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I like it. The iPad looks so nice now it's like a well designed paper notebook sitting on the desk safely without the risk of scratching the back.
 
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You don’t have to grasp the cover
When I refer to grasping the cover, I mean when you are holding the iPad & the cover is folded over. While at the Apple store the salesperson told me to try it out to see if I liked it with the keyboard folded back. I didn't care for grasping the cover with the keys exposed in my hand. That's what I am referring to when I say grasp the cover, I wouldn't use the ipad with the keyboard dangling in mid air, or taking the folio off every time I want to use the iPad without keyboard.
 
I agree: the iPad's keyboard/stand is subpar in terms of refinement and ergonomics.

In my opinion, Microsoft NAILED it with the Surface Pro: built-in stand in the back, and detachable keyboard (and touchpad!) clipped in the front. I have used it extensively and it's perfect.
 
I like this keyboard, but I think my biggest problem with it now is just the price. $200 for a keyboard case for the iPad Pro 12.9. Two stand modes and a keyboard, and that is it. No backlighting, no caps lock light, no battery, no extras at all, but it cost $200.

I’m hoping the new smart connector design inspires some third party manufacturers to come up with some actually interesting keyboard case designs. Apple’s works fine, but it doesn’t go beyond that.
 
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I agree 100% with the negative feel of this keyboard. I do like the keys and how they feel, but the overall design is horrible. I understand that the magnet needs to be strong when in laptop mode...but when I try and move it back to other position, it comes off the back.

I am trying really hard to give this thing a chance...but not going well.
 
Well, I guess I’m in the minority as I definitely prefer the new folio keyboard over the previous smart keyboard cover. I admittedly use the iPad attached to the keyboard far more than without it so that is a big factor for me personally.

The ‘hump’ in the old ASK front cover caused by the folded keyboard irritated me, and the soft touch inner material was a lint/dust/dirt magnet that was a PITA to keep clean. I also found on occasion that I would need to re-seat the smart connector of the iPad against the 3 pins of the smart keyboard to get a reliable connection.

I can appreciate those missing the ability to fold the ASK up behind the iPad to prop it up, but I rarely ever used it set up like that and will gladly take the ability to have 2 different viewing angles on the new keyboard.

As far as folding the front cover behind it when using it as a tablet...I never did that with the previous version and won’t with this one either. I find it a much better ‘tablet’ experience to just remove the keyboard (both the old and new) and quickly drop it back in when I’m going back to the keyboard. Super quick and simple.
Exactly. The new one is so much better.
 
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How in the world could anyone think that having exposed keys on the back of the case would’ve been a good idea, smart keyboard cases have been absolutely dog **** since Apple has attempted to make them
 
Count me in for the „new one is much better“ camp. For typing it is much more stable, especially on the lap, and the keys also feel better, „clickier“ to me. For transport, it looks more tidy and protects front and back. For tablet use, I always detach the cover/folio, so no change there for me.
 
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I'm only going to buy the Smart Folio (non-Keyboard) once there are knockoffs available.

Apple's version probably has like an 80% profit margin. Lol no thanks.

80% ? The new folio case probably costs $1-3 to manufacture. It feels like trash.
 
The new one is better for typing and stability for me, but like others I hate the I can not have the keyboard folded back to watch videos. Going to be a tough decision on whether to keep it or not.
 
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The keyboard design is insanely awful, particularly compared to how wonderful the device itself is. It weighs a ton and makes the device too heavy got comfortably hold with one hand. You pop on a second hand and you’re pushing on the exposed keys. When its closed with the pencil on top, its extremely cumbersome to pick up without knocking off the pencil. And its difficult and cumbersome to separate from the case and actually use comfortably holding it up.
 
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I love the new Keyboard when typing and storing. I love how thin it is and that it adds so little depth to the iPad. I also love that it can be removed in 1/2 a second if I want to put another case on. I also have found on most surfaces I can pop it open with the hinge at the top, and it'll stand propped open like a pup tent pretty well for viewing videos, etc.
 
I have 11” smart folio (without KB) since first day and for me is the best case for ipad. Only two gripes:

1- The only possible issue for me. When is folded back and you are holding the ipad, the edges are so sharp that they can hurt your hands/legs. However, it’s so easy to detach from the ipad that you can enjoy it caseless easily.

2- Design decision. I understand Apple has designed new iPad Pros to can be used in any position, landscape or portrait, without any restriction. Because of this, I suppose Apple has decide not to put Apple logo on the back of the case. This makes the case really boring...The next decision is to remove Apple logo from the iPad itself??
 
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I have 11” smart folio (without KB) since first day and for me is the best case for ipad. Only two gripes:

1- The only possible issue for me. When is folded back and you are holding the ipad, the edges are so sharp that they can hurt your hands/legs. However, it’s so easy to detach from the ipad that you can enjoy it caseless easily.

2- Design decision. I understand Apple has designed new iPad Pros to can be used in any position, landscape or portrait, without any restriction. Because of this, I suppose Apple has decide not to put Apple logo on the back of the case. This makes the case really boring...The next decision is to remove Apple logo from the iPad itself??
And need more color option!!!
 
