iFixit Provides Look Inside iPad Pro Magic Keyboard Trackpad

[MacRumors]

iFixit last week shared x-rays of the new Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, giving us a little look at what's inside Apple's newest keyboard design, and today, iFixit is back with a mini trackpad teardown.

In an update to the original x-ray article, iFixit disassembled the trackpad to take a closer look at what's inside.

There's a single button inside the trackpad that operates on a lever system. When you press near the center, regardless of whether you're pressing the top, middle, or bottom center, you're pressing on the button.

Pressing near the top, bottom, or one of the corners activates the lever system, causing the contact plate in the center to be forced upward to make a click happen.

iFixit says that the trackpad is the only part of the Magic Keyboard that's able to be taken apart without major destruction to the accessory, so a further look inside will have to wait until the site is ready to publish repair guides.

Apple's new Magic Keyboard with trackpad works with the 2018 and 2020 iPad Pro models. It's priced at $299 for the 11-inch version and $349 for the 12.9-inch version, and can be purchased from Apple's website.

Article Link: iFixit Provides Look Inside iPad Pro Magic Keyboard Trackpad

 

[farewelwilliams]

nobody needs a trackpad on an iPad IMO. ruins the star feature of the device: multitouch display.

an iPad trackpad only tries to be like the MacBook but will never be better than a MacBook. smaller area, apps aren't optimized for cursor, carrying extra weight around the device, etc... it just doesn't make sense. there's a better way to be productive on the iPad that's far better than the MacBook. a cursor isn't the answer.

almost like too many people complained and Apple caved. now we're stuck with this sub-par feature. this is a classic example of customers showing how they don't know what the hell they want.

 

[Aluminum213]

I wish I paid more for the magic keyboard

 

[69Mustang]

nobody needs a trackpad on an iPad IMO. ruins the star feature of the device: multitouch display.

an iPad trackpad only tries to be like the MacBook but will never be better than a MacBook. smaller area, apps aren't optimized for cursor, carrying extra weight around the device, etc... it just doesn't make sense. there's a better way to be productive on the iPad that's far better than the MacBook. a cursor isn't the answer.

almost like too many people complained and Apple caved. now we're stuck with this sub-par feature. this is a classic example of customers showing how they don't know what the hell they want.

Stuck how? It's not a mandatory purchase. For those like you, avoid buying it and your star feature can remain at the forefront. For those who see the advantages, they can buy it and be happy. Both sides happy. Apple didn't cave. Apple smartly realized there was an opportunity to capitalize on consumer desire. And that opportunity in no way infringes on the desires of the consumers who don't want the feature.

Your quote is a classic example of an old man yells at cloud comment. It makes no sense but it probably makes him feel good. I should know. I'm old and I do it often.

 

[nikusak]

nobody needs a trackpad on an iPad IMO. ruins the star feature of the device: multitouch display.

So true.

The multitouch on my iPad Pro was immediately ruined when the Magic Keyboard was announced!

Ok, everything works exactly as before, but just the thought that somebody might be using a trackpad ruins it all for me.

I don’t want to use my iPad anymore :-(

Ps. What is wrong with you people?

 

[Airforcekid]

nobody needs a trackpad on an iPad IMO. ruins the star feature of the device: multitouch display.

an iPad trackpad only tries to be like the MacBook but will never be better than a MacBook. smaller area, apps aren't optimized for cursor, carrying extra weight around the device, etc... it just doesn't make sense. there's a better way to be productive on the iPad that's far better than the MacBook. a cursor isn't the answer.

almost like too many people complained and Apple caved. now we're stuck with this sub-par feature. this is a classic example of customers showing how they don't know what the hell they want.

Its been life changing for me I no longer need to carry a laptop to RDP into my VMs. The iPad has a great interface but the trackpad is invaluable when I need to use a Windows or Linux GUI. As apps evolve with IOS14 it will become more useful though I doubt ever needed.

 

[farewelwilliams]

Stuck how? It's not a mandatory purchase. For those like you, avoid buying it and your star feature can remain at the forefront. For those who see the advantages, they can buy it and be happy. Both sides happy. Apple didn't cave. Apple smartly realized there was an opportunity to capitalize on consumer desire. And that opportunity in no way infringes on the desires of the consumers who don't want the feature.

Your quote is a classic example of an old man yells at cloud comment. It makes no sense but it probably makes him feel good. I should know. I'm old and I do it often.

I'm an app developer and I'm stuck having to support this feature that I believe users don't need. Maybe try your comment again.

 

[yaxomoxay]

I'm an app developer and I'm stuck having to support this feature that I believe users don't need. Maybe try your comment again.

And Apple is another app developer, and they believe that users need/want it. I, for one, welcome the feature.

 

[farewelwilliams]

So true.

The multitouch on my iPad Pro was immediately ruined when the Magic Keyboard was announced!

Ok, everything works exactly as before, but just the thought that somebody might be using a trackpad ruins it all for me.

I don’t want to use my iPad anymore :-(

Ps. What is wrong with you people?

