AllYouCanTech

Apple Ought to Think About Reintroducing a Discontinued iPad Accessory

### The Advancement of iPad Keyboards: An Examination of the Smart Keyboard Folio

In recent times, Apple has greatly broadened its iPad keyboard selection, transitioning from a simple range of Smart Keyboards for each iPad model to a more intricate collection of choices, including the Magic Keyboard. This change has brought forth an assortment of features and designs, but it has also caused some uncertainty among users about which keyboard is most suitable for their requirements.

#### The Elegance of the Smart Keyboard Folio

The Smart Keyboard Folio stood out in Apple’s earlier offerings, recognized for its elegance and practicality. Unlike the latest Magic Keyboard, which features a conventional scissor mechanism along with a trackpad, the Smart Keyboard Folio was lightweight and adaptable. It functioned as both a keyboard and a protective folio for the iPad, enabling users to easily fold it back when it was not in use.

For instance, the Smart Keyboard Folio designed for the 11-inch iPad Pro had a weight of around 300 grams (0.66 lbs), making it an ideal portable solution for users seeking a keyboard without added weight. On the other hand, the Magic Keyboard weighs about 600 grams (1.32 lbs), effectively doubling the weight and commitment needed from users.

#### The Transition in Apple’s Keyboard Selections

Apple launched the Magic Keyboard in 2020, yet the Smart Keyboard Folio continued to be available for the subsequent iPad Pro and iPad Air models for a couple of years. Nonetheless, the phasing out of the Smart Keyboard Folio became clear in 2022 when Apple did not release a version for the 10th generation iPad. The final blow occurred in 2024 with the introduction of the M4 iPad Pro, which showcased a new set of magnets that were not compatible with the Smart Keyboard Folio.

#### The Requirement for Lightweight Options

The shift to the Magic Keyboard has created a more laptop-like experience for iPad users, but this may not cater to everyone’s preferences. Numerous users lean towards a lightweight keyboard that does not necessitate full commitment to a laptop-style arrangement. The Smart Keyboard Folio filled this gap exceptionally, offering a solution that was straightforward to use and carry.

While it seems improbable that Apple will bring back the Smart Keyboard Folio, there exists a considerable market for a lightweight iPad keyboard that emphasizes portability and simplicity. Users searching for a balance between functionality and convenience may find themselves yearning for the era of the Smart Keyboard Folio.

#### Conclusion

The progression of Apple’s iPad keyboard lineup mirrors a broader trend towards more intricate and feature-dense devices. However, the absence of the Smart Keyboard Folio underscores a void in the market for lightweight, user-friendly keyboards. As Apple continues to innovate, it will be intriguing to see if they will respond to this demand for simplicity in forthcoming products.

Comparing iPad and iPad Air: Evaluating the Significance of the $150 Cost Disparity

Apple offers two excellent, budget-friendly iPads that many individuals consider: the standard iPad and the iPad Air. Throughout the years, these iPads have remained quite alike, leading to an intriguing discussion. Currently, there’s just a $150 difference between the two iPads, raising the question: should you invest more in the iPad Air, or save some cash with the standard iPad?

## The Argument for iPad Air

For an additional $150, the iPad Air provides significantly more technology at a price below $500. Specifically, the iPad Air is now priced at $449, while the standard iPad costs $299.

Firstly, if you’re after a higher-end Apple Pencil experience, the iPad Air is the winner. It provides compatibility with Apple Pencil Pro, which gives you features such as pressure sensitivity, double-tap capability, haptics, squeeze, and others.

The iPad Air also boasts a laminated, P3 color display – delivering a superior viewing experience, with the glass extending right up to the pixels. The more economical iPads have an air gap and lack the same antireflective coating as the iPad Air.

If you’re looking for a more laptop-like feel, the iPad Air excels in this area. It accommodates a laptop-style Magic Keyboard, while the base iPad only works with the Magic Keyboard Folio, akin to a Microsoft Surface.

Additionally, the iPad Air supports Apple Intelligence and is equipped with the M3 chip. In contrast, the base iPad comes with an A16 chip and does not have Apple Intelligence support.

