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

Jacoblee23

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Nov 10, 2011
1,497
745
I just played with it in the Apple Store and was very pleased with it, but I just don't know how much I would use it because I already have a 2015 MacBook Pro with retina that I love. Thoughts?
 
I guess if you don't intend to type that much on the iPad Pro, I don't see much of a reason to get the Smart Keyboard. That said, I rather enjoy it and use it a lot. In fact, using it right now to type this!
 
I just played with it in the Apple Store and was very pleased with it, but I just don't know how much I would use it because I already have a 2015 MacBook Pro with retina that I love. Thoughts?
I am a very heavy user of Apple laptops. So much that I upgrade at each refresh and own all current models.

If Apple's iPhones were as well sorted out and bug free as the many MBP's MBA's and MacBook's I've owned I would really be pleased.

My iPad Pro is decent, but hasn't lived up to the initial impression I experienced. Depending on what you plan to use it for you may or may not find it suits you.

I also bought the keyboard and pencil, that is also a mixed bag. Many of the users I know that aren't raging fan boys share my disappointment. Certainly not bad but certainly not up to Apple's high standard of a few years ago. Fitting of today's Apple, they are only average at best.
 
Totally worth it

I guess it depends Ho much you use your MacBook I only need my MacBook for iTunes stuff now
 
I didn't buy one with my iPad Pro because I already had the Magic Keyboard which I use with my MacBook Pro 15". My plan was to get a SurfacePad (which still hasn't launched) and use the Magic Keyboard with it.

Could work great, certainly better value when considering the Smart Keyboards price.

Currently I use my MacBook for everything and my iPad is just sitting at my desk, probably with a dead battery. Shame, but maybe things will turn around when I need it again for drawing (main reason I bought it, for school).
 
The original iPad and a Bluetooth keyboard have been my "MacBook" since 2010, so if it was me, I wouldn't have to ask anyone else - I will be getting the keyboard when I get my iPad Pro. I simply wouldn't carry a MacBook everywhere I take my iPad, and as a touch typist, having a physical keyboard makes a huge difference when I sit down to write.

Your mileage may vary. If you always carry that MBP and it does things that the iPad can't, maybe the keyboard isn't a priority. But maybe having the iPad and keyboard will be a positive agent of change.

It's not like you can get a package price. You can afford to skip the keyboard for now. If you start wishing you had one, then the decision has been made for you.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EedyBeedyBeeps
I have a 15" MBP Retina and did get the iPad Pro Keyboard. I actually find it nice to type on. I previously have a Surface Pro 4, and found the new Type Cover to be somewhat comparable. There are going to be compromises given the thing is built into a cover!

I like to have it around. If I get a work e-mail, it's so much easier to fold out the keyboard (even in bed) and bang out a reply there.

A few things I do find a bit annoying:

- There is no escape key. If you intend on using SSH and use VI (or VIM), you know the problem here. There are workarounds, I'm now training my fingers to use Ctrl-[ on all my machines since it's the most supported way to press escape.

- It doesn't light up. This is kind of annoying in bed or a dimly lit room.
 
I have a 15" MBP Retina and did get the iPad Pro Keyboard. I actually find it nice to type on. I previously have a Surface Pro 4, and found the new Type Cover to be somewhat comparable. There are going to be compromises given the thing is built into a cover!

I like to have it around. If I get a work e-mail, it's so much easier to fold out the keyboard (even in bed) and bang out a reply there.

A few things I do find a bit annoying:

- There is no escape key. If you intend on using SSH and use VI (or VIM), you know the problem here. There are workarounds, I'm now training my fingers to use Ctrl-[ on all my machines since it's the most supported way to press escape.

- It doesn't light up. This is kind of annoying in bed or a dimly lit room.
Same equipment here and I too love having the Smart Keyboard always available.

I used an external keyboard with my iPP for two weeks and then acknowledged that the convenience of the Smart Keyboard is worth the cost.

It's one of my favorite keyboards ever to type on.
 
I found the Logitech Create Keyboard to be a more satisfying long term wrtiting solution as compared to the Apple keyboard. If I would have kept the IPP instead of returning it that would have been my choice.
 
  • Like
Reactions: brent12
its really just based on your needs, i have a macbook pro 15" and just bought the smart keyboard a few days ago.
I used to carry my macbook pro to school but now i only need my iPad pro with me!
 
It's an excellent accessory if you feel like you'll use it. I use mine all the time, but the iPad Pro is now my main computer.
 
I found the Logitech Create Keyboard to be a more satisfying long term wrtiting solution as compared to the Apple keyboard. If I would have kept the IPP instead of returning it that would have been my choice.


I agree, I prefer the LOGI keyboard, however the threat of it scratching the screen was a concern which made me ultimately choose the ASK.
 
I didn't buy a keyboard with my iPad Pro. I do my serious typing on my laptop. I did get the Pencil, and use it for drawing and sketching. Two different platforms for two different kinds of computing.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.