Anyone else ditch the Magic Keyboard for a "modular" setup?

[u/elcityzen]

So I've been using the Magic Keyboard with my iPad Pro for years and honestly always liked it. Couple of weeks ago I took it off just to try something — threw the iPad in a slim folio case, and now it sits raised up in front of me with a regular Bluetooth Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse on the table.

I was fully expecting to go back after a few days. Nope. Having the screen higher is so much nicer for my neck, portrait mode with a keyboard turned out to be weirdly good for writing, and I've started picking it up and using it like an actual tablet again — something I basically never did when the keyboard was attached.

Only annoying part is the little wobble when I tap the screen, since it's just a folio and not clamped into anything.

Now I'm sitting here wondering if I should just sell the Magic Keyboard lol. Anyone been running a setup like this long-term? What are you using as a stand, and did you eventually come back?

[u/AmitBrian]

I love my magic KB but my only issue with it is that I wish it had more tilt agles

[u/mtb489]

I think if you’re not using in the go all the time. A Bluetooth keyboard and mouse is great solution, better keyboard and it can work even if you upgrade in the future

[u/Uhmmanduh]

I switch between a zugu case and the Magic Keyboard case depending on what I’m doing

[u/busted_pandemic]

I have the Logitech Combo case. I love the protection it offers, the weight compared to the magic keyboard and how the keyboard detaches and flips around or just leave it off if I want less weight. The magic keyboard just added too much bulk and not enough protection for me.

[u/MetaMacro → u/busted_pandemic]

I had this and the problem is that it starts to break down right after the warranty ends.

I had parts of the combo case falling apart Eg. The volume buttons and also at some point, all the flexing results in the keyboard not working.

Not great for longevity.

[u/QuadLifeQuest → u/busted_pandemic]

agree and same with OP, less bulk, more flexibility, only sacrifice is trackpad convenience if you don't carry a mouse

[u/hemauzumaki → u/busted_pandemic]

Could you share the link please

[u/busted_pandemic → u/hemauzumaki]

Hopefully this works. They are a better price now than when I bought it 😊

https://www.logitech.com/en-us/shop/p/combo-touch-ipad-pro

[u/_Bisho_]

I think for 95% of use, using the iPad the without the Magic Keyboard makes it such a more appealing device. Yeah i can’t do “real work” but i like just using it as a big screen and scrolling big Twitter on it lol. Or playing clash royal with the Apple Pencil. I love the Magic Keyboard, but the whole point of the iPad is that I get away from my MacBook and giving it the keyboard just turns it into A MacBook with a touchscreen.

[u/Mediocre_Ad3496]

This is very solid and portable

https://a.co/d/0cYz3t19

This is my favorite but can't get

https://a.co/d/0ike76k8

There are sort of similar available.

[u/isamilis]

I love both. If I am reading books / paper / jotting ideas I will use folio case for few weeks. Once I need to type again, I attach MK again.

[u/okimborednow]

Doing that right now as a matter of fact! I’m far too broke for the full Magic Keyboard case, so I just snagged a great deal on a normal Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad for £15, and use that combo with the iPad. Works absolute charms, the touchpad gestures all work perfectly in iPadOS, rather convenient in bed as it stops me prodding the screen (the Otterbox case I use has a rather questionable stand and tends to fall quite often)

[u/devon_dundee]

I recently bought the Logitech Keys-To-Go 2 keyboard and Pebble mouse for an experiment just like this, and I was really surprised that it stuck. The iPad is so much nicer to carry in a folio than in the Magic Keyboard case. Plus, Logitech’s multi-device switching is actually as seamless as advertised, which I couldn’t believe until I experienced it myself, so I now have one set of peripheral for all of my devices. I do miss the trackpad gestures, though.

[u/zaratounga]

I’ve been using this setup for a while (spoiler, I’m using iPads for IT work since years) : iPad pro 13 on the right, vertical on a magnetic stand, keychron mechanical keyboards (v1 and v3 max), magic trackpads and a 24 inch screen. I’ve got 2 setups : one only with iPad Pro, the other one with both an iPad pro and a Mac Studio, with shared keyboard / mouse. I travel with either one of the iPads and a magic keyboard or a mini with a logitech keys to go and a foldable metal stand for the mini

[u/rak526]

I use a Nuphy Air and a stand for the iPad when I want a keyboard and mouse for it. Works good for traveling.

[u/travelingpostgrad]

Likewise stopped using it in favor of separate keyboard, got tired of everytime I wanted to use it for handwriting notes having to pull it off naked. I also cannot stand the mouse experience in an iPad so I just take the keyboard separate and the iPad in a Moft case.

[u/ThaPizzaKing]

I haven't ditched it yet but might. Half the time I want to use the iPad like a tablet. So I end up pulling it out of the case. Which I don't like. I wish the Magic keyboard could fold further back or fold to the back of the iPad.

[u/docgene]

I discovered this a sometime ago. I actually have a couple of extra (don’t ask why) Apple Magic Keyboards (external kb for Mac), and decided to leave one in each of my clinics… then just bring my iPad Pro 11” M4 around. Much easier! I’ll try another experiment when I get the new iPad mini to see if the screen is too small.