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Smart Keyboard

Is Apple's Smart Keyboard worth getting?

  • Yes - great quality

    Votes: 17 65.4%

  • No - there are better out there

    Votes: 3 11.5%

  • It depends on your usage

    Votes: 6 23.1%
  • Total voters
    26
Dave245

Dave245

macrumors G4
Original poster
Sep 15, 2013
10,186
8,330
Ok so I'll jump right to the point is the Apple Smart Keyboard worth getting? I have a 12.9" iPad Pro and I'm considering it as I'm doing more and more typing (notes, Pages and so on) on my iPad Pro. What have been your experience's with the Smart Keyboard? It's currently £169 on Apple's website.
 
Is very convenient to have if needing to type a lot. Adds bit of bulk but is less than its competitors and you can use it as a stand also. Typing is fine. Only downside are there is obviously no backlight and no Caps lock light indicator. You however do not need to worry at all about charging or loss of connection. I would look at getting one off eBay as cheaper.
 
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Dave245 said:
Ok so I'll jump right to the point is the Apple Smart Keyboard worth getting? I have a 12.9" iPad Pro and I'm considering it as I'm doing more and more typing (notes, Pages and so on) on my iPad Pro. What have been your experience's with the Smart Keyboard? It's currently £169 on Apple's website.
Click to expand...
The ASK is a great keyboard. I really like the convenience, especially when I used to travel. The only down side is that the ASK is pretty expensive. But it works great and is super slim.
 
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Where do you do the bulk of your typing? Is it at a desk? On the move? On your sofa etc?

The Apple Smart Keyboard is a good choice for "on the move" and adhoc typing, but if I was sitting at a desk for the majority of the time I'd get one of the larger keyboards with backlight, adjustable viewing angles etc. Or even a standalone Apple Magic Keyboard.
 
ascender said:
Where do you do the bulk of your typing? Is it at a desk? On the move? On your sofa etc?

The Apple Smart Keyboard is a good choice for "on the move" and adhoc typing, but if I was sitting at a desk for the majority of the time I'd get one of the larger keyboards with backlight, adjustable viewing angles etc. Or even a standalone Apple Magic Keyboard.
Click to expand...
It was great when I traveled a lot. I wouldn't need an extra BT keyboard and at resturants in the airport or on th eplane it really came in handy. Now I am behind a desk again and don't really need it, although I am using it at the very moment to text the wife while I am at work. I have a BT keyboard at my desk and I am trying to gather extra cash to update my quads (the flying drone types).

My wife bought me a little $30 drone for Christmas and I fell in love with it. 2 months later I am about $1000 into it with a new Phantom Professional and other accessories and frankly my wife has had enough. So if I want more I need to start finding it in other ways. :)
 
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ascender said:
Where do you do the bulk of your typing? Is it at a desk? On the move? On your sofa etc?

The Apple Smart Keyboard is a good choice for "on the move" and adhoc typing, but if I was sitting at a desk for the majority of the time I'd get one of the larger keyboards with backlight, adjustable viewing angles etc. Or even a standalone Apple Magic Keyboard.
Click to expand...

I'm kind of mixed, i do writing at my desk at home but i also write on the go and at my writing partners house. I'm a writer so i do get a lot out of a keyboard. Whether that's the keyboard at my desk (my iMac), the keyboard on my now aging 2011 MacBook Pro or even the on screen keyboard on my iPad Pro. A keyboard is important to me, i never thought at the time of buying my iPad Pro that i would use it to type on, but i enjoy using it a lot that i'm considering the Smart Keyboard from Apple.
 
Dave245 said:
I'm kind of mixed, i do writing at my desk at home but i also write on the go and at my writing partners house. I'm a writer so i do get a lot out of a keyboard. Whether that's the keyboard at my desk (my iMac), the keyboard on my now aging 2011 MacBook Pro or even the on screen keyboard on my iPad Pro. A keyboard is important to me, i never thought at the time of buying my iPad Pro that i would use it to type on, but i enjoy using it a lot that i'm considering the Smart Keyboard from Apple.
Click to expand...
I am typing on it now. It really is z great keyboard and not having to charge it or put batteries in it is a nice bonus as well. It's just so damn expensive. Find a good low cost BT Keyboard and you will be all set. Anker makes some really good ones. I use one at home with my Mac Mini.
 
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Dave245 said:
Ok so I'll jump right to the point is the Apple Smart Keyboard worth getting? I have a 12.9" iPad Pro and I'm considering it as I'm doing more and more typing (notes, Pages and so on) on my iPad Pro. What have been your experience's with the Smart Keyboard? It's currently £169 on Apple's website.
Click to expand...
Absolutely worth it! In my opinion of course. :)

The most difficult thing about the ASK is getting over the price. That was an extremely hard pill to swallow. I thought Microsoft was out of their minds charging $149 for their TypeCover but Apple topped them.

The ASK is the perfect option for anyone who wants the lightest, thinnest, on-the-go solution for the iPP. On my 12.9 iPP, I have both an ASK and a SmartCover (for those times when I know I won't be typing anything more extensive than a tweet).

