Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

iPad Pro The Everything Magic Keyboard Thread

Hallstar said:
I’m disappointed that there are no function keys, I thought they were a given as per MacBook Pro keyboard.

I have them on my Brydge Pro and use them often.

The more reviews, opinions and pictures that I see, the more I am becoming convinced that the Magic Keyboard isn’t going to be the right keyboard for me.

Mine arrived tomorrow, fingers crossed that it delivers all I need.
Click to expand...

Wish we could set up keyboard shortcuts, I’d love to use the globe icon and 1,2,3,4,5,6 etc to do fuctions
 
  • Like
Reactions: millydog, tbayrgs and Fat.tofu
Could someone try placing their iPad on the back of their Magic Keyboard closed and with the camera cutout aligned to see if this can make a viable surface to write on?

I don’t like the idea of placing my iPad on a table with my rear camera exposed to scrapes.
 
gsal said:
Could someone try placing their iPad on the back of their Magic Keyboard closed and with the camera cutout aligned to see if this can make a viable surface to write on?

I don’t like the idea of placing my iPad on a table with my rear camera exposed to scrapes.
Click to expand...

I tried this. The camera cutout does not not match the camera location, if the keyboard is folded and the iPad is on top. The whole setup gets mirrored. But, I think it’s safe to have the camera leaning against the rubber material, as long as the casing is kept clean from sand etc. The resulting angle is almost level, so it doesn’t feel much different from just having the iPad on the table and then writing with the pencil. There’s a few degrees worth of tilt towards the viewer.
 
  • Like
Reactions: c14nhl and gsal
Polaroid said:
Wish we could set up keyboard shortcuts, I’d love to use the globe icon and 1,2,3,4,5,6 etc to do fuctions
Click to expand...

Is that coming in iPadOS 14? I'm sure I heard something about true keyboard support (similar to macOS) being opened up as part of a future version - I think it was on ATP or Connected?
 
You can’t align the camera cutout and the camera as the case is a mirror of your iPad when closed. Cutout is on the left, the camera is on the right when the case is closed. But even with that, it as viable option to use ! It’s what I was thinking of doing when i want to use the Pencil ! :)

Edit : Too slow but I think we Are on the exact same page @petterihiisila !
 
  • Like
Reactions: gsal
petterihiisila said:
I tried this. The camera cutout does not not match the camera location, if the keyboard is folded and the iPad is on top. The whole setup gets mirrored. But, I think it’s safe to have the camera leaning against the rubber material, as long as the casing is kept clean from sand etc. The resulting angle is almost level, so it doesn’t feel much different from just having the iPad on the table and then writing with the pencil. There’s a few degrees worth of tilt towards the viewer.
Click to expand...

I obviously didn’t think that through properly lol! Thanks for checking.

I’d probably have to carry around a Smart Folio case as I’m a bit OCD and don’t like the thought of applying pressure while the iPad isn’t flat against a table.

If only they removed the rear camera, we wouldn't have this problem. I’m sure the vast majority of iPad users, especially 12.9”, have never used the rear camera.
 
MrExitStrategy said:
Material is the same as the smart keyboard. The trackpad is sufficient, though bigger would be preferred.
[automerge]1587221629[/automerge]
Made another comparison video with the Smart Folio keyboard and answers to some of the questions I got.

Click to expand...
Your videos are so helpful! Thank you!
Now I want to buy the Magic Keyboard for my 2018 iPadPro even though I have the Smart Folio Keyboard. If I weren't already on the road to hell, this will propel me firmly on my way.
 
Does the Magic Keyboard work differently then connecting my Magic Trackpad via bluetooth? When I use bluetooth, there is that translucent accessibility dot that opens the menu and is on screen 100% of the time. In all of the videos of the Magic Keyboard I have seen, I don't see that dot anywhere on the screen. Can someone confirm?
 
gsal said:
Could someone try placing their iPad on the back of their Magic Keyboard closed and with the camera cutout aligned to see if this can make a viable surface to write on?

I don’t like the idea of placing my iPad on a table with my rear camera exposed to scrapes.
Click to expand...

This may or may not be acceptable to you, but it turns out that the case is so heavy, with the bulk of the mass concentrated in the keyboard half, that you can passably write on the screen in the normal “docked” position. I was really hopeful this would be the case, as I use my iPad as an accessory notebook to my main work computer all day, mostly writing notes. I’ve been using a dedicated stand to do this (as I don’t like writing with the iPad flat on a table) for a while now, and it was essential the keyboard continue to allow this in order to be fully functional for me.

So far, so good. At maximum “reclined“ angle it’s a bit more upright than I would typically use on a standard drafting board, but seems to be acceptable, at least for my note taking needs.

Tom359 said:
Does the Magic Keyboard work differently then connecting my Magic Trackpad via bluetooth? When I use bluetooth, there is that translucent accessibility dot that opens the menu and is on screen 100% of the time. In all of the videos of the Magic Keyboard I have seen, I don't see that dot anywhere on the screen. Can someone confirm?
Click to expand...

The only dot present is the cursor point which disappears (or really turns into a cursor) when typing.
 
Ipadlover29 said:
Is the trackpad made of glass?
Click to expand...

Could be an error of course, but Chris Velazco referred to the magic keyboard’s ”glass trackpad” in his review at Engadget. So until mine arrives, I’m going to assume it is glass! 😁
 
Some folks are talking about how the floating iPad gets in the way when you're using the higher portion of the keyboard. From my estimation of photos, this looks more severe on the 11 inch than the 12.9 (the complaint also seems to pop up only in 11 inch video reviews). Just another thing to consider if you're someone still on the fence about which size iPad to buy.

