What suggestions do you have for a keyboard for an iPad 12 pro. I have read various reviews and there seem to be more negative than positive. Thanks!
I have the Logitech Combo Touch on an iPad Pro 11.
It’s a good backlit keyboard with a decent trackpad, cost about £120 v £200 for the Smart Keyboard and £300 for the Magic keyboard.
The only (small) downside is that the case snaps on, so you have to prise it off. But the keyboard attaches magnetically and is easy to remove. I like the case being on as it protects the ipad.
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I don’t travel with a keyboard so I use an Apple wireless keyboard, Magic Trackpad, and Heckler Design desk stand with my 2020 iPP.
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The Apple Magic Keyboard is indeed “magic” - works just as if your iPad was a laptop with an integrated keyboard and track pad.
It is easy to remove the iPad from the magic keyboard.
2 downsides:
(1) very expensive
(2) it makes the iPad very heavy so, if you’re mostly wanting to just do typing rather than using the Pencil, you’re probably better off with a Macbook Air or other laptop.
I also have the Smart Keyboard / folio (? right name - doesn’t have a trackpad) for my 11" iPad. It is much lighter and more convenient. The keyboard works fine although a little cramped - the tilde key is next to the left hand shift key so you can guess what I often type instead of “shift”!
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Thanks everyone for the suggestions. I will check these out.
Second this, since the Combo Touch includes a trackpad that supports Apple gestures.
I have mine for 2,5 years on my 10’5 and it still works. The case is a bit chewed through though.
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I use the standard Apple keyboard and Trackpad in the “MagicBridge” thingy from Twelve South for use in my lap. When traveling, I bring the small Logitech MX Keys for Mac that is otherwise on my desk.
I like to have only a low profile cover for my iPad and to use it on a stand / riser whenever possible for ergonomic reasons. Also, much easier when working in apps that primarily use the pencil.
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Logitech Combo Touch on my M1 12.9" iPad Pro. The keyboard snaps off easily when you decide to go without it yet the magnets are strong enough that you can even hold it by the keyboard (not recommended though but it just shows how solidly it is built), the case has a nice texture that will not show fingerprints and smudges as much as the MK, the backlight of the keys is nice and the row of function keys is convenient. It does add quite a bit of bulk to the iPad but so does the MK. The only downside, realistically, is that it takes a bit more desk space than the MK due to the Surface-style kick-back stand.
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Does anyone have experience with the Brydge line of keyboards?
A couple of years ago, I had the 12.9 for my iPad Pro (the non touchpad version) but I was really disappointed by the quality (the hinge came off, and separately the rubbers which grip the iPad disintegrated.) I also found it annoying to insert and remove my iPad to/from it.
The Brydge back cover lasted about a week before I got fed up and stopped using it.
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Completely agree with this. This was my experience with the Brydge as well. Liked the keyboard itself but quit using it because of the above. I have the Logitech Combo Touch. Agree with @dario. Mine does not bulge out at the speakesr as some others have experienced. I’ve been using mine daily for slightly over 1 year.
I do not like the feel of the materials used on the Apple Smart iPad keyboards. If I wanted to use an Apple keyboard with my iPad, I would just use the Magic Keyboard.
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I just use an standard Apple keyboard, so if (and a big if) I upgrade my iPad pro in the future I am not going to be succoured into a new integrated keyboard at some ridiculous price.
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I briefly tried - but didn’t like - the case/
For many of the same reasons as mentioned by others above, I never really liked these combined keyboard cases. Built quality, materials seem inferior to desktop keyboard. Typing feel is inferior as well IMO, especially on Apple’s Folio and cramped on keyboard cases designed for 11" and smaller iPads. Yet they are heavyweight for what they do. I also don’t like having to separate my iPad from these cases. And most magic thing about Apple’s iPad Magic Keyboard to me is its price (299$/349$ for the 11in and 12.9in version respectively).
There’s also the though of obsolescence once Apple moves to a new form factor or connector for iPads if I’ll replace my keyboard. Contrast that with a Bluetooth keyboard that will last me 5-10 years easily.
So I’m using a tenkeyless Apple “desktop” Magic Keyboard.
Edit: If you’re not the backpacking type that’s concerned about the least amount of weight, Logitech’s K380 is a solid full-size (tenkeyless) keyboard as well. At 30-40$ ist costs almost nothing and can be paired and switched between up to three devices (think: iPhone, iPad, Apple TV).
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Thank you everyone for the suggestions! I will look into these keyboards. I truly appreciate your suggestions! Thanks!
I agree. I had the same problems. However, I bought the Brydge Max in a sale on a whim and it is a far better product and easy to get the iPad in and out of the case. It is even heavier than the Apple alternative and I feel (no scientific evidence) that the trackpad is a bit more finicky. I am a bit conflicted on this. I like not having to have a bluetooth connection (which is either on when you don’t want it to be or vice versa), but a simple folio cover and Magic keyboard (I have a spare) and Trackpad seems like an interesting proposition and inherently more flexible.
It does have a very particular feel though.
I could never get used to the round keys (if it’s the one I’m thinking of)