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iPad Pro Smart Keyboard vs Smart Cover & Bluetooth Keyboard
- Thread starter PuntNL
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It greatly depends upon how you use your device. It isn't unique to iPad Pro ownership (iPad owners too) but I suspect that there is greater interest in using a keyboard with the Pro.
One basic question to ask yourself, "how do I primarily see myself using this device...as a netbook or as a tablet?"
If it is mostly as a netbook, then a keyboard case makes the most sense. It is highly mobile (a iPP + keyboard as a single unit), instant-on and ready to go. If it is mostly as a tablet, having a keyboard case makes using it with the keyboard case very awkward.
If mostly as a tablet, then a smart cover with a BT keyboard is preferable. The downside is that transporting it becomes a little more involved (2 separate pieces) and setting up to use it is a bit more involved too.
Ideally, at least for me, a two-piece keyboard case like the Logi Block (but much slimmer and thinner) would be ideal. I think that there is a great opportunity for the usual suspects in iPad keyboards to make some terrific options down the road.
One basic question to ask yourself, "how do I primarily see myself using this device...as a netbook or as a tablet?"
If it is mostly as a netbook, then a keyboard case makes the most sense. It is highly mobile (a iPP + keyboard as a single unit), instant-on and ready to go. If it is mostly as a tablet, having a keyboard case makes using it with the keyboard case very awkward.
If mostly as a tablet, then a smart cover with a BT keyboard is preferable. The downside is that transporting it becomes a little more involved (2 separate pieces) and setting up to use it is a bit more involved too.
Ideally, at least for me, a two-piece keyboard case like the Logi Block (but much slimmer and thinner) would be ideal. I think that there is a great opportunity for the usual suspects in iPad keyboards to make some terrific options down the road.
Good points. Hard to say at this point how I (or we ) will use it primarily. I want to try to only use my iPad Pro and iPhone and stop using my macbook air which will go to someone else in the family.
That being said I will use it for some writing, administration and financial work in Excel or Numbers. But most of the time will probably be consuming. Watching Netflix, Sports. Reading magazines, newspapers. Etc.
At this point the Smart Keyboard isn't even available for order in Europe. Which could make the choice for a smart cover easy.. Still on the fence though..
That being said I will use it for some writing, administration and financial work in Excel or Numbers. But most of the time will probably be consuming. Watching Netflix, Sports. Reading magazines, newspapers. Etc.
At this point the Smart Keyboard isn't even available for order in Europe. Which could make the choice for a smart cover easy.. Still on the fence though..
How easy does it come off the Logitech create? Looks to be my biggest issue with the third party keyboard cases. I want it to be easy to use my ipad without the case. Which would make one of apple's cases the obvious choice.
Keyboard case from apple still not available for order in Europe...
Keyboard case from apple still not available for order in Europe...
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Can you share how you easily remove the create keyboard? If I figured that out it would be a keeper!
Do you mean completely folded back against the back of the iPad Pro? Hmmmm, didn't know that. Mine is still back ordered so I can't try it out.
I tried the Logitech Create and loved the keyboard and disliked the weight and clunk so back it went. I have the SmartCover and really dislike it since it is all too easy to grab the edge of the cover and have the weight of the Pro pull free of the magnet. I am not persuaded that the Apple smart keyboard is stable enough - lord knows the Logitech Create is like working with a 1.5 kg laptop and it's really stable.
For now I'm using a $18 cover/case and a Magic Keyboard. I'm waiting for the Deviceware Ridge for the Pro. The negative to all this is the Magic Keyboard isn't backlit and there's no case yet that is light and provides a pocket or something for the Magic Keyboard.
For now I'm using a $18 cover/case and a Magic Keyboard. I'm waiting for the Deviceware Ridge for the Pro. The negative to all this is the Magic Keyboard isn't backlit and there's no case yet that is light and provides a pocket or something for the Magic Keyboard.
Yes
yes that's right and the pencil does not magnetically connect as well or at all compared to the Smart Cover. Here in the uk there are little other options at the moment.
i am also in the same boat trying to figure out how to carry my ipad pro
i have the logitech create and love it except for the weight...feels like you are you using a macbook pro honestly
i am also trying the apple smart cover and logitech keys-to-go keyboard which is nice beause it makes the ipad weigh so much less but carrying two devices can be a little bit of a hassle
where i am torn is this ... i wouldn't mind the weight of the logitech create case because its conveinent to have the kayboard attched and it isn't overly hard to remove the ipad from the case when i want to just use it as a tablet. but when i just want to watch a movie i'd prefer to not have the ipad attached to the keyboard (i wonder about the battery life with the keyboard connected by smart connector, is the ipad constantly keeping the keyboard powered even when i'm not using it?) and then i have no way of standing the ipad up to watch anything if it isnt in the create case so im stuck carrying a smart cover or something
i have the logitech create and love it except for the weight...feels like you are you using a macbook pro honestly
i am also trying the apple smart cover and logitech keys-to-go keyboard which is nice beause it makes the ipad weigh so much less but carrying two devices can be a little bit of a hassle
where i am torn is this ... i wouldn't mind the weight of the logitech create case because its conveinent to have the kayboard attched and it isn't overly hard to remove the ipad from the case when i want to just use it as a tablet. but when i just want to watch a movie i'd prefer to not have the ipad attached to the keyboard (i wonder about the battery life with the keyboard connected by smart connector, is the ipad constantly keeping the keyboard powered even when i'm not using it?) and then i have no way of standing the ipad up to watch anything if it isnt in the create case so im stuck carrying a smart cover or something
Good questions. Let me reiterate. Does the Smartkeyboard power down, and does it power down the iPP when closed like the SmartCover?
