Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iPad Pro Is the Apple Smart Keyboard worth it?

Apple Smart Keyboard worth it?

  • Yes

    Votes: 96 77.4%

  • No

    Votes: 28 22.6%
  • Total voters
    124
I voted no simply because of the cost. I ended up obtaining one used for around $30 and I have to admit: I like it better than I thought I would.

It has some pros.. I've managed to use it decently on my lap (it takes being creative.. wouldn't write a book with it on my lap though) for uses when I have a quick message to type out. At first, I didn't think I would like how close it is to the screen, but I've grown to appreciate it. I find myself not having to reach as far to interact with it. It's less awkward and straining.

I hate hate hate trying to hold in "tablet mode" when it's attached and not in keyboard mode since it doesn't hold itself to the back of the iPad like the Smart Cover does.

I also prefer the angle it stands when using it with the keyboard on the back side of the iPad rather than the Smart Cover's stand angle.

Do I think it's worth the price Apple charges for it?? No... I'm not sure I do. I think the price of the Apple Smart Cover is a rip off too - I managed to snag one of the $5 Best Buy deals though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CharlesShaw and justinTlME
One of the things that sold me on the iPP 9.7 last fall was the ASK. I typed on it in the store and fell in love. I got it mainly for viewing trail camera photos because my Dell Venue 8 Pro was too small, the Surface Pro 3 was too big, and the Surface 3 was still too big. With the iPads, the process of viewing, saving, and moving the photos to my Windows desktop is convoluted and cumbersome, but the ease of viewing the photos (once they are all imported) and "favoriting" the keepers is worth the hassles. The actual viewing is so much better than on a Windows tablet, it's not even funny. Being able to "favorite" means that I have all the selected photos easily marked and ready to transfer to the desktop without trying to copy/paste.

I ended up using the iPP 9.7 as my email, web connected, weekend device at our camp. I love the ASK because it has a good feel (this from someone who typed on IBM PC and Northgate keyboards back in the day) for me, something that really surprised me. I don't have to charge it or worry about whether it's going to run out of power, it's not separate, I just fold it up and I have one compact device to haul with me. The footprint of the iPad with ASK is tiny for the functionality. On our camper dinette table (weekends at the camp). the iPP with ASK (in either 9.7 or 10.5) is really nice.

I got the iPP 10.5 with ASK and I've recently gotten a Mini 4. I'm actually tried the Mini 4 for viewing photos this weekend and even though the screen size is similar to the too-small Dell Venue 8 Pro, the photo viewing and tagging features, plus the higher resolution screen make it a much more pleasant photo handling device. I have one of the Microsoft folding BT keyboards that I can use with the Mini 4 and an 8" Samsung tablet and it's okay, but the ASK is just plain more convenient.

I'm mainly a Windows user, don't like paying the price of the Apple products, but I know the things that are important to me with portable devices, including their keyboards, and I can afford it so I just get what I want and like. I have been through several keyboards and cases with the Dell V8P so I know it's more important for me to get what I prefer rather than worrying about what it costs. In the grand scheme of things, the price of my electronic "toys" is small compared to other things.
 
  • Like
Reactions: strategicthinke and throAU
stupid question but do u think the magnet will wear out if i detach it all the time? its just making the iPad so heavy so i like to take it off when i dont need it
 
Let's recap. The keyboard is NEVER going to be worth the price, but in its use, it can be great. I like it mainly due to the fact that I can prop it on my lap, and use it like I would my laptop. I also liked my $35.10 price tag.
 
Last edited:
JustinTime

Do you keep the ASK on the iPad Pro all the time, or do you remove it when you are not typing?

Thanks

Jay
 
justinTlME said:
Let's recap. The keyboard is NEVER going to be worth the price,
Click to expand...

Never? I'd say that's a bit of a dubious call (and perhaps an over-generalization).

Is it expensive as hell? Sure.

Is it the best tablet keyboard i have used? Definitely.

Is it tiny and lightweight? Sure.

Yes. Definitely, the initial purchase price stings. It's a LOT. Half the price of a 2017 iPad.

