Apple’s amazing new Magic Keyboard might be a must-have accessory for some iPad Pro owners, but it comes with one big tradeoff. The combined weight of both devices makes the package heavier than a MacBook Air.
That’s something you’ll want to bear in mind if you use an iPad Pro for its portability. If it doesn’t put you off, however, you’ll want to check out the early hands-on videos that show the Magic Keyboard in action.
One of the biggest reasons to switch from a MacBook to an iPad for common computing tasks is the iPad’s portability. Every model is super-slim and lightweight, making iPad ideal for those who are frequently on the move.
Some accessories can make iPad Pro less portable, however. None more so than the new Magic Keyboard, which is heavier than it looks at first glance.
iPad Pro’s Magic Keyboard is weighty
One iPad Pro owner who is lucky enough to have already received their Magic Keyboard revealed to MacRumors that the 12.9-inch model weighs in at 710 grams. That makes it heavier than iPad Pro itself, which weighs 641 grams.
Together, the two devices weigh in at 1,351 grams, which makes a 12.9-inch iPad Pro with Magic Keyboard heavier than a 13-inch MacBook Air (1,290 grams), and almost as heavy as a 13-inch MacBook Pro (1,370 grams).
If you own an 11-inch iPad Pro, it’s not so bad. The Magic Keyboard is still heavier than your tablet itself at 601 grams, but both devices weigh just 1,072 grams. That’s lighter than any Apple notebook available right now.
Of course, lots of iPad Pro owners who rely on physical keys will be more than happy to accept the added weight for the functionality the Magic Keyboard brings. It’s going to make working on iPad better than ever.
It’s also worth noting that the Magic Keyboard has to be relatively heavy to ensure that it doesn’t topple over when the iPad Pro is “floating” above. Lighter designs wouldn’t have been as practical.
Hands-on with the Magic Keyboard
Other users who have gotten their Magic Keyboard early have been posting early hands-on videos that show the keyboard and trackpad in action.
The video below shows how backlight brightness is adjusted from within the iPad’s Settings app. Because the Magic Keyboard does not have function keys, it seems there is no easier way to change this.
The next clip highlights the Magic Keyboard’s hinge and available viewing angles. Note that the iPad Pro can’t be pushed back too far before the hinge stops. Again, this is likely to prevent the device from toppling over.
The following videos showcase the Magic Keyboard’s trackpad gestures, which Apple VP Craig Federighi has demonstrated before, and its built-in USB-C port, which can be used only for charging, not to connect peripherals.
The Magic Keyboard is available to order today from the Apple Online Store. It costs $299 for the 11-inch model and $349 for the 12.9-inch model. Shipping takes up to four weeks, depending on which model you choose.
