iPad Pro Magic Keyboard vs Smart Folio Keyboard! Why Pay TWICE As Much?! 

Cmd + H will bring you home, I don't own those but with Mac's magic keyboard it does the trick. Also, holding Cmd down for a second will pop-up the available shortcuts on any supported app

Magic keyboard is more like a laptop that can be used as a tablet when u need to. Smart folio keyboard is more like a tablet that can be used as a laptop when u need to.

Maybe I’m the only person on the planet that actually likes typing on the old keyboard. It’s actually one of my favorites. I love the way it feels, the way it sounds, the fact that you don’t have to worry about spilling something over it, and I love how it keeps your iPad lightweight, that you can actually use the pencil in a comfortable position, etc. I was dying to get my hands on the new one but I don’t think I’m ready to move from my trusty and loved Smart Keyboard. Loved the video, by the way.

ik you're complaining about having to reach farther for the magic keyboard, but isn't that why there's is a track pad?

The funny thing is, before this, I used to think Folio case was overpriced!

Totally feel ya on the Smart Folio keyboard sound. I ended up getting the Logitech keyboard case for the iPad Pro 12.9 bc of the more pleasant keyboard clicking sound and also bc it had a backlit keyboard but now that the Magic Keyboard is available for ordering, I just had to jump on it.It’s a huge cost for a keyboard but I do a ton of typing on my iPad Pro so it’s worth it for me. The additional USB-C port and trackpad was the icing on the cake. As for the weight, I’m used to having a heavy iPad Pro bc of the Logitech keyboard case so it’ll be a rather smooth transition. Great video brother!

Good stuff! You sold me at “doesn’t annoy the spouse as much”. 😂 Also nice to see someone else that prefers the 11”. I bought both sizes and used them both for a week. Returned the 12.9”. It’s a great device, but ...I too have a macbook - so I found myself wondering why I wouldn’t just be using the Macbook. The 11” is the sweet spot. Portable and just as fast.

Great video! I really like how you take the time to highlight how certain pieces of gear or processes help your workflow and that seemingly small nuances can add up to hours up extra time. I know you've touched on this topic before but I would love to see more workflow/production themed videos. Something as simple as how you back up your footage or create thumbnails would be really interesting. Thanks for all you do!

idk why, but the face you made when you shook the iPad on the magic keyboard killed me 🤣

Nice that you pointed out that the smart keyboard's closeness makes it easier to interact with the display. I wouldn't have thought of that on my own.

2021: Magic Keyboard with function keys for $499

So excited to get my Magic Keyboard. My iPad Pro has become a huge part of the workflow for making my videos, and typing has been the missing piece of the puzzle. 👍

you dont have to use the screen to switch apps, that the whole point of the trackpad and its gestures...

“I don’t want it to be a laptop, besides the fact that I spent all this money on keyboards trying to kinda turn it into a laptop” lolz. Same. As a software developer, I actually don’t need the backlit keys, because I know exactly where they are no matter what the lighting is like - sad, really. Great review - trying them both at home now and it’s a really weird and difficult decision.

8:30 *Since the laptop was invented there has been a trackpad. That’s true.* You must be young :)

Thanks dad, always good for advice

Well you finally got me to subscribe. Like your style, presentation and personality. A+++

The best review I’ve seen!

Instead of swiping up on the screen to kill an app, just three finger up on the trackpad. You can also switch between apps with three fingers side to side, and a three finger hold up for a second opens up your app switcher.

I like your relaxed presenting style compared to the many other RU-vidrs who tend to be rather loud and talk far too quickly I have therefore subcribed.

I recently got the 2020 11" iPad Pro and just ordered the smart folio. I don't dislike the keys for typing, although it is a bit weird, and i like that it can fold right round and just be a tablet again. I have a 12" MacBook for Uni and as much as i love the design of the new magic keyboard, the two devices would just be too similar. I use the iPad mainly for note taking and the keyboard folio just gives you that back up keyboard option if the iPad is all you have. All good for lectures, but not so much for coursework and long reports. Enjoyed the video! Have subbed :)

Once again a very good video 👍 thanks!!

