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

I can't help by roll my eyes, and I'm out of the IPP game. Loving the iPad Air 4 I picked up. Mulled back and forth about a keyboard case, keyboard this, keyboard that. Thought about a used smart keyboard folio, magic keyboard, then decided not to bother. I am also using a magic keyboard, and this is the first iPad ever without an official Apple case.

Defend away, but this is, in my opinion....just petty in a way. They couldn't make it compatible? A $300 accessory after a year?

Ridiculous.
 
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Lemon Olive said:
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.
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I think there are some use cases that would say otherwise but for 90% or more of users you are correct. My 2018 model has zero negatives except that I should have bought one with cellular. I really dont love using hotspot when the integrated cellular is a better experience. This would be an expensive upgrade for that one thing but they last so long I may still be interested or at the last find a 2020 used.
 
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Trager said:
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.
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Could you store those files in Cloud > Documents and open them from there with whatever app this is?
 
Support document says it’s not compatible, someone at Apple says it’s not compatible....
But nobody is saying WHY it’s not.
Would be a lot more acceptable if they were saying « it’s not because ... ».
Right now it just sounds like it’s not because it’s not.
And I find this really disingenuous to not say anything about it until asked.
 
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I would like to see that document where it says the new iPad is 0,5mm thicker and therefore absolutely NOT compatible with the older Magic Keyboard.
 
MrPomme said:
Support document says it’s not compatible, someone at Apple says it’s not compatible....
But nobody is saying WHY it’s not.
Would be a lot more acceptable if they were saying « it’s not because ... ».
Right now it just sound like it’s not because it’s not.
And I find this really disingenuous to not say anything about it until asked.
Click to expand...

They said it is not compatible because it doesn’t close properly due to the added thickness of the new ipad.
 
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GuruZac said:
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.
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RAM (switching between long, complex spec documents and Safari causes reloads much more than I’d like) and storage (too many 360º videos and HDR raw images to process), but I agree with you. If I could reuse my existing MK, I would get the 1TB IPP on release day, but as it stands, unless I find a friend who wants to give me a very good price for my current iPad AND the Magic Keyboard, I think I’ll pass.
 
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cmaier said:
They said it is not compatible because it doesn’t close properly due to the added thickness of the new ipad.
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I’m under the impression that’s only what everybody assumes because Apple aren’t saying anything.
 
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It's a bit of an annoyance but it sounds like the camera hole and the smart connecter will line up to make the old MK functional--you just won't be able to close it.

That's ok. The MK is a nice keyboard but it makes a terrible case as its exposed on the edges. I always travel with a proper case on my iPad and the MK is packed separately.
 
I’m glad I held off on getting the Magic Keyboard for my 2018 iPP 12.9, as I figured I would hold off until they updated the iPad Pro again. I may even get a white MK, even if it’s going to show more dirt, I like how it is a bit unique. I’m super excited for the upgrade, even if they weren’t able to boost the battery life, which has been my main issue with my current iPad Pro.
 
Jason Cipriani seems to confirm the new 12.9” iPad will not work with the old keyboard. I wonder how many would be buyers will say no thanks now. Especially if you just bought a keyboard last year. Apple should have a disclaimer on on the buy page that says this iPad is not compatible with previous keyboards.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1385228910657380353
 
Trager said:
RAM (switching between long, complex spec documents and Safari causes reloads much more than I’d like) and storage (too many 360º videos and HDR raw images to process), but I agree with you. If I could reuse my existing MK, I would get the 1TB IPP on release day, but as it stands, unless I find a friend who wants to give me a very good price for my current iPad AND the Magic Keyboard, I think I’ll pass.
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Yeah the 4GB of RAM is my only complaint. Honestly, my 2017 MacBook Pro could stand to be replaced well before my iPad Pro.
 
Not to dunk on iGeneration, but I seriously doubt a 0.5mm increase would make the old one incompatible for 2 reasons:
• Coverbuddy cases
• Screen protectors

The tolerance has to have at least some give for those, surely?
 
raindogg said:
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.
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I‘m in the same boat, but with different apps. The thing that might change my mind is this year’s WWDC. I use Xcode and Logic Pro for my work (with some light graphics), and the M1 in the iPad Pro hints that they may bring these apps to the iPad this year. So, yes, while using some “pro” apps is a major frustration in iPad for some things, I’m hoping Apple can “show the way” forward with their own Pro apps. Perhaps in another couple of years an iPad can truly be a supplement to a Mac. My work has changed so much working from home in the last year that I really can do without a laptop. But it would be sweet to be able to grab an iPad Pro, head to the coffee shop or outside to do some lighter work, then remove the keyboard read a book or watch a movie. Also, it could be the PERFECT travel accessory. (I absolutely need Apple software, so, no, a Surface won’t work)
 
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here's a thing though....

Surely the old Magic Keyboard is still fully functional with the 2021 iPad Pro in terms of using the keyboard and trackpad .....

.... it just wont close fully or properly.

So all is not lost but you lose the 'case' element - although i guess it will still close but just be a bit awkward and bulge in ways it wasn't designed to.

But im fully expecting that you could just leave the thing on a desk and use it happily open with the new iPad.
 
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