Apple now sells three totally different keyboards for every member of the iPad lineup, except for the iPad mini, which is simply too small for a bodily related keyboard. It’s appropriate with Bluetooth keyboards solely.
Whereas selecting between iPad keyboards is now a clear-cut difficulty since there is just one out there for every kind of iPad, it’s now much more essential to contemplate their barely totally different options and designs when selecting an iPad. All the variations between the three fashions, in addition to the lately discontinued Magic Keyboard for iPad Air and iPad Professional, are listed beneath:
| Magic Keyboard Folio (2022–2025) | Magic Keyboard for iPad Air and iPad Professional (2020–2025) | Magic Keyboard for iPad Air (2025) | Magic Keyboard for iPad Professional (2024–2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Removable keyboard | |||
| Separate magnetic kickstand | Built-in “floating” cantilever design | Built-in “floating” cantilever design | Built-in “floating” cantilever design |
| USB-C port for passthrough charging | USB-C port for passthrough charging | USB-C port for passthrough charging | |
| Plastic hinge | Redesigned aluminum hinge | Redesigned aluminum hinge | |
| 0.84 kilos (381 grams) | 11-Inch: 1.3 kilos (590 grams) 13-Inch: 1.56 kilos (710 grams) | TBC | 11-Inch: 1.28 kilos (580 grams) 13-Inch: 1.46 kilos (662 grams) |
| Silicone high case | Silicone high case | Silicone high case | Aluminum high case |
| 14-key operate row | 14-key operate row | 14-key operate row | |
| Backlighting | Backlighting | ||
| Trackpad | Trackpad | Bigger trackpad | Bigger trackpad |
| Bodily click on | Bodily click on | Bodily click on | Haptic suggestions |
| Obtainable in White solely | Obtainable in White or Black | Obtainable in White solely | Obtainable in White or Black |
| Suitable with iPad with A14 or A16 | Suitable with iPad Air with A14, M1, M2, or M3 and iPad Professional with A12X, A12Z, M1, and M2 | Suitable with iPad Air with A14, M1, M2, or M3 | Suitable with iPad Professional with M4 |
| $249 | Discontinued | 11-Inch: $269 13-Inch: $319 | 11-Inch: $299 13-Inch: $349 |
All the keyboards function scissor mechanism with 1mm journey for quiet, responsive typing and join by way of a Sensible Connector on the iPad, which means there isn’t a want for charging or Bluetooth.
The Magic Keyboard Folio is exclusive in providing a magnetic kickstand, separate from the keyboard itself, to prop the iPad up independently. Whereas that is extraordinarily helpful for customers who wish to use their iPad on a desk, it’s not an excellent expertise to be used on a lap. The Magic Keyboards for iPad Air and iPad Professional don’t have a separate magnetic kickstand, as a substitute prioritizing an all-in-one design that works properly on a person’s lap and is way extra akin to a MacBook.
The iPad Air and iPad Professional’s Magic keyboards are very comparable, however the iPad Professional’s model has an aluminum high case, giving it a extra premium really feel and look. Likewise, its haptic suggestions emulates a bodily click on extra uniformly and is the same as a MacBook, permitting customers to decide on how forcefully they wish to click on the trackpad. Backlighting could also be important for individuals who plan to usually use their iPad in darkish environments. Nevertheless, each fashions function a 14-key operate row and a big trackpad.
If you have already got the unique Magic Keyboard for iPad Air and iPad Professional, the brand new variations are a notable improve, particularly for the iPad Professional. In the event you’re an iPad Air person, it is essential to notice that you’ll lose backlighting in case you improve to the newest model of the accent.
