The Pro 9.7 Smart Keyboard is the keyboard I've been waiting for

[alecgold]

Personally, anything is nicer than the Macbook keyboard. Even typing on glass is more pleasant to me. The Macbook keyboard is one huge disappointment for me. The smart keyboard is a tiny bit better, but for me nothing to write home about.

Funny how tastes can differ.
I find the Macbook keyboard not too bad, it's the fact that the sharp aluminium edge between the keys is annoying on my fingers that makes me dislike the MacBook keyboard a lot.
The ASK doesn't have that and (on my 12.9") it has exactly the same layout as my MacBook Pro/ Magic 2 keyboard etc.
It really is a delight to use, I'v had it on my iPP for 6 months and it never leaves it.

 

[matt2053]

Don't forget the best feature of all, you don't have to charge it!

 

[Booji]

This is the one I bought, coincidentally enough, after reading Booji's recommendation in this thread.

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Ultr...w_p_img_7?ie=UTF8&refRID=1PMRVRG67JM0V1ANNC4Q

I think that is a great low cost alternative. The problem is, you still need to have something to prop up the iPad, either a cover or stand, plus the pairing, charging and lag.

 

[Abazigal]

I think that is a great low cost alternative. The problem is, you still need to have something to prop up the iPad, either a cover or stand, plus the pairing, charging and lag.

At 1/5 the prize, you really can't complain. The price of a keyboard and case is still way less than the smart keyboard.

Bluetooth pairing has been more or less automatic and very fast so far.

 

[alecgold]

Bluetooth pairing has been more or less automatic and very fast so far.

I had so much trouble between the iPad Air from my father and a Belkin qode ultimate pro (also €150) that I swore not to use a Bluetooth keyboard anymore. But it's good to read you are doing well with a "cheap" keyboard.

Odd how price-feelings can change: cheap, there was a time when I would consider a €50 keyboard not really cheap! (I would use €20 wired keyboards that work perfect and are quite a bit less when compared to the ASK)

 

[Abazigal]

I had so much trouble between the iPad Air from my father and a Belkin qode ultimate pro (also €150) that I swore not to use a Bluetooth keyboard anymore. But it's good to read you are doing well with a "cheap" keyboard.

Odd how price-feelings can change: cheap, there was a time when I would consider a €50 keyboard not really cheap! (I would use €20 wired keyboards that work perfect and are quite a bit less when compared to the ASK)

It's cheap for a Bluetooth keyboard ($29, which works out to be under $50 here in Singapore after shipping), roughly half what it retails for in stores. I have spent more on keyboard cases that didn't quite do the job, mainly because they were too heavy and bulky, and a pain to set up and keep.

I guess this is a case of "the form enables the function". It's thin and light and I can just toss it into a bag or tray and bring it around with me anywhere, which in turn makes me willing to use it more.

I don't understand how you would get a wired keyboard to work with an iPad. The USB adaptor? Kinda defeats the whole portability angle, if you ask me.

 

[Nhwhazup]

At 1/5 the prize, you really can't complain. The price of a keyboard and case is still way less than the smart keyboard.

Bluetooth pairing has been more or less automatic and very fast so far.

This looks great for working on a solid surface. However, for me, I use my iPad for typing mainly either in my lap in my recliner or traveling and then again mostly in my lap at airports or in a car (not driving of course).

 

[Abazigal]

This looks great for working on a solid surface. However, for me, I use my iPad for typing mainly either in my lap in my recliner or traveling and then again mostly in my lap at airports or in a car (not driving of course).

I find that even in those scenarios, I prefer to type using the iPad's virtual keyboard. It simply feels more comfortable to cradle the tablet in your lap in these positions than contend with a keyboard + screen setup, where I have to hunch over and peer all the way down to the screen.

 

[Nhwhazup]

I find that even in those scenarios, I prefer to type using the iPad's virtual keyboard. It simply feels more comfortable to cradle the tablet in your lap in these positions than contend with a keyboard + screen setup, where I have to hunch over and peer all the way down to the screen.

It's good to have options. I use the ASK all the time in my lap and never felt to be hunching or it to feel unnatural. I'll have to check to notice if I hunch. Right now I'm on the virtual - laying on the couch.

 

[Booji]

This looks great for working on a solid surface. However, for me, I use my iPad for typing mainly either in my lap in my recliner or traveling and then again mostly in my lap at airports or in a car (not driving of course).

My real use case is mobile as well. I use the iPad as an adjunct to my main device (rMBA 13"). Best uses are on the airplane in economy class - the ASK works as a cover, stand and a keyboard at the same time. Just open it up, and its ready to go - either for work or play. When I stop for a coffee, its so easy use punk down and start to work. It fits in one single area of my carryon bag and is ready any time I need it, and closing it up and putting back takes no thought at all.

 

[alecgold]

I don't understand how you would get a wired keyboard to work with an iPad. The USB adaptor? Kinda defeats the whole portability angle, if you ask me.

Sorry, what I meant was that it was in the old days before laptops or when I would connect my toshiba laptop to a external monitor and a wired keyboard.

 

[Tom G.]

I have the Apple Smart Keyboard for my 12.9" IPP and really like it. One thing that has not yet been mentioned is the fact that since the keys are sealed you don't have to worry about crumbs & liquids, as much, when using it in a coffee shop environment.

I use mine with my Pen & Quill case since I don't have to remove the case to use the Keyboard.

 

[redman042]

I have to agree with all of you. The ASK and the Pencil are priced at an absolute premium, yet I sprung for both (along with the Apple Silicone Case) for my new 9.7" Pro, and haven't looked back. I cringe when I add up what I've spent on this setup, but then I use it and smile. The Pro is the first iPad I've owned that gave me PC-level performance, and the accessories kick it up to another level entirely. Yeah I could get a laptop for these dollars, but I already have a laptop, and this iPad setup is a refreshing break from dealing with Windows.

