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

[ChromeCloud]

Being able to keep the same keyboard would indeed be great, but Apple never said that the current keyboard will be working with future iPad Pros.

Also, given the nature of the keyboard (being so tightly coupled to the dimensions of the iPad) it was to be expected that compatibility would be broken sooner or later.

So yeah, it's unfortunate, but I don't think Apple is doing something evil here.

Also, on a side note, I cannot really empathize with people being offended by a higher than expected cost of upgrade while they are ok spending 2000$ for a tablet/keyboard combo. If spending 200$ more (by selling old keyboard and buying the new one) is a deal breaker to you, then you should be looking at an iPad Air with a Logitech keyboard instead of going the fancy iPad Pro route.

 

[raindogg]

I'm pretty sure the iPad Pro is targeted to people with disposable income, and they won't bark at buying a new keyboard with it.

Everything "PRO" I do requires a Mac OS. I mainly work with Premiere, After Effects, Photoshop, InDesign and some online apps that don't work with iOS. The only thing I can do on an iPad is email, photo color correct and view media. Everything else either takes twice as long or doesn't work at all.

I got a free iPad Air from work (mainly for corporate email) I tried fixing a power point document on the iPad and almost tossed the thing out a window. So frustrating.

 

[Rogifan]

Has anyone actually tested this? Or are they just going by the specs? It would be a pretty big omission on Apple’s part not to say somewhere that older keyboards aren’t compatible with the new 12” Pro. I hope Rene Richie or someone who has contacts within Apple PR can confirm this.

 

[ruka.snow]

Here was me thinking that no one would complain about the new iPad Pro being 0.5mm thicker to support that lovely mini LED screen.

 

[NMBob]

Come on, Apple! You are better than this! *

* Citation needed.

 

[richpjr]

Seriously folks, this is much ado about nothing, the old MK will work fine.

Maybe...

And according to the documentation provided to the Apple Stores that we have been able to consult, the old Magic Keyboard is not compatible with the large iPad Pros of 2021.

 

[rp2011]

why o why must technology move forward. I would have been perfectly fine sticking with a CRT monitor for my iPad

 

[DNichter]

That's pretty crappy, but I am waiting for new materials on the magic keyboard. Love the design, but that material gets gross and feels very cheap.

 

[Coreymac84]

why o why must technology move forward. I would have been perfectly fine sticking with a CRT monitor for my iPad

Terrible comparison

 

[The Game 161]

well I will have to just use a Smart Cover and keep using my m1 air.....not buying another MK when it costs 350.

 

[Rogifan]

Being able to keep the same keyboard would indeed be great, but Apple never said that the current keyboard will be working with future iPad Pros.

Also, given the nature of the keyboard (being so tightly coupled to the dimensions of the iPad) it was to be expected that compatibility would be broken sooner or later.

So yeah, it's unfortunate, but I don't think Apple is doing something evil here.

Also, on a side note, I cannot really empathize with people being offended by a higher than expected cost of upgrade while they are ok spending 2000$ for a tablet/keyboard combo. If spending 200$ more (by selling old keyboard and buying the new one) is a deal breaker to you, then you should be looking at an iPad Air with a Logitech keyboard instead of going the fancy iPad Pro route.

If Apple allowed you to trade in your magic keyboard along with your iPad Pro this might not hurt so much. My hope is the old keyboard still works but maybe because it isn’t a perfect fit Apple decided to design a new one and stop selling the old one. If they changed magnets or something to where it’s no longer compatible that sucks. And it’s something they should definitely make customers aware of.

 

[Trager]

I'm pretty sure the iPad Pro is targeted to people with disposable income, and they won't bark at buying a new keyboard with it.

Everything "PRO" I do requires a Mac OS. I mainly work with Premiere, After Effects, Photoshop, InDesign and some online apps that don't work with iOS. The only thing I can do on an iPad is email, photo color correct and view media. Everything else either takes twice as long or doesn't work at all.

I got a free iPad Air from work (mainly for corporate email) I tried fixing a power point document on the iPad and almost tossed the thing out a window. So frustrating.

