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Mine left at 09:32 - Hot on your tails :D



I ordered about 7 hours after it was launched, so I reckon you'll be OK.

Mine also left Hinkley!
7 hours? Which model you ordered?

think i ordered within 15 mins when it was on the site as well. Bummer
 
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But is a "471g 11" iPad Pro + 590g keyboard" really a good tablet in the traditional sense?

It's a huge 1.061kg in total for just a small and very limited 11" iPad + keyboard combo.

We're not here talking about the iPad alone, but about the iPad + keyboard combo.

It still is in the sense that you are able to remove the ipad from the magic keyboard when you just need a tablet to write / draw on or just walk around with.

So in the sense, the essence of the ipad has not changed. It still is this thin and light giant iPod touch running optimised tablet apps. What has grown is its ecosystem of accessories which expand the list of tasks you can now use your ipad for.

I have cancelled my magic keyboard order as I find that for now, it comes with enough drawbacks that I am still better off with my current Smart Keyboard. And the beauty of the iPad’s modularity is precisely that you can pair any accessory you want with it, since it comes with practically nothing attached. Or not have any accessories and simply use it as is. The choice is yours!
 
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7 hours? Which model you ordered?

think i ordered within 15 mins when it was on the site as well. Bummer


I ordered the evening of the launch - (around 8pm).

I went for the 12.9" model - It stated 20th-22nd at the time of order.
 
I ordered the evening of the launch - (around 8pm).

I went for the 12.9" model - It stated 20th-22nd at the time of order.

Wow...seems that none of the UK people who ordered within the first few hours orders have shipped? Is that right?

Seems odd the orders made in the evening or next day are shipping first? :-/
 
Wow...seems that none of the UK people who ordered within the first few hours orders have shipped? Is that right?

Seems odd the orders made in the evening or next day are shipping first? :-/
Making me question if our orders haven’t been lost in the system...tried to get on apple support but no luck for chat
 
Making me question if our orders haven’t been lost in the system...tried to get on apple support but no luck for chat

I was able to chat from the Apple.com order status page. At the bottom it has a like to chat with us. Not able to do this via the Support app.
The chap did says he could see my order was meant to be dispatched between 17-19th so that’s a bit concerning. But I still feel hopeful it will head out in a batch today!
 
First impressions are decent for me so far. Some might be surprised about the limited tilt, you can't really tilt it backwards all that much but it's more than good enough for me. The thing I missed from the Smart Keyboard was the capability of having the display be more straight and the Magic Keyboard lets you have it at a 90-degree angel which it's a improvement for me.

It feels really sturdy. It's hard to say how the hinge will withstand over time but first impressions are solid. The keys feels really nice and are still silent, not as silent as the Smart Keyboard but you do not how the same hollow and mushy sensation. Now it feels like you are typing on actual keys.

The touchpad is really small and the lack of haptic feedback feels like a step backwards in time. It does improve on the user-experience quite a lot, more than I had thought beforehand. Pretty much the same arguments that Apple has against touch on the Mac is in motion when using keyboard on the iPad. In 99% of the scenarios it feels like a hassle having to reach out and touch the display for simple interactions, having the touchpad to help me navigate instead of having to reach out and touch the display is actually a great improvement.

The downsides for me thus far is the price, weight, size of the touchpad and the lack of haptic feedback.

There are also some annoyances that will hopefully improve with app updates. Like working within Microsoft Remote Desktop and suddenly you loose the ability to scroll using gestures on the touchpad so I have to use the arrow keys or reach out and touch the display.


But in the end the Magic Keyboard puts a rather awkward spin on things. For me it now comes down to whether you'd want a device that is touch-first and centered around and optimized for touch with a great app ecosystem (iPad) or whether you'd want a device th at is keyboard and touchpad-first and centered around and optimized for keyboard and touchpad and desktop applications (Mac).

One could argue that if you are going to use your iPad Pro with the Magic Keyboard most of the time you could simply go with the new MacBook Air instead. For me it's more about the fact that with the iPad you get this great touch-first app ecosystem with it's own capabilities that you are able to utilize while retaining much of the notebook user-experience from the Mac when combining it with the Magic Keyboard. If you go with the MacBook Air you won't have any of the touch-first and app ecosystem capabilities what-so-ever. The iPad can easily be dettached from the keyboard etc..

Hopefully iPadOS will be able to push the iPad to become more like a notebook experience when used with the Magic Keyboard with iPadOS 14, 15 etc..
 
