New Magic Keyboard not compatible with iPad Pro 3rd/4th gen?

[NastyMatt]

I would imagine it's the increased depth of the IPP causing the old MK to not be compatible. The MK is a snug fit, put a thicker device in there and it is going to either not close fully or put a lot of strain on the cover over the USB port / hinge part.

What ever the reason this is still a bit of a kick in the teeth from Apple, I feel like the MK is nearly a must have for productivity and this being a 'Pro' device productivity is fundamental, just adds another £350 to upgrade. Those who were on the fence whether to take the plunge will probably not now (who use MK).

 

[papbot]

I would imagine it's the increased depth of the IPP causing the old MK to not be compatible. The MK is a snug fit, put a thicker device in there and it is going to either not close fully or put a lot of strain on the cover over the USB port / hinge part.

What ever the reason this is still a bit of a kick in the teeth from Apple, I feel like the MK is nearly a must have for productivity and this being a 'Pro' device productivity is fundamental, just adds another £350 to upgrade. Those who were on the fence whether to take the plunge will probably not now (who use MK).

Don’t think there will be much issue in using their current MKB, perhaps closing it up and transporting it may be an issue. Although that .5mm won’t make a difference unless something else is at play. So no reason to decide anything right now. When someone actually gets their hands on one we’ll hear about it and my guess is still that my MKB will work. But if any specs are different then Apple can’t promote it as compatible.

 

[jlsm511]

The definitive answer from Apple:

source: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211091

 

[iamMacPerson]

The definitive answer from Apple:
View attachment 1766659

source: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211091

Well this is excellent news for me. I ordered the Smart Folio and was concerned it may not work due to the new magnet placement. I'm curious to see how the new 12.9 Fits in the old Magic Keyboard with a screen protector and wether or not I'm gonna end up kicking myself for sending it back when I got it on sale for $220 lol.

 

[petvas]

The definitive answer from Apple:
View attachment 1766659

source: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211091

Thanks for posting this. I don't use a screen protector, so I will test it when I get my iPad and if it closes with no problems, then everything will be fine.

 

[papbot]

Thanks for posting this. I don't use a screen protector, so I will test it when I get my iPad and if it closes with no problems, then everything will be fine.

It will, that .5mm won’t cause a problem but if you use a screen cover you may have to rethink that. I confirmed today that the 4th gen Smart Folio Keyboard is the same as is being sold under the 5th gen tab on the Store site.

 

[gohoomoa]

Well this is excellent news for me. I ordered the Smart Folio and was concerned it may not work due to the new magnet placement. I'm curious to see how the new 12.9 Fits in the old Magic Keyboard with a screen protector and wether or not I'm gonna end up kicking myself for sending it back when I got it on sale for $220 lol.

I ordered the smart folio as well but didn’t receive it yet. Do you think Smart has better fitting chance than Magic?
I am on edge of cancelling my order for smart. Looking all over the web for answer but all what i see people talking about Magic.

 

[papbot]

I ordered the smart folio as well but didn’t receive it yet. Do you think Smart has better fitting chance than Magic?
I am on edge of cancelling my order for smart. Looking all over the web for answer but all what i see people talking about Magic.

Both the Smart Folio, I got a cheaper one on Amazon, and the Smart Keyboard Folio will fit with no problems. They are exactly the same as the ones people have been using with their 4th gen iPPs. Only the MKB was considered to be iffy because of the .5mm extra thickness but if you have read through the posts many of us have placed screen covers or material up to 2mm in thickness and the keyboard closes with no issue. That .5mm will be invisible. Also you notice in that support article there is no mention of magnets nor camera position, so they’re not an issue either.

 

[RiotMilk]

Both the Smart Folio, I got a cheaper one on Amazon, and the Smart Keyboard Folio will fit with no problems. They are exactly the same as the ones people have been using with their 4th gen iPPs. Only the MKB was considered to be iffy because of the .5mm extra thickness but if you have read through the posts many of us have placed screen covers or material up to 2mm in thickness and the keyboard closes with no issue. That .5mm will be invisible. Also you notice in that support article there is no mention of magnets nor camera position, so they’re not an issue either.

