Magic Keyboard Lighted Keys

[Gobeatty]

Hi all. Long time since I’ve posted, but I recently upgraded my iPad Pro to the 2021 11” version. I got the Smart Folio Keyboard with it and while I am now sold on using a keyboard with my iPad, I am considering returning the Folio and upgrading to the Magic Keyboard.

I was reading that while the backlight for the keys auto-adjusts and is user-adjustable, there is (was?) no way to switch off the backlight entirely.

I was watching TV on the iPad in the dark last night and realized lighted keys could be a distraction.

Has apple updated IpadOS to allow for the keyboard backlight to be completely switched off?

If not, have you found that it is OK in the dark if set to the lowest setting? If I was typing in the dark, the lighted keys would be wonderful but not so much when watching TV or a movie.

I also welcome any thoughts or experiences on moving from the Folio to the MKB.

I feel I would miss that the MKB doesn’t fold back to easily allow for tablet use. Using the iPad to show music when I’m playing piano for instance would be a hassle. I know the iPad detaches from the MKB easily enough, but then I have this extra thing to keep track of when in tablet mode.

EDIT: I just read that iPad OS 15.4 beta allows for the keyboard brightness to be added to Control Center. The article did not say however if the control allows the keyboard lighting to be turned completely off.

 

[almostinsane]

Youtube turns the keys off completely when watching. I believe Vudu does as well.

 

[Gobeatty]

Took the plunge today. Was typing for work on my work laptop and when I switched to the iPad with the Smart Folio Keyboard, I SO noticed the difference. Loud, clicky keys and the feel is off compared to a real keyboard. Realized I liked it better than the on-screen keyboard, but basically wanted to type shorter messages, not edit, and just be done vs. caring about what I was typing.

So I returned the Folio and got the Magic Keyboard for my 11” iPad Pro.

So far, it is a WORLD of difference. I was typing with the iPad on my lap in a doctor’s office. Felt great and so quiet, even in a near silent waiting room.

And the trackpad - whoa! This thing is amazing.

As for overall size/weight, with the 11” iPad and the correspondingly smaller/lighter Magic Keyboard, the full setup is noticeably smaller and lighter than a laptop.

As for the lighted key, I can now answer YES that the most current beta of iPad OS (15.4 beta 2) allows for adding a keyboard backlight control to Control Center and YES - at the lowest setting, the backlight is fully off. As almostinsane noted above, there are apps that apparently keep the backlight off as well, so this issue is solved at least as of the current beta iPad IOS release.

I am typing this with the iPad/MKB combo on my lap and it is just marvelous. With the tablet moved forward a bit, the setup balances just fine and is a joy to use.

I don’t miss the second set of magnets on the Folio that hold the bottom edge of the iPad to the case. It was a pain to use and make it more difficult to fold up the iPad. The MKB is easier to open and close, IMHO, even though the hinge is a bit stiff (not as easy as a plain Folio).

Apple honored the price Walmart was advertising and took 10% off, so I ended up at $269, which is a bit more palatable than $300.

We will see how I get along with it. I have two weeks to return it.

 

[Foghorn leghorn]

I agree with everything you said. Of all the Apple products I have owned over the years the IPad Pro/ MKB combo are my favorites.

 

[lungbutter]

It’s nice to hear some positive feedback. I understand that it’s not a perfect device but almost everything I use (peripheral-wise) takes abuse. “It adds character”. That is, as long as it still functions.