{"id":172369,"date":"2025-04-05T19:12:34","date_gmt":"2025-04-05T19:12:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/apple-2\/apple-has-an-ipad-keyboard-problem\/"},"modified":"2025-04-05T19:12:34","modified_gmt":"2025-04-05T19:12:34","slug":"apple-has-an-ipad-keyboard-problem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=172369","title":{"rendered":"Apple has an iPad keyboard problem"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Last month, Apple introduced a number of new products, including a new iPad Air with M3 chip<\/a> for $599. While that iPad<\/a> wasn\u2019t exactly remarkable, it did bring something new to the table \u2013 another variant of Magic Keyboard<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This new Magic Keyboard<\/a> brings function keys to the iPad Air<\/a> for the first time, which is a pretty big win, but it also includes a number of head-scratching compromises. Let\u2019s discuss.<\/p>\n

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iPad Air Magic Keyboard compromises<\/h2>\n

First things first, this new Magic Keyboard<\/a> for iPad Air<\/a> starts at $269. That\u2019s by no means affordable for an iPad keyboard. Sure, a cheaper offering is always a good thing. However, with your $30 in savings compared to the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro<\/a>, you also lose out on having a backlit keyboard, a haptic touch trackpad, and an aluminum case.<\/p>\n

Those compromises would make a level of sense if this were even cheaper, say $199-249. However, that isn\u2019t the case. This keyboard is also only offered in white, which\u2019ll be more subject to picking up dirt and stains.<\/p>\n

Luckily, this iPad Air Magic Keyboard<\/a> is backwards compatible with the iPad Air<\/a> 4, as well as the M1 and M2 iPad Air<\/a> models. It is nice to see Apple make a new accessory with backwards compatibility in mind, something they don\u2019t always do. However, it isn\u2019t that simple\u2026<\/p>\n

This new keyboard is redundant<\/h2>\n

Little known fact, Apple already made a Magic Keyboard<\/a> that worked with iPad Air<\/a> models. They still sell it<\/a> to this day.<\/p>\n

The original Magic Keyboard<\/a>, designed for the 2018-2022 iPad Pro, worked with all modern iPad Air<\/a> models, and Apple even totes as such on the compatibility page.<\/p>\n

Seemingly, Apple only made the new Magic Keyboard for iPad Air <\/a>for one reason: function keys.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t get me wrong, that\u2019s a nice perk. But, Apple currently sells four Magic Keyboards for iPad, all extremely close to price with each other \u2013 which feels a little unnecessary:<\/p>\n

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How I would improve the lineup<\/h2>\n

If it were up to me, I would simplify the iPad keyboard lineup to just two models: one standard offering, and one pro offering.<\/p>\n

Magic Keyboard Folio<\/a> at $249 might as well not exist. The chances of people buying a $249 keyboard alongside a $349 iPad<\/a> are slim-to-none. The reason this keyboard exists is because the iPad 10 and 11 use a different smart connector from the rest of the iPad lineup, so cross-keyboard compatibility wouldn\u2019t have been an option. However, Logitech offers the Combo Touch for iPad 10 and 11 at just $159<\/a>, and it\u2019s virtually the exact same product. Kickstand and all. Apple could stop offering this keyboard.<\/p>\n

On top of that, I would suggest that Apple simply implemented the larger camera bump cutout on the new Magic Keyboard for iPad Air<\/a>. This way, compatibility with the 2018-2022 iPad Pro models could be retained, and Apple could discontinue the legacy Magic Keyboard<\/a> that was introduced in 2020. Alternatively, Apple could\u2019ve never made the new iPad Air Magic Keyboard<\/a>, and instead lowered the price of the legacy model from 2020<\/a>.<\/p>\n

And of course, I wouldn\u2019t touch the iPad Pro Magic Keyboard<\/a>. That\u2019s a good offering as is.<\/p>\n

Four iPad keyboard offerings, all in the same price bracket \u2013 is a little bizarre. Especially when Apple has strong third-party offerings that utilize the smart connector from the likes of Logitech<\/a>. This lineup is almost as bad as having four Apple Pencil offerings<\/a>. <\/p>\n

It doesn\u2019t feel like a lot of thought was put into this, and I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if most Apple Retail employees didn\u2019t even understand the differences in the four iPad keyboards that are currently sold in Apple Stores. Apple could do better here.<\/p>\n

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My favorite Apple accessories on Amazon:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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