Use cases for Magic keyboard?

[jeromenism]

Hi guys, was hoping to get some opinions on the magic keyboard. Mine just came today. It’s an amazing accessory, no complains about it at all. I’m just not sure if I can find a use case for it given that I have a gaming desktop and a work laptop.

If I were to take any notes, it’ll probably be hand written on notability with my Apple Pencil.

Does anyone have experience using their iPad with a keyboard and have any strong use cases for it? I mainly use my iPad for media consumption at home and hand written notes.

Thank you!

 

[nextgeneric]

I'm confused. Just out of curiosity; can I ask why you would purchase it if you're not sure how you're going to be using it?

I'm planning to use mine to type of reports for work, and also the trackpad for web browsing without touching the display.

 

[chabig]

Does anyone have...any strong use cases for it?

I can think of three use cases:

1. Typing
2. Typing
3. Typing

 

[Toratek]

Mine's going to do some of its work as a desktop docking station for the iPad. Also, mobile outdoor office. I like taking my bike up the local canyons, finding an isolated place with a nice view (and cell signal) and getting some writing done. This will be much better than lugging my MacBook pro and hotspot connection.

 

[johnnylarue]

I’m currently separated from my MBP (due to this COVID kerfuffle) so the MK would straight up be replacing my laptop for the next several weeks... Part of my hesitation in buying one is that I worry it’s going to be a totally redundant accessory once I get my laptop back. Great for travel and stuff, assuming that becomes a thing again, but at home? Not sure! :/

 

[ascender]

I’m now using my iPad as a laptop, so that’s why I bought one as I’ll be using it in a variety of places and don’t want to carry an external keyboard and mouse. If I was just going to be using it at a desk or for content consumption I wouldn’t have bought it.

 

[Aluminum213]

I’m going to try typing on it, I’ll report back

 

[johnnylarue]

I’m going to try typing on it, I’ll report back

If you can, please check to see if the keys you press make letters and/or characters appear on the iPad screen. (This would be a major game-changer!)

 

[Stephen.R]

I can think of three use cases:

1. Typing
2. Typing
3. Typing

Ah but had you considered using it to type?
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Mine just came today. It’s an amazing accessory, no complains about it at all. I’m just not sure if I can find a use case for it given that I have a gaming desktop and a work laptop.

Seriously, why did you order something you don’t have a use for?

On an unrelated note, would you like to buy a brand new box of just released dust. I don’t know what you’d use it all for but that hasn’t stopped you so far.

 

[tbayrgs]

I’m now using my iPad as a laptop, so that’s why I bought one as I’ll be using it in a variety of places and don’t want to carry an external keyboard and mouse. If I was just going to be using it at a desk or for content consumption I wouldn’t have bought it.

Same. I have a 5K iMac but found a few years ago that I no longer need a full laptop and switched to a 12.9” iPP as my ‘daily’ computer. The MK just makes it that much more full featured for my daily use. Loving it so far.

 

[The Game 161]

My use case is to use it as a laptop and will stay on the keyboard at all times

 

[rkuo]

I'm confused. Just out of curiosity; can I ask why you would purchase it if you're not sure how you're going to be using it?

Seriously, why did you order something you don’t have a use for?

On an unrelated note, would you like to buy a brand new box of just released dust. I don’t know what you’d use it all for but that hasn’t stopped you so far.

Snarky. Apple offers a no questions asked return policy so people can figure out exactly how something will fit into their lives without having to think too hard about it up front. It's normal, it's a cost of doing business, and it's really silly to think people won't use that policy as intended.

 

[Stephen.R]

Snarky. Apple offers a no questions asked return policy so people can figure out exactly how something will fit into their lives without having to think too hard about it up front. It's normal, it's a cost of doing business, and it's really silly to think people won't use that policy as intended.

I’m pretty sure they don’t intend people to buy something with zero intention or idea of how they would use it, only to return it because no, they have no need or use for it.

 

[KittyKatta]

I'm confused. Just out of curiosity; can I ask why you would purchase it if you're not sure how you're going to be using it?

You’d be surprised at how many people bought this with no idea how they plan on using it. It’s yet another case of “New Apple Product during a Product Drought” syndrome. Nothing interesting has been happening for a while and suddenly I’m interested in AirTags that I’ll probably just glue to my AppleTV Remote.

 

[DaveOZ]

I’m just going to use it help me look cool at the coffee shop........ when they reopen.

 

[Stephen.R]

I’m just going to use it help me look cool at the coffee shop........ when they reopen.

It’ll be an old model by then

 

[jeromenism]

Haha man you guys are harsh. I purchased it because i wanted to make the most out of my new iPad Pro, but so far i have yet to use it as much for productivity as i thought i would. Hence the purchase of the keyboard. I might return the pencil instead of the keyboard as I realised i hardly use that...

 

[chabig]

i wanted to make the most out of my new iPad Pro

Thats a meaningless phrase that gets used too often.

 

[tothemoonsands]

The Magic Keyboard w/ trackpad is a game changer for iPad productivity. Pair the iPad with a remote desktop application, and you now have a Windows 10 machine...a Linux machine...even a MacOS machine...The keyboard & particularly now the trackpad, make this a reality that is perfectly usable and is honestly virtually indistinguishable in experience.

Aside from that aspect, my secondary reason would be to touch the screen less. Yes, the iPad is a touchscreen. And yes, it is generally meant to be touched like all the time. However, any time I can take my greasy fingers off the screen, I’ll take that opportunity. My hands are actually clean & dry, but nevertheless they may as well be greasy with all of the smudges that quickly smear up the screen...

A tertiary reason would be lap stability. It can be a bit heavy to hold a 12.9“ for long durations. And the folio / keyboard folio just doesn’t sit very stable on a lap. The MK is completely different, it feels like a laptop - rock steady.

If all of this is not enough, two words: It floats.

 

[Pipper99]

The trackpad. I've been using a Magic Trackpad 2 with the iPad, and it's wonderful. Now, I can have that capability built into an easy to carry keyboard case/cover.

Also, typing and keyboard control. I hate typing on the screen. I've been using a Smart Keyboard Folio, but I expect to love this new Magic Keyboard so much more.
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On an unrelated note, would you like to buy a brand new box of just released dust. I don’t know what you’d use it all for but that hasn’t stopped you so far.

I recently ordered an Apple Watch from Costco, and the Apple box was completely empty on delivery. I'm loving my box of dust.

(Costco is shipping a replacement)