I had a sneaking suspicion that this would happen. All the rumors about the new iPad Pro — its move to an OLED display, the higher-quality Magic Keyboard — convinced me that Apple was quietly moving away from the quirky not Luxurious Smart Keyboard Folio that became my preferred companion for the 2018 iPad Pro and later the M1 iPad Pro.
In fact, the Smart Keyboard Folio is not compatible with the OLED iPad Pros. The 11-inch version can still be used with the sixth-generation iPad Air, but that’s all. So if you’ve decided on Apple’s very best tablet, that’s no longer an option. And since there is no comparable alternative anywhere in sight, I am at a loss.
Before I get to the praise, let’s look at the negative aspects. The Smart Keyboard Folio does not have a trackpad. So if you don’t pair a mouse with your iPad, you’ll only be able to navigate by touching the screen. It’s not ideal over long periods of time, but the overall purpose of the product has always felt, at least to me, like a keyboard tailored to short bursts of productivity. Fire off an email? Absolutely. Post a blog? Yes, I have written many posts about it The edge use it. If you ever wanted to work on a novel, the Magic Keyboard was always there as an entry-level option for the really serious stuff.
My other criticism of the SKF is that of Apple Despite it hasn’t completely improved with the new Magic Keyboard, which starts at $300. The palm rest and keyboard deck are now made of aluminum, which is objectively an improvement. But on the outside, Apple still uses the same old material, which attracts stains like no other and tends to age terribly. I’ve been hoping for a long time that they would switch to stuff like Logitech or just come up with something (anything) better, but no.
And then there’s the price: The Smart Keyboard Folio for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro cost around $200 – pretty ridiculous considering how basic it was. It didn’t have backlit keys. There were only two angles to choose from when using the iPad upright. It didn’t offer a free USB-C port or additional connectivity. It was literally just a folio case with a weird keyboard inside.
But do you know what made up for it all? Versatility and a lightweight design that even the newer and lighter Magic Keyboard still can’t match. In practice it worked simply brilliantly. The fabric-covered keyboard felt almost invincible. Sure, the keys were hard to move and I wouldn’t exactly describe the typing experience as “comfortable”. But the Smart Keyboard Folio was a keyboard when I needed it – I could type edge Articles that used the thing from anywhere when there was breaking news – and it could easily be folded behind the screen when I was reading The New York Times, surf the internet, or I retouch photos with an Apple Pencil while I have the tablet on my lap. The feeling of my fingers touching the keys in this upside down orientation was a little strange at first, but I got used to it in no time.
With the Magic Keyboard, you have to completely detach the iPad Pro whenever you want to read something or use the device in a way that only requires the screen. Some people will prefer that, but the Smart Keyboard Folio was thin enough that you never really had to make a choice; You can always leave it on no matter what you are doing.
Then there was the fact that the Folio keyboard was so damn light. It stayed with the iPad Pro Feeling like an iPad in my pocket. This has never been the case when a Magic Keyboard is connected. If it continues like this, you’ve entered MacBook weight territory. I’m not saying that’s a problem, but with the Smart Keyboard Folio there was something special about carrying around such a powerful combination that always stayed so airy on my back.
At best, Apple somewhat stubbornly assumes that every iPad Pro buyer wants the tablet to feel like a laptop (and have a similar weight) with a keyboard attached, which is what the Magic Keyboard gives you. If you want to look at it with more pessimism, the company is intentionally foregoing a compelling, more affordable accessory – one that was easy to carry with you anywhere – in the hopes that more people will give in and spend over $300 for the only first time. Party keyboard available for the new Pro.
Now it’s noticeable other Companies replicating the Smart Keyboard Folio – assuming any of them even decide to bother. Currently, Logitech is just releasing an updated version of its Combo Touch that looks more like a Surface Pro than anything else. It has nothing to do with the Folio, so I’m not optimistic that anyone will step in to fill the gap.
I guess you really don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.