The Magic Keyboard has been Apple’s iPad-transforming keyboard case for years. It has its professionals and cons.
Scott Stein/CNET
I’m typing, proper now, on a 12-inch iPad Pro with the Magic Keyboard, alternating with the iPad Air and the identical keyboard, however smaller. I’ve carried out this, on and off, for some time. Sometimes I overlook I’m on an iPad in any respect. You can certainly make an iPad really feel very laptop-like, and there are a number of keyboard case equipment that get you there. Apple’s $300 case is likely to be the most effective, however it’s additionally a product that is oddly imperfect — and costly.
I like the Magic Keyboard. But I typically get aggravated by it, too. Though the angled, hovering iPad stand design makes it an ideal iPad-as-laptop or desk-typing accent, it nonetheless lacks some options you’d actually count on for this worth. Who is aware of… perhaps Apple will give it an replace when the subsequent iPad Pro arrives.
What I like
The keys
The smartest thing about Apple’s keyboard case is the texture of its keys. For me, the important thing journey is ideal, and it mirrors the texture of Apple’s most up-to-date MacBooks. I write quick and instinctually, and the positioning of the keys is fairly good for my muscle reminiscence. The trackpad beneath is simply the appropriate dimension. Sure, it might be larger, however it’s large enough.
I’m speaking in regards to the 12-inch model of the Magic Keyboard — the 11-inch mannequin is a bit more compressed. It works, however I additionally get that “typing on a Netbook” old style feeling I had years in the past on 10-inch laptops. The aspect keys (Tab) and the edge-oriented keys (Return, some image keys) endure probably the most. All the keyboard circumstances made for the 11-inch iPads have some kind of key compression like this, although.
The backlit keys are refined and work properly in low gentle or darkness, though typically the lights take too lengthy to robotically flip off. And Apple has no key backlighting adjustment controls on the keyboard (which different keyboard circumstances usually have).
The Magic Keyboard provides an additional pass-through USB-C cost port that can be utilized whereas the iPad’s USB-C port is linked to different issues.
Scott Stein/CNET
And the additional USB-C cost port
The Magic Keyboard has one little bonus that is been tremendous helpful — there is a pass-through cost port for USB-C on the aspect of the hinge. It’s on the left aspect, whereas the USB-C port on the iPad is on the appropriate. This means I can cost from both aspect at a desk, which is basically vital to stop the iPad from turning into extremely annoying. That port cannot output to issues like screens (it’s worthwhile to use the iPad’s personal USB-C/Thunderbolt port for that), however it’s a helpful charge-up support.
And the portability
The Magic Keyboard folds smaller than most different keyboard circumstances, wrapping tightly across the iPad. But it lacks safety for the iPad sides, and the magnets can detach when inside a bag or for those who drop the iPad, knocking your complete case unfastened.
What wants fixing
No operate keys
Some iPad keyboard circumstances have additional rows of devoted operate keys, together with quantity management and play/pause buttons. I like these, and Apple oddly left them out on the Magic Keyboard. Apple has a number of keyboard shortcuts in iOS, however devoted operate keys can be an ideal addition.
The iPad (left, with the Smart Keyboard) vs. the iPad Air (proper, with the Magic Keyboard). The floppy previous sensible keyboard cowl is not nearly as good, however it does fold again flat.
Scott Stein/CNET
It cannot fold flat as a folio case
The Magic Keyboard’s odd design means it may possibly’t fold all the way in which again, with the keyboard parked behind the display. You both use it as a laptop-thing, or fold it shut. iPads are sketchpads and readers, too, and you may’t use the iPad simply for these functions with the Magic Keyboard on. That means popping the case off (it attaches with magnets), and then you definately’re left holding a unadorned iPad. Surely Apple can determine this out? The previous Smart Keyboard cowl is not nearly as good for work, but was extra versatile as a folio case resolution. But it would not work with the Magic Keyboard-compatible iPads (Air, Pro).
And that worth
At $300 (or $350 for the 12.9-inch model), that is simply some huge cash for a keyboard case, particularly when the entry iPad prices about as a lot. It’s half the value of the iPad Air! It’d be beautiful if a brand new mannequin cut up the distinction and have become not less than considerably extra reasonably priced, as a result of having an excellent keyboard on the go is more and more helpful with iPadOS.
I nonetheless love the Magic Keyboard, and it tends to remain on each iPad I’ve used it with. But it positive will be bizarre typically.
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