iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard — Random Thoughts

Reviews

Noticing a Change in How iPad Gets Used

If you switch from an iPad with a Home button, to one without a Home Button — and you also purchase a Magic Keyboard — you’re more than likely going to see a change in the way you use your iPad.

Let’s review some history, and then we’ll relate this to the modern iPad. 

iPad has been one of the most diverse pieces-of-glass ever:

  • it sometimes attempts to function as a laptop;
  • with the Apple Pencil, it morphs into the Artist’s sketchbook,
  • for the casual user, it can be the perfect social media / video player consumption device.

Earlier generations of iPad had a flawless hold-in-your-hand design. The viewable front was perfectly flat. The back blended into the front with rounded edges. This made it very comfortable to hold. Even the bezel played into this design — allowing a place for fingers to grip without blocking the display.

The latest iPad Pros, without a Home button, have changed all that. Don’t believe me? Try to holding one while reading a Kindle book. You’ll quickly notice sharp edges pressing into your fingers. And … although the latest 2020 12.9” iPad 4th Gen without a Home button is lighter (1.42 pounds) than the 2nd Generation 12.9” with a Home button (1.53 pounds), it feels heavier due to all its weight being packed into a smaller space !

When I purchased the Magic Keyboard, I thought I would make heavy use of detaching the iPad for reading on the couch. But, surprisingly, I’m finding I’m discouraged from doing that for all the reasons listed above. At the same time, I’m finding that I’m encouraged to do all my light couch-use with the Magic Keyboard attached — due to how well it performs in one’s lap ! 

( Now, I know others in YouTube videos are showing that you have to keep your hands on the keyboard to keep it from tipping over. But I’m not seeing that. I guess they are sitting such that their lap/legs are not level. I don’t notice that — my lap/upper legs are pretty much level. Reclining back is even better. ) 

With the Magic Keyboard, I have a perfect stand for the iPad that sits on my lap. There’s no danger of it tipping over. The center of gravity is the same as if it were place on a desk. I have it tilted all the way back, and it stands fine. I can read without touching the ipad at all ! And … I find myself using it this way a lot. In fact, I find myself doing a lot of SwiftUI test coding programs in the Playgrounds app — all while sitting on the couch while my wife is watching TV. Is this good or bad? Don’t know; just saying … 

(BTW, the photo at the top of this article was taken with both hands holding the iPhone steady, while the iPad/Magic Keyboard is sitting in my lap — in the room where our TV is located. I’m typing this article in Drafts mark up with the rendering is on the right half of the screen.)

Recap Apple has been successful in making the device usable for laptop-like-sessions … that’s also more portable, no matter what kind of work you’re doing. But, this does come with the expense of comfort when holding the device in hand.

Quirks

  • RETURN key in Messages app sends the text immediately! If you need to format a text with line breaks (i.e. sending lists, addresses, paragraphs, etc) then you have to pull up the virtual keyboard, and use its Return key instead. 
  • No ESC key! And the CMD-. key doesn’t always substitute for the ESC key as advertised.
  • Using CMD-Q to quit an app doesn’t really quit the app! It only removes it from the CMD-Tab list of apps. You’ll still find the app is running in the background.
  • My really nice power bank (The RoMoss 20,000 maH) does not work from the Magic Keyboard’s pass-through USB‑C port. In fact there are many 3rd party devices that do not work with this port.

Personal Notes

  • Regarding Weight: Yes … it’s heavy, but I really don’t think weight is a problem. It is detachable, so holding the iPad is lighter than any other case that is not detachable. If you’re using the keyboard you’re not holding it’s weight anyway — so, weight is not a problem. (Unless you’re toting it in a backpack, in which case, the extra weight is not that noticeable). This is just my opinion.
  • Regarding case material getting dirty. I have disdained most all Apple Cases made of this material. Until now, I avoided them and bought 3rd party cases/keyboards. Most are saying this case gets dirty. Perhaps it does with normal usage. I have not noticed this — but I am in a habit of never touching the case after eating anything greasy (chips, pizza, etc) … and I always lay it down on a microfiber cloth (or else my lap, in which case I am wearing sweat pants or blue jeans). Surprisingly, I am not seeing this case collect spots or a dirty appearance on the outside yet. Still looks new to me … just saying.

Pros

  • Fantastic typing experience !
  • iPad is super easy to attach and detach
  • Great lap usage sessions … best I’ve seen in a keyboard case.
  • Trackpad is better than I thought it would be.
  • Does not rely on Bluetooth for its connection

Cons

  • Needs quicker Volume and Brightness controls !
  • Price !
  • Quirks (listed above)
  • Compatibility of the pass-through USB‑C port. (Might as wells not be there at all for how I’d like to use it — just saying)
  • Noticeable drain on iPad battery.

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