Gurman: New Magic Keyboard for iPad to Feature Aluminum Top Case

Apple's next-generation iPad Pro will launch alongside a redesigned Magic Keyboard accessory that makes the device more laptop-like, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.

ipad pro 2022
Last week, Gurman outlined how Apple was working on a redesigned Magic Keyboard for the ‌iPad Pro‌ that makes it "look even more like a laptop than the current setup" thanks to a larger trackpad. Now, in the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman reveals additional information about the extensive redesign of the accessory. The area around the keyboard itself will apparently be made of aluminum, resembling the top case of MacBooks, to provide a sturdier structure. Apple purportedly hopes that the changes will address criticisms of the current model.

The exterior shell of the keyboard will retain the silicone cover material used on the current model and a single USB-C port. Gurman mused that the redesign using more premium materials could lead Apple to raise the accessory's $299 price point.

The redesigned Magic Keyboard is expected to arrive alongside the next-generation ‌iPad Pro‌ models next year, which Gurman says will introduce "fundamental changes" and be the first major update to the product since 2018, adding the M3 Apple silicon chip, OLED displays, and slightly larger 11- and 13-inch size options.

Related Roundup: iPad Pro
Buyer's Guide: iPad Pro (Neutral)

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Top Rated Comments

abatabia Avatar
16 months ago
These keyboards are already the price of a base iPad itself, just cannot justify the expense.
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bb426 Avatar
16 months ago
So $399 to make my $1099 iPad look like a $1299 MacBook Air when I can be 100x more productive on the Air? Yikes.

Will I still buy it? Yeah.
Score: 26 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gpat Avatar
16 months ago
Too bad, the top layer of iPad OS is still going to be made out of expired jelly.
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
klasma Avatar
16 months ago

Apple's next-generation iPad Pro will launch alongside a redesigned Magic Keyboard accessory that makes the device more laptop-like
“…that makes the device look more laptop-like”, I think.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JForestZ34 Avatar
16 months ago
I have the magic keyboard for my ipad pro and honestly I think I wasted my money. I mostly use the pro on the go or sitting somewhere and just interneting lol. I rarely use it at a table to be able to use the keyboard.


James
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Xangelkiller Avatar
16 months ago
This is unnecessary. I can see why the trackpad might grow, but an aluminum keyboard? Who wants a potentially heavier keyboard. This thing is already heavier than a MacBook Air.

I use an iPad Pro 12.9 with Magic Keyboard as my main personal device (and mostly love it), but I can’t imagine it being any heavier than it already is. They should be focusing on making the iPadOS experience better.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)