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James Godfrey

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Original poster
Oct 13, 2011
2,067
1,706
Hi

Not sure if I am unlucky or whether this is quite common.

I noticed today on both my iPP Magic Keyboard Case and my Smart Folio, in certain light and at certain angles you can see the metal underneath the rubber coating shining through (only little specs here and there), is this normal with these cases with this weird rubber material? I am only noticing it on the back of these two cases (camera side).

Thanks
 
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James Godfrey

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Oct 13, 2011
2,067
1,706
7D012E34-80D8-4115-8759-AF4A5539B558.jpeg

92618EDA-FB5C-475C-A39C-D718B3C7429F.jpeg

[automerge]1602436540[/automerge]
They initially just look like dust particles, but I have tried wiping them off and they don’t move so pretty sure it’s the metal underneath shining through, same thing on my folio case too
 
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James Godfrey

macrumors 68020
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Oct 13, 2011
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Apple will obviously put this down to wear and tear but I have only had it for a few weeks, and haven’t dragged it on any surfaces or anything like that so it’s highly likely it was like this out of the box...
 
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Seanm87

macrumors 68020
Oct 10, 2014
2,208
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I have one on the bottom of mine. A pretty big one as well that only appeared a couple of days after I got it and i have no idea how as it was always on a clear flat surface or on my lap.

I don’t think the material is very durable. Especially compared to normal laptop undersides.
 
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James Godfrey

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Oct 13, 2011
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I have one on the bottom of mine. A pretty big one as well that only appeared a couple of days after I got it and i have no idea how as it was always on a clear flat surface or on my lap.

I don’t think the material is very durable. Especially compared to normal laptop undersides.

100% not durable at all, I must say I am bit disappointed in this tbh, especially with the price the cases are... the Magic Keyboard would have definitely benefited from some small feet of some kind on the underside
 
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ejin222

macrumors 6502a
Oct 12, 2011
564
432
I hate to say this, but I bet Apple knew very well what they were doing. There is no way they tested this product out and did not get many of our same complaints.

My guess is that they’re banking on the praise of the many and complaints of the few to release an imperfect product as long as it’s “magical.”

No one wants to sell you a product that lasts forever now...
 
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James Godfrey

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Oct 13, 2011
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I hate to say this, but I bet Apple knew very well what they were doing. There is no way they tested this product out and did not get many of our same complaints.

My guess is that they’re banking on the praise of the many and complaints of the few to release an imperfect product as long as it’s “magical.”

No one wants to sell you a product that lasts forever now...

Yes definitely an issue with the coating process here not fully coating the base materials, and don’t get me wrong it isn’t majorly noticeable at first glance only on thorough inspection, I can imagine it being like this out of the box to a varying degree.

I suppose the main reason for this poor coating to be used is to pave the way for the Magic Keyboard 2 which will have a much better quality material and quite possibly some small feet on the underside.
 
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jazz1

Contributor
Aug 19, 2002
4,668
19,624
Mid-West USA
Having had experience with Apple iPad folios in the past. I did get my local Apple Store to replace a relatively new Apple folio after a weird weave like pattern started emerging. Yes, I've previously reported this on these forums.

The durability of the soft rubber like skin is not very good on any of their folios that I've owned over the years. It amazes me that their hardware is so good, yet the folio accessories wear like a cheap pair of socks :oops:. It particularly stings when you cannot help but recognize the cost of the MK.

I resorted to putting a skin on my MK not long after buying it. I suppose I might eventually regret it whenever I decide to take the skin off.

The other downside of the skin I chose unfortunately make the open folio slide on uneven, slick surfaces (such as my couch laptop tray). I fixed that self-imposed problem by putting car dashboard rubber mat on the lap tray. I am embarrassed to even report my crazy work arounds!

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy using my iPad. But some durability improvement on the iPad folios would be much appreciated by many future customers.
 
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seadragon

macrumors 68000
Mar 10, 2009
1,872
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That is totally disappointing and unacceptable considering how much they are charging for this keyboard. Over $500 with tax here in Canada. I’d be pissed if that were to happen.
 

James Godfrey

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Oct 13, 2011
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That is totally disappointing and unacceptable considering how much they are charging for this keyboard. Over $500 with tax here in Canada. I’d be pissed if that were to happen.

