Tbh, I think suggesting a budget bluetooth board for an iPad Pro is a bit of a mistake if you actually care about the workflow. Those older options are fine for a desk, but they really kill the portability and sleekness of the Pro. Looking at the current market research and user trends, the shift is definitely toward integrated systems that use the Smart Connector rather than separate peripherals.

• Apple Magic Keyboard: Best typing experience and trackpad on the market, period. The cantilever design makes it actually usable on your lap, though it lacks function keys and is definitely pricey.
• Logitech Combo Touch: Better durability and more practical for most people. It has a full row of function keys and the keyboard is detachable, which is great for when you just want to use the pencil. Ngl, skip the separate bluetooth stuff. Dealing with charging two different devices and the slight lag of bluetooth isnt worth the savings. Go for something that uses the Smart Connector so it is always ready to go. It makes the iPad feel like a much more cohesive machine and the battery life is a non-issue since it draws power directly from the tablet.

Can vouch for this

Bookmarked, thanks!

Jumping in here because this thread highlights exactly why im so hesitant to buy new accessories lately. Honestly its ridiculous how much these companies expect us to pay now. Like, three hundred bucks for a keyboard case? Its such a scam. I feel like the build quality across all the big brands has just tanked and they're all just chasing margins. Comparing the big names lately is just choosing between different flavors of disappointment tbh. Apple charges a fortune for stuff that feels way too delicate, and the big third-party brands arent much better, just slightly cheaper plastic that still cracks or peels. It drives me crazy how we're basically forced into these ecosystems where the most expensive option is often the most fragile. Companies just dont care about long-term reliability anymore, they just want that sleek profile for the marketing photos. Before I can really weigh in tho, are you actually gonna be using this for rugged travel or just moving between a desk and a couch? Need to know if you actually need something that wont fall apart if you look at it wrong.

I've gone through a few keyboards, and for pure portability, the Brydge Pro+ (around $150) is surprisingly good. Feels almost like a laptop. Battery lasts a solid week. Ever tried one?

Logitech's K380 is surprisingly decent for the price (~$40). Bluetooth latency is minimal, and battery life is measured in *months*, not hours. Have you considered that over Apple's Smart Keyboard?

Hey, for keyboard on a budget, I wouldn't spend crazy money right away. Have you looked at the Logitech K380? It's around $40-$50, and I used one for a year before upgrading. It's not as fancy as the Apple one, but it's way cheaper and still works pretty well.

Battery life is *amazing* – like, months on two AAAs. Be careful though, it's small, so if you have big hands, it might feel cramped. I would suggest trying one out at a Best Buy or something first, make sure the size works for you. I got mine on sale and it was a good hold-over until I could afford the one I really wanted. Do you need a trackpad included, or just the keyboard?