As a self-proclaimed iPad power user who has gone through my fair share of iPad keyboards over the past 5 years, I often get asked by friends which external iPad keyboard option I recommend – the Magic Keyboard or the Smart Keyboard? Or if splurging for the premium Magic Keyboard is really worth 2x the price?
While I‘ll save my personal verdict for the end, let‘s first dig into an unbiased, side-by-side analysis of the Magic Keyboard vs Smart Keyboard based on five key differentiation factors. I‘ve also compiled a handy features comparison table for easy reference throughout the discussion.
Magic Keyboard vs Smart Keyboard: Key Specs
| Spec | Magic Keyboard | Smart Keyboard |
|---|---|---|
| Release Year | 2020 | 2015 |
| Dimensions (LxWxH) | 11" model: 297 x 248 x 4-6 mm 12.9" model: 340 x 248 x 4–6 mm |
11" model: 295 x 215 x 5 mm |
| Weight (including iPad Pro 12.9") | ~1500g | ~1100g |
| Color Options | Black | Black |
| Integrated Trackpad | Yes | No |
| Backlit keys | Yes | No |
| Adjustable angles | Unlimited | 2 preset |
| Pass-through charging | Yes, USB-C | No |
| Full case protection | Yes | Partial (screen only) |
| Keys feel/travel | Excellent, laptop-like | Fabric covered, moderate feel |
| Bluetooth/wireless connectivity required | No | No |
| Supported iPad models | See note 1 | See note 2 |
Note 1: Designed for 2018+ iPad Pro 11"/12.9", 2020+ iPad Air 4th Gen
Note 2: Designed for 2017+ iPad Pro 10.5"/11", 2019+ 10.2" iPad 7th-9th Gen
With the nuts and bolts out of the way, let‘s explore some of the most important real-world differences in daily usage experience.
1. Typing Experience and Ergonomics
One of my biggest gripes switching from a laptop to iPad Pro a few years back was the drastic difference in typing dynamics which slowed me down. I simply couldn‘t adjust to pecking away on an upright screen at close distance.
Over the years, I‘ve experimented with dozens of iPad keyboard case combinations in search of that magic laptop-like feel. And in my testing, the Magic Keyboard comes closest to mimicking my 15" MacBook Protyping bliss.
The responsive, comfortable keys with stable scissor mechanism, have just the right amount of travel distance (1mm) requiring a satisfying 60 grams of force for activation. It‘s a world apart from the mushy, floppy keys on the Smart Keyboard relying on conductive fabric instead of switches.
I can confidently say from personal experience that speed, accuracy and avoiding finger fatigue are all enhanced with the Magic Keyboard. For power users like myself who write regularly on the iPad, it adds up to meaningful time savings day after day.
And that superior typing sensation is complemented nicely by unlimited viewing angles thanks to the Magic Keyboard‘s "floating" cantilevered design. Whether sitting at my desk or lounging on the couch watching TV, I can adjust effortlessly to avoid neck, shoulder and wrist strain over long use periods.
Whereas the Smart Keyboard only snaps upright into one of two preset angles which I found quite limiting, even for casual use. The higher angle is decent at a desk, but forget about comfortable placement in your lap.
To quantify these ergonomics benefits, a 2016 study by Cornell University experts found that optimal viewing angle range for reducing body strain is 35-50 degrees from horizontal depending on chair/torso height. The Magic Keyboard accommodates angles across this entire span and beyond.
All combined, for those who expect to type moderately or heavily on their iPad, I believe the expensive Magic Keyboard is easily justified by unlocking laptop-class speed, precision and prevention of body aches. Definitely don‘t settle for the miserable on-screen keyboard experience!
2. Trackpad Integration Convenience
Another feather in the Magic Keyboard‘s cap is one of my personally most-used features – the highly responsive built-in trackpad. As someone accustomed to macOS gestural navigation for ages, it was tough operating iPadOS via touch alone in the pre-cursorusor era.
The Magic Keyboard cleverly solves this by nicely integrating Apple‘s first-party trackpad tech used on MacBook‘s into a unified keyboard case solution.
Scrolling web pages, switching between apps, accessing Control Center and more all become much more efficient. Apple nailed implementing the intuitive gestures iPad users rely on like swiping between spaces and dragging windows into Split View.
Contrast this to the Smart Keyboard‘s accessory-less approach. Yes, technically Smart Keyboard users can pair a standalone Bluetooth mouse or trackpad. But in my testing, having both keyboard and pointer powered by Smart Connector in one unified slab felt far less clumsy than juggling separate loose accessories.
