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Which keyboard do you use with your iPad Pro?
- Thread starter Ipadlover29
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My favorite has been the Zagg Rugged Messenger. I sold my 10.5” iPad Pro a few days ago and I already miss that case so much.
I use the same keyboard I use with my iMac - A battery operated 'Apple Magic Keyboard' via Bluetooth. Works great, has good range and I can move around without having to move the iPad. Half the time I use my IPP 12.9 for presentations and I really enjoy the freedom it gives me to move about the room.
I replaced my Apple Magic Keyboard that came with the iMac for a Logitech K810 that I occasionally use with my iPP.
But I primarily use Keys-To-Go Logitech keyboard due to the dedicated iOS keys which helps with multitasking and navigating through iOS.
And I use the Smart Cover for when I’m on the go... don’t really care for the Apple Smart Keyboard, but I use a iPad stand for when I’m home.
I spent WAY too much time researching keyboards. Without even owning an iPad. Zag slimbook is what I ended up deciding on. Loved the bridge as well.
My issue is how bulky it made the whole
Package and also, it wasn’t very nice to use the iPad without the keyboard part attached. Just give me a good keyboard without evloaing the display (bridge fame close)
Finally I was able to take a machine with the Smart Keyboard home for a weekend and reluctantly concluded that while it still sucks it’s something I could get used to, if placed on my desk.
Here’s hoping we get better options with the redesign.
For my 10.5 I bought the ASK but found I don't care for it as a keyboard or a case so I now use the Smart Cover with a plastic back cover and a folding Bluetooth keyboard when needed.
Sold it to pay for a new one—gambled on a September release.
Although a FaceID with slimmer bezel iPad seems rather intriguing... just not ready to upgrade my 2nd gen iPP.
I would like to know your decision to upgrade to the newer one? Were you not satisfied with the 10.5 iPP or you rather have the latest and greatest?
It's complicated..........
I was SO HAPPY with my 10.5" iPad Pro, especially after I ditched the ASK and got the Zagg Rugged Messenger. The Zagg almost kind of turned it into a whole different device for me and made it feel new again. Even without that though, the 10.5" was by far the best iPad I've ever owned, and that's saying a lot since I've more or less loved all of them.
But I got to thinking about some things:
1) I love FaceID on my iPhone X and often would forget that my iPad doesn't have it. I also was constantly swiping up from the bottom of my iPad Pro expecting to go home and would get the dock or app switcher instead. (And no, I don't believe for a second that it's only going to work in portrait orientation. That is utter nonsense.)
2) I love the idea of a device roughly the same size as my 10.5" Pro but with an even bigger screen and none of that empty space at the top and bottom.
3) I am 99% certain these new models will have a new design. iPad Pro models are still essentially indistinguishable from the original iPad Air that was released several years ago. I think now that the Apple Pencil is compatible with the base model iPad, Apple is going to further differentiate the Pro models with both features AND an all new look, or at least a substantially evolved look. This new look will probably be the design they stick with for a while, so once they delete the Home button and make it all screen, I think it will be a model I can stick with for the forseeable future.
4) The iPad Pro is my favorite device. It's the computer I have dreamed of having since I was a kid. Yes, the iPhone I have in my pocket every day is a modern miracle and very powerful and portable, but to me, it's just not as versatile or fun to use. I love having that big iPad Pro canvas to work with, and I far prefer iOS over macOS in 99% of the things I do. So I'm willing to pay the upgrade fee more often than the average consumer to have the latest and greatest iPad. I consider it my main machine for both work and entertainment.
ALL THAT BEING SAID: Do I hate not having an iPad for now? YES. I'm taking a major gamble by trying to get as much value as I can for my 10.5" Pro while it's not yet "last year's model" and am hoping it's only going to be about a month before I have the new model in hand. Until then I have to make do with my iPhone and Macbook Air. If September and October come and go and there's no update, I'm going to have some serious regrets about how I played this.
Good move. There’s been some debate about a March release instead which i don’t think is plausible. Sep latest October. The front page article specifically mentioned September which is the first time I’ve seen an acknowledgement and a spedof
Nice post. So here’s a wrinkle. Why not consider the 12.9 this time around? If rumors are correct it’s only 3 cms longer and 2.5 cms wider than the current 10.5. (I’d still prefer an iPad mini for consumption personally) but if you’re ok with the 11” for tablet use may as well go big!
I played with the 10.5 last weekend and while I think the current 12.9 is comically large I can absolutely deal with 3cms longer and 2 cms wider even as a tablet.
