefer iPadOS to MacOS and will primarily use their iPad in the laptop form factor. I can see how some folks fit into this category. So, if you prefer iPadOS to MacOS for everyday computing needs and productivity apps, go for it. If you prefer macOS, get an MBA.

 

[FHoff]

Some of these YouTubers need to invest in tripods.

 

[shamus99]

Its a great option, but I think I will stick with my folio. I just picked up a gray magic track pad to compliment it when I need it.

 

[SimonMScott]

Alright, guys. I finally able to find a scale! I had to sneakily used the scale at the post office but here it is
It is 590 grams! which is twice as heavy as the Folio keyboard!

Remind me again, is yours the 11” or the 12.9”? Good job on the sneak!

 

[cmaier]

About 100% too expensive and 100% too heavy. Pity. Half those both and you've got a customer.

So it should cost $0 and weigh 0 grams?

 

[turbineseaplane]

Honestly, the more I look at that keyboard and trackpad, particularly in that shot on the scale, the more generic and tacky it looks.

Apple designed this?
And it‘s three and a half bills?
🤮

 

[joshwithachance]

So it should cost $0 and weigh 0 grams?

No. It should be half the weight of the iPad and $150. Where did you come up with $0 from their statement?
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Honestly, the more I look at that keyboard and trackpad, particularly in that shot on the scale, the more generic and tacky it looks.

Apple designed this?
And it‘s three and a half bills?
🤮

It looks terrible.

 

[kissmo]

Alright, guys. I finally able to find a scale! I had to sneakily used the scale at the post office but here it is
It is 590 grams! which is twice as heavy as the Folio keyboard!

Give us a quick feedback if it's worth the price

 

[mpetrides]

I think the original Smart Folio Keyboard for last year's iPad Pros are superior in the sense of balancing utility with portability. The whole assembly is very thin and lightweight, yet key travel is quite good. Last year's version can also fold COMPLETELY 360° to the backside, so there's no need to remove the case to simply use it as a tablet. I suppose Apple did a good job considering the additional functionality, but to me, that's WAY TOO MUCH COMPROMISE just for a trackpad, because that's ALL this adds (in addition to weight!).
[automerge]1587228936[/automerge]

Exactly!

No. That's NOT all this keyboard adds. In addition to the trackpad it adds backlit keys. Frankly those two enhancements more than make up for the added weight. Since I already have the Smart Keyboard Folio, I can always use it when weight is a premium, but I don't envision that happening often, if at all. YMMV.

 

[gsmornot]

Is it me, or are all the people saying they "cancelled my preorder" seem to be...I don't know...making it up? They start by saying they cancelled their preorder, then go on to say how they think the iPad is "neutered" or say how instead of buying this they would just get a laptop etc etc.

Why did you preorder it at all then? What are you gaining by coming here and saying that? They seem to be more Apple haters than anything...which makes me wonder why even come to an Apple-centric website just to post their vitriol at the company and it's users? What are they getting out of that?

I canceled my preorder. I got in line at announcement not having seen anything but the one video from Craig and not realizing it would not fold back on itself. Once I had a chance to see it I had a change of heart. I said and say again, I believe the keyboard experience will be superior to the keyboard folio I use today. What I don't want is a solution that is larger and heavier and requires me to use it like a laptop or not at all. The folio is a compromise with the exchange of being usable at all times and remain on the device.

I have seen you repeat yourself making statements like you have here. Let it go. Not everyone that got in line and got out is a hater at all. I'm typing this on my iMac, have 7 iPads around the house...two of which are 12.9 and have keyboard folios. I also have the regular folio because I bought it before the keyboard. We have 4 iPhones, HomePod, several Apple TV's, we still use Airport Extremes for our wifi network. We all wear Apple watches. So, hardly an Apple hater, let it go.

 

[petvas]

The iPad handles RAM completely differently than a Mac and has for years. 6GB is not massive but is definitely enough given that I can do high res image editing and artwork in affinity photo painlessly while also using slide over or switching apps a couple times. And that’s on my 2018 pro with 4GB.

Also with the rumor of an ultra high end iPad Pro Max (or whatever it’ll be called) coming later this year along with rumored pro apps they might beef that up to 8GB.

