Apple just announced the new M3 iPad Air and iPad 11, but there’s a brand new accessory debuting too. The iPad Air’s Magic Keyboard has been revised with some of the upgrades seen on the iPad Pro’s Magic Keyboard.
iPad Air’s new Magic Keyboard offers many similarities to M4 iPad Pro’s model
From Apple’s press release:
The all-new Magic Keyboard for iPad Air expands what users can do at an even lower price. The larger built-in trackpad brings greater precision for detail-oriented tasks, and a new 14-key function row allows easy access to features like screen brightness and volume controls. The new Magic Keyboard attaches magnetically, and the Smart Connector immediately connects power and data without the need for Bluetooth; a machined aluminum hinge also includes a USB-C connector for charging. Now starting at just $269 for the 11-inch model and $319 for the 13-inch model, the new Magic Keyboard for iPad Air features the magical floating design customers love and comes in white.
The new Magic Keyboard for iPad Air adopts several of the key features seen in last year’s M4 iPad Pro Magic Keyboard—an accessory I absolutely love.
Similarities include:
- having a larger trackpad than before
- gaining a function row for convenient shortcuts
One difference between the two models is that the iPad Air keyboard doesn’t seem to offer haptic feedback through the trackpad. The new Magic Keyboard also lacks the aluminum palm rest area next to the trackpad.
Those differences aside, the iPad Air and iPad Pro’s Magic Keyboards are largely identical.
They both come in 11-inch and 13-inch sizes. And while it would have been nice to simplify the lineup with a single Magic Keyboard, the ultra-thin design of the iPad Pro is likely the reason Apple has to continue shipping two models.
Pricing and device compatibility
One advantage of the iPad Air missing out on a couple features is that it’s also more affordable.
- 11-inch: $269 (versus $299 for the iPad Pro’s)
- 13-inch: $319 (versus $349 for the iPad Pro’s)
The new Magic Keyboard is compatible with the following models:
- iPad Air 11-inch (M3)
- iPad Air 11-inch (M2)
- iPad Air (5th generation)
- iPad Air (4th generation)
You can buy the new Magic Keyboard now from the online Apple Store and it delivers Wednesday, March 12.
What do you think of the new Magic Keyboard? Let us know in the comments.
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