iPad Smart Folio or Smart Keyboard Folio?

[sidgriffey]

So I’m upgrading from a 11” iPad Pro to the 2020 12.9” iPad Pro (want the extra screen real estate for productivity purposes). I am planning on getting the magic keyboard, which is not available until May.

would you go with the smart folio ($99) to have a basic screen protector case for times and not using the magic keyboard case (and wait it out for magic keyboard), or would you pay a bit more for the Keyboard folio case to have as a case to use on it for more portable situations where I need to do a bit of typing but maybe not the full extend word processing...

 

[revyaanshu]

If you sure of buying the magic keyboard when in launches in May, I would buy an even cheaper 3rd party case and a keyboard as a make shift setup instead of apple's cases.

It's just a month away and since we all are working from home anyway, portability wouldn't matter as much. That way you can save the $99/199dollars and use it to maybe get the apple pencil or other accessories. Just my 2 cents.

 

[sidgriffey]

If you sure of buying the magic keyboard when in launches in May, I would buy an even cheaper 3rd party case and a keyboard as a make shift setup instead of apple's cases.

It's just a month away and since we all are working from home anyway, portability wouldn't matter as much. That way you can save the $99/199dollars and use it to maybe get the apple pencil or other accessories. Just my 2 cents.

that’s not a bad call. Any particular brands you’ve been fond of?
[automerge]1586320835[/automerge]

 

[Lobwedgephil]

Do you have any Bluetooth mouse you could use for now? If buying the new keyboard I would go as cheap as possible until then, as it is expensive.

 

[drxcm]

I went with the Keyboard Folio and decided not to get the Magic Keyboard
If I were wanting the Magic Keyboard I’d probably just wait, and baby the iPad in the meantime. It’s only a month away and portability is not an issue for most people (including myself) with the Covid19 lockdown

 

[Patriks7]

that’s not a bad call. Any particular brands you’ve been fond of?
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Personally I'm a big fan of this brand: ESR 12.9" iPad Pro accessories

I have had their products on multiple devices and for the price they look and work amazingly well.

 

[The Game 161]

Luckily I still had my 2018 ASK to use until the magic key is out...I’m sure you could find a cheap 2018 ASK to hold you over

 

[gsal]

So I’m upgrading from a 11” iPad Pro to the 2020 12.9” iPad Pro (want the extra screen real estate for productivity purposes). I am planning on getting the magic keyboard, which is not available until May.

would you go with the smart folio ($99) to have a basic screen protector case for times and not using the magic keyboard case (and wait it out for magic keyboard), or would you pay a bit more for the Keyboard folio case to have as a case to use on it for more portable situations where I need to do a bit of typing but maybe not the full extend word processing...

Have you weighed up the pros and cons of using the Magic Keyboard over the Keyboard Folio?

The Magic keyboard will no doubt be nicer to use in Laptop mode or on a desk for typing. But for when you want to use the iPad in tablet mode, you cannot fold the keyboard back like you can with the Keyboard Folio.

 

[AutomaticApple]

that’s not a bad call. Any particular brands you’ve been fond of?
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I have been fond of Logitech lately.

 

[pdmpolishing]

Ordered the Magic Keyboard today from Amazon UK, release date 30th May, we'll have to see if it turns up.

 

[omelet1978]

So I’m upgrading from a 11” iPad Pro to the 2020 12.9” iPad Pro (want the extra screen real estate for productivity purposes). I am planning on getting the magic keyboard, which is not available until May.

would you go with the smart folio ($99) to have a basic screen protector case for times and not using the magic keyboard case (and wait it out for magic keyboard), or would you pay a bit more for the Keyboard folio case to have as a case to use on it for more portable situations where I need to do a bit of typing but maybe not the full extend word processing...

So I have the iPad Pro 11 Smart Keyboard Folio and am planning on getting the Magic Keyboard BUT I'm still going to keep the Smart Keyboard Folio as well.