Good review--thanks. Finally a review using the smaller 11" iPad Pro--most reviews on iPad accessories seem to use the larger iPad--some of us do like the smaller version!

Hey man I love the way you film yourself. Keep up the great work. Long way to go. ❣️❣️

It’s a very useful video!!! I just plan to buy one tomorrow. Thanks for sharing.

My Ipad has become the ultimate computing machine. My 12.9inch ipad with magic keyboard and Magic Mouse opened my eyes to its true potential. I carry my gear in a backpack anyway, so slipping the sleek color matched Magic Mouse in a pouch suits me fine. I think I’m ready to leave my MacBook at home, aside from taking both 😅. Great content❤❤

I thought that, for me, it’s better the smart folio, because I am a musician that interacts all the time with the portrait mode, because I read sheet music all the time (and I use the Apple Pencil A LOT). I use my iPad like my personal notebook. And just because there’s no way to lay flat, or even to bend it; then there’s no way to put it in a music stand, and that, for me, is essential. The only way to put in a music stand, is taking off the iPad, and that, in a stage is even dangerous for my device. I was waiting for the new magic keyboard, but it’s not worth it. I will buy the Smart Keyboard folio, because, for me, it’s a better and complete experience.

The lack of function keys is really keeping me back from buying this. I’m so used to my Bluetooth keyboard by my iPad’s dock and it’s function keys. Having keyboard keys for a home button, brightness settings, and volume makes HUGE difference in the overall user experience.

Watching your video, and by the way I find them very informative and entertaining, but watching your video I can definitely see the one you were leaning to from the very beginning. However for me, I am more learning the folio keyboard. 1. Being price, 349 compared to 149 price tag and you can actually find the folio for cheaper if you look on ebay for used or open box items. The other thing too, yes the trackpad is an awesome touch, but its hardly big enough to do anything with outside of gestures. I would rather use a mouse or on screen gestures than try and utilize the smaller trackpad. One of the big reasons on why you use an iPad over a laptop, is for the touchscreen. Great vdieo but defintely going with the folio keyboard.

last 2 days ago I pick up the Ipad pro Folio case $ 80 + tax then I saw on line the Apple smart keyboard for 129 then $ 105 open box. I jump on it and pick it up this afternoon. After i compare both i felt that move was the smartest one. Love the smart keyboard also you're absolutely right the distance poking the screen is a HUDGE PLUS :)

Thank you for this comparison it was very informative. I get a great typing experience from my MacBook so I do all my heavy duty typing and assignments there and I plan to use my keyboard with iPad for light use tasks which I feel the folio will do just fine and I love the folio runs much cheaper too

Smart Folio rocks! I’ve just received my iPad Pro 11” 2020 and its Smart Folio and I’m in love with this combo. I like the smart folio sound! It’s light and it is waterproof and it washable... I need to buy the cover Buddy to protect the iPad while watching movies or reading books or articles... Good video like always

It’s a very good comparison, and I agree with you. It you wish a real laptop experience, the magic keyboard it’s the best solution

No mention of using the ipad in portrait mode or drawing :( this magic keyboard costs $590 in Australia :(

I just got my magic keyboard today; it is well worth the price. It really does change how you use your iPad Pro. I wouldn’t bother with third party keyboards including Brydge.

My favorite quarantine channel to watch lol

I've been watching you since around 30k, and watching you grow has been amazing to watch. Keep up the great work.You'll get to 1 Mill in no time, and I can't wait to see it :)

i never thought about having the PD on the USB C on the side powering the ipad while you are transferring files with the memory reader dongle! great point!

Thank’s for watching:) love to hear it everytime..keep it up dad:)

Thanks for this series on the iPad pro and magic keyboard. Based on what I need as an editing companion, I think Final Cut Pro for iPad would make this worth getting an iPad pro for either assembly cutting on the go as a companion to my iMac or MBP.

