When Apple announced its new iPads for 2024 – the iPad Air (M2) and the iPad Pro (M4), it also introduced a new Magic Keyboard. It means there are now three keyboard case options for iPad in Apple’s portfolio alone (there are third party options too of course), with the iPad you have dictating which Magic Keyboard you can pair with it.
The Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4) is exactly that – it’s exclusive to the iPad Pro (M4). If you have, or are considering, the new iPad Air (M2), an older iPad Pro like the iPad Pro 12.9 (6th generation), or an older iPad Air like the iPad Air (5th generation), you’ll need to look at the older Magic Keyboard as the version I’m taking about here won’t work with any of these models. For those with the iPad (10th generation) meanwhile, there’s the Magic Keyboard Folio for that model.
I’ve used all the Magic Keyboards extensively, but here I’m talking specifically about the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4): what it does well, what it could do better and whether you should buy it.
The Disconnekt Downlow
Pros
+ Great build quality
+ Lovely typing experience
+ Easy to use
Cons
– Expensive
– A little heavy
– Limited compatibility
The Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4) is a pricey bit of kit, and the iPad Pro (M4) isn’t included in the price (just in case that wasn’t clear), so you will need to factor in the cost for that tablet too. Still, the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4) offers an excellent typing experience, easy connection by simply snapping on and the build quality is superb. It could be lighter, I’d love the keyboard to fold around to give the iPad Pro protection even when you’re just note taking with an Apple Pencil and the keys could be quieter when tapping. All that said, the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4) is a fantastic accessory if you’re planning to use your iPad Pro on the move and one that’s worth investing in – and necessary – if you want your iPad Pro to be a laptop replacement.
The reasons to choose the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4)
One of the main reasons to choose the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4) is the typing experience. Probably a good thing really, given it’s a keyboard. It’s a slightly different experience to what you will find on the MacBook Air (M3, 2024), with the MacBook’s keyboard featuring a lower profile and quieter keys, but the experience is certainly similar and that experience is a great one.
As a journalist, writing quickly and without much pause is the name of the game, and the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4) offers a perfect key travel for this. On the larger Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4), the keys mimic the position of the MacBooks, so muscle memory plays a key role in making for a natural typing experience here for me.
IMAGE CREDIT: THE DISCONNEKT
The smaller Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4) compresses things so it takes a little more getting used to if you’re used to typing on laptop, but I’m talking a matter of minutes once you get started. It’s mainly the option, quotation and bracket keys that suffer with half keys compared to the full size option on MacBooks and the larger Magic Keyboard. You’ll make a few typos when you first start, but it won’t take too long before your fingers find the right keys and your touch typing like a pro.
There are 14 function keys on the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4), which marks one of the biggest differences to the Magic Keyboard for iPad Air and older iPad Pro models. It means you can perform basic functions like adjusting screen brightness and volume without having to touch your iPad, as well as turn on Do Not Disturb or locking your iPad. It might seem like a small change but for those using their iPad Pro for working on the move, they make a big difference in use.
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One of the main reasons to choose the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4) is the typing experience. Probably a good thing really given it’s a keyboard.
The other useful difference in the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4) is the glass trackpad beneath the keys. It’s a much nicer experience now, with haptic feedback on board to provide a very similar experience to the MacBook. It’s very responsive and it’s key to making the iPad Pro feel more like a laptop than it has done in the past. I forget it’s there a lot of the time as you can of course use the touchscreen on the iPad to navigate too, but when I do remember, it’s useful for having a secondary navigation option.
IMAGE CREDIT: THE DISCONNEKT
It’s also worth mentioning this Magic Keyboard has switched out material base of the previous Magic Keyboard for aluminium as the palm rest. It means a much sturdier base – though it’s still top heavy so it will tip if you aren’t using it on a flat surface. The cylindrical tube at the back meanwhile, is also aluminium and allows for USB-C charging passthrough and there’s a cantilever design for various viewing angles.
What the Apple Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4) could do better
Nothing is perfect of course and there are a couple of things the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4) could do better. Weight is one of those. This variant is lighter than Magic Keyboards have been in the past and the iPad Pro (M4) has been on Weight Watchers too so together they are lighter than than iPad Pro models from 2022 and their compatible Magic Keyboard. But we’re still not talking light.
The iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) with this Magic Keyboard weighs 1.03kg, while the 13-inch model weighs 1.26kg with the Magic Keyboard. To put that into some context, the MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) weighs 1.24kg so as I said in my review of the iPad Pro (M4), there’s serious decision to be made there.
IMAGE CREDIT: THE DISCONNEKT
The other thing I’d love to have seen on the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4) is the ability to fold the keyboard all the way round. I noticed this when taking notes with Apple Pencil as well as on flights, where for take off and landing you need to remove the keyboard on a tablet. The Magic Folio iPad (10th generation) is split into two parts, allowing you to simply pull off the keyboard when you need to, whilst retaining the protection on the back of the iPad.
For the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4), you have to remove the entire case and keyboard, leaving you with no protection until you plan to put the keyboard back on again. It means you can’t really use this as a case unless you always plan on using the keyboard when it’s open. It’s either closed and protecting the iPad Pro front and back, or open and protecting the back, whilst giving you keyboard access. There’s no protection without the keyboard.
IMAGE CREDIT: THE DISCONNEKT
Should I buy the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4)
If you want the Apple iPad Pro (M4) to be a decent laptop replacement, the Magic Keyboard is a must-have. It will give you a great typing experience, protection when closed, a solid base and a variety of viewing angles.
It would be great if you could fold the keyboard around, allowing you to use the iPad Pro without it whilst keeping the iPad protected and a little lighter wouldn’t go a miss either. And that’s before we get to the price.
There is no denying the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4) is expensive, but it also delivers an excellent experience. Get yourself a flat surface, snap the iPad Pro (M4) on and get ready to do some of your best work.
IMAGE CREDIT: THE DISCONNEKT
FAQs
The Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4) – as the name suggests – is only compatible with the iPad Pro with M4 chip. That’s the latest iPad Pro. If you have older iPad Pro models, the iPad Air or the iPad (10th generation), there are different keyboard models available.
The Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4) weighs around 560g in the 11-inch model and 13-inch model weighs around 670g.
There is a Smart Connector on the rear of the iPad Pro (M4). The Magic Keyboard will snap on and connect immediately. It’s quick, simple and there’s no need to mess around with Bluetooth settings.