Funny, my iPad Pro is in almost constant use while I’m developing software — having a second screen that I can switch to without interrupting my programming is invaluable, and I’m constantly taking notes or marking up specs or generating spreadsheets/outlines/slide documents for program review. I use my Magic Keyboard constantly, and I was planning on trading in my 2018 iPad Pro because I don’t have the time/patience to negotiate a private sale. That extra $350, plus the fact that my old MK would be wasted, is absolutely a difference-maker.

 

[Lemon Olive]

I have a 2018 and this seals it. I guess thanks, Apple, for saving me that $1500 I was going to spend on a 1TB 12.9?

There really is no reason for anyone with a 2018 or 2020 to upgrade. Those iPads already have more hardware than they know what to do with.

 

[Expos of 1969]

That's pretty crappy, but I am waiting for new materials on the magic keyboard. Love the design, but that material gets gross and feels very cheap.

and a steal at $350 🤣

 

[Docsta80]

How much do you usually get back? Do you lose a lot on taxes? Where do you find buyers?

For this one I’ll easily get 800. Facebook market place or EBay.

 

[WestonHarvey1]

Sucks but these things have big resale value. Not the end of the world.

 

[Trager]

There really is no reason for anyone with a 2018 or 2020 to upgrade. Those iPads already have more hardware than they know what to do with.

I bought the 256GB and am out of space, so I was going to use that as a reason for an upgrade. I’ll just remove some older stuff or reduce the amount of music on-device instead.

 

[Lemon Olive]

I bought the 256GB and am out of space, so I was going to use that as a reason for an upgrade. I’ll just remove some older stuff or reduce the amount of music on-device instead.

How did you run of space? Do you use iCloud? If not, you should. I've never run out of space on an iOS device of any size thanks to the way iCloud and storage optimization works.

 

[gsmornot]

I get it. The iPad had to be thicker to support mini LED and so the case has to be thicker as well since its made to be exactly what you need. If I want to continue with a MK in the future I will need to purchase both iPad and keyboard. I would be lying if I said I was not bummed but I assumed it would be the case as soon as I heard it would be thicker. It happened with phones and other iPads over time. Outside of closing the cover, will my older MK work? I keep it open full time like a desktop and when I go portable I remove the iPad and leave it uncovered or use a more basic case. My MK stays on my desk.

 

[Seanm87]

I was wondering when Macrumours was going to report on this. I noticed this news on the day of the event.

I mean the MK is already quite thick and heavy. This isn't great news for it.

 

[Trager]

How did you run of space? Do you use iCloud? If not, you should. I've never run out of space on an iOS device of any size thanks to the way iCloud and storage optimization works.

One of the things I like to use my iPad for is viewing and editing 360º video from my Insta360 OneX; those things absolutely chew up storage space, and iCloud doesn’t know how to optimize that particular app.

 

[GuruZac]

Has anyone actually tested this? Or are they just going by the specs? It would be a pretty big omission on Apple’s part not to say somewhere that older keyboards aren’t compatible with the new 12” Pro. I hope Rene Richie or someone who has contacts within Apple PR can confirm this.

No Apple Insider is reporting that an Apple spokesperson confirmed to them that the 2018 and 2020 iPad Pros are NOT compatible with the Magic Keyboard now on offer.

 

[GuruZac]

Funny, my iPad Pro is in almost constant use while I’m developing software — having a second screen that I can switch to without interrupting my programming is invaluable, and I’m constantly taking notes or marking up specs or generating spreadsheets/outlines/slide documents for program review. I use my Magic Keyboard constantly, and I was planning on trading in my 2018 iPad Pro because I don’t have the time/patience to negotiate a private sale. That extra $350, plus the fact that my old MK would be wasted, is absolutely a difference-maker.

Are you feeling any kind of performance constraints with either CPU/GPU or RAM on your 2018? The 2021 iPad Pro was purely a want for me, but with no compatibility with my Magic Keyboard, I'll be patient wait for the next generation. I didn't need a new iPad at all so I'm not upset about it.

 

[Data]

Very green thinking by apple . Not Completly fair of course.

 

[matt_and_187_like_this]

Environmental reasons. Imagine all the CO2 you can safe buying a new one. This adds up and is definitely worth the upgrade.