Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro Reviews and Unboxing Videos: Huge Jump Forward in Usability, But Expensive and Heavy

Last week, Apple began accepting orders for its new Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, several weeks earlier than anticipated. Now, the media has shared several hands-on reviews and unboxing videos of the keyboard on YouTube.

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The Magic Keyboard attaches magnetically to the iPad Pro and has a floating cantilevered design that allows the viewing angle to be adjusted up to 130 degrees. In addition to the full-size keyboard with backlit scissor switch keys, there is also a built-in trackpad, taking advantage of trackpad and mouse support added in iPadOS 13.4.

The Verge's Dieter Bohn was mostly impressed with the Magic Keyboard, noting that the keys both sound and feel better than the Smart Keyboard. Two downsides he pointed out include the overall keyboard case being quite heavy and the keyboard lacking function keys for common tasks. Bohn added that the trackpad is small but works smoothly.

Earlier today, we learned that the combined weight of a 12.9-inch iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard is slightly heavier than the MacBook Air.

Reviews

Video Reviews and Unboxings











The Magic Keyboard is available on Apple.com at price of $299 for the 11-inch iPad Pro and $349 for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Buyer's Guide: iPad Pro (Don't Buy)

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Top Rated Comments

fokmik Avatar
71 months ago
who thinks to buy an ipad pro with the need for the magic keyboard, should go for the macbook instead....the weight is gone, the dimensions are near...but one runs just ipadOS....the other ipadOS apps, macOS apps, windows apps and linux
So if you need in general a keyboard clear go for macbook air or wait for the 14" Mbp
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jcshas Avatar
71 months ago
The Verge review nails it. ??
Score: 18 Votes (Like | Disagree)
benshive Avatar
71 months ago
Crazy to think this keyboard case costs more than the HomePod. Looks great but I can't justify spending $350 for it :p
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jonnyb Avatar
71 months ago

If only Apple already had some device with a built in keyboard and trackpad which closes shut. One that was lightweight and had an OS with a proper fully functional filesystem. Perhaps allowing multiple apps to run with multiple windows. :rolleyes:
Oh cool! Does that device have Face ID, a detachable 120Hz touch screen, a pen, and cellular connectivity? What’s it called? Do you have a link? Thanks.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
GuruZac Avatar
71 months ago

What was excellent about the Verge review?
He concisely pointed out the pros and cons in his opinion. He demonstrated the rigidity, outlined the build quality, the typing experience of the keyboard and compared directly to the Smart Folio, showed the range of motion with viewing angles, and again reiterated the cost. It was just well done and not overly long.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Rogifan Avatar
71 months ago

The Verge review nails it. ??
I didn’t get that review. Sites like the Verge have been complaining about the iPad not being a real computer, just being a consumption device for years and now with this review the complaint is it makes the iPad too much like a laptop. Even though the screen is apparently very easy to detach from the keyboard when you want to use the device just to consume.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)