For years, my 12.9-inch iPad Pro has been a constant companion—a digital canvas for creative projects, a portable cinema for travel, and a sleek window to the web. Yet, a persistent barrier stood between it and true productivity: the on-screen keyboard. For quick replies, it’s fine. But for drafting articles, managing complex spreadsheets, or coding on the go, it was a frustrating bottleneck that consistently sent me reaching for my laptop. I knew the solution was a physical keyboard, but not just any keyboard. To truly transform this powerful tablet into a workhorse, I needed something that felt integrated, precise, and uncompromising. The official Apple Magic Keyboard was the obvious answer, but its brand-new price tag was a significant hurdle. This dilemma is what led me to explore the refurbished market, a path filled with both promise and peril, and ultimately to the Amazon Renewed Apple Magic Keyboard for 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
- The all-new Magic Keyboard is an amazing companion for iPad Pro.
- It features the best typing experience ever on iPad, a trackpad that opens up new ways to work with iPadOS, a USB-C port for charging, backlit keys, and front and back protection.
- With a new floating cantilever design, iPad Pro attaches magnetically and allows you to smoothly adjust to the perfect viewing angle for you.
Before You Buy: A Guide to Choosing the Perfect iPad Pro Keyboard Case
A tablet keyboard is more than just an item; it’s a key solution for bridging the gap between a content consumption device and a content creation powerhouse. It fundamentally changes how you interact with your iPad, unlocking efficiencies in typing speed, navigational accuracy, and overall workflow. The main benefits are profound: a tactile and responsive typing experience that mirrors a high-end laptop, a precision trackpad that brings cursor support to life, and a protective case that guards your expensive device against the rigors of daily use. It turns a “lean back” device into a “lean forward” workstation.
The ideal customer for this type of product is someone facing the daily need to write extensively—students drafting essays, professionals managing emails and reports, writers working on their next manuscript, or anyone who wants a single, elegant device for both work and play. They value premium design and seamless integration within the Apple ecosystem. Conversely, it might not be suitable for those who primarily use their iPad for drawing with an Apple Pencil, as the keyboard adds weight and a different form factor. Casual users who only type occasional search queries or short messages will likely find it to be an unnecessary expense, and might be better served by a simple folio case or a separate, less expensive Bluetooth keyboard.
Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:
- Dimensions & Weight: The Magic Keyboard is celebrated for its slim profile, but it is not lightweight. It essentially doubles the weight of the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, bringing the combined package into the territory of an ultralight laptop like a MacBook Air. You must consider if this added heft compromises the portability you originally bought the iPad for.
- Typing Experience & Performance: This is the most critical factor. The Amazon Renewed Apple Magic Keyboard for 12.9-inch iPad Pro features a scissor-switch mechanism with 1mm of key travel, which is the gold standard for comfortable and quiet typing. Look for features like backlighting for low-light environments and a full-size layout. The trackpad’s performance, especially its support for multi-touch gestures in iPadOS, is equally important for a true laptop-like feel.
- Materials & Durability: Apple uses a soft-touch polyurethane material for the exterior. While it feels premium, it can be prone to showing oils, scuffs, and wear over time, especially on the corners. When considering a renewed product, the condition of this material is a key indicator of its previous life. The internal structure and the cantilever hinge, however, are exceptionally robust and built to last.
- Connectivity & Features: The Magic Keyboard uses the Smart Connector on the back of the iPad Pro, which provides power and data instantly without any need for Bluetooth pairing or separate charging. A standout feature to look for is passthrough charging. This keyboard includes a dedicated USB-C port on the hinge, allowing you to charge your iPad Pro while keeping the tablet’s own USB-C/Thunderbolt port free for accessories like external drives or displays.
Making the right choice transforms your tablet, but it’s essential to weigh these factors against your personal needs and budget. While we believe the renewed option offers incredible value, understanding the landscape of available products is key.
While the Amazon Renewed Apple Magic Keyboard for 12.9-inch iPad Pro is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:
- Excellent Compatibility: The Bluetooth keyboard compatible with iOS, Android and iPad OS system. It is perfect for Apple iPhone, iPad, iPad Mini, iPad Pro, iPad Air, Android Samsung LG tablet...
- IMPORTANT NOTE: This keyboard is compatible with 3 systems, please press FN+A/S/D to switch the required system before use (“FN+A” is for iOs , “FN+S” is for Windows, “FN+D” is for Android...
