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Folio or Magic?

I have also had the smart folio for 18 month and have recently got magic keyboard. If it folds back or not is not big deal for me, I prefer to remove the iPad Pro to use as tablet anyway. I do prefer having the illuminated keyboard of the magic keyboard (my main reason to buy) and it is definitely the best typing experience, but I have been happy with typing on the smart folio keyboard anyway. The trackpad I find useful for gestures, but otherwise find just reaching for the screen quicker than moving curser around screen with trackpad. One advantage of the magic keyboard I don’t usually hear mentioned is with the smart folio the keys touch the screen when folded, so any grease on keys gets deposited on screen leaving marks which are difficult to remove. On the magic keyboard there is slight gap eliminating this problem. But on the other hand an advantage of the Smart Folio Keyboard is the Keyboard is waterproof and washable, so if you spill coffee over it (I have at least twice), no harm is done. I would not like to try that with the Magic Keyboard!
 
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I bought the Magic Keyboard back in early May. I am using iPad Pro 11" w/LTE and 512GB with pencil. I bought the IPP from AT&T through there next program, and took the old iPP 10.5 and did the trade in thing and received a gift card. so in May I used that gift card plus the corp. discount they offer to get the Magic Keyboard. I had used a smart folio before when I originally got the iPad Pro 9.7 and was not happy with it. When I saw the Magic Keyboard I wanted it. I am so happy I got this keyboard. It is so much better than any of the others I have tried in the past. I am actually using my iPad more and my MacBook less, just because of this keyboard and I haven't even taken it to work yet due to the pandemic. I used my iPad mostly before at work, and brought my MacBook when I really needed to do a lot of writing in Word or Excel, now I think I will be leaving the MacBook at home. As a test I have used Excel and Word on the iPad too replicate anything I might need to do at work, and it works beautifully. So I am extremely happy so far. Can't wait until we are reopen to use this thing even more. Some of what I used the iPad at work before was in a tablet mode using the pencil, and some was for Excel?word, now I will have the versatility in one device to do it all.
 
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I had the MK for about a week before I returned it. For me it made the 12.9 too heavy. While I really wanted it for the backlight keyboard and extra port and better keyboard, it wasn’t worth the money. Each time I picked up the 12.9 with MK, I thought it was my laptop. Then I’d open it up and thought, no function keys, no 10-key, certain keys not even working, then I thought nah thanks.

I am now trying the SFK, which is still good for my light uses. The key depression is not like the MK for sure, no trackpad, which is fine, and no backlight, which I will miss. But for the price I got it at $180, I won’t miss it that much. Now, when I pick up the iPad, it feels like a tablet again and not a laptop that will disappointment me when I flip it open.

Speaking of, I never got a hang of opening the MK when attached. I don’t use my glasses when opening it up so it was challenging to know what side was up since both the MK and iPad are about the same weight and thickness. With the SFK, you know the lighter side of the case is going to be the keyboard.

Money is not the issue, but if they made a better version of the MK (lighter, function keys), then I’d consider a re-purchase.

My .02.
 
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jdb8167 said:
I really like typing on the Smart Keyboard Folio where a lot of people seem to dislike it. The typing experience on the Magic Keyboard is better though. I’ve used the SKF with a Magic Trackpad 2 and I think that experience is better than the MK but isn‘t as portable.

The other biggest differences are the weight between the two and the ease that you can remove the iPad Pro from the MK case compared to the SKF. The weight you’ll have to judge for yourself. I kind of like the heavier MK because it lends a solid quality feel when carrying it. The ease of removal vs. flipping the keyboard over for me means that I use the iPad Pro as a tablet more often when using the MK. It just works better in my hands when it isn’t encumbered by dead keys on the backside of the case as when using the SKF.

Edit: This is with the 11” iPad Pro. And if you want a good trackpad, the cost of the SKF and Apple’s Magic Trackpad 2 are very similar to the price of the MK.
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When the Smart Keyboard Folio is folded back 180 degrees, does the keyboard continue to work or is it automatically disabled?
 
I just picked up the Magic Keyboard, and I have to say, it’s a pretty amazing device, hands down better than the Smart Keyboard Folio. I really enjoy the backlit keyboard, definitely my favorite feature so far.
 
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mkjnkn said:
I’m waiting on delivery of my 11in IPP (its tomorrow!!!). In mean time I’m scratching my head over which to buy, folio or magic keyboard. I’m really drawn to the magic keyboard because of the trackpad and I think that would be a really nice way to interact with iPad, I’m selling my MacBook to pay for this so having the continuity of the trackpad would be nice. But then I’m really struggling with the fact that it doesn’t fold back. Would that just tempt me to leave it constantly in ‘laptop’ mode and stop me interacting with the screen?

Im hoping to get some insight from those who have used both.
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No, it won’t leave you tempted to keep in in Laptop mode. It’s very easy to take off, and boom. You have a tablet now.

Mine is great. When I want to play games or read, I just take it off the Magic Keyboard and go and sit on the couch.
 
I admit that I’ve never tried the MK, but I have no interest in adding an accessory that brings the total device weight to something close to my MBP. The Smart Folio Keyboard works amazingly well and I’m used to the key travel from prior generations. I just don’t get the utility of the MK at this point.
 