Except, it's more work for app developers who use custom UI controls to support trackpad. I don't believe my users should be using trackpad in my apps, but Apple wants developers to support it anyways.
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And Apple is another app developer, and they believe that users need/want it. I, for one, welcome the feature.

Ok?

Apple developer guidelines tell developers to support both multitouch and pointers. that's more work for the developer. Try telling any indie developer that doesn't make nearly as much $$$ as Apple to spend more time developing unnecessary features and see how they feel.
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Its been life changing for me I no longer need to carry a laptop to RDP into my VMs. The iPad has a great interface but the trackpad is invaluable when I need to use a Windows or Linux GUI. As apps evolve with IOS14 it will become more useful though I doubt ever needed.

or just carry the laptop?

the iPad can be better than the MacBook in certain ways (like Apple Pencil for drawing apps). trying to mimic the MacBook doesn't make sense as a user can just carry that instead.

 

[zhenya]

This design is classic Apple. PC manufacturers have been building laptops pretty much exclusively with crummy diving board track pads by the millions for a decade-plus. Apple fixes this problem on their first ipad trackpad they ever produced...

 

[teknikal90]

lolll that's a butterfly mechanism.

 

[justperry]

I don't really get it either, for the price of an iPad Pro plus this keyboard you'll have a MacBook.
Yes...yes, there are a few people this would be good for, but the majority does not need this.
(Just my opinion)

 

[A MacBook lover]

Damn that circuit board looks so slick, like something out from a computer digital wallpaper design

 

[anthorumor]

In Steve’s Apple world, you had fewer and forced choices - one sized iPhone, iPad, the ‘right’ way of holding something, closed iOS. Apple might have caved, but it made way for more consumer choice - multiple device sizes and categories, and user inputs for iPad. Remeber, this feature was under ’Accessibility’ before Apple made it as a viable alternative input for whenever it’s most appropriate to the user. Steve’s minimalistic Apple worked, but Tim’s is vastly different.

I was surprised at this route (comparisons to the Microsoft Surface are hard to miss), but Apple are now trying to make a product that appeals to everyone. Hopefully, they don’t fall into complacency and continue to strive for innovation.

 

[gnomeisland]

nobody needs a trackpad on an iPad IMO. ruins the star feature of the device: multitouch display.

an iPad trackpad only tries to be like the MacBook but will never be better than a MacBook. smaller area, apps aren't optimized for cursor, carrying extra weight around the device, etc... it just doesn't make sense. there's a better way to be productive on the iPad that's far better than the MacBook. a cursor isn't the answer.

almost like too many people complained and Apple caved. now we're stuck with this sub-par feature. this is a classic example of customers showing how they don't know what the hell they want.

I felt the same way until I tried it out. I don't use it often but there are some tasks/setups where trackpad support is great. Same with the pencil. 80% of the time it is stuck to the side of my iPad but that other 20% of the time I couldn't give it up. The cost/benefit isn't quite the same with the new keyboard—although I do like the design—but overall Apple won me over with their implementation.

 

[farewelwilliams]

I felt the same way until I tried it out. I don't use it often but there are some tasks/setups where trackpad support is great. Same with the pencil. 80% of the time it is stuck to the side of my iPad but that other 20% of the time I couldn't give it up. The cost/benefit isn't quite the same with the new keyboard—although I do like the design—but overall Apple won me over with their implementation.

There's nothing about iPad's trackpad implementation that makes it better than a MacBook however.

iPad's Pencil support on the other hand makes the device far better than a MacBook in terms of drawing.

 

[69Mustang]

I'm an app developer and I'm stuck having to support this feature that I believe users don't need. Maybe try your comment again.

You have to do a little extra work... on your job?!?! Bud, your arguments are getting worse. Everyone has to do things on their job they don't like. You aren't stuck though. You could always not support it. You're customer will quickly let you know if they need it or not.

No need to try my comment again. It was as effective and humorous as I wanted it to be. Maybe you should lighten up and accept what is and what's going to be. That train has left the station. I'm pretty sure once it's cost effective enough, that tech is going to go lower in the iPad lineup until it hits the cheapest iPad. Coupling that inexpensive iPad with an equally inexpensive proper keyboard and trackpad is a recipe for Apple fighting back in education where Chromebooks are currently handing them their lunch. So yeah, they aren't getting off your lawn.

 

[farewelwilliams]

You have to do a little extra work... on your job?!?! Bud, your arguments are getting worse. Everyone has to do things on their job they don't like. You aren't stuck though. You could always not support it. You're customer will quickly let you know if they need it or not.

No need to try my comment again. It was as effective and humorous as I wanted it to be. Maybe you should lighten up and accept what is and what's going to be. That train has left the station. I'm pretty sure once it's cost effective enough, that tech is going to go lower in the iPad lineup until it hits the cheapest iPad. Coupling that inexpensive iPad with an equally inexpensive proper keyboard and trackpad is a recipe for Apple fighting back in education where Chromebooks are currently handing them their lunch. So yeah, they aren't getting off your lawn.