- 【Compatibility】For iPad (A16) 11th generation 11-inch 2025 (Model: A3354/A3355/A3356), For iPad 10th generation 10.9-inch 2022 (Model: A2696/A2757/A2777). Not for any other models. Please check...
First Impressions: Unboxing the Amazon Renewed Apple Magic Keyboard for 12.9-inch iPad Pro
The arrival of a renewed product always comes with a small dose of apprehension. Would it arrive in a generic brown box, or the original Apple packaging? Would it bear the scars of a previous life? Our unit arrived in the official Apple box, which was a reassuring start, though the box itself showed some minor shelf wear. Inside, the keyboard was pristine. We inspected every edge, corner, and surface under a bright light. Our experience mirrored that of one user who found a “great great condition” unit with “one small flaw”—in our case, a minuscule scuff on the bottom edge, utterly invisible in normal use. There were no signs of the warping or major damage that some unfortunate buyers have reported.
Lifting it from the box, the first thing we noticed was its density. It feels substantial, solid, and impeccably engineered. The star of the show, the floating cantilever hinge, is incredibly stiff and smooth, inspiring confidence from the very first movement. Attaching the iPad Pro is a moment of pure satisfaction; the powerful magnets guide the tablet into perfect alignment with a decisive and secure “snap.” Instantly, the on-screen keyboard disappears, replaced by the full potential of a physical interface. The Amazon Renewed Apple Magic Keyboard for 12.9-inch iPad Pro made an immediate, powerful impression: this wasn’t just an accessory, but a transformative piece of hardware.
Key Benefits
- Exceptional, laptop-quality typing experience with backlit keys
- Highly responsive and precise integrated trackpad with full gesture support
- Stunning floating cantilever design with smooth angle adjustment
- Convenient USB-C passthrough charging frees up the iPad’s main port
- Significant cost savings compared to purchasing a brand-new unit
Drawbacks
- Condition of renewed products can be inconsistent, a “luck of the draw” scenario
- Limited 90-day warranty offers less protection than a new product’s full year
From Tablet to Workstation: A Deep Dive into Performance and Daily Use
Beyond the unboxing, a product’s true worth is revealed in day-to-day use. The Amazon Renewed Apple Magic Keyboard for 12.9-inch iPad Pro isn’t just about enabling typing; it’s about fundamentally changing your entire workflow, boosting efficiency, and elevating the iPad from a simple tablet to a legitimate modular computer. We spent weeks integrating it into our routine, using it for everything from writing thousands of words for articles to managing project timelines and light video editing. This is our in-depth analysis of how it performed.
The Scissor-Switch Keyboard: A Typist’s Dream on an iPad
The heart of any keyboard is the typing experience, and this is where the Magic Keyboard truly shines, setting a benchmark that few competitors can match. Apple integrated the same beloved scissor-switch mechanism found in its modern MacBooks, and the result is spectacular. Each key offers 1mm of travel, providing a crisp, tactile, and satisfyingly stable press. It’s a far cry from the mushy, shallow feel of many other folio keyboards. We found our typing speed and accuracy immediately jumped to the same level as on our dedicated laptop. The keys are perfectly spaced in a full-size layout, so there’s virtually no learning curve for touch typists.
During our testing, we wrote several long-form articles, each over 2,000 words, and never once felt fatigued or frustrated. The quiet operation of the keys was a welcome bonus, making it suitable for use in quiet environments like libraries or coffee shops without drawing unwanted attention. The adjustable backlighting is another standout feature. It activates automatically in low light and provides clean, even illumination across all keycaps, ensuring you can work comfortably at any time of day. This is the feature that truly makes you forget you’re working on an iPad; it feels like a premium, dedicated writing machine. For anyone who writes for a living, the typing experience alone justifies the investment.
The Integrated Trackpad: Redefining iPad Navigation
If the keyboard is the heart of this accessory, the trackpad is its brilliant mind. Before the Magic Keyboard, navigating iPadOS with touch was efficient for consumption, but often clumsy for productivity tasks like precise text selection or spreadsheet cell manipulation. This trackpad changes everything. It’s not a tacked-on feature; it’s a deeply integrated part of the iPadOS experience. The glass surface is perfectly smooth, allowing your fingers to glide effortlessly, and the entire surface acts as a button, providing a uniform, satisfying click no matter where you press.
