Smart folio is a design nightmare

[zhenya]

The advantage of the system Apple is using is that it’s much, much more stable when using the keyboard than the Surface method. Now I would love a way for them to include a trackpad and to offer more adjustment angles, but I don’t think Microsoft’s way is the one to go with. I say this as someone who owned several Surface Pro’s and had one destroyed because of a fall due to that instability.

 

[flur]

The advantage of the system Apple is using is that it’s much, much more stable when using the keyboard than the Surface method. Now I would love a way for them to include a trackpad and to offer more adjustment angles, but I don’t think Microsoft’s way is the one to go with. I say this as someone who owned several Surface Pro’s and had one destroyed because of a fall due to that instability.

I have not had this problem and I’ve used my SP4 almost daily, on desks, tables, my lap, etc., since I got it 3 or so years ago.

I mean, sure, if you try to pick it up by the keyboard, you’ll have issues. But the kickstand is very stable.

 

[zhenya]

I have not had this problem and I’ve used my SP4 almost daily, on desks, tables, my lap, etc., since I got it 3 or so years ago.

I mean, sure, if you try to pick it up by the keyboard, you’ll have issues. But the kickstand is very stable.

This is not a new complaint. It’s pretty much THE major complaint about the Surface Pro design. In bed, on your lap, etc. it’s just not that stable and it takes up a lot of real estate (more front to back space than most laptops and probably twice as much as an iPad with a keyboard folio.) It’s too large to use on most commuter jet tray tables for instance.

 

[flur]

This is not a new complaint. It’s pretty much THE major complaint about the Surface Pro design. In bed, on your lap, etc. it’s just not that stable and it takes up a lot of real estate (more front to back space than most laptops and probably twice as much as an iPad with a keyboard folio.) It’s too large to use on most commuter jet tray tables for instance.

Again, my experience is different. And I’m pretty sure THE complaint about the SP4 was that the battery maxed out at 3 hours on a brand new device.

 

[anthony13]

It’s odd to me that more companies don’t use brydge’s approach.

 

[zhenya]

It’s odd to me that more companies don’t use brydge’s approach.

The problem with Brydge type keyboards is that they end up making the iPad really bulky and heavy. An iPad Pro with a Brydge keyboard ends up being thicker and heavier than a Macbook. Plus the hinge designs tend to be problematic - not durable enough and a bit finicky to get the iPad in and out quickly.

That said, the Brydge prototype design looks promising for the new iPad Pros, but then again we have another issue - Brydge often doesn’t have their keyboards ready to go until 6 months or more after the release of a new model. That’s a long time to wait if you buy your iPads when they are first released.

 

[ValO]

What I need with this new keyboard folio situation is either a bumper/frame that doesn’ t interfere with the keyboard and protects the sides and corners of the iPad or a thin case that also hinges the same way to put over the back of the keyboard iPad offering side protection at the same time.

Both options are quite difficult to manufacture and are more clumsy , and the latter adding thickness and weight.