But my time and annoyance is worth actual money to me. The difference in cost between a Smart Keyboard and a third party option is maybe 1-2 hours of work for me.

Do i consider that a fair trade for something that works, that i like to type on and is convenient, first party and fully supported by apple? Something i'll type hundreds of thousands of words on during my ownership of the device, over several years?

Yes.

Yes, i consider it to be "worth it".

Doesn't mean it isn't damn expensive, and i think it is overpriced. But I pay what i have to pay to get something i want. It is something i am glad i bought, at full price, no regrets.

How much you value your time and frustration and how much you appreciate a good feeling keyboard is up to you. I type a lot. I type fast. A crap keyboard really, really annoys me. I'm one of those guys who spends 200 dollars or more on a desktop PC keyboard because of the feel, when i could have just bought some crap $15 thing instead. For me, the keyboard is one of the primary connections between me and the machine, and i spend a heap of time in contact with it. It is massively important.

Your mileage may vary.

If you type a lot, it is worth it. IMHO.


Again. It may be love it or hate it. But i prefer it to a lot of desktop PC keyboards. And beginning to like it more than my 13" retina. Other than the lack of keys... but the typing feel i do like.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: MacManiac76, LibbyLA and aristobrat
jaybar said:
JustinTime

Do you keep the ASK on the iPad Pro all the time, or do you remove it when you are not typing?

Thanks

Jay
Click to expand...
I do not. Sometimes I do, but most of the time I only connect the keyboard when I am using it, or if I just want it to sit on my lap propped up and not have to hold the iPad. Usually I have my Smart Cover on the iPad. I know the ASK also acts like a Smart Cover, but I do not like the extra bump out the keyboard makes on the cover. Extra weight and size.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Aluminum213
throAU said:
Never? I'd say that's a bit of a dubious call (and perhaps an over-generalization).

Is it expensive as hell? Sure.

Is it the best tablet keyboard i have used? Definitely.

Is it tiny and lightweight? Sure.

Yes. Definitely, the initial purchase price stings. It's a LOT. Half the price of a 2017 iPad.

But my time and annoyance is worth actual money to me. The difference in cost between a Smart Keyboard and a third party option is maybe 1-2 hours of work for me.

Do i consider that a fair trade for something that works, that i like to type on and is convenient, first party and fully supported by apple? Something i'll type hundreds of thousands of words on during my ownership of the device, over several years?

Yes.

Yes, i consider it to be "worth it".

Doesn't mean it isn't damn expensive, and i think it is overpriced. But I pay what i have to pay to get something i want. It is something i am glad i bought, at full price, no regrets.

How much you value your time and frustration and how much you appreciate a good feeling keyboard is up to you. I type a lot. I type fast. A crap keyboard really, really annoys me. I'm one of those guys who spends 200 dollars or more on a desktop PC keyboard because of the feel, when i could have just bought some crap $15 thing instead. For me, the keyboard is one of the primary connections between me and the machine, and i spend a heap of time in contact with it. It is massively important.

Your mileage may vary.

If you type a lot, it is worth it. IMHO.


Again. It may be love it or hate it. But i prefer it to a lot of desktop PC keyboards. And beginning to like it more than my 13" retina. Other than the lack of keys... but the typing feel i do like.
Click to expand...

AMEN!!!! I couldn't agree with you more. The ASK is amazing. I think everyone Apple is overpriced but I ponied up for the iPads and accessories that I knew would make me happy and I haven't regretted the money I've spend on them at all.
 
LibbyLA said:
AMEN!!!! I couldn't agree with you more. The ASK is amazing. I think everyone Apple is overpriced but I ponied up for the iPads and accessories that I knew would make me happy and I haven't regretted the money I've spend on them at all.
Click to expand...
But this is unfortunately why Apple will never drop the prices on these things. People just buy to buy.
 
justinTlME said:
Let's recap. The keyboard is NEVER going to be worth the price, but in its use, it can be great. I like it mainly due to the fact that I can prop it on my lap, and use it like I would my laptop. I also liked by $35.10 price tag.
Click to expand...
How did you get a ASK for $35? I have been thinking of buying one now that the inventory is dwindling.
 
