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Magic Keyboard 6th Gen? Is there a difference between 5th and 6th Gen?

AlanLowe

AlanLowe

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Oct 18, 2022
13
23
Hello! First ever MacRumors post. I was looking into ordering a new M2 12"9 Ipad and a new Keyboard, but I thought about saving money and buying a refurbished White Keyboard. I noticed on the website the new Keyboards are "6th Gen", and all previous White Models before today were 5th gen. Is there a difference between models? Thanks!
 
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AlanLowe said:
Hello! First ever MacRumors post. I was looking into ordering a new M2 12"9 Ipad and a new Keyboard, but I thought about saving money and buying a refurbished White Keyboard. I noticed on the website the new Keyboards are "6th Gen", and all previous White Models before today were 5th gen. Is there a difference between models? Thanks!
Click to expand...
MobiusTech said:
No.
Click to expand...
Yes there is. Compatibility wise there is no difference, but the keyboard was improved. I spent 3 hours this morning talking with Apple about this very topic.
 
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AlanLowe said:
Is there a difference between models?
Click to expand...

Yes there is...one place you can read about it is here on MR:
www.macrumors.com

New 12.9-inch iPad Pro Not Compatible With Older Magic Keyboard

The brand new 12.9-inch iPad Pro will not be compatible with the older generation Magic Keyboard due to a marginal increase in device thickness,...
www.macrumors.com www.macrumors.com

However:

And to clarify, there have not been 6 generations of the Magic Keyboard for iPads. The generation references in the Apple Store website product listings are for iPad model generations. There are two sizes of iPad Magic Keyboard, with the size that fits the 12.9" iPad Pro having an older version and a newer version.
 
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AlanLowe said:
Hello! First ever MacRumors post. I was looking into ordering a new M2 12"9 Ipad and a new Keyboard, but I thought about saving money and buying a refurbished White Keyboard. I noticed on the website the new Keyboards are "6th Gen", and all previous White Models before today were 5th gen. Is there a difference between models? Thanks!
Click to expand...
The Magic Keyboard for the 12.9” changed with the 5th generation iPad to account for a very slight change in thickness. The keyboard has not changed for the 6th generation.
 
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Benjamin24 said:
Yes there is. Compatibility wise there is no difference, but the keyboard was improved. I spent 3 hours this morning talking with Apple about this very topic.
Click to expand...
Any more information on this please? Everything else I’ve read suggests there is no difference … except price. I’ll spend the extra money if I can be sure there is an improvement.
 
To answer my own question - I can confirm there is no difference. I purchased the “sixth generation” version from Apple direct, and the box says “3rd, 4th and 5th generation”. So unless they’ve sent the wrong thing by mistake, it’s the exact same keyboard (only 70 pounds more expensive!).
 
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Still baffled why they didn’t feel the need to add a row of function keys with this ‘new’ version.

The keyboards for the two higher tiers (iPads iPad Pro and iPad Air) both are missing this feature while the entry 10th gen keyboard has it. :rolleyes:
 
To reiterate - there is no “new version”. For some strange reason Apple are advertising the keyboard now on their site as being specifically for the 6th generation iPad, but what they actually send you is the one for the “3rd, 4th and 5th generation” (i.e. that is what is actually printed on the box). It’s a dishonest sales practice really, because it can lead people to pay full retail for what they think is something new and different, when they could get the exact same thing from a third party retailer for substantially less.
 
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Been using the “older” 12.9 MKB with my M1 12.9 pro since launch. Zero problems. I think the thickness issue may be a problem if you have a tempered glass screen protector (mentioned a few times since the M1 launch, not down to my experience as I don’t use a protector)
 
Just following up. Has anyone ordered a 6th Gen 12.9 Magic Keyboard and recieved a box that actually said 6th Gen? Or do they still say 3-5 Gen on the box? Thanks.
 
AndyGarton said:
To answer my own question - I can confirm there is no difference. I purchased the “sixth generation” version from Apple direct, and the box says “3rd, 4th and 5th generation”. So unless they’ve sent the wrong thing by mistake, it’s the exact same keyboard (only 70 pounds more expensive!).
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My 6th gen has the same designation on the label..
 
I am looking at getting a 5th Gen m1 iPad Pro 12.9 iPad.

How many versions of the magic iPad Pro keyboard is there? Want to make sure I get the right one on used market (and not an older version )
 
Boro22 said:
I am looking at getting a 5th Gen m1 iPad Pro 12.9 iPad.

How many versions of the magic iPad Pro keyboard is there? Want to make sure I get the right one on used market (and not an older version )
Click to expand...
Absolutely, the 5th Gen M1 iPad Pro 12.9 is a fantastic choice! There are two versions of the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro. The first fits the 3rd and 4th Gen 12.9 iPad Pro, while the newer version fits the 5th Gen 12.9 model. So, make sure to look for the one that specifically mentions compatibility with the 5th Gen M1 iPad Pro to ensure you're getting the right fit.
 
Boro22 said:
I am looking at getting a 5th Gen m1 iPad Pro 12.9 iPad.

How many versions of the magic iPad Pro keyboard is there? Want to make sure I get the right one on used market (and not an older version )
Click to expand...
  1. 1st Generation Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro: This was initially released for the 3rd and 4th Gen iPad Pro models. While it's physically compatible with the 5th Gen M1 iPad Pro 12.9", there's a slight thickness difference in the 5th Gen iPad, which means the fit isn't 100% perfect. It'll close, but not as seamlessly as you'd hope.
  2. 2nd Generation Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro: This was specifically designed with the 5th Gen M1 iPad Pro 12.9" in mind. It addresses the thickness variance and ensures a snug fit. If you're getting the 5th Gen M1 iPad Pro, this is the one to hunt for on the used market.
 
ok the one I have found has a model number of A2480. how do I know which generation this is please?
 
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