What makes it truly “magic” is how it supports all the Multi-Touch gestures you’re already used to from a MacBook. A three-finger swipe up to see all open apps, a three-finger swipe left or right to switch between them, and a gentle pinch to zoom—it all works flawlessly and intuitively. The cursor itself is a marvel of software design. It appears as a small, translucent circle that intelligently transforms into a precise I-beam over text, or morphs to highlight buttons and interface elements. This context-aware behavior makes navigation feel incredibly fluid and natural. It allowed us to edit documents, organize files, and manage web tabs with a level of speed and precision that touch input simply cannot offer. This trackpad isn’t just for moving a pointer; it’s for commanding your entire workflow.
Engineering Marvel: The Floating Cantilever Hinge and USB-C Passthrough
The design of the Amazon Renewed Apple Magic Keyboard for 12.9-inch iPad Pro is an aesthetic and functional triumph. The floating cantilever design is not just for show; it’s a brilliant piece of engineering. It elevates the iPad above the keyboard, bringing the screen closer to eye level and creating a more ergonomic viewing angle than traditional laptop or folio designs. The hinge mechanism is perfectly counterbalanced, allowing for smooth, one-handed angle adjustments from about 90 to 130 degrees. It holds the heavy 12.9-inch iPad Pro securely at any angle with zero wobble, whether we were typing on a sturdy desk or a slightly less stable lap.
Perhaps one of the most underrated yet powerful features is the USB-C port located on the left side of the hinge. This port is dedicated to passthrough charging, and its utility cannot be overstated. By plugging the charging cable into the keyboard, you free up the iPad’s primary Thunderbolt port. This is a game-changer for professionals. We were able to have the iPad charging while simultaneously connecting a high-speed SSD for video file transfers and an external monitor to extend our workspace—all without a clunky dongle. This single feature transforms the iPad Pro from a single-port device into a multi-functional workstation hub, making this accessory an indispensable tool for power users.
The Renewed Gamble: Condition, Warranty, and Value Proposition
We cannot complete this review without addressing the “Renewed” aspect directly, as it is the most crucial variable in your purchase decision. Our experience was overwhelmingly positive, but the user reviews tell a story of inconsistency. This is the gamble: you are betting on the quality control of the refurbishment process. Some users report receiving units that are “perfect” or in “great condition,” as we did. Others, however, have received products with noticeable cosmetic damage like chips and bumps, or even worse, functional defects like warping or non-working keys. In rare but frustrating cases, users have even received the wrong product entirely.
This is where the 90-day limited warranty and return policy become your safety net. It provides a window to thoroughly test the device and ensure it meets your standards. If you receive a faulty unit, you can return it. While this mitigates the financial risk, it doesn’t eliminate the potential for hassle and wasted time. The value proposition is therefore a simple calculation of risk versus reward. The reward is getting a genuine, transformative Apple accessory that retails for a very high price, at a massive discount. The risk is the possibility of needing to process a return. For those willing to take that chance, the potential to secure a top-tier product for a mid-tier price is exceptionally compelling.
What Other Users Are Saying
Synthesizing feedback from other buyers confirms the dual nature of purchasing this renewed product. The sentiment is highly polarized, clustering around two distinct experiences: delight or disappointment. On the positive side, many echo our own findings, with comments like, “Great great condition, it has one small “flaw” but overall extremely happy with my purchase.” Another common sentiment is simply, “It’s an Apple product. Of course it’s perfect,” which speaks to the quality of the device itself when a good unit is received.
However, the negative feedback highlights the inherent risks. One user noted, “There was a small chip on the lateral left side…the bump on the top right made me return the product.” This illustrates that even minor cosmetic flaws can be a dealbreaker for some. More concerning are the reports of functionally “None working. Damaged. Warped” units, or even receiving the wrong item entirely in a “sketchy looking magic keyboard box.” This feedback is critical because it validates the central theme: purchasing the Amazon Renewed Apple Magic Keyboard for 12.9-inch iPad Pro is a lottery. You may receive a flawless device for a bargain, but you must be prepared for the possibility of a return.
How Does It Compare? The Amazon Renewed Apple Magic Keyboard for 12.9-inch iPad Pro vs. The Competition
While the Magic Keyboard is in a class of its own, it’s not the only option. Depending on your needs and budget, one of these alternatives might be a better fit.