Just want to say thank you very much for your investigations here. I bought the old one on sale in March for $100 off and have been agonizing back and forth with the rumors haha (probably wasn't worth the mental distractions for $100 haha) so thank you again, after reading this I feel finally at ease with keeping it

 

[papbot]

Just want to say thank you very much for your investigations here. I bought the old one on sale in March for $100 off and have been agonizing back and forth with the rumors haha (probably wasn't worth the mental distractions for $100 haha) so thank you again, after reading this I feel finally at ease with keeping it

I went to my Apple Store this morning. The Smart Keyboard Folio I ordered and received was the 5th gen model as shown on the order screen. However when I got it the product label on the box only showed 4th and 3rd gen. So I asked them at the store what they were selling as 5th gen models and what they had was exactly the same as I received which is really nothing more than the 4th gen model. They were no longer selling the MKB, some stock had been returned to Apple so they couldn’t comment on compatibility with that keyboard and the new iPad.

They told me that the product label that showed 4th and 3rd gen was there because it is current stock and had not changed. But like Apple’s order screen it’s now shown as the 5th gen 12.9 version, 3rd and 4th gen compatible.

You have to remember that most of these comments were from people who have no connection to Apple and no official knowledge. The extra .5mm was announced officially and led to the speculation that it “might” not work with existing MKBs. A couple media outlets mentioned “sources” but only referred to the .5mm that is now officially referenced in that support article as a potential issue. Nothing official was ever said about magnets or camera position other than by people here. Anyway now we can all relax. If you have a current 4th gen folio or Smart Keyboard Folio or MKB you’re good to go. There was never any credible reports of issues with the non MKB devices. Only frivolous speculation.

 

[gohoomoa]

Both the Smart Folio, I got a cheaper one on Amazon, and the Smart Keyboard Folio will fit with no problems. They are exactly the same as the ones people have been using with their 4th gen iPPs. Only the MKB was considered to be iffy because of the .5mm extra thickness but if you have read through the posts many of us have placed screen covers or material up to 2mm in thickness and the keyboard closes with no issue. That .5mm will be invisible. Also you notice in that support article there is no mention of magnets nor camera position, so they’re not an issue either.

Many thanks
Clear enough.
I just wonder if they will produce newer model of Smart Keyboard folio differs from existing one! That will be good enough to wait for it. I suppose to pick my SK tomorrow.

 

[vega07]

Wow I’m pissed. Thanks Apple for the late notification. I returned my old MKB I got from Amazon for $250 3 days ago. Had they come out with this sooner I would have kept it.

Then what was with the talk about different camera and magnet placements?

 

[andybates]

Wow I’m pissed. Thanks Apple for the late notification. I returned my old MKB I got from Amazon for $250 3 days ago. Had they come out with this sooner I would have kept it.

Then what was with the talk about different camera and magnet placements?

People tested adding 1mm of thickness to the existing iPad and confirmed that it didn’t interfere with the older Magic Keyboard. Everything else was just secondhand rumors that it might not fit, and the part about the magnets changing was just completely unsubstantiated FUD as far as I can tell.

 

[gohoomoa]

What bothers me is a simple search in google shows well known websites telling is not compatible even though it’s now confirmed by apple it is compatible.

 

[papbot]

People tested adding 1mm of thickness to the existing iPad and confirmed that it didn’t interfere with the older Magic Keyboard. Everything else was just secondhand rumors that it might not fit, and the part about the magnets changing was just completely unsubstantiated FUD as far as I can tell.

I think all those media outlets were referencing the same “sources” and because the specs for the new device show the .5mm additional thickness it was assumed there would be an issue, even though as many have noted here that they use screen covers at least that thick with no issue. I frequently have shoved a few sheets of paper into the case to take with me and never had a problem.

Then I started doing rough measurements and it wasn’t until I got to 2mm or so that there was a visible gap. So I couldn’t believe that alone would be an issue. As far as magnets and camera all of Apple’s Smart Keyboard folios and folios are listed as 5th gen even though their box product labels have 3rd and 4th gen. So the concern over the cameras and magnets made no sense, plus there were absolutely no reports anywhere from any outlet about an issue with those folios, only the Magic Keyboard was reported on and only because of the .5mm. None of this made any sense.

 

[andybates]

So the concern over the cameras and magnets made no sense, plus there were absolutely no reports anywhere from any outlet about an issue with those folios, only the Magic Keyboard was reported on and only because of the .5mm. None of this made any sense.

Yeah the comments I saw usually progressed like this:

* I heard the new iPad Pro won't fit with the existing Magic Keyboard because of the thickness.
* Why would that matter? It should still fit.
* Maybe Apple changed the magnets too?
* Typical Apple...they just want you to buy new hardware.
* I don't get why Apple didn't plan in advance.
* They knew about this, but they just wanted to milk users for an extra $350.
* I can't believe Apple would treat their customers like this.

...and by the time you get that far down, you forget it was all based on speculation in the first place.