At home I'll use the magic keyboard and when I'm out and about use the Smart Keyboard folio. I was able to put a case on it with side protection so that guards against accidental drops. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Mainsail]

There seems to be two schools of thought when it comes to iPad accessories. One approach is to buy an integrated keyboard and trackpad. In Apple’s world (unless you go 3rd party), this is a pretty pricey proposition at $300-$350 just for the Magic keyboard, but you have it with you wherever you go. The second approach is to buy a separate keyboard and mouse/trackpad. So for example, if you are a minimalist, you can get a Logitech K380 Keyboard plus a Bluetooth Mouse for a total of $50-60. The disadvantage is that you dont have the keyboard/trackpad with you wherever you go. The advantage is that this is actually a pretty versatile configuration, since you can move from desktop mode to simple portable tablet mode.

If I was planning on buy the Magic Keyboard, I would go minimalist initially and try it out while waiting for the MK to arrive. This will give you over a month to decided if you really need to make a big investment in this accessory. I think we can all agree that $300 is a pretty expensive accessory. Also, as others have pointed out, the MK does not have a true tablet mode, unless you remove the iPad from the case. It would kind of make me nervous to walk around with an unprotected $1,000 iPad. Not a show stopper. Just something to consider.

 

[Farsider]

Ordered the Magic Keyboard today from Amazon UK, release date 30th May, we'll have to see if it turns up.

Looks like a typical Amazon placeholder.

 

[tothemoonsands]

Personally, I absolutely hated holding my iPad with the Smart Keyboard Folio. I’m left handed so it made it all the worse. Aside from holding it, it was always a bit precarious shutting the case with the keys pressed up again the display.

With the delay of the Magic Keyboard, I opted to get the simple folio case for the time being. This way, I’ll have a backup to the MK - if I know that I won’t be needing a keyboard or trackpad, I’ll pop it out and use the folio. Otherwise, MK will be my main go-to.

 

[adamfozzy]

Personally, I absolutely hated holding my iPad with the Smart Keyboard Folio. I’m left handed so it made it all the worse. Aside from holding it, it was always a bit precarious shutting the case with the keys pressed up again the display.

With the delay of the Magic Keyboard, I opted to get the simple folio case for the time being. This way, I’ll have a backup to the MK - if I know that I won’t be needing a keyboard or trackpad, I’ll pop it out and use the folio. Otherwise, MK will be my main go-to.

I did exactly the same - ordered the folio for using the iPad in tablet mode around the house and will get the magic keyboard for at the desk in laptop mode. I think it will be nice to keep the magic keyboard plugged in on desk too so I can just pop the iPad on it when it needs charging.

 

[Adelphos33]

Working from home with the iPad every day has made me reconsider the strengths of the regular Smart Keyboard Folio.

1) The keyboard is actually pretty good from a response standpoint and a durability standpoint. After over a year of use my Smart Keyboard Folio is in great condition - other similar iPad keyboards sold by Apple would have been worn down
2) It is very light - the Magic Keyboard looks to be substantially heavier
3) When paired with the magic trackpad and the Smart Keyboard Folio, the iPad becomes a productivity machine when used on a desktop. You also don’t have to fool with things like external keyboards

There are a few disadvantages - it is not really easy to hold the iPad in tablet mode with the keyboard folio, and it doesn’t include an integrated trackpad. But there are use cases where it makes sense to the the Smart Keyboard folio over the Magic Keyboard

 

[gsal]

Working from home with the iPad every day has made me reconsider the strengths of the regular Smart Keyboard Folio.

1) The keyboard is actually pretty good from a response standpoint and a durability standpoint. After over a year of use my Smart Keyboard Folio is in great condition - other similar iPad keyboards sold by Apple would have been worn down
2) It is very light - the Magic Keyboard looks to be substantially heavier
3) When paired with the magic trackpad and the Smart Keyboard Folio, the iPad becomes a productivity machine when used on a desktop. You also don’t have to fool with things like external keyboards

There are a few disadvantages - it is not really easy to hold the iPad in tablet mode with the keyboard folio, and it doesn’t include an integrated trackpad. But there are use cases where it makes sense to the the Smart Keyboard folio over the Magic Keyboard

My ideal workflow would be an 11” iPad Pro with a Smart Folio Keyboard on the go and when at a desk, hooked up to an external monitor using a keyboard and trackpad for improved productivity.

Before that can work for me they need to fix external monitor support.

 

[pedregosa]

My ideal workflow would be an 11” iPad Pro with a Smart Folio Keyboard on the go and when at a desk, hooked up to an external monitor using a keyboard and trackpad for improved productivity.

Before that can work for me they need to fix external monitor support.

