ipad pro magic keyboard vs smart keyboard

It's for the 11-inch iPad Pro and the 4th-generation iPad Air. The case also comes with a built-in trackpad, but since it is made of aluminum, it's a bit more heavy-duty than the Magic Keyboard.Īnother option would be the Logitech Folio Touch, a case featuring a similar backlit keyboard and trackpad. It's compatible with both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch Pro models and starts at $199. If a trackpad is not a priority to you, you can also consider Apple's Smart Keyboard Folio, which starts at $179 for the 11-inch model and is a lot more lightweight than the Magic Keyboard.įor non-Apple options, there is the Brydge Pro+ case. While it is a worthy upgrade for creatives, there are other iPad cases on the market that provide a keyboard for your tablet. It also sits comfortably on your lap. The case is on the heavier side, though, so you will definitely want to pack light on your commute. I’ll soon write a post on how I use my 13″ MacBook Pro and 11″ iPad Pro for different tasks, and why it’s worth having both for my workflow.Having everything together is definitely a simpler solution to transform your iPad Pro into what feels like a fully functional laptop. I still have a role for my MacBook Pro when it comes to more intense tasks like XCode. The Smart Keyboard Folio is designed to deliver a great typing experience on a full-size keyboard whenever you need it. I’ll have a better idea how the Magic Keyboard facilitates the aforementioned tasks over the coming weeks. If you don’t have a keyboard for your iPad Pro, I would absolutely cough up the money and go for the Magic Keyboard over the Smart Keyboard Folio.Īdmittedly as a tech nerd, I was really looking forward to having this accessory since I use my iPad for teaching my residents/fellows, bedside ultrasound using my Butterfly iQ, reading articles, writing manuscripts, etc.

I justified the expense by not upgrading my phone, tablet, or watch this past cycle, and I hope the next gen iPad Pro (“mini-LED”) will be compatible with this Magic Keyboard. But yes, it’s very Apple – quality hardware with seamless software integration with a (blah) price tag to go with it. “Is it worth it, Rishi?” Yes, it’s very expensive. Getting more familiar with trackpad gestures has certainly improved things.Īh, and now the elephant in the room – a $300 price tag. For example, closing out an application completely with cmd+q requires that alt+tab be invoked to display all active running applications first, and then each one can be individually terminated. Unlike MacOS where I routinely cmd+w, cmd+q, etc, these functions don’t often have the same effects. I’m usually in the 130-range on my iMac Pro’s full size Magic Keyboard.Īs soon as I attached the Smart Keyboard, I started using my iPad like a MacBook by preferring the trackpad over the touch interface. The Magic Keyboard features a floating cantilevered design, allowing you to attach it magnetically and. It features a great typing experience, a trackpad that opens up new ways to work with iPadOS, a USBC port for passthrough charging, and front and back protection. My typing speed was ~118 words per minute (wpm) on the iPad’s Magic Keyboard. The Magic Keyboard is an amazing companion for iPad Pro and iPad Air. The last time I had a keyboard experience this good on a tablet was the Google Pixel C back in 2016. But the quality offsets the added weight in my opinion.

My older iPad Pro with the Smart Keyboard is much lighter. I’ve been meaning to get the iPad Pro 12.9 inch along with a keyboard case and I’m confused between the two main offerings. I agree, that the Magic Keyboard is thick. But for the M1 12.9 iPad Pro I got the Magic Keyboard and I greatly prefer the Magic Keyboard. TYPING EXPERIENCEĪlthough my hands felt very slightly cramped, this was easily overcome by the wonderful key travel and response courtesy of the scissor-switch mechanism I’m used to on my iMac Pro. I have used the smart keyboard for years on my previous 12.9 iPad Pro. For comparison, my 13″ MacBook Pro is ~3.0 pounds. The new iPad Pro and Smart Keyboard Folio weighs more, and is thicker than the old iPad Pro and Smart Keyboard combination. In fact, my 11″ iPad Pro, the Magic Keyboard, and Apple Pencil 2 come in at ~2.4 pounds. My first thought: “Man, this thing feels great!” The build is impeccable There’s no flex in the keyboard, the trackpad is well-sized, the cantilever adjustability is cool, and everything is just what I’d expect from a quality accessory. Before I get jaded by reading online reviews, I wanted to drop my own two cents. I received the $300 Magic Keyboard this week as an upgrade to the Smart Keyboard Folio for my 2018 11″ iPad Pro.

Ipad pro magic keyboard vs smart keyboard