Yeah, but all of those functions are already available via hardware and/or software controls - much more easily accessible than on a typical laptop.
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Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro Reviews and Unboxing Videos: Huge Jump Forward in Usability, But Expensive and Heavy
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Yeah, but all of those functions are already available via hardware and/or software controls - much more easily accessible than on a typical laptop.
Yes, yes they did. Apple will eventually come to the same conclusion, just give it time.
That was my reaction, Apple have suggested the iPad is all the computer we'd ever need and they've ultimately done so by turning the iPad into a laptop. I'm not knocking that, I own an iPad Pro myself and I can see the appeal of such a flexible device. It's great that they exist. I'm still quite surprised to see Apple go down this route, they've maintained the firewall between laptops and tablets previously. What next? A touch screen Macbook?
For me a tablet and laptop are two very different form factors designed with differing goals namely content consumption and content creation. The myriad of hybrid devices just expose the compromise required e.g. top heavy, slightly more cumbersome (iPad OS, Windows 8) when attempting to bridge the divide. I'm still tempted to buy one though.
Respectfully disagree. If I’m typing on a keyboard, hitting a dedicated key to adjust brightness or volume is considerably easier than raising my hand from the keyboard and touching a screen. Not that touching a screen is a ton of extra work, but function keys are objectively more convenient to use in the context of a laptop keyboard—which is what this is.
I meant more accessible via other, on-screen means, however I see I was unclear.
In any case, I don’t think the iPad is intended to be 100% at parity with laptops and desktops. They are moving ever closer to merging the general experience of using any of their computing devices, but there will always be some differences. Omitting function keys that are otherwise fairly well accessible is a reasonable compromise if it means larger keys, larger trackpad, etc.
Yeah I get that, personally I notice anything that changes my workflow requiring more interaction, it does bug me. There isn't a right or wrong here and I am old!
Darth Tulhu
macrumors 68020
Wasn't that the original argument AGAINST the iPad? That is was "just a big iPod Touch"?
You guys are raging against the existence of Tablets. This keyboard/trackpad is available as a convenience, NOT a necessity.
Think of it like this (which I believe was Steve Jobs's intention):
An iPhone is a motorcycle.
An iPad is a car.
A Mac is a truck.
They all ride on the road and carry people, in different ways, and for different purposes.
As I stated earlier, this "dock" is meant as a trailer hitch for your car. It's not like attaching a pickup truck bed to it.
Also, there is NO touchscreen Mac, let alone one you can draw on, so it's IMPOSSIBLE for an iPad to "become" a Mac.
Can you take the keyboard and/or the trackpad off a Mac?
Mac OS is NOT designed for touch input. The iPad is. This is, and was ALWAYS meant to be a DIFFERENT device that can do things the Mac CANNOT, and some, SOME things that people use the Mac for.
The argument is NOT whether the pickup truck can do more than a car. The argument is whether I should buy a pickup truck when I don't need one.
Like I said, if you want to draw or do touch screen stuff, entry level iPad is more than enough.
What is the existence of iPad Pro right now? Run same stuff as entry level iPad can do, just tide bit faster? If you are going to do any professional work, that suppose iPad Pro does, Mac is way better. Video editing is still way better on Mac, coding is still on Mac, running animation is still better on Mac etc.
Spending MacBook Pro money on iPad Pro is ridiculous, frankly it is such waste of money.
And I suppose Apple can learn something from HP or Microsoft. Do a touch screen Mac and make 360 degree hinge, so one can fold keyboard and trackpad back.
I know, like oldest most clever-less take for ANY Apple product is that the price is crazy. The prices have always been crazy. And... you know... Here’s to the crazy ones!
I just typed “surface kickstand” into google to see if it in actuality is better than the name sounds, and the second choice was “surface kickstand repair” and “surface kickstand replacement”
One measure I think would be interesting to know is the comparative “lapprint” (like footprint, but for your lap). When you have a Macbook on your lap, the amount of space required to support the keyboard and screen is constant. Same with the iPad Pro + keyboard and many portable devices. However, the Surface lapprint varies depending on the angle of the screen. When it’s more vertical, it’s less, as you tilt it back, the kickstand moves backwards meaning you need more space from the front edge of the keyboard to where the kickstand hits your lap.I’d say not just many people, but most people. Folks are buying iPads more than any other mobile Apple or anyone else makes.
This is something I could get behind
I was offered a Lamborghini for $80 then I remembered... I paid $60 for Super Smash Brothers Ultimate and the Lambo isn’t 4 player, you can’t drive against others online (worse online presence than Nintendo and that’s saying something!!) and it’s physical, no digital download. Uh, yeah, thanks but no thanks.
He also said he’d milk the Mac for all it’s worth and move on with the next thing, which is what I think he felt iOS was.
Anything and everything is polarizing when a good way to get attention on the internet is to be funny/negative.
So, I assumed people wanted function keys for some cool programming related something or another. Do people REALLY just want it for brightness, volume control and such? Those are already mapped to well known gestures on iOS so the need for a key on the keyboard for, say, volume is far less critical.