That’s pretty much my setup right now. The external monitor support could be better, but I find it adequate — especially with a USB-C monitor so that a single cable both connects the monitor and charges the iPad.

 

[Moyapilot]

Working from home with the iPad every day has made me reconsider the strengths of the regular Smart Keyboard Folio.

1) The keyboard is actually pretty good from a response standpoint and a durability standpoint. After over a year of use my Smart Keyboard Folio is in great condition - other similar iPad keyboards sold by Apple would have been worn down
2) It is very light - the Magic Keyboard looks to be substantially heavier
3) When paired with the magic trackpad and the Smart Keyboard Folio, the iPad becomes a productivity machine when used on a desktop. You also don’t have to fool with things like external keyboards

There are a few disadvantages - it is not really easy to hold the iPad in tablet mode with the keyboard folio, and it doesn’t include an integrated trackpad. But there are use cases where it makes sense to the the Smart Keyboard folio over the Magic Keyboard

I agree. The SKF for the ipp11 is the first Apple smart keyboard I ever bought, and the first of any type that i’ve used with butterfly switches.

I was surprised as to how well I can type on it after a short acclimation period. It has a very nice satisying crunch. The low travel was also not an issue for me either, actually I can type longer periods without any finger strain on it. The fact its completley waterproof and sealed allayed any fears of having the issues that macbooks had with dirt and debric causing their keyboards to prematurely fail.

Not saying its a perfect keyboard, but I like it much much more than I was let to beleive. It seems that whenever anything new comes out from Apple, all previous gen tech is immidiately presented as faulty and defecient. The media sites then make it look like we were typing with a 1950s typewritter before.

I love the lightweight and slim profile of the SKF, and the sensation of typing. It weighs the same as my other Ipp11pro case, maybe even less, and that case is keyboard-less! If my case holds up (4 months now and it looks as new), then I’ll gladly recommend this case to friends and fam.

 

[DSTOFEL]

I agree. The SKF for the ipp11 is the first Apple smart keyboard I ever bought, and the first of any type that i’ve used with butterfly switches.

I was surprised as to how well I can type on it after a short acclimation period. It has a very nice satisying crunch. The low travel was also not an issue for me either, actually I can type longer periods without any finger strain on it. The fact its completley waterproof and sealed allayed any fears of having the issues that macbooks had with dirt and debric causing their keyboards to prematurely fail.

Not saying its a perfect keyboard, but I like it much much more than I was let to beleive. It seems that whenever anything new comes out from Apple, all previous gen tech is immidiately presented as faulty and defecient. The media sites then make it look like we were typing with a 1950s typewritter before.

I love the lightweight and slim profile of the SKF, and the sensation of typing. It weighs the same as my other Ipp11pro case, maybe even less, and that case is keyboard-less! If my case holds up (4 months now and it looks as new), then I’ll gladly recommend this case to friends and fam.

I just bought an new 2018 11 inch IPP to replace the 10.5 IPP I’ve been using for the past 2 1/2 yrs. I bought an ”Open Box” Smart Keyboard case in Pristine condition from BB for $145 and a new Apple Smart Folio case I found on Clearance for $55.

I‘m trying to decide if I’m going to go for the Magic Keyboard case in May or stick with the Smart Keyboard case! Tough decision! The SKC is boring in the design department, but the keyboard is solid and the whole package is nice and slim!

Either way I go though, I’ll keep the Smart Folio Case to use when lying on the couch with the iPad, note taking with the pencil or on a plane for movies, etc... I don’t like using the SKC in tablet mode where the keys are exposed when folding back and I don’t like using it “naked”....and there’s no way the new Magic Keyboard Case will fold back for tablet mode!

 

[rkuo]

Working from home with the iPad every day has made me reconsider the strengths of the regular Smart Keyboard Folio.

1) The keyboard is actually pretty good from a response standpoint and a durability standpoint. After over a year of use my Smart Keyboard Folio is in great condition - other similar iPad keyboards sold by Apple would have been worn down

Hate to break it to you, but the SKF is the least durable keyboard I have ever seen. My mother takes very good care of her iPad but uses it pretty much nonstop. The keyboard edges are warped, separating, and fraying. Disposable trash for a 180 dollar accessory.

I agree. The SKF for the ipp11 is the first Apple smart keyboard I ever bought, and the first of any type that i’ve used with butterfly switches.