Thanks for the review! As far as both keyboards foot prints? Are they exactly the same? I want to add a skin to the magic keyboard 11" but are only currently available for Smart Folio keyboard. Thoughts? Should I wait or get one for the Folio Keyboard. Thanks

I got the Folio and i absolutely love its sound. Greetings to your wife😂

question not at all related to this video... what's the thing attached to your a7 hot shoe??

For me the Smart Keyboard is the better investment. The USB-C & trackpad are not enough for me to have to pay double the price (I have the 12.9) for JUST those to differences. Plus the added weight and trying to use their Magic Keyboard on your lap just looks awkward. It seems so top heavy. I’m sure the keys feel better on the Magic Keyboard but for my uses it just works. If I wanted all that extra weight then I’d just carry my 15 inch MacBook Pro. Great video as usual!!!

I I have both prefer the Magic keyboard hands down. Like typing experience more. The folio has weak magnets my IPad Air 4 has slipped off fallen off the bed, love the track pad. Got the Pitaka Magez megnetic csae for iPad Air 4 it’s awesome. My set up is complete with Apple Pencil ✏️ and Amfilm papered glass screen protector which is amazingly clear display.

Cool video thanks. You guys (RU-vid reviewers) love to tell us how you do video editing, would be great if you could spend more time discussing functionality with respect to things us non you tubers use, like interaction with excel/word, or video calling for work/uni and multi tasking etc...

I just bought a new ipad I'm scared to walk around with the magic keyboard case I'm still not sure if I want to buy one

Dude you can 3 finger swipe up on the track pad to go home

anyone else says the intro out loud with him? "i'm the everyday dad. if i can figure it out, you can figure it out!" i'm the only one? hehe 😅

Have you tried the desktop magic keyboard (I mean the one that you have to pair with Bluetooth) with the iPad pro?? Compared to the magic portfolio, which one has drained more quickly the ipad's battery?

Hi, I’m thinking of getting her magic keyboard for lectures at uni would you recommend it ?

For quitting an app without touching the screen, just like on MacOS press command + tab then switch between apps by clicking tab and then press Q letter for quitting an app you no longer need👍🏻 hope this is helpful for you

I want the new keyboard strictly for the backlit feature! I have the Smart Folio Keyboard and every time I use it at night I’m always irritated at the fact that I can’t see the keys! So sadly, it’s worth it for me anyway.

Does the old (2018) smart keyboard folio work with the 2020 12.9inch iPad Pro? I know the camera cutout is smaller and vertical but will it work with the new iPad if you don't mind blocking the cameras?

Btw, a three finger gesture from the bottom of the trackpad to the top will bring you to the home screen. Just wanted to let you know.

There is a home button on the keyboard. It’s cmd+h I use the regular folio keyboard and its super handy with a ton of keyboard shortcuts. I just wish all apps supported keyboard shortcuts. I wish they would make the magic keyboard for the 10.5 iPad Pro / regular iPads! I would buy

There is a home screen button in the smart folio keyboard ,by pressing (cmd+H)

Hey. Nice. Idea. I also use 11 inch iPad Pro and now looking to boy one of those keyboards. After watching it I think I know the answer - the magic keyboard. What do you use for editing videos on iPad? Also any recommendations for photo editor?

"i type fast" so how fast are you? Wpm? Mind doing a typeracer video?

Finally, someone with intelligence, that understands the functionality and design of the smart folio keyboard. There is hope in this world... solid analysis. Now only if they can make a Bluetooth version of this keyboard so I can use my iPad Pro stand with this amazing keyboard. If you know how to type, it’s great (just annoyingly loud). But a trade-off I can live with, given the portability.

