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Paul Mah

Snap on Apple’s new Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, and it transforms your 12.9-inch tablet into a laptop complete with full-sized keys and a built-in trackpad.
Swathed in the same soft-touch plastic case as the Smart Keyboard Folio that debuted in 2018, the USB-C port (for charging only) built into the hinge on the left side adds to the impression you are using a laptop.
As with the Smart Keyboard Folio, the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro attaches firmly to the tablet using magnets. The edges are similarly exposed with the lid closed, which translates to negligible drop protection on the sides. And while it is stiff enough that you can forget about opening the device with one hand, it hinges up smoothly before locking in place just short of 90 degrees. Keep pushing and the back panel folds back for a distinctive “floating” design that is guaranteed to turn heads.
The chiclet keys are made of hard plastic with adjustable backlighting – Apple says it uses the same scissor mechanism found on the latest MacBook – and have good travel, delivering an excellent typing experience.

The trackpad is made of glass and offers an experience that is arguably superior to those of the keyboards on many laptops, producing a satisfyingly tactile click on any part of its surface. Indeed, touch type on the Magic Keyboard, and you will be forgiven for mistaking it for a laptop keyboard.
If you ever need to use your iPad when charging, the USB-C port on the Magic Keyboard lets you keep the cable out of the way and frees up the port on the iPad for other accessories.

Its weight is exquisitely balanced, making it extremely stable on the desk; it even sits reasonably well on your lap, though you might want to rest a hand on it. If you attend a lot of conferences, it is probably more comfortable than Microsoft’s Surface Pro family of devices due to the absence of a kickstand.
Despite the impressions given by the teaser photos from Apple, the Magic Keyboard is hardly the be-all and end-all of iPad peripherals. The ability to adjust the angle of the screen is relatively limited, for instance, and you cannot flip the keyboard to the back (like the Smart Keyboard Folio) and hold it in your hands unless you detach the tablet entirely. Doing so will remove whatever modicum of protection you have against accidental scratches and scuffs.
The Magic Keyboard is heavy, too. Apple does not officially list the weight on its website, but our kitchen scales pegged it at 700 grams (25oz), compared to the 407 grams of the Smart Keyboard Folio.

With the Magic Keyboard attached, the iPad is as thick and weighs as much as a modern laptop such as the Dell XPS 2-in-1. This is probably a big reason why the older Smart Keyboard Folio is still being sold; using the Magic Keyboard with your iPad makes it weigh as much as a lightweight laptop, yet the set-up does not give you the versatility of Windows or MacOS.
Should you get the Magic Keyboard? While many have derided the device for its weight, there is no better way to enter data on the Apple tablet.
The new scissor keys are undoubtedly better than butterfly keys, and their use on the Magic Keyboard is surely the final nail in the coffin for the latter.
Moreover, the enhancements in iPadOS 13.4 have made using the trackpad on the iPad a delight.
If your work processes can be fulfilled by iPadOS and you enjoy using the iPad Pro’s content consumption capabilities at the weekend, then the Magic Keyboard is probably perfect for your needs. Assuming you have the money to spare, of course.
The Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro costs HK$2,699 (US$348) and HK$2,299 for the 11-inch version).


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The Magic Keyboard has full-sized, backlit keys, and a glass trackpad with a satisfying tactile click
On the downside, it has limited screen angle adjustment and you can’t flip it over or use it one-handed



Apple’s new Magic Keyboard transforms your iPad Pro into a working laptop with full-sized backlit keys and a clickable glass trackpad. It is beautifully balanced, although it is heavy and the screen angle adjustment is limited.


Apple

Gadget reviews