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Testing Apple's New Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro
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Currently using the 12.9” Magic Keyboard to type this and it’s everything I needed it to be. The trackpad too... Perfect.
Definitely feels like Magic.
Definitely feels like Magic.
The trackpad could be bigger though. It works well, but it would be nice if we could have a bigger trackpad.
Mine arrived today. I absolutely love it. While I agree the lack of a function key row is sorely missing, you can assign certain keys to different functions. I changed the control key so it acts as an escape key. Under accessibility, you can change the size of the pointer and add a colored circle around it (even the thickiness of the circle). The keyboard is much better than the Smart Keyboard. I’m using in my lap without any issues. Expensive? Sure, it’s Apple.
Many people define ”real work” as ”the work they do”... I have the 11’ iPad Pro and will get the Magic Keyboard. My “real work” is online meetings, notes taking, writing long form papers and making presentations and some editing with Affinity apps. I can achieve that with any iPad, but I live once and I can afford the pro iPad so why not?
Here's your news, from April 2010. The very first keyboard for iPad.
Most modern BT kbs have the key and it works on iPadOS 13.4.1
In this image the upper right key is the lock key
Because the opposite of “disliking something” is “worship”.
For some people, if you don’t agree with them, you’re automatically a cult member.
Agreed. I do find myself running up against the vertical limits every now and again.
A way to tilt the keyboard itself (raise the front for ergonomics) and a taller trackpad would make this perfect for me. But I am loving it so far.
So I received my Magic Keyboard for my 11” iPad Pro this afternoon. I’ve been using it for a few hours in the kitchen. The stand part works well for that but so did the Smart Keyboard Folio. I have some quick first impressions.
Anyone who thinks this does not look premium needs to see it in real life. The keys with the backlight and the trackpad are top quality and look it. It is quite a good looking piece of kit. If you didn’t like the feel of the Smart Keyboard Folio case then you are probably also not going to love the Magic Keyboard but you won’t be embarrassed by what it looks like.
The keyboard feel is very good. The trackpad is also very good but too small for all the normal gestures that I got used to with the Magic Trackpad. The worse offender is the three or four finger pinch. It is almost impossible to perform on a trackpad of this size. This is on the 11” Magic Keyboard, it is possible that the 12.9” version has more room; I don’t know.
If you are concerned about the weight, at least for the 11” version I doubt it is going to be an issue. It is heavy when the iPad Pro and Keyboard are together but it is a dense, solid feel. It feels very premium. I have to admit that I don’t really understand the weight complaints. All I’ve been hearing for years is that Apple spends too much time making thin and light devices and misses out on features that are highly desirable because they are too focused on size. I think Apple got this one right with the correct mass to make sure the Magic Keyboard remains stable in use.
One thing that I’m not loving though is the “floating” iPad over the keyboard. I’ll probably get used to it but after about an hour of use, I am constantly having problems reaching the top number row of keys without hitting the floating iPad. It interrupts my typing and then I start making typos. There just isn’t enough room under the floating iPad to get my smallish hands in the right location. Again, muscle memory will probably solve the problem over time but right now, I’m having problems.
As for the kitchen part, it is quite at home. While the old folio keyboard is probably better because of the cloth covered keyboard, the Magic Keyboard seems to be convenient with the raised display while I’m looking up a recipe. I admit, a kitchen computer is not why I bought an iPad Pro but given the problem of leaving the house, I have to find some real world use to compare it to.
Anyone who thinks this does not look premium needs to see it in real life. The keys with the backlight and the trackpad are top quality and look it. It is quite a good looking piece of kit. If you didn’t like the feel of the Smart Keyboard Folio case then you are probably also not going to love the Magic Keyboard but you won’t be embarrassed by what it looks like.
The keyboard feel is very good. The trackpad is also very good but too small for all the normal gestures that I got used to with the Magic Trackpad. The worse offender is the three or four finger pinch. It is almost impossible to perform on a trackpad of this size. This is on the 11” Magic Keyboard, it is possible that the 12.9” version has more room; I don’t know.
If you are concerned about the weight, at least for the 11” version I doubt it is going to be an issue. It is heavy when the iPad Pro and Keyboard are together but it is a dense, solid feel. It feels very premium. I have to admit that I don’t really understand the weight complaints. All I’ve been hearing for years is that Apple spends too much time making thin and light devices and misses out on features that are highly desirable because they are too focused on size. I think Apple got this one right with the correct mass to make sure the Magic Keyboard remains stable in use.
One thing that I’m not loving though is the “floating” iPad over the keyboard. I’ll probably get used to it but after about an hour of use, I am constantly having problems reaching the top number row of keys without hitting the floating iPad. It interrupts my typing and then I start making typos. There just isn’t enough room under the floating iPad to get my smallish hands in the right location. Again, muscle memory will probably solve the problem over time but right now, I’m having problems.