Last week, Apple began accepting orders for its new Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, several weeks earlier than anticipated. Now, the media has shared several hands-on reviews and unboxing videos of the keyboard on YouTube.
The Magic Keyboard attaches magnetically to the iPad Pro and has a floating cantilevered design that allows the viewing angle to be adjusted up to 130 degrees. In addition to the full-size keyboard with backlit scissor switch keys, there is also a built-in trackpad, taking advantage of trackpad and mouse support added in iPadOS 13.4.
The Verge's Dieter Bohn was mostly impressed with the Magic Keyboard, noting that the keys both sound and feel better than the Smart Keyboard. Two downsides he pointed out include the overall keyboard case being quite heavy and the keyboard lacking function keys for common tasks. Bohn added that the trackpad is small but works smoothly.
Earlier today, we learned that the combined weight of a 12.9-inch iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard is slightly heavier than the MacBook Air.
Reviews
Video Reviews and Unboxings
The Magic Keyboard is available on Apple.com at price of $299 for the 11-inch iPad Pro and $349 for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
Article Link: Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro Reviews and Unboxing Videos: Huge Jump Forward in Usability, But Expensive and Heavy
So a big resounding Meh, or more accurately a very expensive Meh. I love The Verge's review and it still tickles the same fantasy of Apple just getting it over with and putting a freaking kickstand on the ipad, sigh. I'm really surprised Apple was ok with the combo being heavier and thicker than the surface pro combo. Looks really uncomfortable to use on the lap and it's interesting to watch some of the reviewers (well actually only one), like Peter, take the ipad out then just hold it in front of them because of course it will now just slide down your thighs and you have no choice but to hold it up in front of you unsupported. Reminds me of the guys who say MacOS will never be touch because your arms would get tired, lol.
I am really perplexed that I didn't see a single reviewer actually use this in their lap, not a single one. The only one who came close was Peter who used it with his legs up on a table and his thighs really high up, but not a typical position than say an airport seat or a waiting room seat. I did note that it was wobbly when being touched in the middle to the top, not like the whole thing wobbled but you could see some movement in there instead of it feeling solid, that would most likely be heavily exacerbated in a true "lap" placement to the point where I would bet it would be in danger of just flopping over onto the floor. Forget about writing/drawing, even on a stable surface, you can see in Tyler's review he either has to hold the back with one hand so it won't tip over, or just write lightly without resting his hand on the screen, something I don't have to worry about with my surface pro and the kickstand.
Don't get me wrong, this actually looks really neat for "desktop" type use, ie: having it on a solid surface, although with the caveat of being limited with writing/drawing. But overall it just really reinforces my feeling that no one will ever pry my surface pro with kickstand out of my cold, dead hands, especially for $349.
Hang on—is there a secret apple store I don’t know about where you can buy a MacBook Pro for $1000?
Not sure if this has been posted here...
Devs might be able to write software on iPad and iPhone with Xcode for iOS
macOS and iOS software developers will soon be able to code on an iPad or even iPhone, if an unconfirmed report is correct. iPadOS 14 and the iPhone
www.cultofmac.com
Darth Tulhu
macrumors 68020
That right there is where you guys raging against this machine are getting hung up on: If you think an iPad functions ANYTHING like a MacBook, you're not paying attention.
They are FUNDAMENTALLY different, from the OS to the hardware.
People buy iPads because they WANT to use that OS. They WANT to touch the screen. They WANT to draw on it with their Pencil. They WANT to leave the keyboard and trackpad at home when they choose to. They WANT to use the apps that are written for it.
Many people that buy iPads also DON'T want to use or learn macOS. They DON'T want a permanently-attached keyboard. They DON'T want a heavier device.
You guys are at the Harley Davidson dealership, yelling at people looking at saddlebags or a sidecar (pun intended) for not buying a Ford F-150 instead.
Let it go, fellas. Some people just want two wheels (or three).
Though it can be a good option for those that already use both an iPad and a laptop, say laptop for writing and general productivity and iPad for the couch- reading books and light surfing.
They can now use one device.
How does one define a “transformational tablet”. Would most people be able to agree on that definition?
Why? This seems to detach quite easily. Why do you need the keyboard attached when you’re not typing anything?
Darth Tulhu
macrumors 68020
Check out the RAM on each. A Pro has longer legs, and a bigger screen. My daughter as a 10.5 Pro and wants the 12.9 now (and the better, magnetic Pencil).
Drawing on the Mac is much, much worse, since you cannot do it at all without (EXPENSIVE) peripherals.
ONLYif you know and love macOS and prefer it. Which is obvious you do.
I can accept that, but only from your perspective. Given that you can't draw on ANY Mac, buying one (when I DON'T need it's power) is like buying a dump truck just to take the kids to school.
You already have that here, except from the fold-back part (which I would want). I agree Microsoft had the right idea with the Surface, but it is my opinion that Apple's touch implementation is FAR superior to Microsoft's. Windows is primarily KB & Mouse. iPadOS is the opposite. By adding the missing trackpad capabilities Apple finally gave us the 2-in-1 some of us have been waiting for. I'm sure third-party companies will address the fold-back aspect. Still, I find this better than not being able to detach the screen for use and leave the KB behind.
