Thanks a bunch Paul! (iPad Magic Keyboard)

I had often looked at the Apple Magic Keyboard for my iPad 11” M2 and thought it was expensive and it wasn’t much use, I have a MacBook after all. I use the iPad to consume and the work iPad to take hand written notes in meetings, or as a pencil enabled touch screen for my Mac for signing documents.

At work we have a lot of budget keyboards, none of which really feel that good, but for a 1/10th to a 1/4 of the price, they are OK for what they do, although I have shunned them so far.

Your review of iPadOS 26 and your use of the keyboard had me hovering over the purchase button for a couple of weeks, but I eventually pulled the trigger and I also put iPadOS 26 on my work iPad. It makes a big difference when looking at stuff, using the keyboard as a stand is great, although it does make the iPad very bulky and unusable in portrait mode, you have to remove it from the keyboard case.

But for writing, it makes a huge difference, I can actually type proper replies on the iPad now, as opposed to feeling that it is too much hassle and waiting until I have an opportunity to go to my MacBook and write the answer there.

The one thing I don’t like about it is the typing position, it is fine for short periods, but the keyboard is too small, just typing this message has my shoulders starting to ache from the angle I have to hold them at, the same for my wrists.

I think, if I am going to be doing a lot of writing, I will still be going to my MacBook, especially if it is docked and I can use my ergonomic keyboard and mouse.

The windowing in iPadOS 26 is interesting, but on the small display of the iPad is less useful than on the 44” 4K display I use at my desk… For simple tasks on the move it is fine, but I still don’t see it replacing my MacBook for most tasks.