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I will admit, the weight is noticeable, I can also see where it can be a bit much for some, especially ones that travel, I still have my Smart Keyboard Folio, which would probably make more sense if I need the lighter weight.
 
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hotr32 said:
I will admit, the weight is noticeable, I can also see where it can be a bit much for some, especially ones that travel, I still have my Smart Keyboard Folio, which would probably make more sense if I need the lighter weight.
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Now you got me tempted to have the Smart Folio Keyboard. The MKB does feels so much adding weight when travel.
It is meant for desktop use or moving between rooms.

It is odd when you hold the iPad alone it is so light. Same can be said for the MKB alone.
But when the two combined, it almost like holding a Macbook Pro in weight.
 
I mostly agree with that comment, the iPad is so light, and the Magic Keyboard is heavy, and when you put them together, I think it gives it a premium feel. I know some think it’s to heavy together, but I personally like it.
With that being said, I can understand some wanting comfort and light weight, while others are ok with the combo.
I know everyone’s situation is different, for me so far, I carry my iPad Pro in the Smart Cover and I carry the Smart Keyboard Folio in my bag, and switch between the both as needed. I keep the Magic Keyboard at home, where I use it most anyway.
 
hotr32 said:
I mostly agree with that comment, the iPad is so light, and the Magic Keyboard is heavy, and when you put them together, I think it gives it a premium feel. I know some think it’s to heavy together, but I personally like it.
With that being said, I can understand some wanting comfort and light weight, while others are ok with the combo.
I know everyone’s situation is different, for me so far, I carry my iPad Pro in the Smart Cover and I carry the Smart Keyboard Folio in my bag, and switch between the both as needed. I keep the Magic Keyboard at home, where I use it most anyway.
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Does the USB-C port on the Smart Keyboard support high speed data or is it charging only? If the port supports data at USB 3 speed, I imagine the Smart Keyboard could be used like a dock, with a USB-C port replicator plugged in.
 
MacDevil7334 said:
It’s automatically disabled. The keyboard is disabled at all times until you lock the iPad into one of the two grooves for typing. That’s when the iPad knows to turn the keyboard on.
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You mean it can't be used like this :D

Screen Shot 2020-09-07 at 12.24.55.jpg
 
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VictorTango777 said:
Does the USB-C port on the Smart Keyboard support high speed data or is it charging only? If the port supports data at USB 3 speed, I imagine the Smart Keyboard could be used like a dock, with a USB-C port replicator plugged in.
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It only supports charging unfortunately. I suspect that’s probably a limitation created by the Smart Connector rather than the USB-C port itself. It does free up the port on the iPad itself for other uses at least. But, you can’t quite use the MK as a true dock.
 
For me, it boils down to whether you need your keyboard cover to fold back or not. I returned my magic keyboard and bought another Smart Keyboard because it’s inability to hold back was ruining a lot of the spontaneity of using my iPad on the move. And ironically, the use of scissor keys meant I was getting crumbs in the keys.

The magic keyboard is great if you use it as a laptop replacement on your desk all day. I am not that person.
 
I like the looks of the Smart Folio, and the offered angels. But the benefit of the Trackpad out weighs the benefits of the Smart Folio. I would miss the track pad over anything else.
 
If only they somehow can make a Smart Folio with trackpad.
I don’t mind the non scissor keys.
 
I really like the folio keyboard but haven't used one in about a year. I recently had reason to go back to one on my 11" Pro and boy did I miss the trackpad. I found myself reaching for the non-existent trackpad all the time which was weird - its amazing how quickly you get used to something like that.
 
Having had a Brydge Pro (Non trackpad) for my iPad Pro 11, then the MK for the iPP 11 and now the MK for my iPad Pro 12.9, I can honestly say that the MK absolutely transforms the user experience of the iPad.

The trackpad is incredible and combined with the keyboard, Pencil and touchscreen- it becomes a very powerful and versatile machine.

iPadOS14 has just unlocked a whole new level of ability for the iPad and I can’t rate this set up highly enough.

It is an expensive hobby, but i am using the 12.9 with MK and AP more than I have ever used my previous versions.

In short- get a Magic Keyboard. Once you have gotten used to using one, you will find it hard to remember a time without it!
 
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Hallstar said:
Having had a Brydge Pro (Non trackpad) for my iPad Pro 11, then the MK for the iPP 11 and now the MK for my iPad Pro 12.9, I can honestly say that the MK absolutely transforms the user experience of the iPad.

The trackpad is incredible and combined with the keyboard, Pencil and touchscreen- it becomes a very powerful and versatile machine.

iPadOS14 has just unlocked a whole new level of ability for the iPad and I can’t rate this set up highly enough.

It is an expensive hobby, but i am using the 12.9 with MK and AP more than I have ever used my previous versions.

In short- get a Magic Keyboard. Once you have gotten used to using one, you will find it hard to remember a time without it!
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I find MK allows me to use my ipad way more than I used to. I just updated to ipados14, any big difference fm ipados13 in terms of MK experience?
 
hr10 said:
I find MK allows me to use my ipad way more than I used to. I just updated to ipados14, any big difference fm ipados13 in terms of MK experience?
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There’s a double tap and hold to drag now on the trackpad if you haven’t notice
 
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