Well, you just took me to a real dilemma here: I totally feel you when you say about your wife hating the sound of the folio keyboard. The thing is, my wife will probably hate me if I buy the cheaper one because of the sound it makes too and I'm pretty sure she would hate me equally if I buy the Pro Magic because, well, I would not be buying the cheapest one Great video, though hahaha

I prefer the Folio. I can fold it and use it as tablet with protection. On the smart keyboard I would need to remove it without protection. The Folio may also be safe if there’s pouring water. The only downside of the Folio is absent of key illumination

Curious how well the 2018 apple folio keyboard works on the 2020 ipad pro.

I just got my Folio Keyboard today (I can’t complain, it was given to me for work purposes). I like it more for 2 reasons, I like the texture, it’s water resistant. And pretty easy to use (magnets hold up well). Now the bad, It is loud, I’ve had typewriters in college quieter than this (I’m old). Most of what I do is note taking so the pad isn’t a necessity. The IPad Pro 12.9 Folio I think is $199.99. No lighted keyboard, for $200 I think they could have lighted a keyboard up. Heck, at the Dollar Tree I got a cheap little LED lamp (so I can tape in low lighting). Other negative, there could have been a strong (and I mean strong) pen holder somewhere. On my MS Surface Pro, my pen comes off but the Apple pen feels even less secure. Apple should have addressed this. My final complaint/concern. I had an old iPad with a smart case, that case after a few years of light use got raggedy. I’m concerned the same will happen with this. Anyway, it feels nice, I don’t think I would have liked the Apple Magic keyboard (other than the lighted part) much more, plus $350 yikes, you could get another cheap laptop for that!

As I own a magic keyboard and iPad pro 12.9 inches, I don't really fell the weight, I came from a mid-2012 MacBook pro 13 that was slow as hell and it was 4 pounds so this weight feels like going to a MacBook air. Does the weight bug you???

I know how to use my apple products pretty well but I like to watch his videos because he is such a daddy

I don’t miss the function keys, never use them on any computer. I typ 400 characters/minute, but can’t reach the function keys anyway 😂 Somehow I never got used to working with a trackpad, so to be honest I don’t want it. This doesn’t mean that the floating iPad doesn’t look good, it does, but it’s not functional for me. I use my iPad for drawing, and I need to be able to rest my hand on the device while drawing. I never take it out of the case (I have the Smart keyboard folio). I saw a video lately where they turned the keyboard and iPad around where the keyboard was vertical. That actually works great and I can push as hard as I want. It won’t fall out of the case 👍 I have to admit that If the Magic keyboard had been available from day one, I would’ve probably bought it, but I’m glad it wasn’t. Thanks for the video. Great review 👍

Also the trackpad has gesture controls built into it so you can go home by swiping up half way with 3 fingers, and swiping all the way up with 3 figures brings up the app switcher.

I found that if I turn on full access keyboard under keyboards in Accessibility settings, you can still have access to the media shortcuts via keyboard shortcuts.

Is it possible to add a case on the iPad and have it still be useable with the magic keyboard?

1st folio broke my ipad completely slipped out while being carried like a book...I'm hoping apple will help with replacing my ipad AND either replacing the defective keyboard or upgrade too the new version...but prolly wishful thinking getting anything from apple

I like the Magic keyboard for the weight. Paired with an iPad would be lighter than lugging around a heavy laptop in a bag. I own a Acer 15" laptop thats about 4 lbs and it just gets old quick. Plus both the MK and iPad together its compact and better for a bag than a large laptop.

What many people miss out is that the iPad Pro-Magic Keyboard isn't intended for the actual purpose of an iPad. IPad is a tablet. If it was a computer, then what is the point of MacBooks? I think the original smart keyboard allows to keep the iPad’s original purpose, and that is using it more as a tablet. The original smart keyboard was way more comfortable to use with its fabric while lightweight. Apple should have made a touchscreen MacBook with a removal screen instead.

