What’s New With the iPad Pro Magic Keyboard

[MacRumors]

With the iPad Pro, Apple introduced an overhauled version of the Magic Keyboard to add new features that make using an iPad Pro feel more like using a Mac. If you’re thinking about buying one of the new iPad Pro models and don’t know if you should get a keyboard, this article walks through all of the new features.

Design

Apple hasn’t changed the underlying look of the Magic Keyboard, and it continues to use the floating cantilever design introduced with the prior version.

A magnetic back connects to the iPad, allowing for multiple viewing angles by adjusting the amount of tilt. The iPad hovers over the keyboard and palm rest, which is now made from aluminum, much like the MacBook.

The keys are backlit and use a scissor mechanism with 1mm of travel, the same as the prior-generation model. The outer cover provides front and back protection to keep the iPad safe when traveling.

Function Keys

The updated Magic Keyboard has a dedicated row of function keys for increasing and lowering brightness, changing the volume, controlling media playback, locking the display, initiating a search, turning on Do Not Disturb, starting dictation, and more.

The function row is similar to the function row on the Mac.

Trackpad

Apple made the trackpad from glass and increased the size, making it easier to work with. The trackpad supports haptic feedback, allowing for multi-touch gestures and improving precision-based tasks like editing spreadsheets and selecting text.

Colors

The Magic Keyboard comes in black and white.

Passthrough Charging

While the Magic Keyboard uses the Smart Connector on the iPad to connect, there is an included USB-C port that can be used for passthrough charging.

Compatibility

The new Magic Keyboard is compatible with the M4 iPad Pro models, and it comes in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes. It does not work with other iPad models, and the prior version of the Magic Keyboard does not work with the M4 iPad Pro models.

Price

The 11-inch version of the Magic Keyboard is priced at $299, and the 13-inch model is $349.

Article Link: What’s New With the iPad Pro Magic Keyboard

 

[ghanwani]

That's a cool set of tricks that the magic keyboard can do.

 

[mrfish84]

Nice, Apple is reinventing the laptop.

 

[RottenAddict]

My biggest concern is the lack of side protection on this and the folio case. One slip and the corner is going to get dinged up. Has anyone that owned these type of cases in the past have any comments?

Oh and the price.

 

[jvchappy]

I love my 2022 iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard, but damn this is giving me FOMO

 

[xxFoxtail]

Love the refinement on it. I always liked how the last iPad MKB looked. Now this one makes the old one look kind of chunky. I feel like it was a missed opportunity to refine it to make the USB-C port more than just for charging though.

 

[PaperMag]

Author,

The #1 criticism of the last model was its weight; it was surpassingly heavy. Consider bringing up any weight improvements, if there are any, during reviews of subsequent models.

 

[ghanwani]

My biggest concern is the lack of side protection on this and the folio case. One slip and the corner is going to get dinged up. Has anyone that owned these type of cases in the past have any comments?

Oh and the price.

I haven't owned one, but played with the old one in store and it would come apart (from the iPad) pretty violently if not treated right. It's not a laptop replacement where you can hold the laptop any way and it won't come apart.

 

[ersan191]

Put macOS on it you cowards.

 

[ghanwani]

I love my 2022 iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard, but damn this is giving me FOMO

YOLO!

 

[fernelius]

My biggest concern is the lack of side protection on this and the folio case.

I use the Moft Snap Case with iPad Pro 12.9” M1 devices and the Magic Keyboard. You might watch to see if they can create a similar case for this generation.

Adding: I understand Pitaka and SwitchEasy have similar cases. I used the SwitchEasy CoverBuddy for a while with an 11” iPad Pro, but it didn’t seem as durable as the Moft case I’ve been using more recently.

 

[xraydoc]

I have a 12.9" M1 iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard, and while great, it weighs the same or more than a MacBook Air.

Between the new iPad and the new keyboard, if they brought the weight down significantly, I'd be tempted to upgrade. Just might have to make a trip to an Apple Store to play with one in person at some point soon.

 

[ignatius345]

So it sounds like for all intents and purposes this is equivalent to a smaller version of the top case of a MacBook? I'm not really an iPad person, but this seems very nice to me.

 

[lars666]

Thank god for function keys! Waited for these – will make my experience so much better instead of having to move to the control center every time I want to adjust brightness, volume and skip music tracks while working.

 

[klasma]

My biggest concern is the lack of side protection on this and the folio case. One slip and the corner is going to get dinged up. Has anyone that owned these type of cases in the past have any comments?

You are right, it won’t save the corners when you drop your iPad. Apple wants you to have an AppleCare subscription for that.

 

[gsmornot]

The hinge is oval now where it used to be round. This might make it easier to find the plug for charging, currently I have to lean over and look half the time. It could be me though.

 

[TIMO_737]

I love my 2022 iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard, but damn this is giving me FOMO

This ! Not to mention that the Apple pencil Pro is not compatible with the previous model ! Would have loved to buy an Apple Pencil Pro for my current iPad. Having to re-buy an iPad, keyboard on top of it, is just too much crazyness for me.

 

[heretiq]

My biggest concern is the lack of side protection on this and the folio case. One slip and the corner is going to get dinged up. Has anyone that owned these type of cases in the past have any comments?

Oh and the price.

I’ve used the Apple Smart Folio on every iPad I’ve had (4 including the original iPad and 3 12.9” iPad Pros). I’ve used the Magic Keyboard with my 12.9” iPad Pro. Both of these are “side-exposed” cases. I’ve never had an issue or even a scare with side protection. It’s a non issue for me, but I’m habitually careful with my devices so your experience may differ.

 

[minik]

My biggest concern is the lack of side protection on this and the folio case. One slip and the corner is going to get dinged up. Has anyone that owned these type of cases in the past have any comments?

Oh and the price.

I have never experienced that in my last four years of ownership of the iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard. The magnets are quite strong. It is pleasant to use in this format and better than a MacBook Air/Pro IMHO.

 

[Grither88]

is there a USB port on both sides of the hinge? I can only find photos taken from the left side showing the left port

 

[iSteveo]

My biggest concern is the lack of side protection on this and the folio case. One slip and the corner is going to get dinged up. Has anyone that owned these type of cases in the past have any comments?

Oh and the price.

I have the 11 inch M1 iPad Pro and the Magic keyboard. I like it. To me personally, it is easier for me to carry the iPad around the house with it. I have not dropped my iPad, so I cannot speak to how it will protect on the corners if dropped. But I have taken them out of town several times with no issues. However, when I do travel with them, I put them in a neoprene case. So far I have had no issues doing this.

 

[iSteveo]

is there a USB port on both sides of the hinge? I can only find photos taken from the left side showing the left port

The current generation only has the port on one side.

 

[heretiq]

Put macOS on it you cowards.

Put macOS on the Magic Keyboard?? 😏

 

[incidentallycheckout]

Nice, Apple is reinventing the laptop.

When you can detach the keyboard from your laptop and go into tablet mode, yes.

The same argument is made with devices like the Steam Deck. Someone will dock it and use a monitor, and people will reply saying "Nice job reinventing a gaming pc" and forget the fact it can be undocked and used as a handheld also.

 

[Morrissey]

I´ve got the magic kbd for the 11" Pro and works very well, I bought it pretty cheap from Woot (amazon), it´s expensive but worth it