I was able to chat from the Apple.com order status page. At the bottom it has a like to chat with us. Not able to do this via the Support app.
The chap did says he could see my order was meant to be dispatched between 17-19th so that’s a bit concerning. But I still feel hopeful it will head out in a batch today!

Here’s what the chat guy said. Seems the order is being processed

cbd37dc5db013d96f4b15d7d4c24bb66.jpg
 
I ordered yesterday
Then cancelled the order
Then ordered again today. The backlit keyboard that doesn't require charging is too good to pass, plus the built-in trackpad! I am hoping it will be compatible for the next few generations
 
Another video here with some genuinely interesting pros and cons. It says it’s one tip but is actually about 4-5 tips:



And this one where he tries to do his own “advert” for the last 45 seconds! Ha!

 
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No, I’m actually dead serious. These people look to be struggling while opening it up and it always looks awkward. You know how there’s that little indentation in the middle of the MacBook bases to put your finger in to ease separation? I’m surprised they didn’t incorporate something like that. An obvious place to separate it from. If there is less force required to open than it looks then it won’t be an issue, but we’ll see.

The next time you see someone open up a laptop you will see that they use two hands to do so, very rarely is someone holding a cup of coffee or recording something while opening up a laptop, I don’t think I could even do that with my MacBooks.
 
I had hoped for a lighter keyboard, but I guess Apple could not overcome the laws of physics and you need a heavy base to counterbalance the iPad perched above it.

I think there are definitely use cases for this (at-desk work I think), but for me I will stick with the smart keyboard as:

- too expensive
- too heavy
- too bulky
- trackpad not great and software support immature
- its USP of floating iPad limited by lack of tilt in practice
- still no function keys

My wallet is very relieved.
 
It still is in the sense that you are able to remove the ipad from the magic keyboard when you just need a tablet to write / draw on or just walk around with.

So in the sense, the essence of the ipad has not changed. It still is this thin and light giant iPod touch running optimised tablet apps. What has grown is its ecosystem of accessories which expand the list of tasks you can now use your ipad for.

I have cancelled my magic keyboard order as I find that for now, it comes with enough drawbacks that I am still better off with my current Smart Keyboard. And the beauty of the iPad’s modularity is precisely that you can pair any accessory you want with it, since it comes with practically nothing attached. Or not have any accessories and simply use it as is. The choice is yours!

I think you nailed it with your comment particularly the last paragraph. There’s choice for everyone here. Apple allows for it. Personally, I’m going to keep using the smart folio case with Logitech keys to go because it fits in my workflow the best. Everyone’s needs and budget (and build quality perspective) are different. Let’s remember that our usage and opinions are subjective. No reason to be hellbent on someone else’s choice or usage.
 
UPDATE: Shipped!

My Magic Trackpad has shipped and is “awaiting tracking information”.

I clicked through however and they are using DPD for the deliveries for all you UK guys. DPD site has no info through on it yet so it’s still just “estimated 20-22” so far but so happy it’s on its way! :D

Anyone else’s shipped?

Mine is a 12.9” aaaand I’m in Scotland!

It’s updated to say “Delivery By Tuesday 21st April” now...woo!

Still no update on DPD but they don’t normally update until 5pm/end of day.
 
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My Magic Trackpad has shipped and is “awaiting tracking information”.

I hope you ordered the iPad Magic Keyboard otherwise you will be sorely disappointed ;)

When you clicked through to "track my order", did it take you straight to DPD?

Mine goes to Syncreon with little info in it.
 
100% agree but no one will want to give any praise to Microsoft here. Look how much hate the Surface has had over the years - and this is where we end up with the ipad.

It wouldn't hurt the ipad one bit if it had a built in kickstand, sure it would make it slightly thicker but then it might end up being structurally stronger with an even bigger battery and better thermals.....not gonna happen (not this design generation anyway).

I can't see Apple going for a built in kickstand. There would be people on the streets demanding blood because they had copied Microsoft.
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The next time you see someone open up a laptop you will see that they use two hands to do so, very rarely is someone holding a cup of coffee or recording something while opening up a laptop, I don’t think I could even do that with my MacBooks.

My MacBook Pro 16inch has perfect hinge tension and opens with a finger. I don't have to hold the bottom case down.
 
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The iPad OS needs some kind of cross-program integration. For instance, I am an Academic, I used a citation manager called endnote, and need to put the citations into a word document, and be able to change their styles on the fly. Currently, this functionality doesn't exist, and it is a killer for me being able to use this device in any meaningful way.

I am on the same boat, I stopped trying to use my iPad Pro for work, it is just not there yet. Many compromises, lack of real professional software, it is incapable of doing most of what I do on a daily basis.

