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More iPad keyboard options coming?

S

satchmo

macrumors 603
Original poster
Aug 6, 2008
5,303
6,249
Canada
It seems like there’s just a handful making keyboards for the Air 4/ Pro 11

The main players seem to be Apple, Logitech and Brydge. I know there’s a
bunch of no-name brands from Asia on Amazon but I tend to stay away from those as they’re often made of cheap hard plastic.

Just wish there were more options. Surely there are other reputable brands.

The Logitech looks like the best value. Everyone swears by the magic keyboard but I’m not sure i can get myself to pay that much for a keyboard.
 
I’m reading some threads complaining about Logitech’s trackpad problems on their keyboard.
Despite from price per performance value ratio, I still think the Magic Keyboard is the best for now.

One thing I’m occasionally worried of is it’s durability for long term usage.
That rubbery surface and edge is prone to scratches and damage. Mine already showing micro holes from dust and grit that’s being trapped between the keyboard and iPad screen when closed down.
Color shifting happens instantly after few weeks of indoor usage.

Design and functional wise, I still think MKB is the best for my usage. Easy to detach despite limited viewing angle and no handheld / drawing mode.
Extra USB C port for charging is also an advantage.
 
macdogpro said:
I’m reading some threads complaining about Logitech’s trackpad problems on their keyboard.
Despite from price per performance value ratio, I still think the Magic Keyboard is the best for now.

One thing I’m occasionally worried of is it’s durability for long term usage.
That rubbery surface and edge is prone to scratches and damage. Mine already showing micro holes from dust and grit that’s being trapped between the keyboard and iPad screen when closed down.
Color shifting happens instantly after few weeks of indoor usage.

Design and functional wise, I still think MKB is the best for my usage. Easy to detach despite limited viewing angle and no handheld / drawing mode.
Extra USB C port for charging is also an advantage.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I don't know. I mean when you raise durability concerns and limited functionality, it's hard to suggest it's the best. I read those concerns about Logitech's trackpad too, but maybe it's a firmware upgrade?

Aesthetically, yes, the MKB looks awesome. I suppose I need to look at this from the perspective that I'm basically paying to turn it into a laptop. And a Macbook Air would cost me about the same.
 
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Well it is still the best among other options.

Just leave the brydge out of the competition. It is simply not good unless you’re considering the none trackpad version.

That is also my consideration when justifying the total cost of both iPad Pro and the MKB. Weighing the MKB alone just isn’t make sense.
 
macdogpro said:
I’m reading some threads complaining about Logitech’s trackpad problems on their keyboard.
Despite from price per performance value ratio, I still think the Magic Keyboard is the best for now.

One thing I’m occasionally worried of is it’s durability for long term usage.
That rubbery surface and edge is prone to scratches and damage. Mine already showing micro holes from dust and grit that’s being trapped between the keyboard and iPad screen when closed down.
Color shifting happens instantly after few weeks of indoor usage.

Design and functional wise, I still think MKB is the best for my usage. Easy to detach despite limited viewing angle and no handheld / drawing mode.
Extra USB C port for charging is also an advantage.
Click to expand...
Those micro holes you describe, are these specs which initially look like dust but is actually the material underneath showing through the outer rubber material?

I noticed these small specs almost immediately on both my folio case and magic keyboard straight out of the box.

I really hope Apple announced Magic Keyboard 2 with the next iPad Pro’s with a more hard wearing material.
 
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James Godfrey said:
Those micro holes you describe, are these specs which initially look like dust but is actually the material underneath showing through the outer rubber material?

I noticed these small specs almost immediately on both my folio case and magic keyboard straight out of the box.

I really hope Apple announced Magic Keyboard 2 with the next iPad Pro’s with a more hard wearing material.
Click to expand...

No the micro holes are caused by dust and grits that’s being pressed when closing the ipad onto the keyboard.

The small specs you described also showing right from the start on my magic keyboard external surface, very few though.

I certainly hope so too, Apple chose this rubbery material for it’s comfort against our palms and gives overall light weight compared to other, let say, fabric like the ones Logitech use.
But it is really dust magnet and instantly look less and less premium on regular use.
It’s ridiculous how I have to baby it (considering it’s also a CASE) even on my daily working desk I have to put it on top of it’s box (also to elevate it a bit).

Considering one of those Magic Sleeve now for a practical peace of mind when bringing my MKB out for an offline meeting Without being ridiculous much.
 
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James Godfrey said:
I really hope Apple announced Magic Keyboard 2 with the next iPad Pro’s with a more hard wearing material.
Click to expand...
The material and design choices on the Magic Keyboard really are odd. Bland, colorless, smudgy, slippery, flat, fraying, polyurethane that has been proven to be problematic for years.

Its just odd because Apple had a chance to introduce a truly premium ipad keyboard and they use the same flawed polyurethane in an even more personality-free exterior? The Magic Keyboard is probably the most and least Apple product ever because it is so innovative on the inside but so aesthetically underwhelming on the outside.


Anyway, I wonder what an Magic Keyboard 2 would bring. My wishlist would be:
- Esc/F-key Row (or even a...Touchbar)
- Color options
- Premium exterior (leather?)
- More angle (just a little bit. Even if it makes it off balance)
- USB-C port with more functionality
 
KittyKatta said:
The material and design choices on the Magic Keyboard really are odd. Bland, colorless, smudgy, slippery, flat, fraying, polyurethane that has been proven to be problematic for years.

