If you've spent more than five minutes looking at iPad accessories, you've seen the debate. It's usually framed as a "budget" choice versus the "pro" choice. People act like the Apple Smart Keyboard Folio is just the thing you buy when you can’t justify the eye-watering price of the Magic Keyboard. Honestly? That’s just wrong. After using both for years, I keep coming back to the Folio for reasons that have nothing to do with my bank account and everything to do with how an iPad actually feels in your hand.
The iPad was always supposed to be about modularity. You pick it up, it’s a tablet. You snap it into a dock, it’s a computer. But somewhere along the line, we got obsessed with making it a laptop clone. The Apple Smart Keyboard Folio doesn't try to be a MacBook. It stays out of the way. It’s thin. It’s light. And most importantly, it doesn't turn your $800 tablet into a three-pound brick.
The Design Philosophy Nobody Mentions
Most reviewers focus on the keys. We'll get to those. But the real genius of the Apple Smart Keyboard Folio is the polyurethane fabric. It’s one continuous piece of material. There are no gaps between the keys for crumbs or coffee to fall into. I've spilled an entire double-shot espresso on mine, wiped it off with a damp paper towel, and kept typing. Try doing that with the scissor switches on the Magic Keyboard and you’re looking at a $300 repair bill or a very sticky afternoon.
It’s rugged in a way that "premium" tech usually isn't.
The magnets are surprisingly strong. You’ve got two viewing angles—one that’s great for a desk and another that’s steeper, which is basically the only way to use an iPad on an airplane tray table without getting a neck cramp. It’s simple. It doesn’t have a battery. It doesn’t have Bluetooth. It draws power directly from the Smart Connector on the back of the iPad. It just works.
Why Weight Distribution Actually Matters
Have you ever tried to use a Magic Keyboard on your lap? It’s top-heavy. The iPad is the "brain," so the weight is all at the top, making the whole setup want to flip backward onto the floor.
The Apple Smart Keyboard Folio is different. Because it lacks that heavy cantilevered hinge, the center of gravity stays lower. It feels more stable when you’re sitting on a couch or typing in the back of an Uber. It’s a subtle thing until you’ve dealt with a "lappable" device that refuses to actually stay on your lap.
That "Mushy" Typing Experience
Let’s be real: the typing feel is polarizing.
Some people call it mushy. I prefer "stealthy." The keys have very little travel, maybe about 1mm. It’s a tactile, fabric-covered click. If you’re coming from a mechanical keyboard with Cherry MX Blues, you’re going to hate it for the first hour. But then something happens. You realize you can fly. Because the keys are so shallow, your fingers just glide.
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It’s also dead silent. I’ve sat in silent libraries and tense board meetings typing away on an Apple Smart Keyboard Folio, and nobody heard a peep. It’s the ultimate "stealth" productivity tool.
No Trackpad? No Problem.
The biggest criticism is the lack of a trackpad. "How can you do real work without a mouse?" people ask.
Well, it’s an iPad.
The screen is right there. Your hand is already inches away from the glass. I’ve found that for 90% of what I do—email, Slack, drafting articles, basic spreadsheets—reaching out to touch the screen is faster than fiddling with a tiny trackpad. Plus, if you really need a precision pointer, you’re probably better off using an Apple Pencil or a dedicated Bluetooth mouse anyway. By removing the trackpad, Apple kept the footprint tiny. You can fit an 11-inch iPad with this keyboard into a small crossbody bag that would never fit a laptop.
The Durability Gap
I’ve seen Magic Keyboards where the "rubberized" finish starts peeling at the corners after six months. It’s heartbreaking given the cost. The Apple Smart Keyboard Folio is a tank by comparison. The edges are sealed. The fabric doesn't delaminate easily.
I’ve used one for three years that looks almost new, save for a little shine on the spacebar.
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- Water resistance: Excellent (for the keyboard area).
- Drop protection: Minimal on the sides, but great for the front and back.
- Portability: Unmatched in the iPad ecosystem.
The only real downside is the lack of backlighting. If you’re a vampire who only works in pitch-black rooms, you’re going to struggle. But for everyone else, the screen brightness usually provides enough "falloff" light to see where your fingers are.
What Most People Get Wrong About Value
People look at the price tag—usually around $179 for the 11-inch and $199 for the 12.9/13-inch—and think it’s overpriced for "just a piece of plastic."
They’re right, it is expensive. But you aren't just buying plastic. You’re buying the lack of friction. There’s no charging a second battery. There’s no "Searching for Bluetooth..." spinning wheel of death. There’s no firmware to update. You snap it on, and you’re a writer. You fold it back, and you’re a reader.
Most third-party keyboards from brands like Logitech are great, but they double the thickness of the iPad. At that point, why not just buy a MacBook Air? The Apple Smart Keyboard Folio preserves the soul of the iPad. It keeps it thin.
Actionable Strategy: Getting the Most Out of Your Folio
If you've decided to pick one up or you're dusting off an old one, here is how to actually make it a "pro" tool without the trackpad.
Master the Command Key
The iPad has incredible keyboard shortcuts that most people ignore. Hold down the Command (⌘) key in any app to see a cheat sheet. You can switch apps with Cmd + Tab, search with Cmd + Space, and even manage your windows in Stage Manager without ever touching the screen.
Keep it Clean
Don't use harsh chemicals. A slightly damp microfiber cloth is all you need. If you get gunk in the creases, a dry toothbrush works wonders. Because it’s one piece of fabric, there’s nowhere for the dirt to hide.
Check Your Model Compatibility
This is where people get burned. Apple changed the camera bump sizes over the years. An Apple Smart Keyboard Folio designed for the 2018 iPad Pro will technically work with a 2022 M2 model, but the camera won't fit through the hole properly. Always verify the generation. Specifically, the 11-inch models are generally more cross-compatible than the 12.9-inch ones due to the slight thickness increase in later Liquid Retina XDR displays.
The "Reading Mode" Trick
Don't forget that you can fold the keyboard behind the iPad to use it as a tablet. The keys will be on the back, but they are automatically deactivated so you won't accidentally type gibberish. However, if the feeling of keys on your fingers bothers you, just pop the iPad off. It’s magnetic. That’s the beauty of it.
The Apple Smart Keyboard Folio isn't the "lesser" keyboard. It's the "different" keyboard. It’s for the person who wants their iPad to stay an iPad, not a cramped laptop. It’s for the commuter, the student, and the writer who values portability and durability over a clicking trackpad.
Next Steps for You
- Check your iPad’s model generation in Settings > General > About.
- Compare the weight specs: a Magic Keyboard often weighs more than the iPad itself, while the Folio adds less than 300 grams.
- Test the shortcuts. Spend one hour using only Cmd commands to see if you actually miss the trackpad as much as you thought you would.