Little extra work? Please. Trackpad support was introduced in March and Microsoft announced that Office will support the cursor by fall. We're talking maybe 6 months for a team of bright engineers and unlimited resources to deliver that feature. You have no clue what tf you're talking about.

Do you like subscription based apps? If yes, good for you. If not, well that's exactly what's going to happen to a lot of good quality apps that aren't making enough $$$ to reach minimum wage for developers from selling their app as a one-time payment model. Yep, as you put it, the subscription train has left the station and it's going to hit hard for those who barely have enough money to buy the cheapest iPad.

I've been against subscription based model for my solo-developed apps for the longest time, but updating my one-time-payment apps to support more and more frivolous Apple features is going to need to switch to the subscription based model. That's going to piss off a lot of my customers and if they don't bite, then I'll stop updating my apps.

 

[Ghost31]

nobody needs a trackpad on an iPad IMO. ruins the star feature of the device: multitouch display.

an iPad trackpad only tries to be like the MacBook but will never be better than a MacBook. smaller area, apps aren't optimized for cursor, carrying extra weight around the device, etc... it just doesn't make sense. there's a better way to be productive on the iPad that's far better than the MacBook. a cursor isn't the answer.

almost like too many people complained and Apple caved. now we're stuck with this sub-par feature. this is a classic example of customers showing how they don't know what the hell they want.

I think all the dislikes on this echo my view

 

[farewelwilliams]

I think all the dislikes on this echo my view

that's because you feel safe with a pointer and don't really know of a better way of being productive on the iPad. i have an idea that's pretty reasonable and far better than a keyboard/trackpad but will save it for a blog post or something. if you go back to the ipad introduction, steve mentioned that a device has to be better than a macbook and an iphone at some key tasks otherwise it has no reason to exist. ipad with a magic keyboard is not better than a macbook air in any way except maybe battery life (which over time, ARM MacBooks can probably take care of that)

 

[Logicalboard]

I like it, I’m guessing other people also like it. If I have an app that I wish supported trackpad and there is a competing app that does then you move on to the other million apps out there. There is a market for it and there will continue to be going forward.

 

[69Mustang]

Little extra work? Please. Trackpad support was introduced in March and Microsoft announced that Office will support the cursor by fall. We're talking maybe 6 months for a team of bright engineers and unlimited resources to deliver that feature. You have no clue what tf you're talking about.

Do you like subscription based apps? If yes, good for you. If not, well that's exactly what's going to happen to a lot of good quality apps that aren't making enough $$$ to reach minimum wage for developers from selling their app as a one-time payment model. Yep, as you put it, the subscription train has left the station and it's going to hit hard for those who barely have enough money to buy the cheapest iPad.

I've been against subscription based model for my solo-developed apps for the longest time, but updating my one-time-payment apps to support more and more frivolous Apple features is going to need to switch to the subscription based model. That's going to piss off a lot of my customers and if they don't bite, then I'll stop updating my apps.

If you are going to act the fool, let's disengage. I do know what I'm talking about, tf included. You're simply making a complaint that's falling of deaf ears. In the sample size of this thread, hardly anyone agrees with your position. You may be feeling attacked. I can't help that. That's still no reason for your lashing out. Trying to compare your self described solo-dev'd app to MS and Office? C'mon man. If you don't want to do it, don't do it. Everybody's job has issues and stresses. App dev'ing is no more an endeavor than other job you can name.

I'm not touching the subscription model stuff. I have no idea why you brought it up out of left field when we're talking about trackpad support.

 

[x3n0n1c]

If you are going to act the fool, let's disengage. I do what I'm talking about, tf included. You're simply making a complaint that's falling of deaf ears. In the sample size of this thread, hardly anyone agrees with your position. You may be feeling attacked. I can't help that. That's still no reason for your lashing out. Trying to compare your self described solo-dev'd app to MS and Office? C'mon man. If you don't want to do it, don't do it. Everybody's job has issues and stresses. App dev'ing is no more an endeavor than other job you can name.

I'm not touching the subscription model stuff. I have no idea why you brought it up out of left field when we're talking about trackpad support.

Loving pointer support on iOS, the biggest thing for me is simply how fluid the UI is. It never drops a frame and the 120hz scrolling makes even web browsing feel great. Apparently this guy thinks I shouldn't have it. Not a dev I would want to support.

 

[Abazigal]

I don't really get it either, for the price of an iPad Pro plus this keyboard you'll have a MacBook.
Yes...yes, there are a few people this would be good for, but the majority does not need this.
(Just my opinion)

That's why it's an optional accessory, with a price tag befitting its niche product status.

 

[GuruZac]

After going back and forth on whether to purchase the Magic Keyboard, I decided no go as I already own the Smart Keyboard Folio. Fast forward to yesterday and my wife surprised me with a Magic Keyboard for my birthday. I’m pretty pumped and look forward to see what Apple does with iPadOS 14.