As such, I use the device for video consumption and reading, mostly.
 
I can't see Apple going for a built in kickstand. There would be people on the streets demanding blood because they had copied Microsoft.
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My MacBook Pro 16inch has perfect hinge tension and opens with a finger. I don't have to hold the bottom case down.

All of these MacBook comparisons, whilst expected, are really missing the mark IMO.

If your limit of acceptance is whether or not you can open it with one hand, then It's clearly not the product for you (not singling you out specifically @AnthonyHarris, you just happened to be the last comment I saw).

If you have to purely pick one device (MacBook or iPad Pro with Keyboard case), I'd imagine the bulk of your decision will come down to what you can do your best work on.

If it's a home device, the iPad is probably more versatile.

If it's a work device, I'd probably go MacBook (job dependant I guess).

But honestly, I don't care if the keyboard is a little "heavy", and I say "heavy", because no one is feeling the difference if it's in a bag....

The iPad gives me an amazing tablet experience, that no other tablet can offer. iPad OS is by far my favourite OS for "most" things that are home/personal related.

I can take it with me to the sofa, to bed, to the kitchen table - It's a great babysitter for a few minutes of peace and quiet as well!

I can't really do that with my MacBook.

I get the hate, it's expected to a degree - But these weird comparisons aren't really looking at the whole picture here.
 
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I hope you ordered the iPad Magic Keyboard otherwise you will be sorely disappointed ;)

When you clicked through to "track my order", did it take you straight to DPD?

Mine goes to Syncreon with little info in it.

Haha! Yes, that’s what I meant!

Oh! What’s Syncreon?

Well if I click to “track my shipment” from either the Apple Store app or my email, it takes me to the Apple Store account page in Safari, then I log in.

Once logged in it has another button to “Track Shipment” and when I do that it opens a new window to DPD’s site (but doesn’t have any information yet)...BUT...if I click in the address bar on the browser it allows me to see the DPD tracking number!:)
 
Oh! What’s Syncreon?

A quick Google tells me they are the worst courier company in the world! :oops:

I'm sure I've had other stuff delivered from Apple in the past who have used the same service.

Not sure if Syncreon are the actual courier, or if it's a service in between - Certainly doesn't take me to DPD though.
 
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UPDATE: Shipped!

My Magic Trackpad has shipped and is “awaiting tracking information”.

I clicked through however and they are using DPD for the deliveries for all you UK guys. DPD site has no info through on it yet so it’s still just “estimated 20-22” so far but so happy it’s on its way! :D

Anyone else’s shipped?

Mine is a 12.9” aaaand I’m in Scotland!

It’s updated to say “Delivery By Tuesday 21st April” now...woo!

Still no update on DPD but they don’t normally update until 5pm/end of day.

Mine is shipped which is a relief
 
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A quick Google tells me they are the worst courier company in the world! :oops:

I'm sure I've had other stuff delivered from Apple in the past who have used the same service.

Not sure if Syncreon are the actual courier, or if it's a service in between - Certainly doesn't take me to DPD though.


I wouldn’t be so sure about them being terrible, although their website is like something from the 90s.

They are inbetween service - someone else will have a better explanation - and I’ve had them appear in my previous Apple delivery chain multiple times and they’ve been fine.

YODEL is the worst courier by FAR lol!

Anyway, my magic keyboard has just shipped (UK) via DPD, expect it will arrive tomorrow now. Very good.
 
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A quick Google tells me they are the worst courier company in the world! :oops:

I'm sure I've had other stuff delivered from Apple in the past who have used the same service.

Not sure if Syncreon are the actual courier, or if it's a service in between - Certainly doesn't take me to DPD though.
They are a logistics company that Apple have used for years. I've had DPD, UPS, white van deliveries that went though Syncreon.
 
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Hmm.. I will mostly work through Microsoft Remote Desktop, VMware Horizon etc.. Which makes the lack of professional software on iPadOS itself redundant as my software is not actually running on the iPad itself.

But the touchpad/mouse integration is lacking and I'm not entirely sure if the limitation is iPadOS itself and it's API's or if the apps themselves are to blame.

A lot of things you'd expect to work and that actually works within iPadOS itself is not working through remote desktop applications. I can't use the touchpad for scrolling, I can't utilise right-click for context menus when remoting to Windows servers and desktops, to do a simple paste within a SSH window etc..

Things like this is limiting the overall user-experience. The big question is, can this be improved by the app developers themselves or is it Apple and their API's that is causing this to happen so unless Apple improves the API nothing can change?
 
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