The new Magic Keyboard for the Apple iPad Pro is a real heavyweight

The Magic Keyboard has caused quite the stir, especially considering that it is just a keyboard accessory. Not only does it look unusual, but it is also Apple's first iPad Pro accessory with a built-in trackpad. Compatible with older generations of the 11-inch and 12.9-inch iPad Pro, the Magic Keyboard supposedly integrates the same keyboard switches found in the MacBook Air 2020 and MacBook Pro 16.

Apple does not list the weight of the Magic Keyboard, though. However, the company has now started delivering pre-orders, and people have been weighing their cases. According to a thread on MacRumors forums, the Magic Keyboard for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro weighs 710 g, 67 g more than the latest LTE model. By contrast, Marques Brownlee has demonstrated that the same case weighs 702 g.

Taking either value, that means the combined weight of a 12.9-inch iPad Pro and Magic Keyboard exceeds that of the new MacBook Air. The 11-inch model apparently weighs over 1 kg with a Magic Keyboard attached, too.

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro also costs more than a comparable MacBook Air when you factor in a Magic Keyboard. While the iPad Pro has a 120 Hz display, a touchscreen and pen support, the trackpad on the Magic Keyboard is also considerably smaller than on any other recent MacBook Air. All things considered, we are struggling to see the value of an iPad Pro and a Magic Keyboard over a new MacBook Air.