After seeing a lot of the videos online, I’m not sure what the Magic Keyboard offers over a bluetooth keyboard (like the $99 Magic Keyboard) plus an external trackpad (like the $99 Magic Trackpad 2). That setup gives you nice keyboard, a much bigger trackpad at a lower price...
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For desktop use, Magic Keyboard seems inferior to other solutions
- Thread starter Adelphos33
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For home use? You may be right. But the portability of the magic keyboard is what sold me on it. I’m not going to bring a keyboard and trackpad separately with me whenever I go to a new room at work, a friends house, etc. When I’m home, I’d likely not use the magic keyboard in my office and instead go with a dock setup and separate keyboard with a trackpad.
I don’t disagree - I have a Magic Keyboard on order. The issue is I may not sure if if is worth the premium over the regular Smart Keyboard folio with the exception of lap use
The difference is portability. I tried using an external keyboard and trackpad with the iPad, but they were always in the wrong room. Plus, I tend to use the iPad in a lean-back lap position, which makes it impossible to use external accessories. I’ve used the Magic Keyboard for an hour now, and it’s perfect for home office, especially when the definition of the “office room” changes from hour to hour. Also, the keyboard is very, very fast to type with.
Whether it’s worth it, depends on if your work/business model benefits from the added productibity. For me the added convenience and productivity will be worth it.
Compared with the Folio keyboard, which I had previously: it was not a good solution after the sunset, couldn’t see the keyboard well enough. It tended to tip over too much, when at an angle. The typing experience was fast but a bit alien compared to all other keyboards. There was no trackpad. The Magic Keyboard feels like a way better accessory so far.
Whether it’s worth it, depends on if your work/business model benefits from the added productibity. For me the added convenience and productivity will be worth it.
Compared with the Folio keyboard, which I had previously: it was not a good solution after the sunset, couldn’t see the keyboard well enough. It tended to tip over too much, when at an angle. The typing experience was fast but a bit alien compared to all other keyboards. There was no trackpad. The Magic Keyboard feels like a way better accessory so far.
If going for a "docked" position that stays in one spot at home, the OP is absolutely right.
I do this now with my 10.5" iPP. I have a great stand for it and keep a desktop Magic Keyboard & Trackpad setup there and it's excellent for that.
I do this now with my 10.5" iPP. I have a great stand for it and keep a desktop Magic Keyboard & Trackpad setup there and it's excellent for that.
I agree that for lap use, this looks like a much better solution - the current smart Keyboard folio is very poor in the lap, especially in the 12.9” size (I have tried).
It's a keyboard, a trackpad, a case, a stand, and you pay the premium of it all being wrapped into one. You don't have to carry a backpack that carries all those things individually and getting tossed around with your other school/work stuff.
Right, the answer is pretty obvious.
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This really has to be explained?
Won’t disagree if specifically planning solely to use as a ‘desktop’ (though your pricing is off...the Magic Trackpad 2 is $129). But I’d wager those choosing an iPad as a desktop replacement is a very small niche, so spending an extra $70-120 (depending on the size of your iPP), to get all the portablility benefits is worth it for most considering the Magic Keyboard.
BTW, typing this post on my just recently delivered Magic Keyboard and coming from a SKF and Brydge Pro combo, I’m absolutely loving the user experience.
It probably isn't, but I'm gonna try one anyway. Can always return it.
I would say that if you just use your iPad on a desktop setup only, you might be correct. For me, the iPad has become such a powerful tool for me day to day and I use it in many ways outside of a desktop setting that having the keyboard and trackpad in one place, it’s great for me. Similar to an iMac and a MacBook.