Thought: An idea for the function keys is software based not hardware based. Apple already had this ability in the design of the touch bar on the MacBook pros. The Touch Bar style of function keys could pop up at the bottom of the screen when needed. For example when music is playing or it could be brought up by touching or double pressing a key on the hardware keyboard that would bring up the specific row of function keys in the same manner the touch bar on the MacBook pros. The screen would just adjust up about 3/4 of an inch a the bottom and you would be able to quickly press the volume button or whatever button you need in the moment which is not ridiculously far from your finders. Just a thought, that the solve is software based not hardware based.

The Magic Keyboard rocks!

The fact the Magic Keyboard can't be adjusted to allow for an ergonomic pencil angle is what's holding me back. It's definitely cool, but it isn't' £350 cool.

Can someone really confirm if both USB-c ports are usable? I think I heard in a review that Apple disabled any functionality on IPad's usb-c while charging magic keyboard.

Double the price for the charging usb c port? I mean a dongle costs nothing on AliExpress and since you anyway connect something like a flash card via dongle...no extra work. In addition, the Folio in combination with the Magic Trackpad (if you already own it) is more than enough. Keeping also in mind, since the expensive keyboard cannot be folded...that’s a huge negative part because of that, I need another protection solution. So all in all, the Folio gives more...

Not enough is brought up about how the use of the iPad as a tablet is only available on the folio.

What are you using as a monitor on your side camera 😨? Is it an iPhone?

Okay nice advice Daddy 😄

Does the folio keyboard drain battery from the iPad?

Which one is better for keeping the iPad on your stomach while lying in bed, for watching movies? My first thought is the Magic one, because you can angle your iPad at 90 degrees or even less if you need it. But then it might just be too heavy to keep it on your stomach/belly for a long time, compared to the Smart one which is a lot lighter. Also, the Smart one can be propped up on a pillow if you want a better angle at your face.

For the price of the magic keyboard i bought the smart folio and the Magic Trackpad, so i got the best of the two worlds: a bigger trackpad and a slim folio!!

3 finger swipe up takes you home

Is it worth the upgrade if you have the folio already (assuming it would only cost me $200 to upgrade after selling mine?)

Ill save the 350. Way to much money. It’s nice but It’s kinda underwhelming. It’s for a specific person and thats not me! Thanks for the info Dad!

you have trackpad gestures to go to home screen why would you flip the screen?

What if you just used a separate apple trackpad.. its bigger and you then only brig it out and with you when you need it.

Look up the sweet set up, Best Ipad keyboard short cuts and you’ll be amazed at all you can achieve with the press of a button.

Phew, no uncomfortable lap experiences!

With either you can use shortcuts to go home. CMD+H. No need to touch the screen on either. I understand where your point though. I’m torn now watching your video to talk myself into exchanging my folio for they magic.

Regarding PaperLike, I never write and or draw on my iPad; would I be okay with a regular screen protector. For my 12.9 iPad Pro which screen protector would you recommend?

What about for novel readers and writers? Which is better?

magic keyboard is really 🔥🔥

You convinced me to not change out my Keyboard Folio case. $299 saved

Bro , you do realize that you can use the trackpad and not have to touch the screen lol!

I think the track pad on the magic keyboard makes up for the fact that you have to reach to touch the scree. You can hover the mouse in top right to bring down the quick bar to adjust brightness, volume, wifi, bluetooth etc. essentially you don’t even have to lift your hand off the keyboard to use the iPad at all. Function keys are not a must as most apps have shortcuts that you can access with key combinations. I want to get the Magic Keyboard as I am a freelance videographer, i edit a lot of video as well, but right now my country is in complete lockdown so my business is completely dead and I don’t have any income. So I cannot afford it right now and because I have the 12.9”.... its too expensive for me right now. But I will try to sell my Folio keyboard when Lockdown is lifted, to add to my funds to buy the Magic Keyboard. Love youEveryday Dad! Keep up the great work!

I got the Smart Keyboard for $130 on Black Friday but I already have the wireless Logitech Keyboard. I am trying to decide whether it is worth the $120 even tho I saved $70.

Probably in the magic keyboard the screen is further away because they want to encourage the use of the trackpad