Just for clarification this is present on both the iPad Pro Folio Case (£99 here in the UK) and the Magic Keyboard Case (£349 here in the UK).

I think it was likely present on both out of the box if I’m honest, as it’s only really noticeable upon close inspection and angling them in the light.

Definitely poor considering the steep price tags, have been told by Apple that this is down to user error and wear and tear... I have only used the cases on my coffee table and haven’t took them out of the house... so dread to think how it would hold up long term.

Such a shame they use such a poor material on these super premium line cases.
 

ericwn

macrumors G5
Apr 24, 2016
12,113
10,903
Thanks for sharing James!

Reminds me of the crappy material from the first iPad Pro keyboard folio or whatever that was called. Very disappointing to see this stuff is being used again. As if rubbing off and fraying in the last versions weren’t bad enough at that price point.
 

seadragon

macrumors 68000
Mar 10, 2009
1,872
3,151
I have a 12.9 iPad Pro on order and my plan was to get the Magic Keyboard. Now I’m having second thoughts on the whole thing. Damn you Apple!
 
Last edited:

James Godfrey

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Oct 13, 2011
2,067
1,706
Thanks for sharing James!

Reminds me of the crappy material from the first iPad Pro keyboard folio or whatever that was called. Very disappointing to see this stuff is being used again. As if rubbing off and fraying in the last versions weren’t bad enough at that price point.

It’s no probs, I’m just really disappointed at this stage, I hope they come out with a better quality one in the future in a leather or similar material.
 

James Godfrey

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Oct 13, 2011
2,067
1,706
I have a 12.9 iPad Pro in order and my plan was to get the Magic Keyboard. Now I’m having second thoughts on the whole thing. Damn you Apple!

I wouldn’t have second thoughts, it’s a great machine and as I have said the imperfections in the coating process are not majorly noticeable unless you examine the keyboard case and do look like dust particles initially.

Whats strange is it’s only on the back (thinnest) side of both cases (that part that covers the camera side of the iPad), the folding part which covers the screen is flawless and so are the areas around the keyboard BUT those areas of the case(s) are thicker, so I am thinking that the coating on the rear side of the cases is that thin that Apple themselves are not fully coating the metal underneath.

If only one of my covers had this issue I would have thought maybe it’s just a one off and demanded a replacement, but I do think this is just a common thing to a varying degree which the majority of users won’t notice and when they do will think it’s just general wear and tear, getting a new one might end up being worse than the one I have got.

I would be keen to see photos of other users Magic Keyboard cases to see how common this really is.

I do feel disappointed and really hope this doesn’t keep getting worse with use.
 

James Godfrey

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Oct 13, 2011
2,067
1,706
Having had experience with Apple iPad folios in the past. I did get my local Apple Store to replace a relatively new Apple folio after a weird weave like pattern started emerging. Yes, I've previously reported this on these forums.

The durability of the soft rubber like skin is not very good on any of their folios that I've owned over the years. It amazes me that their hardware is so good, yet the folio accessories wear like a cheap pair of socks :oops:. It particularly stings when you cannot help but recognize the cost of the MK.

I resorted to putting a skin on my MK not long after buying it. I suppose I might eventually regret it whenever I decide to take the skin off.

The other downside of the skin I chose unfortunately make the open folio slide on uneven, slick surfaces (such as my couch laptop tray). I fixed that self-imposed problem by putting car dashboard rubber mat on the lap tray. I am embarrassed to even report my crazy work arounds!

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy using my iPad. But some durability improvement on the iPad folios would be much appreciated by many future customers.

Might get a skin just for the underside where do you get them if you don’t mind me asking?
 

AutomaticApple

Suspended
Nov 28, 2018
7,401
3,378
Massachusetts
Hi

Not sure if I am unlucky or whether this is quite common.

I noticed today on both my iPP Magic Keyboard Case and my Smart Folio, in certain light and at certain angles you can see the metal underneath the rubber coating shining through (only little specs here and there), is this normal with these cases with this weird rubber material? I am only noticing it on the back of these two cases (camera side).

Thanks
I actually haven't checked the bottom of my Magic Keyboard in a while. Hold on a second... :oops:
 

James Godfrey

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Oct 13, 2011
2,067
1,706

HA! An ad for this just come up on my facebook how crazy 😜
 
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