Apple seems to be preparing a very interesting year ahead for users of its iPad lineup. For months now, we’ve been hearing rumors of design changes, new features and capabilities, and the possibility of new accessories. All of this starts with the fact that we don’t expect any changes to the iPad lineup this year, so we can anticipate a good number of innovations coming next year.
According to reports from the renowned analyst Mark Gurman, not only is a next-generation iPad Pro with fundamental changes expected, but it could also come with a redesigned Magic Keyboard that aims to make the device even more like a laptop. The changes are so significant that Gurman suggests this could be the first major update to the product since the version we saw introduced in 2018
A reinvented Magic Keyboard that brings the iPad closer to the Mac
According to Mark Gurman in his latest weekly newsletter edition, the new Magic Keyboard for the iPad Pro will feature a larger trackpad, aiming to provide a user experience more similar to what we find on a MacBook. While iPads have been gaining functionality previously reserved for laptops, such as trackpad and mouse support or the ability to use multiple monitors simultaneously, the new keyboard could take this convergence a step further by bringing the two usage forms even closer.
According to Gurman, in addition to the larger trackpad, Apple will undergo a significant design change, as the area around the keyboard will apparently be made of aluminum, similar to the top of MacBooks. This change in material appears to be based on some feedback regarding the current model, as aluminum will provide a more robust structure for the entire piece. It remains to be seen, however, how this metal surface interacts with the iPad.
Let’s remember that in the current model, the iPad folds in such a way that its screen is directly supported on the front part of the keyboard. This feels natural with the current material, but with the use of aluminum, it will need to be rethought. Other alternatives in the market simply separate the keyboard from the iPad with small rubber protrusions, but they don’t always manage to prevent contact when pressure is applied.
Undoubtedly, Apple will have addressed this challenge and overcome it, but what this simple change suggests is that we will see a more profound redesign than just a change of materials. This is further supported by the introduction of a larger trackpad. Currently, the only way to make it larger is to raise the keys further towards the top of the cover, placing them almost beneath the iPad that hovers above them.
The last important question that remains is the weight. The current cover is already quite heavy, even more so than the iPad itself. This is done to balance its weight while in use. We’ll have to see what happens to the combined weight of both devices with the rumored change in materials. Gurman also suggests that the use of materials like aluminum could lead Apple to increase the price of the accessory, which currently costs $299.
Beyond everything we’ve discussed, according to the rumors, the keyboard will retain its silicone exterior cover and will feature a single USB-C port, aligning with the current design but adding a potentially more sophisticated touch. Overall, for professionals and creatives who already use the iPad Pro as a working tool, these changes should be more than welcome. A more robust keyboard structure and a larger trackpad will undoubtedly make tasks like video editing, graphic design, or programming much easier and more comfortable to perform on the iPad Pro
Apple is making a strong push to make its iPad Pro an even more compelling alternative to laptops. If the rumors are true, the new Magic Keyboard and the next-generation iPad Pro could take the iPad to a new level, blurring the line between what’s an iPad and what’s a MacBook. As we await more details and official announcements — and everything we might see at the Wonderlust event — one thing is certain: Apple continues to push the boundaries in redefining what their devices can do and what we can do with them.
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