New 12.9-inch iPad Pro 'Works Perfect' With Previous Generation Magic Keyboard, But Fit is a 'Little Bit Snug'

[Darth Tulhu]

It always has been way over priced for what it is, its just insult to injury when its an "oversight" that a product that came out less than 12 months prior to the new launch doesn't fit the new one. As someone else mentioned, the next iPad could change more drastically. I don't mind the idea of needing a new case/cover for a new iPad, but $350? Thats a third of the cost of the iPad for a keyboard. Thats insane. I realize being an all-in-one case is a convenience, but you guys understand you can go get a generic bluetooth keyboard for like $10 right? I have trouble believing this product is priced what it is because its expensive to make.

The only reason Apple gets away with that price is people like the person above in this thread who said just pay it, you'll forget about the price after using it. Can I get wheels for my iPad too?

You see, Apple does not devalue their own stuff and they're very careful with how they price their devices relative to each other.

In that context, the MK is not overpriced when compared with the separate products that comprise it:

Magic Keyboard (non-numeric keypad), silver: $99
Magic Trackpad, silver: $129
Smart Folio: $99
Total: $327

Apple Magic Keyboard for 12.9 iPad: $349

So for an extra $22 Apple provides the above plus a pass-thru charging port, backlit keys, and of course, the nicely integrated complete package.

If this is overpriced then everything Apple makes is also overpriced, which has always been a popular debate (among those concerned primarily with price).

 

[Krizoitz]

Or you know, Apple could’ve just made a $350 dollar product work for another year or so, so you could get the best experience.

It still works perfectly with the product it was designed for AND even works well with a new product that was released AFTER.
How many people do you really think there are who bought the previous pro keyboard and iPad Pro but now just HAVE to buy the new iPad Pro? I’m guessing not many.

 

[Abazigal]

Or you know, Apple could’ve just made a $350 dollar product work for another year or so, so you could get the best experience.

Apple has never promised that the 2020 magic keyboard would work with future iterations of the ipad.

 

[cmaier]

Apple has never promised that the 2020 magic keyboard would work with future iterations of the ipad.

It was an implied promise. Like when your mom hints that you’ll be president someday.

 

[Abazigal]

It was an implied promise. Like when your mom hints that you’ll be president someday.

I am not seeing the implication either. At the time when the magic keyboard was released last year, we had no idea whether the next ipad would have a redesign or new form factor either, like when we went from the 2017 to 2018 iPad Pro (which redesigned both the Apple Pencil and magic keyboard).

For what it’s worth, Apple could have also just moved the smart connector slightly, or made it slightly wider or narrower and the magic keyboard would not have fit either.

The magic keyboard for the 11” iPad Pro fits because it’s the same design. The 12.9” one doesn’t because the screen is now thicker due to new technology that Apple is introducing.

The ramifications of making the keyboard loose enough to fit an as-of-yet unannounced device would mean that it would be a little loose for the current device.

People are just trying to grasp at straws here.

 

[papbot]

The 12.9” one doesn’t because the screen is now thicker due to new technology that Apple is introducing.

But since the reports say the 12.9 previous MKB fits and functions just fine with the new iPP Apple has saved those who already have an MKB from needing to buy a new one. Remember many people use screen protectors thicker than .5mm with no issue on their current iPP and MKB so there never was any real concern that it wouldn’t work. Only unfounded hysteria made this an issue. Of course that hysteria worked to Apple’s advantage since some may have ordered a new one because of it.

However now many who don’t already have one can get one of the discounted units and come out ahead. And even though Apple did not help the situation they never said the keyboard would not work. That was left to others with no direct knowledge to assume and rant about. All much ado about nothing in reality.

 

[The Game 161]

Glad to see the MK will work fine with the new 12.9

 

[jazz1]

It still works perfectly with the product it was designed for AND even works well with a new product that was released AFTER.
How many people do you really think there are who bought the previous pro keyboard and iPad Pro but now just HAVE to buy the new iPad Pro? I’m guessing not many.

 

[jazz1]

Well I guess I'm one of the "not many". I own/have a 2018 iPP 12.9" and the 2020 MK really did help me get the most out of the iPP Pro (the earlier Apple membrane keyboard folio feel was not to my liking). But, if you are one of the "not many" it of course a concern.

That said, I was pleasantly surprised that Apple supported my 2018 iPP with the 2020 MK. Maybe that support was just happenstance? I didn't mind the large camera port on the 2020 MK at all.

I think that the 2021 iPP has a lot of potential, and unlike the 2020 iPP, I can at least justify the purchase of a 2021 iPP by handing down my 2018 to my family/friends. If it weren't for the "hand-me-down" I probably would just keep the 2018 iPP another year at least.

That all said, I think Apple could have done a better job articulating what 2020 MK owners could expect if they tried to use it with the 2021 iPP. I liken their advisory as about of useful as screaming, "Aphids on the Heliotropes", one of my all-time New Yorker magazine cartoons BTW .

Finally, I have considered going with a third party keyboard folio. But darn it, Apple's MK is just so well designed!

 

[Knight1013]

I got my iPad 12.9 Pro yesterday and purchased the new Magic Keyboard. I am so glad I didn’t opened it because the previous Magic Keyboard WORKS PERFECTLY FINE!!!! Mind you I put a glass shield from Zagg on my 2021 12.9 iPad Pro and I really can’t see a difference in terms of fit. It closes perfectly with no pressure on the keyboard against the glass. I do notice a little bit bulkiness but that’s because I tried both of them and felt the difference. You DON’T HAVE TO BUY THE 2021 MAGIC KEYBOARD, the 2020 version will work just fine.

 

[papbot]

I got my iPad 12.9 Pro yesterday and purchased the new Magic Keyboard. I am so glad I didn’t opened it because the previous Magic Keyboard WORKS PERFECTLY FINE!!!! Mind you I put a glass shield from Zagg on my 2021 12.9 iPad Pro and I really can’t see a difference in terms of fit. It closes perfectly with no pressure on the keyboard against the glass. I do notice a little bit bulkiness but that’s because I tried both of them and felt the difference. You DON’T HAVE TO BUY THE 2021 MAGIC KEYBOARD, the 2020 version will work just fine.

Glad to read that. I know many others will be too especially for your mention of the screen protector since many will still want to use one.

 

[Knight1013]

Glad to read that. I know many others will be too especially for your mention of the screen protector since many will still want to use one.

That‘s why I wanted to write this because I know people will buy the new one thinking the old one wont fit specially with a glass cover. It really works perfectly fine.

 

[LogicalApex]

That‘s why I wanted to write this because I know people will buy the new one thinking the old one wont fit specially with a glass cover. It really works perfectly fine.

Yeah I agree. I don't use a screen protector, but the fit is perfectly fine for both the Magic Keyboard and the Smart Folio.