The Apple Magic Keyboard is one of the most premium accessories available for the iPad Pro. With its amazing design and built-in trackpad, it focuses on converting the iPad Pro into a laptop. But here the question arises, is this really worth the investment? In this blog, we will analyze its features, compare it to its alternatives and get the answer that whether Apple Magic Keyboard is worth the price tag?
Features & Benefits of Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro
The keyboard has several features and advantages for its users.
Features of Apple Magic Keyboard
Below are some features of keyboard:-
Floating Cantilever Design
The Magic keyboard has a special floating cantilever design that enables the iPad Pro users to magnetically fix and modify its viewing angle for good comfort. This gives a solid and flexible working setup.
Backlit Keys
The features of backlit keys of the keyboard have eliminated the problem of typing in a dim light environment. The brightness automatically modifies. This makes it convenient for night time or low light spaces.
Responsive Scissor Mechanism Keys
This keyboard utilises Apple’s scissor mechanism that makes smooth and responsive keystrokes. This design offers a real feeling and improves typing speed and accuracy.
Built-in TrackPad
One of the most amazing features of Apple Magic Keyboard is its built-in trackpad. This feature supports Multi-touch features and iPad OS cursor. This allows accurate navigation and makes tasks and multitasking much easier.
USB-C Passthrough Charging
The keyboard includes a USB-C Port for passthrough charging. This enables users to charge iPad Pro while keeping the primary port free.
Smooth Compatibility
The keyboard has been designed for iPad Pro models. The magic keyboard merges perfectly with iPadOS and provides a smooth and natural user experience.
Benefit of using Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro
Below are some benefits of using Apple Magic Keyboard:-
Transform iPad Pro into a Laptop
With the addition of a physical keyboard and trackpad, it functions as a powerful productivity tool. This is perfect for writing, coding, designing and multitasking.
Improved Typing Experience
The Apple Magic Keyboard gives a comfortable and responsive typing experience. This makes it an amazing choice for students, writers and professionals.
Improved Workflow and Productivity
The combination of trackpad and iPadOS cursor support improves productivity by allowing quick navigation and accurate control. This decreases the need for excessive touchscreen interaction.
Elegant and Premium Design
Apple’s magic keyboard is designed with high-quality material that match the smooth design of the iPad Pro. This provides both functionality and style.
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How well does Apple Magic Keyboard Work with Different iPadOS Apps?
Although Apple Magic Keyboard has amazing features and various benefits, it is important to consider how well it works with different iPadOS Apps.
Productive Apps
- Apple Pages, Numbers and keynote:- The magic keyboards combine smoothly with Apple productive apps. Its shortcut keys work efficiently and give accurate control over text selection and navigation.
- Microsoft Office:- Microsoft has improved its office apps for iPadOS. This allows the users to take advantage of full keyboard support.
- Google docs, sheets and slides:- While functional, these apps do not have full keyboard shortcuts and sometimes show lags when scrolling with trackpad.
Creative and Design Apps
- Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator for iPad: The trackpad and keyboard provide useful navigation tools, but these apps are primarily designed for touch and stylus input.
- Procreate: Being a stylus-centric app, Procreate doesn’t gain much from the Magic Keyboard, but keyboard shortcuts can still speed up certain workflows.
- Affinity Designer and Affinity Photo: These professional design apps make good use of keyboard shortcuts, and the trackpad helps with precision editing.
Development and Coding Apps
- Textastic and Pythonista: The keyboard works flawlessly for coding, and the trackpad allows easy text selection, making these apps highly efficient.
- Juno and Juno Connect (Jupyter Notebooks): The keyboard enhances coding experience, though trackpad gestures are not fully optimized.
- Working Copy (Git Client): The trackpad and keyboard make managing repositories smooth, especially with shortcut support.
Entertainment and Media Apps
- Safari and Chrome: Browsing is fluid, and trackpad gestures make navigation smooth and intuitive.
- YouTube and Netflix: While keyboard controls like spacebar for play/pause work, the trackpad doesn’t add much beyond basic navigation.
- LumaFusion (Video Editing): The keyboard helps with timeline navigation and shortcuts, but the app still benefits more from touch input.
Communication and Social Media Apps
- Mail and Messages: Typing is significantly better than on-screen keyboards, and trackpad gestures make switching conversations smoother.
- Slack and Microsoft Teams: Both apps support keyboard navigation, making communication and collaboration easier.
- Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook: These apps remain touch-centric, with limited keyboard and trackpad utility.
Apple Magic Keyboard vs Smart Keyboard Folio vs Logitech Combo Touch
Comparison of Design and Build Quality
| Features | Apple Magic Keyboard | Smart Keyboard Folio | Logitech Combo Touch |
| Design | Premium design with floating cantilever. | Lightweight and slim directly attached to the iPad. | Detachable Keyboard with proactive case. |
| Trackpad | Solid build with trackpad. | No trackpad. | Features a large trackpad. |
| Backlit Keys | Backlit keys with scissor switch mechanism. | No backlighting. | Backlit keys with scissor switch mechanism. |
| Available Devices | Available for iPad Pro (11’ & 12.9’) and iPad Air. | Available for iPad Pro (11’ & 12.9’) and iPad Air. | Available for iPad Pro, iPad Air and regular iPad models. |
Typing Experience
| Features | Apple Magic Keyboard | Smart Keyboard Folio | Logitech Combo Touch |
| Key Travel | Good | Shallow | Good |
| Backlighting | Yes | No | Yes |
| Typing Comfort | Excellent | Decent | Excellent |
Comparison of Trackpad & Navigation
| Features | Apple Magic Keyboard | Smart Keyboard Folio | Logitech Combo Touch |
| Trackpad | Yes, responsive | No | Yes, large & precise |
| Gesture Support | Yes (iPadOS gestures) | No | Yes (iPadOS gestures) |
Comparison of Adjustability & Portability
| Feature | Apple Magic Keyboard | Smart Keyboard Folio | Logitech Combo Tech |
| Viewing Angle | Adjustable (limited) | Two Positions | Full adjustable with kickstand |
| Weight | Heavy | Lightweight | Medium-heavy |
| Detachable Keyboard | No | No | Yes |
Comparison of Protection & Durability
| Features | Apple Magic Keyboard | Smart Keyboard Folio | Logitech Combo Touch |
| Back Protection | No | Yes | Yes |
| Front Protection | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Overall Durability | Strong but no full coverage | Moderate | Very Strong full case |
Conclusion
The Apple Magic Keyboard is an excellent choice for tech professionals. This keyboard is perfect for users who depend on their iPad Pro for work and productivity. But if you only use the iPad Pro for casual browsing media consumption then you should consider a better and cheaper alternative.
The Apple Magic Keyboard is worth it for iPad Pro only if it is being used for high end typing and trackpad experience on your iPad Pro, the Apple Magic Keyboard is perfect.