Just a thought. I’d be curious to hear why or why not. Doubt I’ll make up my mind until the keynote but for me it’s a blind purchase. Only in town for a week so I need to make the right choice. 90% it’ll be the 12.9. I’m making the move to IPP for all my mobile needs. No more laptop. And keep an iMac or mini or even the cheap MBA in clamshell mode at home connected to my external drives and large screen monitor. There’s some stuff I do that absolutely needs a 24” screen and no iPad or laptop is going to match up.
Honestly, I actually AM considering just that, if the price isn't completely crazy. I use my iPad Pro as a full blown laptop replacement. However, if they stretch the screen enough on the smaller model where two full blown app instances can work in split view, I would probably still stick with that.
New design? I suppose so.. they will have a much smaller frame given that the bezel will be trimmed down. And I do agree they will do their best to differentiate the Pro models to that of the regular iPad. But I tend to think that internally we will see the biggest improvement... especially with Adobe announcing that they are planning a full version of Photoshop in the upcoming iPad.
I've had every iPad since they was announced except the 1st generation and unless I see a OLED display, I'm not planning on upgrading. If Apple only announced the 8 and 8 Plus with no iPhone X last fall, I would definitely stayed with my 7 Plus. I would love to have the latest and greatest... but I have the top of the line 12.9 iPad Pro LTE 512gb version, and so far it as served me well.
But I highly doubt you'll be disappointed with the upcoming iPad Pros this fall.. If there's anything Apple gets right, it's the iPads.
I think OLED is where I differ from most people. I just couldn't care less if it's OLED or not. I love my iPhone X, and the screen is gorgeous and all that, but to my eyes the Super Retina OLED on the iPhone X really doesn't look any different than the LCD Retina on my wife's iPhone 8. I just don't really see much of a difference for whatever reason. Maybe I'm OLED-blind.
Also, I wonder if ProMotion is one of the things keeping them from using OLED on the iPad Pro for now--maybe it just doesn't work with that kind of display yet.But as far as design--I really don't think there's a whole lot else you can do to the iPad. It can't get much flatter than it already is, and the design is already super streamlined. But what I'd like to see is maybe the stainless antenna band from the iPhone X or maybe even just the rounded edges of an iPhone 8. That chamfered edge they're still using from the iPhone 5/5s days has to go at some point. Removing that chin and forehead from the front is going to be a major change that I'm excited about too.
I'm also hoping that they make MAJOR changes to the Apple Smart Keyboard. I want to love that keyboard again, but something tells me that I'm going to be buying another Zagg case as soon as possible. And I'm currently perfectly happy with the Apple Pencil, so I don't care what they do with that.
I bought the Smart Keyboard but the smart connector is very unreliable. Tried 3 different units before returning them. If you browse product reviews from Apple own website, you would know what I am talking about. Now I just use a cheap blue tooth keyboard for occasional use of typing.
Yup I know what you mean. I’m on my second keyboard and its starting to have all kinds of issues. I think I might go with Logitech slim combo. I tried it for a few days and haven’t had any issues with it so far.
I own a sort of keyboard museum, it is not a fetish! I bought keyboards to fit previous iPads and they don’t fit my new ones. To avoid this waste, I bought a red Logitech keys to go, I only use it for mobility but very happy with it, at home I use an Apple short keyboard (the one without numbers). The ask doesn’t appeal to me at all ..
Fixed angle, no shortcut keys, ridiculous price are bad enough, but I keep hearing about these disconnect issues.
Fixed angle, no shortcut keys, ridiculous price are bad enough, but I keep hearing about these disconnect issues.
The Belkin Qode Pro was an underrated game changer imo. It’s pretty much exactly like the zagg messenger except much lighter and with a better UX. The Bluetooth would auto connect if the iPad was physically attached to the keyboard, much like the Apple Smart Keyboard does through the smart connector, and turn off once disconnected. It even came in space gray and gold.
So far the zagg rugged messenger setup is the closest I think we’ll get to seeing a return of the qode Pro which is probably why I like it so much.
I have a great dislike of cases, they add bulk and weight and cover up the design of the iPad. I only use smart covers, and although the backs are naked, they don’t get damaged, I don’t drag them across surfaces. The Logitech keys to go is so thin and light, adds no weight to my bag, and I have a lightweight plastic folding stand for the iPads.
Brydge 10.5. I have a Smart Keyboard too, but the Brydge is great because it adds enough weight and stability to use the iPad as a proper laptop (it doesnt fall over and can be used on a couch on your lap). It also pops right out with ease so you retain the tablet flexibility.