1. Harvopu iPad 10th/11th Gen Case with Keyboard Trackpad
- 【Compatibility】For iPad (A16) 11th generation 11-inch 2025 (Model: A3354/A3355/A3356), For iPad 10th generation 10.9-inch 2022 (Model: A2696/A2757/A2777). Not for any other models. Please check...
- 【Quick Navigation Trackpad】Harvopu for iPad keyboard (A16) 11th/ 10th generation built-in high sensitive trackpad, allows you enjoy the convenience of performing multi-finger gesture control (like...
- 【Magnetically Detachable Keyboard】For (A16) 11th/ 10th gen keyboard is magnetic and it can be strongly attached to the case or detach completely. When you do not need the keyboard can be stored...
The Harvopu keyboard case represents the budget-friendly, third-party alternative. It is not directly compatible with the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, being designed for the standard 10th/11th Gen iPad, but it showcases the trade-offs. It offers features the Magic Keyboard lacks, such as a detachable keyboard for greater versatility, a protective pencil holder, and multi-color backlighting. However, the typing experience, trackpad responsiveness, and overall material quality will not match the premium feel of Apple’s offering. This is an excellent choice for students or casual users on a strict budget who prioritize flexibility and features over the seamless integration and premium build of the Magic Keyboard.
2. Amazon Renewed Apple Magic Keyboard iPad Pro/Air Case
- The Magic Keyboard is the perfect for iPad Pro and iPad Air (4th generation). It features a comfortable, responsive typing experience, a trackpad that opens up new ways to work, a USB-C port for...
This is the direct sibling to the product we’re reviewing, designed for the smaller 11-inch iPad Pro and compatible iPad Air models. Functionally, it is identical in every way—offering the same superb scissor-switch keys, precision trackpad, cantilever hinge, and USB-C passthrough charging. The choice between this and the 12.9-inch model is solely dependent on which iPad you own. If you have the smaller Pro or a compatible Air, this renewed option presents the exact same value proposition: a chance to get the ultimate, purpose-built keyboard for your device at a significant discount, with the same inherent risks of the renewed marketplace.
3. Apple Magic Keyboard Folio with Trackpad
- WHY MAGIC KEYBOARD FOLIO — The perfect iPad (A16) companion. It features a great typing experience, a built-in trackpad to handle tasks with precision, a 14-key function row. The versatile two-piece...
- COMPATIBILITY — Magic Keyboard Folio works with iPad (A16 and 10th generation).
- DESIGNED FOR COMFORT — Magic Keyboard Folio features a versatile two-piece design that includes a detachable keyboard and a protective back panel that attach magnetically. The large click-anywhere...
Designed for the 10th-generation standard iPad, the Magic Keyboard Folio offers a different take on Apple’s keyboard philosophy. Its key advantage is its two-piece design, which allows you to detach the keyboard while keeping a protective backstand attached to the iPad—something the Magic Keyboard for the Pro models cannot do. It also includes a full 14-key function row for quick access to controls like brightness and volume, another feature missing from its Pro counterpart. While it offers a great typing experience, it lacks the floating design and uses a more traditional kickstand. This is the best choice for owners of the standard iPad who want a versatile, Apple-designed solution.
The Final Verdict: Is the Amazon Renewed Apple Magic Keyboard for 12.9-inch iPad Pro Worth the Risk?
After extensive testing, our conclusion is clear: if you receive a good unit, the Amazon Renewed Apple Magic Keyboard for 12.9-inch iPad Pro is one of the best value propositions available for an iPad Pro owner. It delivers an uncompromised, best-in-class typing and trackpad experience that genuinely transforms your tablet into a powerful and elegant productivity machine. The cantilever design is both beautiful and functional, and the USB-C passthrough charging is a game-changing feature for professional workflows. It is, without a doubt, the ultimate keyboard accessory for this device.
However, this recommendation comes with a significant caveat—the “renewed” lottery. The potential for receiving a unit with cosmetic or functional flaws is real, and buyers must be comfortable with the 90-day warranty and the possibility of initiating a return. We recommend it for the savvy user who craves Apple’s premium engineering but is willing to navigate a potential inconvenience to achieve substantial savings. If you are prepared for that possibility, you are giving yourself the chance to acquire a truly transformative tool for a fraction of its original cost. For us, the gamble paid off handsomely. If you’re ready to take the chance and unlock your iPad’s full potential, you can check the latest price and availability on this exceptional renewed keyboard.
Last update on 2025-11-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API