Well, iOS is not designed to scale up when using large amounts of RAM. Try opening a 300MB file in photoshop with multiple layers. Try working on a large 4K video. Try opening an Excel sheet with millions of lines. The iPad is limited by its available RAM.

 

[C. Robert]

I was thinking the exact same thing about the keyboard/pad. The materials used look extremely cheap but I’ll wait to cast my final judgement when mine arrives next week. I knew the keys weren’t going to be covered in fabric like last time but so far not impressed by what I’m seeing. The hinge however looks nice to me. Which might be the main reason for the price of this particular item. I’m hoping I’m wrong about the keyboard, I really do... otherwise I’ll end up returning it and go back to the previous Apple keyboard case.

I agree they the hinge looks expensive. I still would wait for a revision. This looks like a beta product.

 

[cmaier]

No. It should be half the weight of the iPad and $150. Where did you come up with $0 from their statement?

If you reduce something by 100%, it reduces to 0.

 

[fbr$]

One thing I noticed in several videos I watched is that the user needs to apply toooooo much force just to open it. And there are two hinges, so two movements for the user. It's too much complicated just to open it and adjust the angle/position. Opposed to a notebook which is much easier and fast to open/adjust and close several times all day long.

The iPad with this keyboard looks clumsy, it's like a duck. The duck tries to do three things: fly, run and swim, so as he tries to be everything, he ends up not being good in any of those three tasks in particular.

A MacBook has that thin and elegant aluminum chassis with the screen firmly attached to it. It can not do everything, but what he does he does very well.

 

[C. Robert]

if you can’t afford it you can’t afford it

I won’t afford it.

 

[SimonMScott]

I agree they the hinge looks expensive. I still would wait for a revision. This looks like a beta product.

No idea what this is about but another video:

 

[jimmy_uk]

One thing I noticed in several videos I watched is that the user needs to apply toooooo much force just to open it. And there are two hinges, so two movements for the user. It's too much complicated just to open it and adjust the angle/position. Opposed to a notebook which is much easier and fast to open/adjust and close several times all day long.

The iPad with this keyboard looks clumsy, it's like a duck. The duck tries to do three things: fly, run and swim, so as he tries to be everything, he ends up not being good in any of those three tasks in particular.

A MacBook has that thin and elegant aluminum chassis with the screen firmly attached to it. It can not do everything, but what he does he does very well.

The duck analogy is poor as they are good swimmers and great flyers.

 

[jazz1]

I’m keeping my order just because I can return it if I don’t like it. However, I have the same concerns as you. I fold back my ASK most of the time and I’m shocked Apple keeps using the same awful material. As the owner of 3 ASK’s I can tell you the material looks awful with daily use. I must really love Apple since I dropped over $380 (with tax) while knowing the material will not hold up...

I've never been impressed with the material used for any of the Apple folios. They look cheap, and they are certainly not durable. For $380.00 they also should look at least a bit fashionable.

That said I guess I will have to decide if the functionality is worth it. When I get my copy I'll decide whether or not to return it. Hmmmm, I wonder how many refurbs might be available on the Apple web site soon (for less cost). Once more into the (Apple) breach my friends

 

[R3k]

I canceled my preorder. I got in line at announcement not having seen anything but the one video from Craig and not realizing it would not fold back on itself. Once I had a chance to see it I had a change of heart. I said and say again, I believe the keyboard experience will be superior to the keyboard folio I use today. What I don't want is a solution that is larger and heavier and requires me to use it like a laptop or not at all. The folio is a compromise with the exchange of being usable at all times and remain on the device.

I have seen you repeat yourself making statements like you have here. Let it go. Not everyone that got in line and got out is a hater at all. I'm typing this on my iMac, have 7 iPads around the house...two of which are 12.9 and have keyboard folios. I also have the regular folio because I bought it before the keyboard. We have 4 iPhones, HomePod, several Apple TV's, we still use Airport Extremes for our wifi network. We all wear Apple watches. So, hardly an Apple hater, let it go.

Did you consider staying in line, receiving the keyboard and returning it after testing it?
Pretty much what I’m doing. Starting to have issues with my MBP and want to test the water for the future- Am I comfortable using it to bridge the gap from my iPhone all the way to my Mac Pro?

 

[fbr$]

The duck analogy is poor as they are good swimmers and great flyers.

Oh yes, he flies like an eagle and swims like a shark...