Your analysis is, frankly there is no polite way to say this, but it’s nearly 100% wrong. It’s readily apparent you are projecting your own biases on the review and haven’t actually used it yourself. This design is perfectly acceptable to use in your lap. Far better than the Surface Pro design (I’ve owned several). It’s more top heavy than a laptop for sure, but the base is absolutely rigid and solid. If it’s a situation where you could use a laptop, you’ll be able to use the iPad.
On the desk, writing on the screen is no problem. My iPad spends the entire day as an accessory to my main work computer, primarily for taking written notes. I’ve been using a rigid metal stand for the past year+. With the new keyboard I can leave it docked, have access to the keyboard and trackpad, and still be able to comfortably write notes on the screen. Even the Surface Pro doesn’t do that without some re-configuring.
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I hope you're prepared for the wrath of Spinedoc77...he likes his Microsoft products and hasn't backed down for years. I'm one of those who said, and still say, that a touch screen laptop is a horrid, terrible, inefficient way to interact with a computer. I've been using my iPad Pro with the keyboard folio for a year, primarily for work travel. But since iPadOS 13.4, I am using it all the time as my primary computer with an old Apple bt keyboard and Magic Trackpad 2 connected to it. It’s brilliant to be able to write, create and edit spreadsheets, go on my company’s customer service system, etc., then when I want to go do something, like I just did in having to pack up samples for a customer, I just grabbed the iPad Pro (with no keyboard) and took it to my sample room. I was able to Skype a quick note and photo of the samples I was packing to a colleague, then come back to my desk and keep typing without having to do anything to make the switch.
This can't be said enough. Same with the KB Folio, same with the pencil. All of these accessories are for convenience as to how each person wants to use their ipad.
Darth Tulhu
macrumors 68020
No one is trying to pry anything out of anyone's hands...why bring that up??
Now, lemme say I LOVE the Surface built-in stand. Microsoft got that right. It's truly brilliant. But it's a Windows device, which I don't want, and using a Surface on the lap begs the same question: why not get a (2-in-1) laptop? Windows works better with KB and mouse (their trackpad implementation is NOWHERE NEAR Apple's).
From what I see, this thing is specifically for desk and travel use, not "in transit" or couch use. I would leave this on my desk as a dock, whether at home or hotel room, or bring it along easily for sit-down meetings, if I need to take notes. I'm not sure I'd use it on a flight.
I would also have just the cover (and a skin for the back), for when I want to travel really light.
Now my daughter can sit at a desk and type stuff like this and do her homework on an iPad much easier, pull it off and sit on the couch and plop it next to her, ready for when she wants to look something up, or take a FaceTime call, or draw while watching TV, like she does now with her older iPad Pro.
Me, on the other hand, would get a MacBook Air and call it a day. But that's because:
A. I prefer macOS
B. I don't draw
C. I don't (currently) have an iPhone
D. I do a lot of surfing/video watching in bed, face down, so the built in KB/TP/screen stand is a simpler fit for me
E. I have a work-issued PC (even if I totally could use an iPad now that it has KB & Mouse support)
I know people will be disagreeing with me as is evident from this thread alone, but to me, it used to be clear what Apple's idea was, what they see people doing with their devices and what they don't see people doing with their devices. I can't see that any longer. Yeah, I know that there's always half a dozen one-legged performance artists that would like to ride a tricycle while in a handstand, but I just don't see how this fits together with what people are actually doing as a fraction of potential customers. When I think about all the devices Apple has discontinued in recent years with the implied explanation that "nobody does X any longer" (say, a wired desktop keyboard), I don't see how in their minds it's a good idea to offer five different keyboards for iPads. Yeah, maybe I just don't get it and am ignorant of all those people that need to type and write on their devices, but only sometimes, but if I think back just a few years it would have seemed unthinkable that Apple would water down the clarity in their line up with a variety of peripherals like this.
The pencil is a drawing/handwriting instrument, the trackpad - more like a cursor-moving/zooming/clicking/selecting pad. If the pencil use requires taking iPad out of the Magic Keyboard, effectively leaving it unprotected, then we need to use yet another case.
I've had about 4 keyboard covers between the Surface Pro and the iPad. In tablet "mode" it's a cumbersome solution, it is just not comfortable.
This one is slightly different has the the cover works more like a stand to be used on the desk or lap. So I guess the idea is not o have it on all the time, but only when needed. Will see.
This one is slightly different has the the cover works more like a stand to be used on the desk or lap. So I guess the idea is not o have it on all the time, but only when needed. Will see.
I’ve said many times that were it not for my exams being done in class on laptops using a secure Ethernet connection, I would have virtually zero use for my MacBook Pro. I have found my iPad Pros to be the most productive devices I’ve ever owned, and now with the mouse support and the addition of my Smart Folio/mouse combo, my 12.9 Pro is seriously my favorite device for just about everything. I enjoy typing on it, using Notability with the Pencil, as an internet browser and email machine, watching Netflix and Youtube, etc etc etc. I think people fundamentally don’t understand the value of the iPad who are bent on comparing with Macs and iPadOS to MacOS.