Turns iPad into a laptop alternative: Inateck NeoMagic keyboard case review

The Inateck NeoMagic can certainly turn an iPad into a laptop replacement—at least in terms of hardware. Naturally, there are some differences when it comes to software, but these are not due to the keyboard case we tested. Overall, it made a good impression in our test. The typing feel is okay and comparable to that of an inexpensive notebook.

Useful features include the special swipe gestures and the separately assignable key, although the options here are limited. At just over 850 g, its weight is typical for products of this kind, whereas the practical display is not found everywhere.

According to the manufacturer, the suggested retail price for the "Inateck NeoMagic Magnetic Keyboard Case for iPad Air 13" M4/M3/M2 (2026/2025/2024) and iPad Pro 12.9" 6th/5th/4th/3rd Gen" we tested is $199.99.

It is already available for considerably less from retailers, for example directly from Inateck or from Amazon. It is available in black and white. 

Modern tablets like the iPad are increasingly giving laptops a run for their money, even in their traditional areas of use. This is especially true when an iPad is paired with a keyboard case like the Inateck NeoMagic. We tested it in practice with an iPad Pro 12.9".

Incidentally, this review was typed partly on the tested keyboard and iPad.

The Inateck NeoMagic is a combination of an iPad case and an external keyboard. It encloses the iPad at the top and bottom and opens via a hinge. This turns the iPad into a kind of notebook, with the keyboard below and the iPad, magnetically attached to the case, propped up as a display. Hidden behind it is a small loop where an Apple Pencil can be inserted if needed.

The keyboard with a European QWERTZ layout (QWERTY is also available) has six rows with a total of 79 keys, making it a fully featured computer-style keyboard, albeit without a number pad. Above the number row is a row of function keys for volume, display brightness and more, all of which worked without issue in our test. There is also a customizable key here. More on that below.

You don’t have to go without keyboard backlighting, either. Its brightness can be adjusted across three levels, and it can also light up in seven colors (white, yellow, green, light blue, dark blue, purple, red). The full-area backlighting makes it easy to work with the keyboard case in the dark.

Below the keyboard is a trackpad measuring approximately 11 x 6 cm, which lets you move the mouse pointer across the iPad screen just like on a laptop. It also supports gestures with up to three fingers for zooming, switching between apps, and more. Inateck has also built a small display into the upper right, above the power button. Not every iPad keyboard case on the market has one, and it shows not only the connection status and battery level, but also whether Caps Lock is on.

The iPad Pro 12.9" attaches magnetically to the cover of the case, protecting the back from scratches and the like, except for the camera. The camera cutout fits precisely. The tablet is covered by the hinge on one side. On the other three sides, the case protrudes by around one millimeter. At first glance, this makes it look like the fit isn't quite perfect with the iPad Pro 12.9" used for the test, but it does offer the device some protection when carrying it in a bag. The keyboard and case cannot be detached from each other.

The NeoMagic connects to the iPad Pro 12.9" via Bluetooth 5.3, and pairing was quick and problem-free during the test. Even after being switched off and on again, the keyboard automatically reconnected to the iPad within a few seconds. During initial use, we noticed that the iPad uses the QWERTZ keyboard as a QWERTY keyboard. However, this can quickly be fixed in the iPad settings under "General > Keyboard > Hardware Keyboard".

After that, you can start typing. During testing, we found that the typing feel was a little stiff for our liking. The individual keys have no ergonomic shape, just the two usual small markings on “F” and “J”. The actuation point is also not as pleasant as on a high-quality laptop or PC keyboard. Ultimately, though, it’s also a matter of getting used to it, so after a little while we were able to type quickly and the keyboard felt solid.

The trackpad in the lower section also proves practical when using an iPad, despite its touchscreen—especially since it supports iPad gestures. You can move the virtual mouse around the iPad screen with one finger and click by tapping. Swiping up with three fingers, for example, minimizes the currently open app and displays the usual view of recently used apps. Selecting multiple words is also quick and easy.

Inateck offers its own app called Inateck Origin, which is compatible with the NeoMagic keyboard case. It can be downloaded free of charge from the App Store and provides additional options for using the keyboard.

In addition to adjusting the backlighting (brightness and color), which can also be done directly using the keyboard, you can assign special actions to the dedicated Inateck key (in the top row above 5 and 6) and four swipe gestures (S, Z, N, and W). For example, you can launch Search or Siri, or take a screenshot. Unfortunately, however, you can’t assign specific apps to them.

A sleep mode can also be set in the app. This lets you choose how many minutes of inactivity pass before the keyboard switches off. This is important for saving battery power. While the iPad locks automatically when you close the case, the keyboard initially stays on.

This brings us to the final part of the test: battery life. This naturally depends heavily on how intensively the device is used and the brightness of the backlight. The manufacturer advertises up to 100 hours, but that is only possible with the backlight switched off.

In our experience, even with intensive use, the Inateck NeoMagic easily lasts for several working days before it needs to be recharged via the USB-C port on the side. The display makes it easy to keep an eye on the charge level. And if the battery is running low, a power bank will do the trick.