Turning the iPad Air into a full productivity device is the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad, which “floats” the tablet above a keyboard and trackpad. It’s a pretty great piece of engineering and design. I think it’s worth its hefty S$439 price tag for the fourth-generation iPad Air and the 11-inch iPad Pro. There’s also a bigger version for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
Quick specs
- Full‑size, backlit keys, scissor mechanism
- Folds into a case to provide front and back protection
- USB-C port for charging
I’ve been putting the Magic Keyboard through its paces for the last two weeks, and wrote this review on the keyboard. The full size, backlit keys feature 1mm of travel are a joy to type on with a solid tactile feel. It uses a scissors mechanism to give the keys a bit of a delightful bounce. Unlike the older Smart Folio Keyboard, the Apple keyboard introduces a trackpad. This adds a easy way to interact with the screen while typing, without having to disrupt your work flow by raising your hand. You can scroll pages, and iOS snaps to certain supported elements when you get close to increase efficiency.
Instead of a built-in battery to add bulk, the Magic Keyboard is powered by your iPad through the Smart Connectors at the back of the iPad. The magnets that attach the iPad hold the iPad pretty strongly. You can tilt the iPad to about a 53 degrees angle, which is a very comfortable position to work with. I’m pretty impressed with how it stands up by itself, making it great for watching videos hands-free.
There’s a USB-C connector at the bottom right, letting you charge the iPad. This frees up the iPad’s sole USB-C port. Do note that the USB-C port on the Magic Keyboard only works for charging, so if you are planning to output your display to an external monitor, you have to use the iPad’s port.
Combined, the Magic Keyboard for iPad adds quite a bit of weight. I’m not too fussed about the extra weight — it’s still lighter than a full laptop. If you own the newest iPad Air or the iPad Pro, consider getting this to upgrade your experience. Do check if your iPad is compatible before buying it. You can get it on Apple’s official store or from Lazada.
Note: Review unit provided by Apple.
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