Maybe I'm devils advocate now, but the whole intention of the smart keyboard folio is to be:
  1. A convenient, easy to use/bring physical keyboard that is attached to your iPad.
  2. Light front/back protection, in one 'package'.
No where is mentioned that you should flip it around the back to 'use it as a tablet'. If you want that, buy the regular folio instead. Or remove it entirely and use the device without.

Ofcourse it's expensive and for the price I would have loved a feature like backlid keys. But people are already complaining about the added weight. What do you think happens when they add lights as well?

I am pretty satisfied with it so far. Using it what it's intended for, typing and protecting.
 
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Very interesting discussion. I’m about to receive my new iPad Pro 12.9 and I’m fairly sure I want the keyboard folio. I currently own a 9.7” pro without keyboard. I recently bought a Logitech keys to go but haven’t used it that much. I always had a full case (back & front) for my iPads. With this current one I bought a cheap case temporarily while searching for the “perfect” case. I’ve never liked the Smart Cover folding triangle thing. It wasn’t stable enough in my lap to watch videos, it’s a bit fiddly, etc. I preferred a cover you could prop up similar to the new keyboard folio. I ended up getting a cover from Pad & Quill which is nice and I like in usage but it did have an aesthetic flaw I wasn’t pleased with so I wouldn’t purchase something like that overseas again.

As for the keyboard I do sometimes tend to type a lot on my iPad. I don’t have a laptop (except from work) or computer and my iPad gets to most use by far. Typing on screen gets tedious sometimes which is why I opted for the Logitech but I find myself forgetting to use it, and when I do remember I type something, put it aside and the next time a text input comes up I find myself looking for it to either be able to type what I need or switch it off to get the on screen keyboard back. I feel that having the keyboard at the ready when I have the iPad propped up will help a great deal there.

Although I’m not thrilled that there is only one color option and no leather finish or anything like that I was pretty sure I was going to get it (it’s completely out of stock here at the moment so I have to wait anyway). I guess I’ll have a bit more of a think while stock comes back.
 
Anyone else using the keyboard folio and worry about the lack of protection it provides? I’m equally not totally in love with the design, keys round the back etc. But the I’m used to putting cases, usually Apple created, on my devices to protect them from minor falls and accident that happen in life. But this keyboard folio seems to offer very little protection.

Maybe it’s just me worrying for no reason but love my new IPP and want to protect it. Surprised that there seems to be no third party keyboard integrated accessories on the market.
 
I have always just taken the Smart Keyboard off if I want to hold the iPad in hand. That’s the beauty of a magnetic system and the new version works just as well as the old in this manner. The design is a compromise, but honestly, every single design I’ve ever tried for adding a keyboard to a tablet is a compromise - and I’ve been buying various versions since the original iPad, owned several Surface Pros, etc. Most of the options for adding a keyboard to the iPad are generally cheaply built, excessively bulky, not terribly durable (hinge type designs), drop keystrokes (Bluetooth designs), not that stable on your lap (Surface Pro designs), difficult to remove for naked iPad use, and so on. Overall the Apple design is also compromised, but it doesn’t suffer from most of these flaws, so it’s the one I choose.
 
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its literally the same design as all previous folio's expect they added a full back cover which keeps it more fit and study. If this is a design nightmare, what was the previous version - Hell?
 
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I agree 100% with the negative feel of this keyboard. I do like the keys and how they feel, but the overall design is horrible. I understand that the magnet needs to be strong when in laptop mode...but when I try and move it back to other position, it comes off the back.

I am trying really hard to give this thing a chance...but not going well.
Mine keeps coming off the back every time I adjust it. My iPad comes loose and I scramble to catch it before it smacks into the table. It just seems dangerous to me.
 
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I have the smart folio and I don’t think it’s as bad as people suggest. I use my 11” in portrait quite a bit so the soft hinge helps with tha grip. I think its a bit stiff on edges but it will break in. The magnets are awesome, and the material, to me, feels like it will hold up. Price is the kicker but in Canada many of the knock of cases are not yet available
 
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Yeah i love it when i’m Typing and hate it for every other position. I wish they had just offered the Smart Keyboard again.
I wish apple had taken the same approach as ms does with the surface pro by adding a kickstand , and an additional keyboard cover.
The smart connector should have stayed in the same place as the previous pro.
That and the trackpad is the only thing I would have liked apple to copy from ms.
 
I wish apple had taken the same approach as ms does with the surface pro by adding a kickstand , and an additional keyboard cover.
The smart connector should have stayed in the same place as the previous pro.
That and the trackpad is the only thing I would have liked apple to copy from ms.
Yeah, Microsoft got this part right in a big way. You can easily remove the keyboard or turn it around so that when you fold it back, the keys are on the inside. You have infinite adjustment angles because the kickstand has a huge range of motion. And you have the trackpad. I think the keys are backlit as well, but I wish they’d find a way to make the keyboard slimmer (I feel like Apple got that part right).

Apple were already using the side connection for the keyboard, so they wouldn’t have had to make too many changes to adopt this design.
 
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