Luckily, this is rarely an issue with current iPad keyboards.
Long battery life: The less you have to worry about your keyboard’s battery dying, the better. The Smart Keyboard Folio for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is a full-size keyboard when you need it provides elegant front and back protection when you dont and.We primarily look at models that come from known brands offering solid customer support and a good warranty, but we don’t entirely exclude popular models from less-established companies. A reputable brand: Keyboards have lots of moving parts, and cheaply made ones tend to have reliability problems.An Apple Pencil holder: All current iPads support the Apple Pencil, so having a way to securely carry one with you-often in the form of a flap that holds the Pencil in place while it’s magnetically attached to the side of the iPad-is a small but appreciated feature.Multiple angle options: Multiple angles for propping up your iPad give you more flexibility in terms of ergonomics, comfort, and avoiding screen glare-but at the very least, a case should offer an angle that lets you comfortably view the screen but isn’t easy to tip over.An easy on-off design: We appreciate keyboard cases that make it simple to leave the keyboard behind when you don’t need it so you aren’t forced to carry extra bulk and weight.It also shouldn’t take up too deep a space on your desk. Reasonable size and weight: A keyboard case makes an iPad bulkier and heavier, but it shouldn’t do so to an unreasonable extent. for Apple iPad Pro Smart Keyboard Folio 12.9 (4th, 2020) Sticker skins covers top, rear, and keyboard area panels Compatible with iPad Pro 12.9 inch 4th Gen (.Solid protection: A good keyboard case must protect your iPad well, covering the device’s back and sides in such a way as to prevent scratches and mitigate damage from drops.We prefer (but don’t require) dedicated keys, as opposed to overlays that require you to press the Fn key to access these functions. Dedicated iPadOS keys: We like having iPadOS-specific keys for functions such as Spotlight (search), brightness adjustment, and Home.The keys should have a decent amount of travel (the distance you press the key to activate it) and should have a good tactile feel. Good keys: The keys shouldn’t be so small or so cramped that you regularly press adjacent keys by accident.The right key layout: The keyboard should use a standard key layout with all the expected keys in all the correct locations.If typing on the keyboard isn’t dramatically better than typing on the iPad’s screen, there’s no point to the extra weight and expense. A good typing experience: The most important part of any iPad keyboard case is the keyboard itself.That’s an attractive difference, but keep in mind that you’re really missing out on a lot of features by sticking with Apple’s older design. The 11-inch model is slightly more affordable at $299, but that’s still a hefty chunk of change.Īs for the Smart Keyboard Folio, the 12.9-inch model costs $199 and the 11-inch model costs $179, while the Smart Keyboard costs $159. For perspective, that’s more than you’ll pay for an entry-level regular iPad.
The Magic Keyboard costs a jaw-dropping $349 for the 12.9-inch model. With the Magic Keyboard attached, the iPad Pro is closer in weight to a laptop than a tablet. If you’re going to be carrying your iPad Pro around with the keyboard, it’s definitely something to consider.
This portable full-size keyboard connects directly to your 3rd, 4th, or 5th. The Magic Keyboard case is noticeably heavier than the Smart Keyboard Folio and adds quite a bit of weight to the iPad (1.6 pounds versus 0.89 pounds). Expand your productivity with the Apple Smart Keyboard Folio for 12.9 iPad Pro. Still, you should buy the model that fits your specific iPad. Furthermore, the 2021 12.9-inch iPad Pro is slightly thicker than the previous version, though in our testing the old Magic Keyboard case works with the new model. The situation gets trickier if you’re considering using the 2018 Smart Keyboard Folio with the 2020 or 2021 iPad Pro since the cutout for the camera in the 2018 model is too small for the square array found on the 2020 iPad Pro.