The way I justified it was just by purchasing with the iPad Pro. I was able to get the keyboard(10$ BB discount), and 256GB 10.5" IPP (after 50$ BB discount) for 849$. IMO it outperforms the 12" MacBook (for my needs at least - better camera for video chat, more portable).

When you price them separately, it's not as easy of a sell. But the convenience of it is phenomenal. 160$ for a keyboard is pretty crazy, but if you are buying an apple product, you should be aware of these types of things.


One thought though, how durable are these things? I'm not sure if maybe I'm just just not hitting the keys correctly and still getting used to it, but I find that it does not always register some keys, especially the space bar.
 
Ended up biting the price bullet and bought it, the keyboard definitely feels improved over the 9.7 ASK, seems like the keys have more travel this time and the length increase of the iPad makes the keyboard not feel so cramped to type on

As far as the weight and bulge, it still fits in the leather sleeve, another overpriced accessory which I like, the weight add on isn’t terrible but I definitely will only be using this case when I need to type a lot otherwise I’ll stick with the apple leather cover I was using before
 
Just picked one up fore the 10.5. I am so on the fence with this now. I also have a Microsoft universal foldable keyboard which is like a Surface keyboard but supports 2 devices and is ultra slim. Smaller than the Apple. Using it with a regular case, it is really light. I think I need to get used to the Apple one. But without an ESC key, I'm not seeing the value. Typing speed is actually slower than ther Microsoft. The Microsoft took me some time to get used to. I also have a MS Surface 3 tablet/ all in one. In addition, I use the iPad primarily for Instagram and IG only works in Portrait mode.. Decisions. Decisions.
 
Aluminum213 said:
Ended up biting the price bullet and bought it, the keyboard definitely feels improved over the 9.7 ASK, seems like the keys have more travel this time and the length increase of the iPad makes the keyboard not feel so cramped to type on

As far as the weight and bulge, it still fits in the leather sleeve, another overpriced accessory which I like, the weight add on isn’t terrible but I definitely will only be using this case when I need to type a lot otherwise I’ll stick with the apple leather cover I was using before
Click to expand...
Buying the leather sleeve and the ASK together, damn, you could have almost gotten a 2nd iPad just to use in the bathroom or something. Lol
 
HaddockW said:
Just picked one up fore the 10.5. I am so on the fence with this now. I also have a Microsoft universal foldable keyboard which is like a Surface keyboard but supports 2 devices and is ultra slim. Smaller than the Apple. Using it with a regular case, it is really light. I think I need to get used to the Apple one. But without an ESC key, I'm not seeing the value. Typing speed is actually slower than ther Microsoft. The Microsoft took me some time to get used to. I also have a MS Surface 3 tablet/ all in one. In addition, I use the iPad primarily for Instagram and IG only works in Portrait mode.. Decisions. Decisions.
Click to expand...

I actually really like that Microsoft keyboard. The only nagging thing is that it uses a micro USB to charge. Everything else I have uses lightning, and it annoys me to have one device with a different charge port.
 
  • Like
Reactions: boston04and07
Recently picked one up. Works great. I like the ability to do cmd+tab and shift through windows just like you can on Mac OS. Price is high but it makes the iPad a more productive device. Keys feel great... sometimes better than my MacBook Pro 2016:eek:
 
Darkashnet said:
I have one for the 10.5". Is it worth it? Not entirely. More yes than no, but it's not a solid yes. There isn't a real major alternative that is actually useable for me (as I'm now used to the low travel MacBook Pro keys), is a case, is light and doesn't need to be charged. I actually quite like typing on it, although the non letter keys being much smaller can be a pain sometimes when doing some light coding (I know all keys are full size on 12.9, but for everything else the size is just too big for me).

I just wish it had a function row for brightness etc, and was solid enough to be used on my lap in bed.
Click to expand...

I mostly agree on all of the points you've mentioned.

Strangely like you've mentioned there isn't really an alternative as far as being able to easily switch between tablet and laptop mode in addition to only 2 known keyboards that use the smart connector.

I think if it at least had a function key row or media keys that would make a HUGE difference.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back