Save $1,000 versus iPad Pro with this iPad and keyboard case combo

2 weeks ago 9

Getting an iPad Pro with a Magic Keyboard to work on the go and tinker with all of the best features that Apple's flagship tablet offers is an enticing prospect -- until you realize that this full setup starts at $1,400. The truth is that an iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard are not the best iPad setup for most users.

In theory, an M4 iPad Pro sounds like a great idea. It's a powerful tablet capable of running high-end video editing software, editing RAW and ProRes media, and easily handling multitasking. But just as the tablet is powerful, it's built for power users, and, to be quite honest, most iPad buyers aren't power users, myself included.

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As a writer, photographer, and videographer covering all things tech, I still wouldn't get an iPad Pro with a Magic Keyboard, but that doesn't mean it's not right for someone out there -- more on that below. I'm not willing to spend well over $1,400 on a tablet and keyboard case because I've found that the regular iPad 10th Generation (currently on sale for $299) with a reliable keyboard, like the Logitech Combo Touch or ESR Rebound, works as well as I need my tablet to perform.

I've tested out a couple of different setups for my iPad 10th Generation, which you can find below:

Why the regular iPad is right for most users

Most tablet users are casual users, which is the exact purpose of the regular iPad. If you're like me, looking for a tablet to carry around easily for browsing, streaming, editing documents and spreadsheets, casual gaming, note-taking, messaging, and more, you'd likely do well to save some money and go with the regular iPad over the Pro.

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You can get a 10th-generation iPad for $299, with a $50 discount.

Adding a Logitech Combo Touch

Logitech Combo Touch - ESR Rebound Keyboard Case

This is ZDNET's pick for the best iPad keyboard overall, and with good reason. The Logitech Combo Touch fits your iPad like a glove, and the Bluetooth keyboard is magnetically attached to the case as a cover. It's also about half the price of Apple's Magic Keyboard, and an ever-bigger discount on Amazon brings its current price down to $122.

I've used a Logitech Combo Touch for years on my older iPad 8th Generation, so it was a must to use it with a newer iPad. It's the kind of product that you can't go wrong with because it just works.

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The backlit keyboard doesn't require batteries or recharging; it is powered by the iPad via its Smart Connector. The keys and multi-touch trackpad are reliably responsive, and the Combo Touch's build is sturdy enough for typing while it's on my lap, as long as I'm mindful of its adjustable kickstand on the back.

The Logitech keyboard is easily detachable by just pulling it away from the iPad, so you can use it as a standard case to watch videos, read, or play games. Its protective exterior doesn't show wear and tear easily and protects your iPad from falls and bumps by covering all edges.

Adding an ESR Rebound Keyboard Case

This is a great keyboard that feels much like a laptop keyboard. You don't get the Mac keys along the top of the keyboard like the Logitech Combo Touch, but it's sturdy enough to easily type with your iPad on your lap. Setup is easy; it only requires a Bluetooth connection and a quick charge to get you started.

ESR touts the case's battery life as capable of lasting up to three months of day use or two weeks of night use, where the backlight is required. It can last up to one year on standby. For convenience, it comes with a USB-C charging cable.

Also: How we test tablets at ZDNET in 2024

The biggest selling point for the ESR Rebound Keyboard Case is its price: It's $80, less than a third of the price of a Magic Keyboard (especially if you catch it on sale).

Who is the target audience for the iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard?

An iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard combination is a great option for users who need high-end performance from their device -- essentially, power users or those seeking an experience closer to a laptop and the portability of a tablet. This would include graphic designers, illustrators, researchers, mobile workers, presenters, photographers, and video editors.

The iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard setup also makes sense when you need a laptop replacement for iOS workflows, multitask heavily, require high processing power, or need advanced display quality but don't want to carry a laptop.

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If you're interested in either, they're both discounted; the 13-inch iPad Pro with 512GB of storage is $1,399, a total savings of $100, and the Magic Keyboard is $317, saving you $32.

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