Is the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro Worth It? The Good, Bad, and Ugly

Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Credit: Apple
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The most polarizing product Apple debuted this year is the iPad Pro’s Magic Keyboard. While we all love its sleek design and new trackpad support, everyone seems fixated in its biggest drawback: the price.

There’s no debate, the new Magic Keyboard is on the expensive side. If you decide to spend a little more, you could buy an actual iPad with that kind of money.

On the other hand, the Magic Keyboard is meant to take your iPad Pro to a whole new level.

Apple claims, as it always has, that it will take your computer’s place. not only that, but it will also work with your 2018 iPad Pro. If you have an older iPad Pro, maybe you’re looking at a product that might be worth buying.

Even if we’re some time away from the Magic Keyboard’s release, we’ll take a look at everything we know to determine if this accessory is worth your time and your money.

The Good – What We Do Know About the Magic Keyboard

While we don’t have much information about the Magic keyboard, there are a few things we already know about it.

First, let’s start with the design. The new Magic Keyboard’s design screams Apple all over the place. It’s minimal and slick while keeping a stylish look.

But the first thing you’ll notice is how the iPad Pro floats.

The back of the case holds the iPad Pro in place thanks to magnets. So the switching between a “laptop computer” and an “iPad” is done in a matter of seconds.

The Magic Keyboard also offers different viewing angles, thanks to the hinge on the back. It doesn’t matter which way you’re looking at it, you’re going to have a good view.

The other major advantage of the Magic Keyboard is the extra USB-C port. It leaves the main port on the iPad Pro free to connect another device or accessory that you need for work. Unfortunately, this port only works for charging, so if you need to plug two things at once, you’ll need an adaptor.

Preorder Apple’s Magic Keyboard Here

To me, this might be the biggest reason to get a Magic Keyboard. I can see many people changing their computer to use just their iPad Pro now because of the freedom the Magic Keyboard gives them. If you look at the MacBook Air, for instance, you only get two USB-C ports on the left side, so it wouldn’t be a drastic change to switch from a MacBook to an iPad in that regard.

On the front, the Magic Keyboard has, well, a keyboard. This is a full-size keyboard that comes with the scissor-switch mechanism. This is the same switch you’ll find in newer MacBooks, to avoid sticky keys and typing issues.

The iPad Pro’s Magic Keyboard is the first one to introduce a built-in trackpad for the iPad Pro. This is thanks to iPadOS 13.4, which adds trackpad support and a small cursor that works slightly differently as the way we’re used to on a normal computer.

Not only that, but the trackpad also lets you do things like switch between apps with the same gestures you’ll find on a MacBook.

Keep in mind, though, cursor support and gestures are not exclusive to the Magic Keyboard. So if you just want a cursor, you can use any Bluetooth trackpad or mouse.

The Bad – What We Don’t Know

The worst part about the Magic Keyboard is what Apple hasn’t told us yet. There are many questions Apple hasn’t answered yet.

Magic Keyboard Battery Life

First, battery life. This probably won’t be an issue, because the Magic Keyboard likely doesn’t have a battery at all. However, that’s something we don’t know for sure. But, it’s a safe bet that the Magic Keyboard utilizes the iPad’s Smart Connector for data transfer and power. No Bluetooth or battery required.

Magic Keyboard Flexibility

Another thing that we don’t know exactly is how flexible the Magic Keyboard is. Most cases, like the Smart Keyboard Folio, can move the cover all the way to the back. We don’t know for sure yet, but Apple has only shown the Magic keyboard in one position. This could be a problem if you want to use your iPad while moving or laying down.

Finally, I think most of us are worried about how sturdy and durable the Magic Keyboard is. This is pure speculation, of course, but the case doesn’t look like it will protect your iPad Pro all that well. It doesn’t even look strong enough to protect itself in a fall. That’s not something you want for a case that’s this expensive, which takes us to the next point.

The Ugly – The Price

Finally, the thing that makes everyone wonder if the iPad Pro’s Magic Keyboard is actually worth it: The price.

The Magic Keyboard starts at a price of $299 for the 11-inch iPad Pro and $349 for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. As I mentioned before, that’s almost enough to buy a regular iPad.

Taking all of this into account, Apple’s new Magic Keyboard might not be worth it for most people.

As of right now, with the things that we do know about this case, it seems just too fragile, and the features it brings are not something that you can’t find in a third-party accessory.

On the other hand, if you’re planning to use your iPad Pro as your new computer, and you won’t be moving it around too much, and you don’t mind the price, then the Magic Keyboard will surely be a fantastic, high-quality accessory to add to your arsenal.

Overall, the Magic Keyboard might not be for most people. However, there are many things that we just don’t know yet, but we’ll find out once the Magic Keyboard drops sometime in May. But if you’re ready to get your hands on Apple’s Magic Keyboard ASAP, you can preorder it on Amazon right now.

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