The official iPad Pro 11” keyboard is a joy.

[WilliamG]

OK, yes, it’s ridiculously expensive. But my gosh do I love it. It’s nowhere near as bulky as it feels it should be, is so easy to attach and remove, is so much fun to type on etc.

I love this thing. I know the Apple tax is alive and well, but this really is wonderful. I do love how easy it is to swap between the regular case and the keyboard case depending on my uses.

Hopefully it holds up well over time, but so far - aside from the sticker shock - this is well worth it.

 

[ascender]

I like it, I think its an improvement over the original version, but for the life of me I can't understand why there's no media keys on it. I really enjoy typing on it, but I totally understand the criticism of the cost in particular. And I also understand why some people really don't get on with it.

 

[WilliamG]

I like it, I think its an improvement over the original version, but for the life of me I can't understand why there's no media keys on it. I really enjoy typing on it, but I totally understand the criticism of the cost in particular. And I also understand why some people really don't get on with it.

Quite simple why there’s no media keys.

There’s no room! You’d have to shrink down a bunch of other keys to make this happen. It’s not worth the trade-off, though I’d love media keys too. And an Escape key.

 

[piblondin]

I'm enjoying mine so far, as well, and I'm using it as my only, always-on case for my 11" iPad. I just wish it offered some protection for the sides. (I have a Pencil, but I don't care about being able to charge it with the case on.)

 

[seajewel]

I've come around to the smart keyboard folio. I didn't like the outside material (feels cheap) and I still don't, but I'll probably get a skin for it at some point. But I love that it is relatively slim and that it is so stable for lap use. I love that it is easy to remove (I'm concerned about longevity but hope Apple will stand by its products) because I like using the iPad on its own for some things.

 

[JD2015]

It is a keyboard of convienience really. I have used the first and second gen keyboards and in general like it for short periods of typing and that it is relatively slim. Do not have to worry about charging it either. However, having used it for long time now think it falls short in a number of areas - backlight keyboard, requires a lot of care to keep it clean, lack of media keys and does not hold up for long periods of typing imho. The new Brydge keyboards look great so will give them a try but again they do not make use of the smart connector. For the price of top of the range keyboard for iPad especially Apple’s, it is slightly disappointing. I have not come across the perfect keyboard yet for the IPP which considering its model maturity is disappointing.

 

[spiderman0616]

I have had the 9.7" iPad Pro Smart Keyboard, the 10.5" iPad Pro Smart Keyboard, and now the 11" Smart Keyboard Folio. The 11" folio is my favorite of the three by far. There are a lot of under-appreciated and underrated benefits to this new design:

1. The even wider real estate, obviously, so more room for typing.

2. Back protection eliminates the need for a 3rd party back cover (unless you're rough with your stuff and are worried about the sides getting damaged.)

3. Absolutely not bulky. In the past I always kept a regular Smart Cover handy too, just in case I wanted to travel light. With this folio case, I don't feel like I'm carrying something bulky and that stupid hump is gone too, so I didn't feel the need to also own the Smart Cover. And I really don't mind that I can feel the keys when it's folded backwards. I've gotten used to that.

Honestly, I had given up on the Apple brand keyboard cases because I was sick of all the bulk and had started using a more versatile Zagg branded case with my 10.5" Pro. With the 11" I am thrilled with the Apple option. The one thing I absolutely HATE about it though is how easily it picks up debris and fingerprints and I got really sick of cleaning it off, so I bought a protective decal designed specifically for the Folio from iStyles. Problem solved, and now I'm not afraid to put it down and use it in places other than my desk.

 

[piblondin]

I have had the 9.7" iPad Pro Smart Keyboard, the 10.5" iPad Pro Smart Keyboard, and now the 11" Smart Keyboard Folio. The 11" folio is my favorite of the three by far. There are a lot of under-appreciated and underrated benefits to this new design:

1. The even wider real estate, obviously, so more room for typing.

2. Back protection eliminates the need for a 3rd party back cover (unless you're rough with your stuff and are worried about the sides getting damaged.)