I wish there was a function row, but Apple probably decided the control center was sufficient. If so, they need to add keyboard brightness there. It auto-senses AirPods, so I assume it shouldn't be a big deal. Having to click through a bunch of menus to access this is unacceptable.

As cool as the floating feature is, I would've preferred a traditional hinge that can open further back, leaving more room for function keys and a larger trackpad. This would've also made the keyboard lighter since it would be one less hinge. Ah well, we'll get what Apple decides is best.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ascender
Petrophas said:
Some folks are talking about how the floating iPad gets in the way when you're using the higher portion of the keyboard. From my estimation of photos, this looks more severe on the 11 inch than the 12.9. Just another thing to consider if you're someone still on the fence about which size iPad to buy.

I wish there was a function row, but Apple probably decided the control center was sufficient. If so, they need to add keyboard brightness there. It auto-senses AirPods, so I assume it shouldn't be a big deal.

As cool as the floating feature is, I would've preferred a traditional hinge that can open further back, leaving more room for function keys and a larger trackpad. This would've also made the keyboard lighter. Ah well, we'll get what Apple decides is best.
Click to expand...

I too wish there was a function row. I like the row on my Brydge that allows control of volume, brightness, toggle between physical keyboard and on-screen keyboard, lock display and open ‘desktop’.

I too also wish that Apple had designed a more traditional hinge that utilises the smart connector.

I often use my iPP and Brydge Pro fully opened (as if they’re both flat yet joined) to rest against my iBeani in bed or at desk to make the iPP elevated for better viewing angle for less strain on my neck.
 
A compromise would be if you could use a keyboard shortcut to control things, mapped to the number row.

I guess it could conflict with third party shortcuts though.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ascender
If only the MacBook Air had a touch screen.

Oh yeah, the Dead Steve Jobs' ghost apparently would cry.
 
The review by iJustine shows a range of scenarios where she thinks the MK is useful.


Fast forward the first minute or so to get over the usual over the top gushing and it’s actually quite a good review.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ascender
Petrophas said:
Some folks are talking about how the floating iPad gets in the way when you're using the higher portion of the keyboard. From my estimation of photos, this looks more severe on the 11 inch than the 12.9 (the complaint also seems to pop up only in 11 inch video reviews). Just another thing to consider if you're someone still on the fence about which size iPad to buy.

I wish there was a function row, but Apple probably decided the control center was sufficient. If so, they need to add keyboard brightness there. It auto-senses AirPods, so I assume it shouldn't be a big deal. Having to click through a bunch of menus to access this is unacceptable.

As cool as the floating feature is, I would've preferred a traditional hinge that can open further back, leaving more room for function keys and a larger trackpad. This would've also made the keyboard lighter since it would be one less hinge. Ah well, we'll get what Apple decides is best.
Click to expand...

Actually, it couldn’t have been lighter if it followed the form of the Brydge. The iPP is much heavier than the typical laptop display so consequently, the base has to be heavy enough to offset that, else it’ll just tip over. The Brydge is a brick with a super stiff hinge, because it needs to be. A clever part of the Magic Keyboard’s cantilever hinge design is that it shifts the weight of the iPP forward from the hinge. The iPP weight is likely why the hinge only goes back as far as it does, else it would likely be far more susceptible to tipping over backwards.

IMO, the Surface Pro design offers more versatility but also has its own limitations, specifically that the kickstand adds the extra bulk to the tablet, lap-ability is pretty awful and the footprint from the front of the keyboard to the back of the Surface Pro is larger and thus more difficult to use in tighter confines (i.e. airplane tray table). It’s a hell of a lot cheaper though.

All that being said, so far my initial impressions of the MK are quite high—really enjoying it so far.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ascender and the future
Fat.tofu said:
Its one of the various way / hack for Smart Keyboard Folio to get good drawing /writing angle. Looks rather silly but its actually quite functional and firm.
Click to expand...

It is silly. It takes no longer to take the iPad off the keyboard (or put it back on) than it takes to flip the whole thing upside-down.
[automerge]1587437361[/automerge]
rvgmiller said:
I’m hoping it is glass. Already disappointed that it’s not Force Touch. Will be even more so if it turns out to be plastic too.
Click to expand...

I don’t know what it’s made of, but the feel of it is delightful. And although being a proper clicky trackpad (rather than a simulated-click one), it clicks with the same ease everywhere, unlike the pre-2015 MacBook Pros with their top-hinged trackpads. Nothing to be disappointed about.
[automerge]1587437860[/automerge]
anthonyd said:
  • Build quality - ok, but not perfect. Bit disappointing for such an expensive item that the outside coating has a few cuts in it straight after removing it from the packaging.
Click to expand...

Huh? You should return it.
 
Last edited:
Does anyone else get a slight wobble in the iPad screen when you’re pressing the delete button?

It doesn’t bother me but I was just wondering if this is normal.
 
dotnet said:
It is silly. It takes no longer to take the iPad off the keyboard (or put it back on) than it takes to flip the whole thing upside-down.
Click to expand...

The purpose is to make it lay at an angle. Read again..

—

Anyway someone made a video testing the drawing angle hack (set to max viewing angle, flip it upside down).
Not as sturdy as SKF.

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back