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Review on πŸ”‘ Renewed Apple Smart Keyboard for iPad 7th & 8th Gen, and iPad Air 3rd Gen - US English by Ken Coste

Revainrating 4 out of 5

For the right user and use case, this is acceptable. With the

The Apple Smart Keyboard is a decent option if you don't want to rely on charging your keyboard or using Bluetooth. To turn the iPad into an analogue of an ultra-light laptop. It adds minimal weight to the iPad, acts as a screen protector when closed, and gives you a more or less decent viewing angle of the screen while typing. However, there are a few caveats. First, the key travel isn't that great. Typing on this keyboard feels more like typing on a piece of cardboard than anything with real key travel. I write hundreds of pages of fiction every few months and thought switching to an iPad would be a great way to go more mobile and create pages wherever and whenever inspiration strikes. Finally, the iPad is ultra-light, ultra-portable, and has longer battery life than any other device on the market. I was wrong. While the keyboard is fine for short sprints, an hour or two at most, it's not good for long-term comfort. Second, the way the pad rests on the keyboard to create a viewing angle isn't particularly secure. If you think you will use it as a laptop on your lap, think again. The iPad usually falls off its pivot point with the slightest movement of the keyboard. Third, opening and closing the keyboard is a little tedious, even once you get used to the origami-style quirks. It flips and flops in such a way that when you open it, the keyboard often detaches from the iPad, leaving you embarrassed in front of onlookers and having to bend down and pick it up off the floor. All of this is acceptable for the right user and use case. In particular, people who constantly work at desks and desks like high school students or college students but want a portable, ultra-lightweight note-taking device that doesn't clutter up their book bags may find this to be optimal. the perfect solution.

Pros
  • Smart Keyboard, you can write a term paper or make a presentation on a full-size keyboard when you need it.
Cons
  • Big and chunky