I’m coming to realise that the Folio Keyboard is a very different beast to the Folio Keyboard. Mainly in terms of quality - the Folio Keyboard is horrible and arguably the worst thing that Apple makes, in my opinion.
This post is more about how I use(d) each of them, though. The Folio Keyboard was more of a protective case that I could open up into a keyboard, but also fold it behind the iPad when I went to bed to be able to read.
That’s not the case with the Magic Keyboard. Yes, it protects the iPad but to be able to read it in bed, I have to detach the iPad totally which potentially opens up the iPad to damage.
So how do those of you with a Magic Keyboard use it with the iPad? Do you only attach it when you are working on your iPad? If so, how do you protect your iPad for leisure/reading? Have you bought another standard folio cover for when you’re not working?
Most of the time my iPad remains in the Magic Keyboard. The rare occasions — and in the last six months only one — where I separate them it is because I have a speech to make and holding the iPad in portrait mode allows more of the text to be on-screen. Other rarities are using it in bed but then it mimics the way I use my MacBookPro with clamshell open with the keyboard ready for me to touchtype.
First of all, I have never been that concerned on protecting the iPad at all times. Around the house, I’ll leave it on a table without any case from time to time. If I’m traveling, I always have it in something. I’ve never damaged my iPad even with relaxed standards on case protection.
Most of the time my iPad is in the Magic Keyboard and I just pop it off when I want to more deep reading, work with PDFs, etc. Most of my web surfing is inside the Magic Keyboard so I can type easily and use the trackpad.
That being said, I also have a simple folio case if I know I’m not going to need a keyboard when traveling. Specifically, I often have to travel with my work laptop but I don’t necessarily want to give up the iPad for a plane ride, so I picked up a folio case which significantly reduces the bulk and weight in my bag. Side benefit, it fits even better on airplane tray tables with that configuration, too.
I have the Magic Keyboard without the function row. I swap the ipad easily into a cover when I wish to use it for a while without the keyboard, but then I miss the keyboard, if I use the Magic Keyboard, the keyboard is often in the way.
I still miss the original iPad Pro keyboard folio which I used with the 9.7” ipad,
It was not backlit and didn’t have a trackpad, it also made the ipad fairly thick. But it could protect the ipad, could quickly fold to be used with the keyboard and could be folded easily out of the way. I wish they still did a version like this as it was the best of both worlds.
I use the Magic Keyboard for typing obviously, but also as a stand when I’m watching video, either at a table or in bed. I usually take it off when I just want to read or browse the web. When I’m not using the iPad it goes into the keyboard for protection. I almost never leave it outside the when I’m not using it.
I put the Magic Keyboard on my iPad Pro with the intention that would be a temporary as-needed set up. It’s become permanent, essentially making the iPad into a laptop with a touch screen. The ‘read-in-bed’ scenario does not affect this, since my read-in-bed device is an iPad Mini, which is a much better Kindle than a genuine Kindle.
Before the Magic Keyboard I had the Folio Keyboard, which is a piece of junk. I threw it away.
I actually like the folio case better than the Magic Keyboard. It’s light and can go anywhere. Kinda water resistant. I never use my Magic Keyboard and I’m thinking of buying another folio before they are no longer available anywhere.
The Smart Keyboard Folio is/was one of my favorite Apple accessories. I like how little bulk it adds to the iPad, and I have one both a 12.9 and 11 inch iPad. The 12.9 is long in the tooth, and I’m sad I won’t be able to get a Keyboard Folio if/when I replace the iPad.