## Base iPad

If you found those notable iPad Air features unpersuasive, the base iPad should suit you well. It features 128GB of storage – the same as the iPad Air – and displays much more vibrant colors. It also includes the same 12MP Center Stage camera, ideal for FaceTime calls and virtual meetings.

Ultimately, it remains a considerably more affordable iPad, hitting all the essential iPad features remarkably well. While the iPad Air might offer a superior laptop experience, the base iPad is still a fantastic device. Both iPads (unfortunately) come with the same Touch ID sensor, meaning the iPad Air doesn’t provide significant upgrades – unless you’re after a premium Magic Keyboard, an enhanced Apple Pencil experience, or the laminated display.

One point to consider with the iPad (A16) is that you will be limited to a USB 2.0 spec port, which could restrict your wired data transfer speeds if that matters to you.

## Conclusion

An additional advantage of the iPad Air is that it includes a 13-inch display option; if you’re seeking a larger iPad at a more accessible price, the iPad Air will undoubtedly be your go-to option.

That being said, I lean towards the standard iPad. I value iPads for fundamental tasks and remain somewhat skeptical about how iPadOS 26 has altered multi-tasking on the iPad. However, if you prefer those updates, you might want to opt for the iPad Air.

The positive news is that neither of these iPads is expected to receive an update in the upcoming months, making it a suitable time to purchase.

M4 MacBook Pro: A Major Enhancement for Apple Silicon Users

**The M4 MacBook Pro: A Valuable Enhancement**

Last October, Apple revealed the M4 MacBook Pro. While it might seem like merely another upgrade in the MacBook Pro series, several standout features render it a persuasive enhancement, even for users of the earlier 14″ MacBook Pro.

### Why M4?

Recently, there has been a considerable change in MacBook Pro pricing. In 2023, Apple launched a new entry-level MacBook Pro priced at $1599 featuring the base M3 chip, elevating the base memory to 16GB and eliminating some major compromises seen in the M4. This allows you to acquire a MacBook Pro with 512GB of storage and 16GB of memory for $1599, a notable decrease from the earlier starting price of $1999. Although this version lacks a Pro chip, the benefits it brings make it a smart investment, particularly with the impressive offers available in the current market.

### Significantly Better Battery Life

A remarkable enhancement in the M4 MacBook Pro is its battery duration. The baseline Apple Silicon shows significant improvement in power efficiency. According to Apple, the M1 Pro 14″ MacBook Pro lasts up to 11 hours of web browsing on one charge, whereas the M4 can achieve up to 16 hours, indicating an improvement of nearly 50%. Users have reported even extended battery life due to minimized power drain from background apps, thanks to the increased number of efficiency cores in the M4.

### Display Enhancements

The M4 MacBook Pro boasts substantial advancements in display technology. Earlier models provided up to 500 nits of standard brightness, while the M4 can achieve up to 1000 nits, greatly enhancing outdoor visibility. Although third-party applications permitted users to unlock extra brightness on older versions, having a high standard brightness significantly elevates the user experience, making the M4 more similar to the M4 iPad Pro.

### Upgraded Webcam

The M4 series brings a 12MP Center Stage camera to the MacBook Pro, which enhances video calls by using an ultra-wide lens for a wider field of view and face tracking features. This improvement positions the MacBook Pro as a more feasible option for video conferencing, which was previously more suitable for iPads.

### Performance

Moving from an M1 Pro chip to an M4 chip may appear to be a performance downgrade, especially for GPU-heavy tasks. Nonetheless, for the majority of users, the M4 provides a significant performance boost due to three years of technological progress. In Geekbench 6, the M4 surpasses the M1 Pro with a 57% increase in single-core performance and a 19% increase in multi-core performance, all while using less energy. This makes the M4 a strong choice for those focused on AI and machine learning tasks.

### Conclusion

Though upgrading between two MacBooks within the same design generation may seem unexciting, the contrasts between the M1 Pro and M4 MacBook Pro are considerable. With varying tariff policies and potential price hikes from Apple, now might be the opportune moment to invest in a new MacBook Pro. The M5 MacBook Pro is not anticipated to provide significant upgrades and is unlikely to be released until early next year.

**Top 14-inch MacBook Pro discounts:**

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**My preferred Apple accessory suggestions:**