Honestly, the iPad keyboard market is a mess right now. You’ve got floating cantilever designs that cost as much as a budget laptop and chunky third-party cases that turn your sleek tablet into a ruggedized brick. Somewhere in the middle sits the Smart Keyboard Folio 11 inch, a piece of tech that Apple has technically sidelined in favor of the Magic Keyboard, yet it refuses to die.
People love to hate on it. They say the keys feel "mushy" or that the lack of a trackpad is a dealbreaker in 2026. But they’re missing the point. If you’re actually using an 11-inch iPad as a tablet first and a laptop second, the Magic Keyboard is often the wrong choice.
It’s about the weight (and your wrists)
Let’s talk numbers. Real ones. A 4th-gen 11-inch iPad Pro weighs about 466 grams. If you slap the Magic Keyboard on it, you’re adding roughly 580 grams. Suddenly, your "ultra-portable" tablet weighs over a kilogram. That is basically MacBook Air territory.
The Smart Keyboard Folio 11 inch? It weighs around 298 grams.
That difference is massive when you’re throwing it in a bag or holding it on the subway. You’ve probably noticed that the Magic Keyboard makes the iPad top-heavy. It wants to tip over on your lap. The Folio doesn’t have that problem because it sits flat. It’s a simple, elegant solution for people who don't want to carry a lead weight just to type an email.
The "Noodle" keys actually work
There is a specific feeling to typing on the Smart Keyboard Folio. Apple uses a single piece of custom-woven fabric to create the keys. There are no gaps. No crumbs can get under there. You could literally spill a latte on this thing, wipe it off, and keep going.
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Sure, the key travel is shallow. It's not a mechanical keyboard experience. But once you get into a rhythm, it’s surprisingly fast. I’ve seen writers like Scott Stein at CNET mention how these fabric-covered keys provide a weirdly satisfying tactile snap. It’s quiet, too. If you’re in a library or a silent office, you aren't that person "clacking" away like you're trying to win a fight with your hardware.
Why the 11-inch model is the "Goldilocks" zone
The 12.9-inch (or the newer 13-inch) version of this folio is huge. It feels floppy. But the Smart Keyboard Folio 11 inch is the sweet spot. It fits perfectly on those tiny airplane tray tables where even a small laptop struggles.
- Compatibility check: It works with the iPad Pro 11-inch (1st through 4th Gen) and the iPad Air (4th, 5th, and the M2 models).
- The M4 Problem: If you just bought the 2024 or 2025 M4 iPad Pro, stop reading. This specific folio won’t fit. Apple changed the magnets and the Smart Connector placement. It’s annoying, I know.
- Two angles: You get two viewing notches. One is steep for typing, one is shallower for watching movies. It’s not infinite adjustment, but it’s enough.
The "Hidden" Benefit: Tablet Mode
This is the biggest reason to choose the folio over the "fancier" Magic Keyboard. You can fold the Smart Keyboard Folio all the way around to the back.
With the Magic Keyboard, if you want to use your Apple Pencil to draw, you have to rip the iPad off the magnets and set the keyboard aside. It’s clunky. With the Smart Keyboard Folio 11 inch, you just flip the cover back. The keys automatically deactivate so you aren't typing gibberish with your palms, and you’re ready to sketch.
What really breaks?
Nothing is perfect. The edges of the folio are notorious for fraying after a year or two of heavy use. It’s a polyurethane material that eventually decides it’s had enough of your backpack’s friction.
Also, the magnets. While they’re strong, a "sharp jolt"—as the folks at AppleInsider once pointed out—can still send your iPad sliding out if you drop it just right. It’s a cover, not a suit of armor. If you’re prone to dropping things on concrete, you might want to look at something like the Logitech Combo Touch, though you'll sacrifice that slim profile.
Is it still worth it in 2026?
If you can find one on sale—and they are almost always on sale now—the answer is a resounding yes. It’s the best "no-fuss" keyboard. No Bluetooth pairing. No charging a separate battery. It draws a tiny bit of power from the iPad itself through those three little gold dots on the back.
Basically, if you value the iPad-ness of your iPad, get the folio. If you want a MacBook, just buy a MacBook.
How to make it last
If you decide to pick one up, here is the pro tip: get a dbrand skin for the outside. The material Apple uses is a magnet for finger oils and smudges. A skin keeps it looking clean and adds a tiny bit of structural integrity to those edges that like to peel.
Also, keep the Smart Connector pins clean. If you ever find the keyboard isn't "waking up" when you attach it, 90% of the time it’s just a bit of dust on those gold contacts. A quick wipe with a microfiber cloth usually fixes it instantly.
Next Steps for Your Setup
- Verify your model number: Check the back of your iPad to ensure you aren't buying the older 10.5-inch version or the newer M4-exclusive version by mistake.
- Inspect the hinge: If buying used, look closely at the "spine" for any micro-tears in the fabric, as this is where the internal data cables eventually fail.
- Clean the contacts: Use a small amount of 70% isopropyl alcohol on a Q-tip to clean the Smart Connector pins on both the iPad and the folio for a perfect connection.