Its just odd because Apple had a chance to introduce a truly premium ipad keyboard and they use the same flawed polyurethane in an even more personality-free exterior? The Magic Keyboard is probably the most and least Apple product ever because it is so innovative on the inside but so aesthetically underwhelming on the outside.


Anyway, I wonder what an Magic Keyboard 2 would bring. My wishlist would be:
- Esc/F-key Row (or even a...Touchbar)
- Color options
- Premium exterior (leather?)
- More angle (just a little bit. Even if it makes it off balance)
- USB-C port with more functionality
Click to expand...

Trackpad glass aren’t durable either, mine already showing micro scratches under direct bright lighting.

I would only hope for better material for current use. Others are very nice to have.

There’s patent design circulating sometimes ago with the hinge part also being a Pencil slot. That would be awesome. The always charging (although trickle charge) when storing Pencil on top of the iPad is still concerning and a bit unsecured.
The design also showing drawing / scribbling mode with almost flat viewing angle. Not sure how they would make that or if the patent design would actually happening.
 
Just ordered the iPad Air 4, was going to order the Magic Keyboard as well but after realising the outer is not leather I took it out of my cart.

I’m disappointed because the design is perfect, reviews were mostly excellent, too bad the materials used are not.

Happy to pay premium BUT not for this version. Will wait for an improved keyboard hopefully soon
 
telefono said:
Just ordered the iPad Air 4, was going to order the Magic Keyboard as well but after realising the outer is not leather I took it out of my cart.

I’m disappointed because the design is perfect, reviews were mostly excellent, too bad the materials used are not.

Happy to pay premium BUT not for this version. Will wait for an improved keyboard hopefully soon
Click to expand...

What will you get instead?
The problem is the lack of good keyboard options if you rule out the MK from Apple.

I might just go with the Logitech keyboard (non-trackpad version) for now. The keys are a bit small and the case is a bit bulky, but it looks very durable and protective.
Plus it’s like $130.
 
macdogpro said:
No the micro holes are caused by dust and grits that’s being pressed when closing the ipad onto the keyboard.

The small specs you described also showing right from the start on my magic keyboard external surface, very few though.

I certainly hope so too, Apple chose this rubbery material for it’s comfort against our palms and gives overall light weight compared to other, let say, fabric like the ones Logitech use.
But it is really dust magnet and instantly look less and less premium on regular use.
It’s ridiculous how I have to baby it (considering it’s also a CASE) even on my daily working desk I have to put it on top of it’s box (also to elevate it a bit).

Considering one of those Magic Sleeve now for a practical peace of mind when bringing my MKB out for an offline meeting Without being ridiculous much.
Click to expand...

Yeah definitely disappointed in the specs out of the box... would love to see the magic keyboard in leather... and would like to see some feet pads on the base (underside of keyboard part).
 
satchmo said:
What will you get instead?
The problem is the lack of good keyboard options if you rule out the MK from Apple.

I might just go with the Logitech keyboard (non-trackpad version) for now. The keys are a bit small and the case is a bit bulky, but it looks very durable and protective.
Plus it’s like $130.
Click to expand...
Not sure as I've just started researching and so far seems like the Apple Magic Keyboard is the best design (minus the crappy outer materiel) If the outer material was better quality and hard wearing I would have bought it instantly.

I'm going to look at one tomorrow and decide, most likely will look at the others you mention
 
James Godfrey said:
Yeah definitely disappointed in the specs out of the box... would love to see the magic keyboard in leather... and would like to see some feet pads on the base (underside of keyboard part).
Click to expand...

This! A regular leather or those hardcase for the iPhones is better with some rubber pads on the base, just like on the MacBooks. Those are effective, and easily to replace when worn out.
 
telefono said:
Just ordered the iPad Air 4, was going to order the Magic Keyboard as well but after realising the outer is not leather I took it out of my cart.

I’m disappointed because the design is perfect, reviews were mostly excellent, too bad the materials used are not.

Happy to pay premium BUT not for this version. Will wait for an improved keyboard hopefully soon
Click to expand...
I dont see how they could possibly charge more than they do so Leather should have been standard for this very premium product.

Sadly, I doubt Apple is going to do a revision that is compatible with our current iPads. Despite it being fairly new, its a Gen1 product and they can claim that this is compatible with “3 generations” of iPads. So my bet is that all the cool revisions and better materials will come to the next iPad.

That said, its the best option available and really changes how you use the iPad so I felt it was worth it for my 11.
 
Have tried the Logitech and the Apple keyboard. Except for the smart folio Keyboard, they are all too bulky or have other limitations. If Apple would just backlight the keys on the Smart Folio Keyboard it would be perfect for me. Still I use it, but wish it had backlighting.
 
It’s been difficult assessing this new iPad Air 4 without a proper keyboard.

Amazon.ca has a sale on a Brydge keyboard (no trackpad model) for $130. I could always use a mouse if I really need to have that functionality.

Temping given a magic keyboard is closer to $400 CDN.

Then again I might cave and get an Apple MKB.
 
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