Horrors with Smart Keyboard and iPad 12.9

[curtvaughan]

I just want to post a tale of two iPads. I bought an iPad Pro 12.9 3 weeks ago, along with Smart Keyboard and Apple pen. It has worked flawlessly, and consequently I recommended a friend buy the same combination. She bought hers 2 weeks ago, and has experienced nothing but frustration with the keyboard/iPad. Her first keyboard was unbalanced and bounced with every keystroke, and had faulty character recognition. We went to the Apple store and swapped it for a new one, which also bounced and had absolutely NO connection with the iPad - dead in the water. So, I hooked up my perfectly working Smart Keypad to her iPad - no bounce, hooked up, but had faulty key translation - type in an "m", get a coma, etc. Rehooked the keyboard to my iPad - perfect, no problems. So, back to the Apple store -swapped both iPad and keyboard for new ones.They worked in the store, but the keyboard failed after updating iOS, etc. Keyboard isn't recognized at all, and yes, my keyboard now works perfectly with both of our iPads. Folks, this is APPLE, where things are just supposed TO WORK. This is a major fail. I think the Apple store at The Domain in Austin got a shipment of faulty iPads and smart keyboards. If we continue to get failure with a THIRD keyboard swap, and so far, just one iPad swap, I'm gonna recommend she get her money back for the smart keyboard, and go to the Apple store where I purchased mine and try for better luck.

THiS IS RIDICULOUS!

 

[ActionableMango]

It's a fairly well received item, so I think you are just having bad luck. If this were a widespread problem it would be a front page post here.

 

[curtvaughan]

It's a fairly well received item, so I think you are just having bad luck. If this were a widespread problem it would be a front page post here.

Yes, as per my post, it was received well by me. I'm using my smart keyboard right now. Apple, for the prices we pay, needs or should be beyond "bad luck". My friend isn't a techie. She is a professional musician who wants the iPad, keyboard, and pen to work for her professional work. It is failing to do that. I'm a retired computer/network analyst, and am trying to assist her through this, but I cannot imagine how other fine arts people who have relied on Apple products for decades - who don't have techie friends - would think in having to deal with this predicament. She invested $1500 in this, and deserves better.
[doublepost=1512086899][/doublepost]Also, I'm googling "ipad pro smart keyboard problems" and am getting a lot of hits. Check it out for yourselves. This is a major issue,imho.

 

[subjonas]

That sounds frustrating.

This is probably not related but I’m getting an issue with my Smart Keyboard and 12.9 iPad Pro where the keystrokes don’t do anything when I first start trying to type. I have to turn the iPad screen off and on again and then it works. It will work usually for the rest of my session, and will not work again at the beginning of my next session. It was fine for the majority of my ownership. The issue might have started with iOS 11, not sure.

 

[ericwn]

Sorry for the frustration, that just sucks. However, I have seen a good bunch of wonky Smart Keyboards in Apple Stores over the last 2 years or so and don’t for a second have doubt that this accessory can have its downsides. I think the iPad accessories forum has some similar examples.

 

[AlexJoda]

This and the far better typing experience is the reason why I use a Apple Magic Keyboard instead of the Smart Keyboard. Another plus is that I can still use the slim Smart Cover when I do not need a keyboard...

 

[curtvaughan]

I just bought a Brydge Keyboard for use with her iPad Pro. It has consistently good reviews. Here is one of them:

https://sixcolors.com/post/2017/01/brydge-keyboard-129-review-closer-to-ipad-keyboard-perfection/

 

[PKoz]

I just bought a Brydge Keyboard for use with her iPad Pro. It has consistently good reviews. Here is one of them:

https://sixcolors.com/post/2017/01/brydge-keyboard-129-review-closer-to-ipad-keyboard-perfection/

That looks like a really nice keyboard. I like the folding keyboard because it is almost the same size and weight as the folding cover. That looks almost like the MacBook. What is the combined weight of that with the iPad Pro?

 

[curtvaughan]

That looks like a really nice keyboard. I like the folding keyboard because it is almost the same size and weight as the folding cover. That looks almost like the MacBook. What is the combined weight of that with the iPad Pro?

I'd need to check the weight of the iPad pro, but the keyboard alone is 25 ounces.

 

[GizmoDVD]

Return it?

I've had mine since launch and have zero issues with it.

If it had the ability to have a trackpad I would switch my MacBook Pro.

 

[sracer]

Return it?

I've had mine since launch and have zero issues with it.

If it had the ability to have a trackpad I would switch my MacBook Pro.

I haven't had any problems at all with mine either. And yes, a trackpad would've been great. Heavy daily use for 20+ months... but there are an alarming number of reports of failures of the ASK. Anyone buying an ASK these days should thoroughly test it within the first week.

 

[kazmac]

I didn't like the ASK and it wouldn't always sync with my iPad Pro (bought both on launch day.) Ultimately it is up to the user, but for I did not feel it was worth the extra $170. Haven't used it since August.