It’s about the time of year when we start thinking about what Apple will release hardware and software during the year, so when I’m in education, I’m obviously starting to think about what I want to see Apple do with the iPad in 2021. The more I think about it, the more I think Apple’s next action with the iPad has nothing to do with the iPad itself. This week I want to talk about the need for a cheap Magic Keyboard.
About Apple @ Work: Bradley Chambers has been running an enterprise IT network since 2009. Through his experience deploying and managing firewalls, switches, a mobile operating system, enterprise-level Wi-Fi, hundreds of Macs and hundreds of iPads, Bradley will highlight ways in which Apple IT executives use Apple devices, build networks around them support and train users, in addition to stories from the trenches of IT management and ways Apple can improve its products for IT departments.
One of the major changes Apple has made to iPadOS in recent memory is the addition of mouse support and the release of the Magic Keyboard. I was initially hesitant about how mouse support would translate to iPadOS, but after many months of seeing it in action, it’s clear that it’s opening up new use cases to make iPad work for more people. The problem is that the Magic Keyboard is expensive enough if you buy one, but that it is costly too much if you buy a fleet of devices.
iPad Air with Magic Keyboard versus MacBook Air
The Mac saw a rebirth with the Apple Silicon transition. The Macbook Air was the 9to5Mac Product of the Year in 2020. The battery life is excellent. It works through almost every task you can easily perform. It has been moved to a similar place that the iPad has been hardware for years. Instead of finding the balance between loving MacOS, the processor hates and struggles with iPadOS but loves the processor, they are peers. The MacBook Air can now run with the iPad Air at hardware speed, so it’s becoming a software versus software.
I’m not here to debate whether you can do work on iPadOS, because you can. I would argue that the iPad is a better device with the smart keyboard. Some tasks are just easier to perform with a pointer, and for long periods of time it is much more ergonomic to use a device where you can use a pointer.
The problem with the Magic Keyboard is that it is expensive. This is a $ 200 accessory for a device that costs $ 599 (iPad Air). For schools and businesses to buy in bulk, adding a $ 200 accessory to an iPad will cost very. Most schools and businesses choose the cheaper iPad for their implementation. Apple needs to pair a cheap Magic Keyboard with the cheap iPad as a successor to the Smart Keyboard.
Will Apple release a Magic Keyboard for the cheap iPad?
I would love to see Apple release a cheaper Magic Keyboard aimed at the cheaper iPad. This prize will cost the full package for a Magic Keyboard, iPad and Apple Pencil under $ 500. If an organization wants to skip the Apple Pencil, it’s less than $ 400. An iPad with a magic keyboard is one powerful device at that price point.
Will Apple release a cheap Magic Keyboard for the entry-level iPad? I have not seen any rumors, but I think it should be a priority. A Magic Keyboard is the best iPad accessory to make it a full-time ‘computer’. What do you think? Leave a comment below!
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