As for the kitchen part, it is quite at home. While the old folio keyboard is probably better because of the cloth covered keyboard, the Magic Keyboard seems to be convenient with the raised display while I’m looking up a recipe. I admit, a kitchen computer is not why I bought an iPad Pro but given the problem of leaving the house, I have to find some real world use to compare it to.
I got my keyboard today. Either its broke or I'm the only one who cares about the annoying slide of the cursor on the screen. Its not precise and when you lift your finger off the trackpad the cursor still moves slightly before stopping. Almost like a purposeful lag. Its really really annoying and if I cant fix it its going back.
Yes! I found trackpad inertia buried in settings. Disabled it and now its better. It was driving me crazy!
There is an annoying default inertial pointer setting that is on by default. It is pretty awful. You can turn it off in the Accessibility settings.
Go To Settings->Accessibility->Pointer Control and toggle Trackpad Inertia off. It was one of the first things I did when I started experimenting with the trackpad on iPadOS 13.4.
I agree - I received mine today and was expecting the thing to way a ton after everything I’ve read. Maybe it just braced me to be ready for a bit heavy. It really is not heavy. I like the placement of the screen. It is close to the keyboard, making it easy to touch if needed. The “floating” screen creates a very tight working environment. I’m using Jump Desktop and accessing my Mac and a remote Windows system. It is virtually like I’m sitting at my Mac (and the remote system) with a touch screen. I’m impressed. The unit is stable and steady to work with. I used to own a 12” MacBook - first version, then upgraded to a 13” MacBook Pro. I’m now using a 16” MacBook Pro, which has the improved keyboard. Between the iPad Pro 12.9” with the Magic Keyboard and the 16” MacBook Pro with Jump Desktop, I’m all set. This is the setup I’ve been waiting for for years. I bought a Brydge keyboard (before they introduced the trackpad) and it was OK, but those rubber grips that hold the display in were horrible. They tore and needed to be replaced twice. I wish the Apple keyboard could tilt back just a bit more, but it’s pretty good as is. I think they must being using the max tilt that still provides stability. I use this setup on my lap - no problem. I was concerned about that, but it is super stable - just like typing on a laptop. It’s impressive.
We thought of buying one for my wife's new iPad pro. However she is a klutz and is constantly dropping things. All these reviews say how great the hinge is and the magnets. I wonder how much protection it really provides for the iPad Pro if it gets dropped. I would love it if Dan would do a drop tests with things. My wife cannot be the only klutz out there
I don’t know... Mine just got delivered and I’ve been using it for the past two hours. I went large this time around and went the 12.9” route. I have to say, I actually think I prefer the old folio keyboard. I have two main reasons A) the new size of the keys on the Magic Keyboard make the keyboard feel like a truncated keyboard and B) The position where the iPad sits above the keys interferes with my typing. I’ve been comparing the keys on this keyboard to my MacBook Pro and the keys are smaller on the MBP (Like the folio keyboard) and I really think I prefer that size better. I guess the main draw for people with this keyboard is goin to be the backlighting and the trackpad. I’ve been using the trackpad, and I just don’t feel it’s that revolutionary or groundbreaking. I see it as a “nice to have”... but it literally changes nothing on how the iPad is used. In addition, I’m a “Tap-to-click” guy... and that is a no go on this unit. I just think the Folio Keyboard is a much better design... form and function. I think this was a good first attempt at a dedicated keyboard/mouse/trackpad option for Apple... but I don’t think it is the “homerun” that reviewers seem to be promoting. I still think, if you are a touch typist (and I type 122 WPM), the feel of the Folio Keyboard is way more in line with what I would expect from a truly functional writing keyboard.
You can enable tap to click.
Adjust trackpad settings and keyboard brightness
To adjust your trackpad, go to Settings > General > Trackpad. You can change the tracking speed—the speed that the pointer moves—as well as the scrolling direction. And you can turn on or off Tap to Click and Two Finger Secondary Click.
Think I prefer old kb case. Use a trackpad on side or a mouse. I seldom type on it anyways but good to have in case. The new kb doesn’t change that since a Mac is usually preferred for that.
Better typing experience. But still an iPad and awful experience compared to a Mac doing tasks that need a kb.
Better typing experience. But still an iPad and awful experience compared to a Mac doing tasks that need a kb.
That’s the thing, it’s such as broad description.
I can do half of my work on an iPad: analyzing splunk logs, but the moment I need to step near a terminal, it’s painful and I have to leave my iPad. If I need to code I need to leave my iPad.
I can happily do uni stuff on it though, and that‘s also real work.
Very cool! I didn’t know, and I thank you for sharing with me. While I am enjoying the keyboard, I think many of us will miss that lock screen key, brightness, and media keys.
[automerge]1587708454[/automerge]
Essentially the same amount of protection as any of the other Apple iPad Pro folios. Not much for falls, but good for day to day wear and tear.
Magic Keyboard for iPad Air 11-inch (M2) - US English - Black
Magic Keyboard delivers an amazing typing experience, has a built-in trackpad, and provides front and back protection. Buy now at apple.com.
www.apple.com
