Apple's Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro: Everything You Need to Know

 In the spring of 2020, Apple introduced and launched the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, which is identical to an iPad smart keyboard but with a built-in trackpad for improved cursor navigation.


In the guide below, we cover everything we know about Apple's new Magic Keyboard, including compatible devices, feature set, and more.

iPad Pro Magic Keyboard Reviews

Reviews of the latest Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro were overwhelmingly positive, and the key feel and the consistency and functionality of the trackpad were impressed by several reviewers.


The weight, which adds quite a lot of bulk to the iPad Pro, was the biggest complaint about the new Magic Keyboard. The 12.9-inch model paired with a Magic Keyboard is, as mentioned above, heavier than a MacBook Air.

In comparison to the trackpad on a MacBook, reviewers considered the trackpad to be a bit thin, but said that it functions smoothly and is superior to the trackpad on Microsoft's Surface machines. The lack of function keys on the keyboard included another complaint, preventing users from manipulating things like key brightness. We have included numerous review videos below, and a list of places with full Magic Keyboard reviews.

Written Reviews

  • The Verge
  • Engadget
  • TechCrunch
  • MobileSyrup
  • Gear Patrol

Design

In design, the Magic Keyboard is similar to the previous Apple Smart Keyboard Folio for the iPad Pro, but some special design features are worth noting.


The keyboard itself magnetically connects and wraps around the front and back of the iPad and when closed it is flush with the iPad, but when opened, the back portion of the keyboard case angles forward to connect to the area in front of the keyboard, leaving the iPad Pro floating in the air above the portion of the keyboard.


The 'iPad Pro' is secured to the case using a magnetic link in this floating position. A cantilevered hinge makes it possible to adapt the iPad Pro to different viewing angles. When closed, front and back security for the iPad Pro is provided by the Magic Keyboard.


The architecture of the Magic Keyboard does not allow for a sketching or drawing mode to be flipped around the back of the iPad Pro. Using the iPad Pro outside of a normal laptop mode includes the removal of the Magic Keyboard.

Weight

The new Magic Keyboard is bigger, which is something to remember before buying, than the iPad Pro itself. The Magic Keyboard's 12.9 inch edition weights 710 grammes (1.6 pounds), heavier than the 12.9 inch iPad Pro's 641 grammes (1.41 pounds).


That's just over three pounds combined, which is heavier than a MacBook Air and similar to the weight of a MacBook Pro 13-inch.

The Magic Keyboard for the 11-inch Magic Keyboard weights 601 grams (1.3 pounds), while the 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌ weighs 471 grams (1.04 pounds), so the 11-inch keyboard is heavier than the 11-inch ‌iPad Pro‌, but the combined weight doesn't make the setup heavier than a MacBook.

Trackpad

Just as on a MacBook, the trackpad on the Magic Keyboard is placed below the keys. It's smaller than the MacBook trackpad, but operates in much the same way , allowing swipes, gestures, and taps to navigate through iPadOS.


Keys and Key Feel

The Magic Keyboard is a full-size keyboard that uses the same scissor switch mechanism that Apple has implemented in the 2019 16-inch ‌MacBook Pro‌ and the 2020 ‌MacBook Air‌.


Scissor switches are more durable than Apple 's previous keyboard butterfly switches, with butterfly switches vulnerable to failure due to dust and other small particles. In this x-ray of the Magic Keyboard shared by iFixit, the scissor switch keyboard can be seen.


For a quiet yet reactive typing experience that Apple claims is the best typing experience ever on an iPad, the scissor mechanism provides 1 mm of movement. The keys on the Magic Keyboard deliver a more satisfying press thanks to the 1 mm of travel compared to the 'Smart Keyboard' Folio that does not have a trackpad.


The keys on the Magic Keyboard are backlit, changing the brightness depending on the room's ambient lighting.

Gestures of trackpads

Apple created a new trackpad experience for the iPad, adding support for multi-touch gestures and the cursor, developed for a touch-first interface.

