Are you thinking about getting the Apple Magic Keyboard for your iPad Pro? Before you do, you might want to consider the downsides of this fancy gadget. Sure, it looks sleek and stylish, but is it really worth the investment? In this article, we’ll explore five disadvantages of the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro that you should know about before you make a decision.
1. The Price Tag
Let’s start with the most obvious downside: the price. At a whopping $299, the Apple Magic Keyboard is more expensive than some laptops on the market. That’s a lot of money for a keyboard, especially if you already have a keyboard that you’re comfortable using.
Sure, the Apple Magic Keyboard has some unique features, like a trackpad and a backlit keyboard. But is it really worth the extra cash? The truth is, you can get a decent Bluetooth keyboard for your iPad Pro for a fraction of the price. And if you don’t need the trackpad, you can even get a keyboard case for your iPad Pro for under $50.
So, unless you’re willing to shell out some serious cash for the Apple Magic Keyboard, you might want to consider some more affordable alternatives.
2. Limited Viewing Angles
Another disadvantage of Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro is the limited viewing angles. When you attach your iPad Pro to the keyboard, you’re essentially limited to two viewing angles: one that’s almost upright, and one that’s almost flat.
This might not be a big deal if you’re just using your iPad Pro to type up documents or browse the web. But if you’re using your iPad Pro for more creative endeavors, like drawing or graphic design, you might find the limited viewing angles to be a hindrance.
And let’s not forget about the fact that you can’t fold the keyboard all the way back when you want to use your iPad Pro as a tablet. With the Apple Magic Keyboard attached, your iPad Pro is essentially a laptop. So if you want to use your iPad Pro as a tablet, you’ll need to remove it from the keyboard altogether. iPads are sketchpads and readers, too, and you can’t use the iPad easily for those purposes with the Magic Keyboard on. That means popping the case off (it attaches with magnets), and then you’re left holding a naked iPad.
3. Not Ideal for Lap Use
The Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro might be great for use on a desk or table, but it’s not ideal for lap use. Unlike a laptop, which has a built-in base that allows you to balance it comfortably on your lap, the Apple Magic Keyboard requires a flat, stable surface to work properly.
This means that if you want to use your iPad Pro with the Magic Keyboard on your lap, you’ll need to find a table or desk to prop it up on. And even then, you might find that it’s not as comfortable as using a laptop.
Furthermore, the Apple Magic Keyboard is quite heavy, which makes it cumbersome to carry around with you. So if you’re someone who likes to work on the go, you might find the Apple Magic Keyboard to be more of a hindrance than a help.
4. Limited Keyboard Shortcuts
While the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro comes with a trackpad and backlit keyboard, it falls short when it comes to keyboard shortcuts. Compared to traditional laptop keyboards, the Magic Keyboard has a limited number of keys and does not offer as many shortcut options.
For example, on a MacBook, you can use keyboard shortcuts to quickly open apps, take screenshots, adjust brightness, and more. But with the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, you’ll have to rely more on touch gestures and on-screen controls to accomplish these tasks.
Of course, this might not be a big deal if you’re just using your iPad Pro for basic tasks like browsing the web and typing up documents. But if you’re a power user who relies heavily on keyboard shortcuts to get work done, you might find the Magic Keyboard to be a bit limiting.
That said, Apple has added more keyboard shortcuts to iPadOS over the years, and they are continuing to improve the user experience. But for now, if keyboard shortcuts are an essential part of your workflow, you might want to consider a traditional laptop instead of the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro.
5. No Function Keys or Escape Key
Another disadvantage of the Apple Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro is lack of Function and escape keys. The Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro is designed to be sleek and minimalist, which means it does not come with traditional function keys or an escape key.
Some iPad keyboard cases have extra rows of dedicated function keys, sadly, Apple oddly left them out on the Magic Keyboard. Instead, the keyboard uses a series of shortcuts and gestures to perform these functions.
For example, if you want to access the iPad Pro’s Home screen, you can swipe up from the bottom of the screen. If you want to access the app switcher, you can swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hold. And if you want to access the Control Center, you can swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen.
While these touch gestures can be intuitive and convenient, they can also take some getting used to, especially if you’re used to using function keys and escape keys on a traditional keyboard.
Conclusion
So there you have it: five disadvantages of the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro. While this keyboard certainly has its advantages, like a sleek design and a backlit keyboard, it’s important to consider the downsides before you make a decision.
The high price tag might be worth it if you’re someone who relies heavily on your iPad Pro for work or creative endeavors. But if you’re just looking for a basic keyboard to use with your iPad Pro, there are plenty of more affordable options out there.
And if you’re someone who likes to work on the go or use your iPad Pro in a variety of different settings, you might find the limited viewing angles and lack of lap use to be a hindrance.
So before you make a decision, weigh the pros and cons carefully and think about how you’ll be using your iPad Pro and whether the Apple Magic Keyboard is really the best option for you.
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