I wanted my iPP to be as thin and light as possible so I opted for a clear skin (not a case or rear cover) on the back to protect against scratches and provide a better grip. I used clear Con-Tact paper. Works great. Looks great. stupid cheap.

Unlike other keyboard options for the IPP, the ASK is easy to detach, flip around, and reattach (so that the rubberized surface faces outward). This allows me to use the iPP in full "tablet mode" with no hassles.

Two main complaints that others have about the ASK are, lack of backlit keys and lack of a row of dedicated keys for various functions. I personally have not found the lack of backlighting to be a problem and as for function keys, there are plenty of standard key combinations that provide some of those features that are actually MORE convenient than having dedicated keys.

To determine what key combinations are available in an app, simply press and hold the Command key... a window will appear displaying what combos are available.
 
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sracer said:
Absolutely worth it! In my opinion of course. :)

The most difficult thing about the ASK is getting over the price. That was an extremely hard pill to swallow. I thought Microsoft was out of their minds charging $149 for their TypeCover but Apple topped them.

The ASK is the perfect option for anyone who wants the lightest, thinnest, on-the-go solution for the iPP. On my 12.9 iPP, I have both an ASK and a SmartCover (for those times when I know I won't be typing anything more extensive than a tweet).

I wanted my iPP to be as thin and light as possible so I opted for a clear skin (not a case or rear cover) on the back to protect against scratches and provide a better grip. I used clear Con-Tact paper. Works great. Looks great. stupid cheap.

Unlike other keyboard options for the IPP, the ASK is easy to detach, flip around, and reattach (so that the rubberized surface faces outward). This allows me to use the iPP in full "tablet mode" with no hassles.

Two main complaints that others have about the ASK are, lack of backlit keys and lack of a row of dedicated keys for various functions. I personally have not found the lack of backlighting to be a problem and as for function keys, there are plenty of standard key combinations that provide some of those features that are actually MORE convenient than having dedicated keys.

To determine what key combinations are available in an app, simply press and hold the Command key... a window will appear displaying what combos are available.
Click to expand...

From what I've read it's got some great reviews, I don't mind spending the money on the Apple keyboard as long as it's worth it, I'm also hoping Apple hold their event soon just in case they decide to update the Smart Keyboard, in which case I can wait and pick up the second generation rather than buying the 1st gen and then the second is announced a month later. Also I've read that Apple's Smart Keyboard can handle spillages such as coffee and water, I'm guessing it's water resistant. I'm surprised that I've thought about getting the keyboard because when I first brought my iPad Pro 12.9" I thought I'd just use it for drawing and browsing the internet, but to be fair it's taken on a lot of the tasks I use to do on my MacBook Pro 2011.
 
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I have used mine for a year now and absolutely love it. I used an Apple Magic Keyboard (BT) previously. Things I particularly appreciate: no charging, instant connection (had to press a key to 'wake' BT keyboard), easy remove/install, has held up to daily use with no issues, thin and lightweight. Things I wish it did: backlighting and function keys.

Apple is rumored to be announcing new ipads and potentially new accessories. If you can wait a couple weeks, might be worth it to see if they update the keyboard.

Good luck.
RwP
 
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I like my 9.7 ASK

Got it for cheap ish and like new off eBay. And a silicone cover official one to match
 
I bought they IPP 12.9 about a week after they came out. Shortly after I bought the ASK. It was a God send. I touch type and the difference versus using the on-screen was fabulous. The ASK "touch" is just about right IMHO.

I can agree with others about feeling that the bulk being more than I'd like but it is not really excessive. Versus a 9.7 IP it seems really big and heavy as a combination. If I did not have the ASK though I would probably ditch the 12.9 IPP as too big and heavy. But I still like the larger screen.

Using it on my lap right now and frequently do. Also use it on a table or desk with no issues regarding position and comfort.

I honestly don't remember the timeline now about how long I have had it. There is a more recent issue that concerns me a bit. I've had a few "this device is not supported" messages even in the midst of typing a message where it was working and then stopped. Disconnecting and reconnnecting corrects it but still a concern for an expensive accessory.
 
I just saw the ASK 9.7" on "tech rabbit" for considerably cheaper than the 149.99 from Apple. One of the options is "hassle-free" which according to them is new and has all original components however, in a "white box, bulk packaging" and same 1 year warranty. Has anyone purchased something from them? I was checking eBay and the price was more or less the same, sub 100.00 used.
 
At this point i'm going to wait until WWDC to see if Apple announce a next gen smart keyboard along with the rumoured 10.5" iPad Pro that's rumoured to be announced at WWDC.
 
MartyCan said:
I have a genius bar appt next Wed. For my ASK. Could have had one sooner but my schedule is too busy.
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Do they provide you a new one if yours is faulty? Is it a 1 year warranty? How can they tell? I bought one off eBay from a seller for less than half the cost and it is practically mint.
 
I just got the ASK off ebay for $90 shipped. At that price I don't think you can beat the combination of performance and minimal bulk it adds. Plus, it's magnetic so it's easy to remove and lighten the ipad when you're holding it in your hands. My initial impressions are that the 12.9" IPP is not worth it without a keyboard case. I honestly like typing on the ASK more than the keyboard on my 12" MacBook.
 
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