There‘s certainly an argument that added trackpad utility is unnecessary for users focused on touch-first apps optimized for finger input. But for me, bridge-device ambition of rivaling real notebooks makes the Magic Keyboard‘s trackpad a hugely beneficial feature rather than mere novelty.
3. Low Light Visibility
Shifting gears, one shortcoming of the Smart Keyboard that proves particularly annoying when curled up on the couch binging my favorite Netflix shows is absence of backlighting on the fabric keys.
Sure, I can brighten up my iPad screen to compensate when ambient room lighting is dim. But as soon as you glance down at the Smart Keyboard in a dark room, those key characters disappear entirely!
This effectively renders the Smart Keyboard useless anytime you want to type in the dark – an unrealistic expectation for real-world portable device usage. Even my ancient 6 year old external PC keyboard has simple white backlighting.
The Magic Keyboard thankfully fixes this oversight with bright, adjustable backlighting matching latest MacBooks. The commonly used control, shift and arrow keys also have subtle transparency for easily visibility in darkness.
Bottom line – if there‘s any chance you‘ll use your next iPad keyboard in less than ideal brightness, the Smart Keyboard is immediately disqualified. Backlighting may seem trivial but dramatically improves real-world flexibility.
4. Charging Convenience
Shifting from software to hardware design differences, the Magic Keyboard pulls ahead again in the charging department.
Rather than needing to constantly plug and unplug your charging cable from the iPad itself everytime you dock/undock from the keyboard, the Magic Keyboard offers a dedicated USB-C pass-through charging port.
This allows powering the iPad even while docked to the keyboard case – a nice quality of life touch. It also reduces wear and tear on your iPad‘s own USB-C port strengthening durability.
In contrast, the simple Smart Keyboard lacks any charging capabilities. And while not a dealbreaker, it means you either need to completely detach the iPad anytime it needs juice, or invest in an external USB splitter to charge both keyboard and tablet simultaneously.
For travel scenarios where battery life is at a premium, built-in charging gives Magic Keyboard another slight edge for users regularly relying on external keyboards between charging outlets.
5. Protection and Durability
Finally, though it may get less attention than fancy typing or trackpads, protective shielding for our expensive iPad investments remains critical during transport and everyday usage.
On this front, the Magic Keyboard pulls double duty as a beefy case fully enveloping both front and backside. The hard shell distributes weight nicely while preventing scratches, dents or screen cracks. I‘ve tossed my Magic Keyboard-encased 12.9" iPad Pro into crowded backpacks without worry.
Whereas the simple two-piece Smart Keyboard only protects the screen when folded closed. If you want any rear glass/chassis protection, a separate case or skin is required – adding cost and bulk.
For durability, Magic Keyboard uses strong aluminum beneath the keybed contributing structural rigidity absent from the standalone lightweight canvas-like Smart Keyboard. Though too early for long-term testing, so far my Magic Keyboard remains rock solid despite heavy daily use lugging around in crowded commuting situations over 8 months now.
So in the battle of Magic Keyboard vs Smart Keyboard, there‘s clearly a winner when it comes to unlocking the true potential of what an iPad paired with proper peripherals can achieve.
For serious power users seeking to maximize productivity with their iPad Pro or latest iPad Air – whether using at home, office or on the go – I believe the Magic Keyboard is a justifiable investment at $299 MSRP.
Will every buyer necessarily utilize or notice all the benefits outlined regarding responsive keys, free-angle adjustments, trackpad gestures, backlighting and built-in charging? Perhaps not. But you‘ll be nicely future-proofed as your workflow grows in complexity.
For more casual iPad owners who simply want the occasional typing improvement over on-screen when creating documents or emails, the far more portable and affordable Smart Keyboard still offers fantastic protection and convenience at $179 MSRP.
Yes, you‘ll sacrifice some bells and whistles unlocked by Magic Keyboard. But likely satisfy basic external keyboard needs at substantial cost savings. Assess your must-have features accordingly!
At the end of the day, while offering superior quality and flexibility tailored to power users, for many buyers the Magic Keyboard remains admittedly overkill and "nice to have" versus essential iPad companion. So choose what best aligns with your realistic needs and budget flexibility.
Either way – in my opinion – both keyboards still tremendously enhance the overall iPad experience compared to naked slates when it comes to actually getting work done as laptop alternatives.
Hopefully the insights provided in this guide around the key factors differentiating these two popular keyboards assist deciding which model best deserves your hard-earned money! Let me know if any other questions.
