One of probably the most irritating issues in regards to the Magic Keyboard for the iPad Air and iPad Pro is the limiting nature of its design. The one-piece keyboard is straightforward to make use of and hold observe of, nevertheless it additionally has some very actual flaws. The stand has only a few viewing positions for the iPad, and there’s no solution to take away the keyboard and simply use it as a stand for watching films or enjoying video games — the keyboard is at all times there.

The Magic Keyboard Folio addresses these items by adopting a brand new two-piece construction. First, you connect the stand portion to the again of the iPad. It snaps on immediately through magnets, and you should utilize it as a easy solution to prop up your iPad on a desk, desk, or one other flat floor. It’s excellent for watching YouTube or enjoying a sport like Call of Duty: Mobile with a controller, and I’ve typically discovered myself utilizing the folio case with simply the again connected.

But that’s solely half of the equation. When you’re prepared to begin typing, the keyboard snaps onto the underside body of your iPad utilizing three sensible connectors. Once it’s connected, you possibly can immediately begin typing and utilizing the trackpad — no charging required. You can then take the keyboard off whenever you’re finished utilizing it, or fold it up onto the display for back and front safety.

After utilizing the Magic Keyboard and Magic Keyboard Folio side-by-side for a couple of days, there’s little question that the added versatility of the Folio choice is way more sensible. It’s an amazing keyboard whenever you need it, a dependable stand whenever you aren’t typing, and switching between the 2 modes is a bit of cake.

While most of this design is nice, there are a few issues I’d wish to see improved in a second-gen model. As a lot as I just like the stand, I want it had been extra versatile. It’s nice for propping the iPad as much as watch a present or do some productiveness work, nevertheless it doesn’t get anyplace near mendacity flat on a desk — making it a bit awkward if you wish to use the stand whereas writing or drawing.

I additionally want Apple supplied extra than simply the only white colour. It appears good and modern, however a few different kinds to select from would have been nice.

As for the typing expertise, I’ve fairly loved tapping away on the Magic Keyboard Folio. Like the Magic Keyboard earlier than it, the Magic Keyboard Folio makes use of scissor switches which have 1mm of journey. And they’re very nice!

The keys are tactile with out being noisy, really feel comfy even throughout lengthy typing classes, and are very correct. I can simply attain over 90 phrases per minute on the Magic Keyboard Folio, which is about my common typing pace on my desktop keyboard. The better part? The perform row! You now have devoted shortcut keys for issues like brightness, quantity, media playback, Spotlight Search, Siri, and extra. Those 14 additional keys have been invaluable whereas utilizing the Magic Keyboard Folio, and I desperately miss them at any time when I swap again to the Magic Keyboard on my iPad Pro.

As good because the keyboard feels, there may be one obtrusive omission right here: backlighting. The Magic Keyboard for the iPad Air and Pro has backlighting for the entire keys — making it simply usable in a darkish or dimly-lit room. The Magic Keyboard Folio doesn’t have any such backlighting, so when the lights exit, you’ll have a tough time seeing what keys you’re utilizing.

I feel Apple has the precise concept with the two-piece design, and I typically want it over the “normal” Magic Keyboard. But whereas it might be extra useful, it additionally raises some severe sturdiness issues.

For starters, the Magic Keyboard Folio leaves the highest, proper, and backside frames of the iPad completely uncovered to the weather. This can also be true of the earlier Magic Keyboard, nevertheless it nonetheless doesn’t bode nicely for a way nicely the Magic Keyboard Folio will shield your iPad within the occasion of a fall.

Compounding that concern are the magnets that maintain the keyboard in place when it’s folded up and protecting the iPad’s display. All it takes is a small nudge together with your thumb to interrupt the magnetic connection and shuffle the keyboard everywhere. I’m not the primary one to note these weak magnets, and I’m certain I received’t be the final.

The Magic Keyboard Folio is offered for buy now, and as talked about above, it’ll set you again $249. That’s somewhat cheaper than the $299 beginning value for the Magic Keyboard, however not by a lot. You can get it direct from Apple’s web site, or through third-party retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.

It’s additionally value noting that the Magic Keyboard Folio solely works with the iPad (2022) — not any of the opposite fashions. Apple’s certain to make variations accessible for the iPad Air and Pro sooner or later, however for now, that is an iPad (2022)-only accent.