In early 2020, Apple unveiled the Magic Keyboard for iPad. It's a model similar to the older Smart Keyboard for iPad, but with a built-in trackpad for better navigation using a cursor.

Having an iPad that works like a laptop in a sleek case sounds like a dream, but is it worth the hefty price tag to own one? And are there any other better alternatives on the market? Let's find out.

Features of the Magic Keyboard for iPad

We've previously looked at the Apple Magic Keyboard, which has been the default keyboard for Mac. This offering comes packaged as an intuitively designed keyboard case for your iPad. While the price is steep, it may be the best option on the market, design-wise.

With a magnetic "floating" design, backlit keys, an integrated trackpad, and more, it offers a lot of functionality with a sharp design. The Magic Keyboard transforms your iPad Pro into a computer-like device. It features a trackpad and a scissor-switch keyboard, so you feel like you are typing on a MacBook.

Apple Magic Keyboard Closeup

Scissor switches are more reliable than the butterfly switches that Apple used in prior keyboards. Those butterfly switches are prone to failure when dust and other small particles get inside. The scissor mechanism offers 1mm of travel for a quiet but responsive typing experience. Apple says it's the best typing experience ever seen on an ‌iPad‌.

Compared to the ‌Smart Keyboard‌ Folio that does not have a trackpad, the keys on the Magic Keyboard offer a more satisfying press thanks to the 1mm of travel. The keys on the Magic Keyboard are backlit, with auto-adjusted brightness based on the ambient lighting in the room.

The only major omission we could find was the top row of control keys that's available on a typical Mac keyboard.

Apple Magic Keyboard

Which iPad Models Are Compatible With the Magic Keyboard?

The Magic Keyboard for iPad comes in two sizes: 11-inch and 12.9-inch.

The 11-inch version is compatible with the iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, or 3rd generation) and the iPad Air (4th generation). Meanwhile, the 12.9-inch version is compatible with the iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd, 4th, or 5th generation). Thankfully, the newer 12.9-inch M1 iPad Pro also supports the Magic Keyboard.

No matter the model, your iPad must have iPadOS 14.5 or later to use the keyboard. And while the keyboard was originally only available in black, Apple released a white color option in 2021.

How to Connect the Magic Keyboard to an iPad

The iPad Pro's Smart Connector powers the Magic Keyboard for iPad, so you never have to charge it. Unlike other Bluetooth keyboards, you do not need to pair or turn on your Magic Keyboard; it connects automatically to your iPad once attached.

Read more: How to Connect and Use a Trackpad With Your iPad

While you do not need to worry about charging the keyboard separately, keep in mind that using it might take up a bit more battery life from your iPad.

The keyboard features a USB-C charging port, so you can charge the iPad while freeing up the port on your iPad other accessories.

Where Is the "Magic" in the Magic Keyboard for iPad?

Apple Magic Keyboard Closeup

The case gives your iPad a "floating" appearance. With the help of strong magnets, the iPad attaches itself to the case magnetically and hovers about an inch off the keyboard deck. This creates the illusion that it is floating.

This hovering design also allows you to tilt the iPad for a better viewing angle, and is adjustable to anywhere between 90 and 130 degrees. While that is not as far back as you can push a laptop, it's built to be well-balanced whether you're using it on your desk, lap, or bed.

It's also a refreshing change to the setup required for Apple's Smart Keyboard Folio case, where your iPad sits on top of the keyboard. With the newer case, the ability to tilt means that your iPad can finally be more ergonomic in a variety of situations.

Whereas previous iPad keyboards would flip over when they went over a certain angle, the Magic Keyboard is rigid and well-designed for on-the-go usability. But it's more than just a keyboard for your iPad.

Apple Black and White Magic Keyboards

The addition of the trackpad turns your iPad into something more like a MacBook, only running on iPadOS instead of macOS. Trackpad support in iPadOS 14 and above also enhances the use of this gadget. It provides you with a circular pointer that has multi-touch support, which you can move anywhere around your workspace.

The trackpad works beautifully, with a smooth glass finish reminiscent of MacBook trackpads. It offers a variety of useful functions similar to those seen on its big brother, enabling productivity previously unheard of on iPad.

How the Magic Keyboard Enhances the iPad’s Usability

An image of the new 2020 iPad Pro with the Magic Keyboard in black and white set against a colorful background

Creative professionals appreciate the iPad Pro for its ability to act as a portable design tool, running a wide range of heavy-duty apps. But with the addition of a keyboard and mouse, you now also have a neat laptop-like solution that makes it easy to accomplish everyday tasks.

These include writing an article, browsing the web, video conferencing, or answering emails. There's a lot that's faster to complete with a physical keyboard than the touch keyboard you typically use on the iPad.

For those who need it, the Magic Keyboard makes switching back and forth from a tablet to a quasi-laptop possible. At $349 for the 12.9-inch version, and $299 for the smaller model, it's certainly an expensive add-on.

But for that price, you are getting a case, a redesigned keyboard, and a trackpad, all packed into one compact product.

Is the iPad Magic Keyboard Worth the Buy?

iPad in Magic Keyboard case with trackpad.

While using the Magic Keyboard with the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, I often forgot that I was working on a tablet. It mimics both the look and feel of a real laptop, making it comfortable to use at my desk and even when working from my bed. An added plus is that it is super portable.

Whether you want to move the device across rooms at home or across the city, it's great having everything built-in. That way, you no longer need to carry around extra accessories. Contrast this with using the iPad along with a normal case, a keyboard, Apple’s Magic Trackpad, and maybe an additional mouse on the side.

Having everything together is definitely a simpler solution to transform your iPad Pro into what feels like a fully functional laptop. It also sits comfortably on your lap. The case is on the heavier side, though, so you will definitely want to pack light on your commute.

While it is a worthy upgrade for creatives, there are other iPad cases on the market that provide a keyboard for your tablet. If a trackpad is not a priority to you, you can also consider Apple's Smart Keyboard Folio, which starts at $179 for the 11-inch model and is a lot more lightweight than the Magic Keyboard.

For non-Apple options, there is the Brydge Pro+ case. It's compatible with both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch Pro models and starts at $199. The case also comes with a built-in trackpad, but since it is made of aluminum, it's a bit more heavy-duty than the Magic Keyboard.

Another option would be the Logitech Folio Touch, a case featuring a similar backlit keyboard and trackpad. It's for the 11-inch iPad Pro and the 4th-generation iPad Air.

The Magic Keyboard Is Great, but Not Essential

In all, the Magic Keyboard for iPad is a worthy upgrade for creatives, but a competing product can do a lot of the same. If you are on the hunt for a quality keyboard case that is also aesthetically pleasing, you cannot go wrong with the Magic Keyboard. While it is expensive, you are paying for comfort, convenience, and a timeless design.

Keep in mind that adding a keyboard is just one way to make your iPad more productive, though.