I bought my iPad Pro with the smart cover. I messed around with the keyboard at the apple store. Personally the only thing I like about the keyboard is how thin it is. My problem with it is that there is only one stand angle and no way to stand up the iPad at the second low angle that the smart cover gives you.
So I decided to just wait till logitech makes a better keyboard case (The create is lame as well IMO. Too bulky and you still only get one stand angle...)
With the smart cover and my logitech k810 I can use it like the smart keyboard, but I also can move the keyboard out of the way when I want and still have a stand. So personally I still like the separate items route, but I'm still waiting on a better keyboard case to come around (Something like the Logi Blok would be perfect, if only it wasn't as bulky...)
So I decided to just wait till logitech makes a better keyboard case (The create is lame as well IMO. Too bulky and you still only get one stand angle...)
With the smart cover and my logitech k810 I can use it like the smart keyboard, but I also can move the keyboard out of the way when I want and still have a stand. So personally I still like the separate items route, but I'm still waiting on a better keyboard case to come around (Something like the Logi Blok would be perfect, if only it wasn't as bulky...)
I'm in the same boat as many people regarding the Create. It is very nice to type with in general, but the size and weight is just really cumbersome. Something else that bothers me that i haven't seen mentioned, is that when you fold it flat to use in 'tablet mode' the bare metal of the wrist rest scuffs against the back edge of the iPad. I dont know about you but I'm not too thrilled with having this sort of friction against my brand new $1,000 IPP so it pretty much negates using in this form. Of course, I could always pop it out of the case to use as tablet-only but if Logitech had put a little more thought into the device, we wouldn't have this problem.
Has anyone went from Create to Apple Smart Keyboard? Just wondering if you felt that was a better move even though you lose the backlit keys and function buttons.
Has anyone went from Create to Apple Smart Keyboard? Just wondering if you felt that was a better move even though you lose the backlit keys and function buttons.
I tried both keyboards. A week with the create and then the Apple keyboard. Totally prefer the Apple version because at times you find you do not need a keyboard and do not realise you have one. I suppose I am trying to say is it gets out of the way easily.
I'd be all over the Apple smart keyboard if they had just included a row of functions keys along the top. I've been using this one from Belkin the past two years (first for my Air, then my Air 2), absolutely love having quick access to numerous functions and also how I can just pop it in the slot (automatically actives with a small button in the slot). When I'm done, can either attach the keyboard just like a smart cover or set it aside entirely. I'd love to see something like this for the iPP. I don't want to have to remove it with some force from a case every time I'd like to just use the tablet.
I'm waiting on the Slim Book as well. I used a Zagg Keyboard with my iPad Air for 2 years and love it.
The Smart Keyboard is very stable in my experience.
Well still on the fence about the smart keyboard. Still not available for order here. Have the smart cover now and very happy with it. Considering to get the new Magic Keyboard at this point. But still not sure. Anyone experience with that combination? Do the function keys work with the ipad for example?
Well I have the new Magic Keyboard on my iMac. I have the Apple SmartCover and Smart Keyboard. I've also use the older Apple BT keyboard with the iPP. The iPP has the Apple back cover. I'm missing the leather smart case of yore.
I think it depends on how much you want to carry, and/or how often you need a keyboard. If your doing a lot of typing the more traditional keyboard, vs. membrane/fabric probably is going to work better for you. Heck, my newly adopted
mid-2009 Macbook Pro (non retina) has a better keyboard than anything I've cited above. I have not tried the Logitech Create, as it seemed to bulky and maybe too hard to pull the iPP out of time and time again.
For me Apple's Smart Keyboard cover is a very good compromise. It does fold back so no keyboard shows when you want to use it in "easel" mode. I just hope it holds up and I'm constantly doing that "origami" thing throughout the day as I deploy it on my desk, lunch table, and lap.
One other thought is that holding it in portrait mode in my hands (with the keyboard folded to the back of the iPP is not truly comfy. I don't use it much simply holding it in my hand like I would with my iPad Air 2. Of course with the magnetic connection it is easy to pull the Smart Keyboard cover.
Hope this helps. If you can see if your local Apple Store has the combo you wish to use available for a demo.
I think it depends on how much you want to carry, and/or how often you need a keyboard. If your doing a lot of typing the more traditional keyboard, vs. membrane/fabric probably is going to work better for you. Heck, my newly adopted
mid-2009 Macbook Pro (non retina) has a better keyboard than anything I've cited above. I have not tried the Logitech Create, as it seemed to bulky and maybe too hard to pull the iPP out of time and time again.
For me Apple's Smart Keyboard cover is a very good compromise. It does fold back so no keyboard shows when you want to use it in "easel" mode. I just hope it holds up and I'm constantly doing that "origami" thing throughout the day as I deploy it on my desk, lunch table, and lap.
One other thought is that holding it in portrait mode in my hands (with the keyboard folded to the back of the iPP is not truly comfy. I don't use it much simply holding it in my hand like I would with my iPad Air 2. Of course with the magnetic connection it is easy to pull the Smart Keyboard cover.
Hope this helps. If you can see if your local Apple Store has the combo you wish to use available for a demo.