3. Absolutely not bulky. In the past I always kept a regular Smart Cover handy too, just in case I wanted to travel light. With this folio case, I don't feel like I'm carrying something bulky and that stupid hump is gone too, so I didn't feel the need to also own the Smart Cover. And I really don't mind that I can feel the keys when it's folded backwards. I've gotten used to that.

Honestly, I had given up on the Apple brand keyboard cases because I was sick of all the bulk and had started using a more versatile Zagg branded case with my 10.5" Pro. With the 11" I am thrilled with the Apple option. The one thing I absolutely HATE about it though is how easily it picks up debris and fingerprints and I got really sick of cleaning it off, so I bought a protective decal designed specifically for the Folio from iStyles. Problem solved, and now I'm not afraid to put it down and use it in places other than my desk.

I’m trying to use the 11” ASK as my only case that I keep on all the time. Any suggestions for protecting the sides of the iPad, while it’s in the ASK?

 

[spiderman0616]

I’m trying to use the 11” ASK as my only case that I keep on all the time. Any suggestions for protecting the sides of the iPad, while it’s in the ASK?

I just try to be careful—I’m sure there’s a skin or something out there somewhere though.

 

[ssledoux]

I’m trying to use the 11” ASK as my only case that I keep on all the time. Any suggestions for protecting the sides of the iPad, while it’s in the ASK?

Interested in this also. I haven’t purchased one yet; this is one of the things holding me back.

 

[Carlos51]

I’m trying to use the 11” ASK as my only case that I keep on all the time. Any suggestions for protecting the sides of the iPad, while it’s in the ASK?

I can only think of a sleeve:
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_...ords=Ipad+11+sleeve&rh=i:aps,k:Ipad+11+sleeve
Carlos

 

[millydog]

I got a clear protective wrap with additional pieces for the sides from Best Skins Ever. The kit didn’t come with the spray applicator, but I had spare spray from previous purchase and it’s the same stuff required. Due to the thinness if the sides of the iPad, it took some time and patients to spray the pieces and position them on the sides. But I now have a clear border around the sides of my iPad. I have it on the back too and use the Apple Folio Case with it and the magnets still work fine with the Best Skins Ever applied. The pencil also connects and charges through it too. It’s not going to protect much against drops, but it will protect against scratches.

Since I’ve now got this on the back and sides of my iPad (and a glass protector on the front), I am considering cancelling my Brydge order and going with the Apple Folio Keyboard cover. One reason is because I’m wondering if putting the iPad in and out of the Brydge hinges might now ruin the skin on the back. I’m also reconsidering since I might want to take a lighter keyboard to work with me each day. I think that I’d end up leaving the Brydge keyboard for home use, while I’d find the Apple one more portable. The trade off is the laptop feel with function keys and backlighting though against more portability due to thinness and lightness.

 

[spiderman0616]

I got a clear protective wrap with additional pieces for the sides from Best Skins Ever. The kit didn’t come with the spray applicator, but I had spare spray from previous purchase and it’s the same stuff required. Due to the thinness if the sides of the iPad, it took some time and patients to spray the pieces and position them on the sides. But I now have a clear border around the sides of my iPad. I have it on the back too and use the Apple Folio Case with it and the magnets still work fine with the Best Skins Ever applied. The pencil also connects and charges through it too. It’s not going to protect much against drops, but it will protect against scratches.

Since I’ve now got this on the back and sides of my iPad (and a glass protector on the front), I am considering cancelling my Brydge order and going with the Apple Folio Keyboard cover. One reason is because I’m wondering if putting the iPad in and out of the Brydge hinges might now ruin the skin on the back. I’m also reconsidering since I might want to take a lighter keyboard to work with me each day. I think that I’d end up leaving the Brydge keyboard for home use, while I’d find the Apple one more portable. The trade off is the laptop feel with function keys and backlighting though against more portability due to thinness and lightness.

From what I've heard, the clips on the Brydge keyboards are a pretty snug fit. That will most certainly cause some issues with your Best Skins Ever skin. I had a full body Best Skins Ever for my Macbook Pro a few years ago, and just sliding it in and out of the microfiber lined sleeve I had bought for it was peeling the skin away.