 

[Booji]

I have to agree with all of you. The ASK and the Pencil are priced at an absolute premium, yet I sprung for both (along with the Apple Silicone Case) for my new 9.7" Pro, and haven't looked back. I cringe when I add up what I've spent on this setup, but then I use it and smile. The Pro is the first iPad I've owned that gave me PC-level performance, and the accessories kick it up to another level entirely. Yeah I could get a laptop for these dollars, but I already have a laptop, and this iPad setup is a refreshing break from dealing with Windows.

Agree 100% - it all feels so integrated - the way it was intended. Yes, it's all ridiculously expensive, but it feels so good!

 

[James.K.Polk]

Are these on a decent sale anywhere? I'd like to pick one up but the cost is backing me off. Moreover, I have a Smart Cover already, so I'd basically be spending $200 on covers....

 

[ahostmadsen]

Agree 100% - it all feels so integrated - the way it was intended. Yes, it's all ridiculously expensive, but it feels so good!

I don't know why people think it's overpriced. Adonit's top-of-the-line stylus used to be $100, like the Apple Pencil. The Surface Pro keyboard is $130. Add to that a normal Apple premium, and the price seems right (but of course still a lot of money).

 

[spiderman0616]

Couldn't agree more, OP. I freaking HATE bluetooth in general--it's unreliable and glitchy, especially for streaming audio, and I hope Apple creates something in the future that kills it off for good. It even lessens the Apple Watch experience--every now and then it just decides to disconnect and requires a toggle off/on in Bluetooth settings to reconnect.

I LOVE my Smart Keyboard Cover. I type out both quick things and more long form things on it, and my fingers have adjusted to it quite nicely. It's also one less thing to remember to charge before I leave the house.

A friend of mine has the Logitech keyboard cover, and hates it. There is lag when he types and sometimes some of the keys don't fire the first time he hits them. I have no such problems with my Apple keyboard, and when he tried mine out, he was instantly sold.

I bought the Smart Keyboard Cover and Apple Pencil basically because I had some gift cards to burn up. I didn't think I'd use either accessory too much. I use them both DAILY. I'm very surprised by how great they both are.

 

[randy98mtu]

I had the Logitech keyboard case for my Air 2. I loved it. Never had any problems pairing. Now I again went with the Logitech keyboard cover for my Pro 12.9. The plus is it never needs to be charged (though the previous rarely needed to be charged). The negative is it's just slightly more difficult to remove the iPad from the case. Still easy enough that I can use it as a natural tablet whenever I want. And the Logitech was $20-40 cheaper (I forget exactly) than the Apple origami keyboard.

 

[Night Spring]

What is the case you have on your iPad? Is that one piece, or a back case + Smart Cover?

 

[Abazigal]

What is the case you have on your iPad? Is that one piece, or a back case + Smart Cover?

One. It's some third party case I bought.

https://www.hachi.tech/product/6952897983758/vouni-ipad-pro-97-milan-case-blue

Bought it because it was pretty much the only case I could find when the iPad Pro was released. You should be able to find something similar, as I am not sure if it is available outside of Asia.

 

[Night Spring]

One. It's some third party case I bought.

https://www.hachi.tech/product/6952897983758/vouni-ipad-pro-97-milan-case-blue

Bought it because it was pretty much the only case I could find when the iPad Pro was released. You should be able to find something similar, as I am not sure if it is available outside of Asia.

Thanks. I see similar cases on Amazon, but just not sure which one to get, or if I should just stick with my current setup, which is I just have a TPU case for the back.

 

[sracer]

I don't know why people think it's overpriced. Adonit's top-of-the-line stylus used to be $100, like the Apple Pencil. The Surface Pro keyboard is $130. Add to that a normal Apple premium, and the price seems right (but of course still a lot of money).

It's overpriced because it doesn't have a trackpad, backlighting, nor dedicated keys for tablet functions that the Surface TypeCover has.

Keep in mind that some of us consider the Surface TypeCover to be overpriced as well, which simply compounds the overpriced-ness of the ASK.

Do you own an ASK? If so, you'd be the first person that I've encountered that DIDN'T think it was overpriced. Everyone that I know who owns it acknowledges that it is overpriced, but they love it anyways.

 

[Nhwhazup]

My real use case is mobile as well. I use the iPad as an adjunct to my main device (rMBA 13"). Best uses are on the airplane in economy class - the ASK works as a cover, stand and a keyboard at the same time. Just open it up, and its ready to go - either for work or play. When I stop for a coffee, its so easy use punk down and start to work. It fits in one single area of my carryon bag and is ready any time I need it, and closing it up and putting back takes no thought at all.

Agreed. It's all about convenience and flexibility.

 

[Booji]

I am finding that the IPP 9.7 ASK is an awesome way to enter text. It took a bit getting used to, but after I did, it the best typing experience I've ever had. The small size means that I don't have to move my fingers far so typing is actually faster. The soft, quiet, yet affirming response of the keys is a pleasure.

OK in the spirit of full disclosure, I have small hands, not Donald Trump small, but smaller than most men so if you have large paws it may not be the same.

 

[Gav2k]

I am finding that the IPP 9.7 ASK is an awesome way to enter text. It took a bit getting used to, but after I did, it the best typing experience I've ever had. The small size means that I don't have to move my fingers far so typing is actually faster. The soft, quiet, yet affirming response of the keys is a pleasure.

OK in the spirit of full disclosure, I have small hands, not Donald Trump small, but smaller than most men so if you have large paws it may not be the same.

Links??