I was surprised as to how well I can type on it after a short acclimation period. It has a very nice satisying crunch. The low travel was also not an issue for me either, actually I can type longer periods without any finger strain on it. The fact its completley waterproof and sealed allayed any fears of having the issues that macbooks had with dirt and debric causing their keyboards to prematurely fail.

Not saying its a perfect keyboard, but I like it much much more than I was let to beleive. It seems that whenever anything new comes out from Apple, all previous gen tech is immidiately presented as faulty and defecient. The media sites then make it look like we were typing with a 1950s typewritter before.

I love the lightweight and slim profile of the SKF, and the sensation of typing. It weighs the same as my other Ipp11pro case, maybe even less, and that case is keyboard-less! If my case holds up (4 months now and it looks as new), then I’ll gladly recommend this case to friends and fam.

OK please ... Nothing about the typing on the SKF is satisfying. It’s tolerable. Personally, I don’t have any issues with it, but I would NEVER sing its praises.

It’s obvious a lot of people hate it, and a comparable Surface keyboard is still clearly superior even if you don’t mind the SKF.

The SKF is the best typing accessory for the iPad, but unfortunately that just isn’t saying much. Designed to wear out, bulky folding design that adds a lot of weight, missing function keys, etc, etc. Apple should also just integrate a stand into the iPad so that they can lose the ridiculous back covering that adds a ton of unnecessary weight.
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I‘m trying to decide if I’m going to go for the Magic Keyboard case in May or stick with the Smart Keyboard case! Tough decision! The SKC is boring in the design department, but the keyboard is solid and the whole package is nice and slim!

I’m definitely waiting for reviews. I’m excited about the potential of this long term, but I don’t think Apple has this figured out.

The keyboard is going to add a tremendous amount of weight due to having to support the iPad‘s own weight. You can’t go tablet mode without abandoning the keyboard, which is super awkward in more public situations. The trackpad itself looks less than ergonomic. I’m not convinced iPad software is quite there when it comes to mouse/trackpad support just yet. And finally, the price is ridiculous.

I feel like the keyboard folio and an external mouse is likely to be the better pairing for me, but we’ll see!

 

[gsal]

OK please ... Nothing about the typing on the SKF is satisfying. It’s tolerable. Personally, I don’t have any issues with it, but I would NEVER sing its praises.

I personally love the typing experience on my SKF. I can type on it for long periods of time without getting tired and I personally like the tactile response it gives - and this is coming from an 11” iPad Pro.

The only thing I’m looking forward to on the Magic Keyboard is the backlit keys and trackpad support. Though I still have my reservations with its portability.

I don’t see the MK necessarily as an improvement over the SKF but an alternative form factor all together. There will be reasons why one would prefer to purchase the SKF over the MK other than price.

 

[secretk]

I personally love the typing experience on my SKF. I can type on it for long periods of time without getting tired and I personally like the tactile response it gives - and this is coming from an 11” iPad Pro.

I am using now the SKF and honestly I do not like the experience that much. I needed keyboard for my iPP (11 inch) and I could not find anything else currently in my country. The SKF is awkward to type and the tactile response I get is not enough for me. As a result I am putting more force to it and I am starting to have wrist issues.

I have Logitech keyboard for my regular 9/7 inch iPad and that keyboard definitely offers better experience. I get that SKF had to be thin to not add additional bulk but IMO they did compromise the typing experience. The new magic keyboard seems to offer better typing experience (to be checked though) but it has its drawbacks. No way to use the iPad in tablet mode.

 

[Adelphos33]

Hate to break it to you, but the SKF is the least durable keyboard I have ever seen. My mother takes very good care of her iPad but uses it pretty much nonstop. The keyboard edges are warped, separating, and fraying. Disposable trash for a 180 dollar accessory.

Compared to prior iPad ”fabric” keyboards, the Smart Keyboard Folio is significantly more durable. I know because I have owned many of the prior iterations.

 

[rkuo]

Compared to prior iPad ”fabric” keyboards, the Smart Keyboard Folio is significantly more durable. I know because I have owned many of the prior iterations.

That's good to hear ... the build quality doesn't look any different from the 1st gen to the naked eye or per specs, but something needed to be done. I couldn't believe I spent so much on a keyboard and it looked that bad after just a couple of years.