Why I Returned My iPad Pro Magic Keyboard! Cheap Alternatives? Worth It?

Timestamps
0:00 - Intro
1:08 - Alternative Cheap Portable Keyboard
1:25 - Smart Folio & Keyboard Combo
3:08 - Thought's on a Bluetooth Mouse, Gaming, Text Selection
3:59 - iPad Pro Keyboard Folio Thoughts
5:09 - Sponsored by PaperLike
5:55 - Let's Talk About the Trackpad (Thoughts Also Apply to Magic Trackpad, Magic Mouse)
7:11 - Magic Keyboard Battery Drain?
7:40 - Magic Keyboard Typing Experience... It's Awesome!
8:07 - Limited Hinge, Lacks Versatility, 1st Gen Product
8:46 - Works Great for Students, Those Who Want a "Traditional" Laptop Experience
8:58 - Use Your iPad More as a Tablet? Not For You.
9:18 - Docked Charging? Charging Port?
9:50 - Not a One-Handed Opening, Feels Clunky
10:30 - Closing Remarks, I'm Returning It But You Might Like It!

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Intro Song: Sunset Dew

#iPadPro #MagicKeyboard #Apple

[Spartan]

Youtubers who timestamp their own videos instead of making me find it for myself deserves my undivided attention.

[ktphan]

This was a very insightful analysis. I appreciate you being bold and critical rather than saying the same thing all the other reviewers say. Agree or disagree it’s always good to see an alternative perspective, especially when your points were very valid.

[blasiangoddess]

I returned mine as well. I just didn’t think it was worth $350. For it being $350, it should at least be more versatile and should be more compatible with the Apple Pencil. It doesn’t even bend back far enough and before anyone bashes me about what I said, yes, I know that apple designed it that way on purpose so the iPad wouldn’t tip over. But that should at least make the price less expensive. I returned mine and got the Logitech k380 keyboard and the pebble mouse and a iPad stand from amazon, and it is the best decision I have made. It’s like a touch screen iMac. Definitely saved a lot. That’s just my opinion. To each its own.

[sharingmatters]

Finally some reasonable review! Magic Keyboard is good only if you need a laptop-kind device. But still - not with this price tag.

[at]

My main problem is that it won’t flip 360 degrees to use it flat. People say that you’re supposed to just remove the iPad from the keyboard but I think it’s ridiculous that I’m expected to 1) use the iPad unprotected and 2) now carry the keyboard case and the iPad separately OR find somewhere to put the keyboard. It’s clunky and an inconvenience when you’re constantly on the go, especially as both a student and an artist because I spend equal time drawing and typing. I mean imagine drawing on the metro with that kind of set up. Even worse, imagine trying to jot something down while standing - you have to open the keyboard case, remove the iPad, and then write down whatever while holding both the case and the iPad, and then put the iPad back in the case. Versus just flipping it open and writing down whatever. It totally ruins the speed and portability of the iPad. You can only use it when you’re sitting, you have space, and you have time. A device made for a tablet shouldn’t require you to remove it in order to use the tablet as a tablet.

[kennethkang]

Just way too expensive for justification....defeat the purpose of having an ipad . ...

[lswt]

i think you just saved me $300/400 (exchange rates) within the first 2 minutes of this video. thank you daniel

[hhoebeke]

Each their own opinion off course - and it has to work for you... for me it is exactly what I was looking for. Excellent typing experience, backlit keys, extra charging port, works on the lap and on the desk, the trackpad is second to none. I also much prefer the smart connector over bluetooth (secure, reliable connection). There is some heft to it but that is rather reassuring as you need a sturdy keyboard to keep the set-up (top heavy with all the internals in the ipad stable. Since the earlier Ipad pro’s and their keyboard that only provide a front cover I have gotten used to using the ipad without a case and in the years doing so I have never damaged any of them (9.7, 10.5 and now the 11). This includes a lot of travel and back and forth home - office in the backpack... So when I read longer pieces, need to take notes, etc... I just take remove it from the keyboard and do what I need to do..., I don’t see the problem in that. It is not a traditional cover and does not pretend to be so. It provides protection during transport and while closed, nothing more, nothing less. Other critiques such as the lack of a function key row, the trackpad (or the screen) allows such quick access to the control centre where you can change volume, screen brightness, full music controls, ... etc. Keyboard brightness is lacking today, but that should be an easy software fix and the automatic change works 99pct of the time. The negatives of squeezing and extra row of keys on the keyboard outweigh the benefits. So for me it adds a great value to my heavily used 2018 11. Some things that can be improved: I am not a big fan of the outside material. It feels a bit different and hopefully better but had to apply a cover to my smart keyboard as it held up quite badly after about a year of use. I also would prefer the inclusion of a a small extended shape on top to provide some protection to the pencil when in transit (although that would obviously result in criticism as it would be odd for those that don’t need the pencil). In order to mitigate the cost Apple should introduce some type of package deals when selling the ipad (and other products), discounting a certain percentage, after all both the keyboard and the pencil are now already covered under Apple care.
To conclude in my personal use case, the inclusion of this keyboard with its additional functionality, as well as the pencil provides me an all round mobile work station with cellular connectivity. Looking forward to see how iPad OS will further evolve as the strides these past two years have been huge.

[victuringan]

This is my best purchase this year so far

[samanthalipko]

When you iPad is mounted to your magic keyboard, flip it so the magnetic mount is facing you and the keyboard is in the back. The slight tilt is sturdy and is at an easier angle to draw.

[emerytaylor]

Absolutely fire video, thank you! As a college student this was so useful :)

[nicholascheung]

Ur alternative setup is definitely not cumbersome at all, very easy to use and make so much sense. 😁

[treeriders]

Really nice to see a more critical review like this. The price is ridiculous and it should be able to flip the whole way around. Also, really good idea for storing a bluetooth keyboard. I might actually do that.

[GeneBasler]

I was initially frustrated because I routinely switch between different on screen language keyboards and it took me a while to figure out how to do that without undocking the iPad from the keyboard. But now that I figured it out I’m even happier with my magic keyboard than I was before.

[SomeJohndoe]

I feel the same way! For 300 or 350 the amount of room for improvement on this keyboard case just makes it hard to justify the price.for 199 and 249 for the 11 and 12.9 inch it would be more acceptable a price

[TarTw]

Ordered mine and use it for few days to find out that Magic Keyboard made my iPad usage less versatile.
So I return it and get Smart Keyboard Folio 2020 from local store with 25% off deal instead, very happy with my choice.

[AlwaysBolttheBird]

The only thing I really like about the Magic Keyboard is it’s more of a dock than a keyboard case. It charges through the case using the contact points on the back of the iPad. I have it on my desk with a USBC hub plugged into it. It’s unfortunately too expensive but I think a lot of people are thinking about it wrong. It’s still too expensive and would like to see a second version

[mayiborrowadollar]

I personally have no problem with Apple’s price on that MKB. I do think it’s vastly overpriced but it’s apple so I’m used to it. But I think the lack of versatility for me is the nail in the coffin. I’d say either get the Logitech Combo for $230 or get a Smart Keyboard folio and a mouse or trackpad. Great vid!!!

[AAA-bhzw]

The keyboard folio combo was genius and does the job

[mkleng]

By far the best and most comprehensive critique of the magic keyboard! Totally agree with all you said.