Apple's new iPad Pro 2020 slogan is so appropriate: "Your next computer is not a computer" I would add one more: "Your next computer is not affordable"

Indeed, on the surface, the new 11" iPad Pro is not that expensive: $799 and the 129" iPad Pro is $999 However, the addition of Magic Keyboards for these devices would be a different story

Apple's new peripheral, the Magic Keyboard, which will be available this May, will give iPad fans the solid 1mm of travel, backlit layout, and (especially) touchpad they've been waiting for In fact, Apple has redesigned the iPadOS to be optimized for this trackpad For example, the cursor changes shape as you hover it over various elements

The Magic Keyboard has several other nice features, such as a floating cantilever design; when the iPad Pro is magnetically attached to the keyboard, the slate adjusts up to 130 degrees for optimal viewing angle Finally, there is a USB-C port for pass-through charging

However, this accessory comes at a considerable expense: the Magic Keyboard costs $299 for the 11-inch iPad Pro and $349 for the 129-inch iPad Assuming one purchases the entry-level Wi-Fi model, the 11-inch iPad Pro with keyboard will cost at least $1,098

This total is nearly $100 more than the new MacBook Air; adding the Apple Pencil brings the cost to $1,227 Furthermore, the MacBook Air has twice as much storage as the iPad Pro, 256GB vs 128GB

The 129-inch iPad Pro is a more comfortable size for most people in terms of laptop replacement Add the Magic Keyboard, and the minimum is $1,348, higher than the 13-inch MacBook Pro ($1,299); add the Apple Pencil, and the total swells to $1,477

Make no mistake, the iPad Pro can do more than the MacBook Air or MacBook Pro For example, one can take notes, draw, and sketch on the display using the Apple Pencil It can also shoot photos and 4K video using its new dual-camera system And only the iPad Pro can experience augmented reality (AR) apps with the powerful new LiDAR scanner

Another advantage of the iPad Pro over the MacBook is the ability to purchase a tablet with cellular connectivity However, buying the Wi-Fi + Cellular model increases the price even more, adding $150 on top of everything else

And this is all before adding storage: to get the 129-inch iPad Pro with 256GB, cellular, and Magic Keyboard costs $1,598, or $1,727 if you include the Apple Pencil This is roughly the same price as the $1,799 13-inch MacBook Pro with a quad-core Core i5 CPU and four Thunderbolt ports

Not to say that the iPad Pro isn't worth splurging on, but even with the addition of a keyboard and trackpad, it remains a better fit for a narrower range of users than the MacBook Air or MacBook Pro

From photographers and videographers to illustrators, podcasters, and designers, the iPad Pro is best suited to creative types who prefer a touch-first experience and are always on the move It is also more versatile than traditional laptops, making it suitable only for those who are willing to pay more