Yes, the old Magic Keyboard gets results on the 2021 iPad Pro

Apple features updated the Magic Keyboard to do the job perfectly with the 2021 12.9-inch iPad Pro, but is it possible to escape with using the more mature model? In most cases, it shouldn't be a problem.

When Apple introduced the Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro spectrum in 2020, it caught the imagination of several users wanting to shift to an iPad-as-notebook set up. While it acted as a defensive cover, the key party technique was to work with magnets and a hinge to float the iPad above the keys.

With the introduction of the 2021 iPad Pro vary, Apple has updated the accessory to match the brand new 12.9-inch model perfectly. Even so, since this commonly involves improvements to how accessories were created, this might usually require customers to get the updated release to match their new tablet.

In the case of the Magic Keyboard, that was coming in at $349 for the 12.9-inch model at the initial release, users who already unique the first version aren't necessarily ready to pay another $349 for a second, but slightly unique, keyboard for the most recent iPad version.

To put the problem to bed, AppleInsider put together the 2020 and 2021 editions of both 12.9-inch iPad Pro and the Magic Keyboard in various combinations, to see if there's going to be a problem.

What's the issue?
The 2021 version of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro is usually practically the same dimensions as its 2020 counterpart. Both possess the same 11.04-inch height and 8.46-inch width, and every one of the ports and parts are in the same spots with identical measurements.

Even so, the 2021 model runs on the mini LED-blacklit display, which includes caused Apple to make an extremely slight transformation to the design to make it thicker. The 2021 version is 6.4mm (0.25 inches) thick, as the 2020 version is 5.9mm (0.23 inches) in depth.

This half-millimeter difference is a sliver of material, which for the vast majority of cases and other accessories you can buy, shouldn't matter at all. The trouble is definitely that the Magic Keyboard is certainly that awkward exception.

When closed, the Magic Keyboard is designed to be just as close-fitting to the iPad mainly because possible, to make sure as slim a profile as Apple can make. This tight tolerance can be down to such a tiny level that significantly less than a millimeter in change can actually matter.

After initial reports found out there have been changes to the design that could make the new iPad Pro as well thick to work with the older Magic Keyboard, Apple was easy to respond. The business explained on April 29 that the case works, but it may not "precisely fit when shut."

Because the 11-inch iPad Pro is the same thickness, because of not by using a mini LED backlight, the Magic Keyboard for that style does not have the same fit issues.

2020 iPad Pro in 2021 Magic Keyboard
Of both combinations involved, the 2020 iPad Pro and 2021 Magic Keyboard may be the pairing that should work perfectly fine out from the gate. Given the 2020 iPad Pro is half a millimeter slimmer compared to the 2021 Magic Keyboard is designed to do the job with, there must not be a problem obtaining the two together.

The iPad fits as normal onto the Magic Keyboard, using the same magnets and spacing as the more recent model, and it works simply just fine when open.

The important bit is when the Magic Keyboard is closed, and there is a visible difference. You can see a gap along the side between the iPad Pro and the go over, toward the backbone of the keyboard.

There's a small amount of surrender the Magic Keyboard's assembly, so that it is possible to squeeze and minimize the gap when sliding it into a tightly-loaded bag, for instance, but it's certainly not a massive canyon of wasted space.

2021 iPad Pro in 2020 Magic Keyboard
Again, for the brand new iPad Pro and old Magic Keyboard mixture, the two work fine with the other person when open. That is completely expected, and the key point of curiosity is when it's closed.

When closing the Magic Keyboard, there is no sign of rubbing or creaking, so there's no mechanical issues to worry about here.

While the initially combo certainly had a gap, this one doesn't have any spare space at all. It certainly appears quite limited as a fit, however, not to a point where it doesn't fit at all, and definitely not to a degree where it could destruction your iPad Pro.

It appears that Apple might have designed the initial Magic Keyboard with a tiny bit of take up, and that little bit of forgiving breathing place in the look is all consumed with the thicker tablet.

A good fit, but fine
The story here's that Apple has made a version of the Magic Keyboard which will accept a marginally much larger tablet than the previous iteration. Emphasis on "marginally larger."

There's nothing stopping you from putting the 2020 Magic Keyboard on the 2021 12.9-inch iPad Pro. It'll work fine, nonetheless it is a little tight if it is all packed away.

Unless you have equipped the 12.9-inch iPad Pro with an especially heavy screen protector, you probably won't need to spend another $349 in a Magic Keyboard ($14 away with code APINSIDER at Adorama using this activation link). The main one you've got will do the job.