The cursor appears on the screen of the iPad Pro as a circle while using the trackpad, a style Apple chose because it looked close to a finger's tip. The cursor appears only when the trackpad is touched and is in use, and when not in use, it fades away.

The Magic Keyboard operates on iPadOS, with the cursor transforming when items can be interacted with on the monitor. The trackpad experience is close to using a Mac trackpad, and it feels just as normal as it does on a Mac.

The Magic Keyboard operates on iPadOS, with the cursor transforming when items can be interacted with on the monitor. The trackpad experience is close to using a Mac trackpad, and it feels just as normal as it does on a Mac.

  • To open the Control Center, bring the cursor to the top right of the [iPad] monitor.
  • To open the Notification Center, bring the cursor to the upper left of the iPad window.
  • Tap to open apps.
  • To trigger the long press functionality, press and hold.
  • To open a dock, carry the cursor to the bottom of the screen.
  • Slide the cursor all the way to the right side of the screen to get to Slide Over apps.
  • Swipe down with three fingers to access the Home screen.
  • Swipe left or right with three fingers to swap between open apps.
  • Swipe upwards with three fingers and hold to get to the multitasking view.
  • Use pinch gestures to zoom in and out where appropriate.
  • Swipe down with two fingers to bring up Spotlight search.
  • To open a dock, carry the cursor to the bottom of the screen.
  • Long press when editing text to select text to copy or drag and drop.
  • In a text editing app, use two fingers to bring up options for Cut, Copy, and Paste.
  • For a right click gesture, click with two fingers.

The trackpad works by default for both Apple apps and third-party apps, and developers get an API to add deeper trackpad support to their apps. Apple also develops support for individual applications, such as Websites, Keynote, and Numbers.

Stability of Lap

On a lap, the Magic Keyboard is safe and is designed to be well-balanced for lap use. With no versatility, it is a static keyboard.

Tilt

The tilt of the ‌iPad Pro‌ when inside the Magic Keyboard can be adjusted from 90 to 130 degrees.

USB-C Port

On the Magic Keyboard, there is a USB-C port that facilitates passthrough charging, leaving the USB-C port on the iPad Pro itself open to connect to displays or accessories. The USB-C port inductively supplies power to the iPad Pro, and although it does not provide as much power as the regular power adapter, it is not too far from.

Some owners of Magic Keyboards have had difficulty charging the keyboard using a charging cable or power adapter from a third party, which is something to be aware of. The iPad Pro charging cable and power adapter from Apple may be appropriate.

Compatible Devices

The Magic Keyboard is compatible with 11-inch iPad Pro models of the first and second generations and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models of the 3rd and 4th generations.


This includes all of the 2018 and 2020 'iPad Pro' models.

Software Requirements

Using the Magic Keyboard on an iPad Pro includes the iPadOS 13.4 update, which, along with several trackpad gestures and options, allows mouse and trackpad support.

Magic Keyboard and Trackpad How Tos

  • How to Change the Backlight Key Brightness for iPad Pro on a Magic Keyboard
  • How to Remap iPad Modifier Keys When You Use a Keyboard
  • How to use your iPad's Bluetooth mouse or trackpad
  • How to use Usability shortcuts to navigate an iPad with an external keyboard

Pricing and Purchase Info

The 11-inch iPad Pro 's Magic Keyboard costs $299, and the 12.9-inch iPad Pro 's Magic Keyboard costs $349. You can buy the Magic Keyboards from Apple's online store.

Hidden Features of the Magic Keyboard

There are a lot of little secret features and tweaks that are not immediately evident when using the Magic Keyboard, so be sure to check out our video tips and tricks to learn about some useful features, such as changing the keys' backlighting and pulling up the keyboard on the phone.


Other Keyboard with Options for Trackpad

There are a few other trackpad keyboard cases designed for the iPad Pro and other iPads from Apple, which can be found available for purchase in our keyboard trackpad case guide.

The Magic Keyboard may be released for more iPad models in the future.




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