XPPen ACK08 Shortcut Keyboard for Magic Drawing Pad Keypad for XPPen Standalone Drawing Pad

It gets the job done.
The keyboard is pretty alright, it’s not remotely on par with my Lenovo Yoga 730’s keyboard but it doesn’t feel like terrible either when typing. It’s acceptable.I like that it adds laptop functionality to the tablet. It’s weighted so it doesn’t tip over which is great and it protects the tablet so you can store it all in a bag, easy and good. It has shortcuts built into the kb that you use with the FN key so you got volume, brightness, print screen- basic stuff you want. It also turns the tablet on when you open it so extra points.Just remember that I said it’s weighted, meaning it’s gonna double the weight of it in laptop mode. Which I don’t mind but some folks might. But also don’t expect it to do the 1-handed open trick some laptops do.There’s no fuss with this KB, you slot your tablet in and it works right then and there. There’s no pairing, no set up, no wonky BS, no app to download – put the tablet in, start typing instantly right out of the box. VERY pleased with that.You want to take the tablet out? You just pull it out, it’s held on with magnets- which are strong but I’d say be careful when carrying this thing around. But also it doesn’t work unless it’s attached.Also very nice, the XP pen case that comes with the tablet?Does not get in the way of the KB at all. I make note of this because I’ve seen cases made for the Steam Deck by a company that also makes a dock- and they’re not compatible.Negatives:This keyboard really missed the opportunity to be wireless and something you can latch. Because for me? I don’t want this thing hooked up when I’m drawing because I’m then leaning over a keyboard to get to the tablet. If it was wireless as well, then you could have it off to the side and use it for your shortcuts and then attach it for when you’re doing laptop stuff. One positive to this being that there’s no need to worry about charging it because it just runs off the laptop. Don’t ask me if it drains the battery faster, it’s just a kb with no backlight so it should be fine but I’ve not owned either long enough to answer that.Also there’s no extra IO at all. So this is legit just a keyboard & trackpad with not like an extra USB-C port for charging or attaching to a hub for a desktop set up. No headphone jack, no USB, HDMI, etc.The trackpad is mostly fine- it does the job but don’t expect anything remotely fancy. It doesn’t seem to do gestures with multiple fingers and what not. It’s probably the most basic feeling trackpad I’ve ever felt.Overall:It’s a pricey ask but it’s also a keyboard specifically made for this one, tablet and doesn’t work with anything else. So I get that it’s gonna be pricey for what it is- and I’m not saying it’s bad I’m just saying it’s ‘ok but expensive’.I think if you get this and this is part of how you protect your tablet & use it in laptop mode specifically? It’s a solid investment because it’s a 2 for deal. But if you want a keyboard that’s off to the side and you can use it for shortcuts in your favorite art programs? You’re gonna need a bluetooth one.I got this for the protection and laptop-like form factor that it adds, meaning if I’m on the couch I can type stuff if I need to without having to get a stand for the tablet but also a kb too.

An essential add on that you should get.
I have never enjoyed bluetooth anything from earbuds to keyboards, mice, and game controllers. I don’t know if it is my physical presence or not but they always seem to be serious lag and connection issues. Then there is plugging in each thing to charge… no thanks. Give me cables and physical connections. When I had an iPad typing on the screen never felt as natural or smooth as being able to thumb type on a phone. The only option then is to get a connected keyboard and I am happy to report that the XPPen keyboard for the Magic Drawing Pad is well worth your time. It is by no means perfect but works well enough with a familiar key spacing, travel, and layout that I was able to easily pick up and start typing at my full speed. A Cherry switch or Apple designed scissor mechanism this is not but it is just fine.The track pad works well enough for navigating Android but it would be nice if it had the ability to scroll from the track pad like a normal laptop. Reach out to scroll is not the most comfortable or familiar thing having used laptops so long now.The “Start” key is mapped to the home button with no included way to change it so if you happen to hit it by accident you are kicked out to the launcher. (I did this a few times.) It can be remapped with other third party tools though and I was able to solve the issue permanently. Moreover, it could have used some dedicated buttons for home, back, and the menu up in the corner and left more room for “PC” keys on the keyboard. In emulators I have found some of the key mappings are strange such as hold FN and RIGHT for END produces “)” whereas INSERT is END. I have yet to try this through something like Moonlight streaming from my PC to see if it is the same so more key-remapping may be in order to get the functionality you need.While thin and relatively light the balance is exactly right to hold the tablet up for viewing content without a problem. It also gives a wide range of motion to be able to adjust viewing angle which is something that is missing from folding covers and detached bluetooth keyboards. I find it sits well on my lap on the couch.The one glaring feature that is missing is of course one or more USB ports. These could have been included easily and done away with the need to experiment with OTG cables and adapters hanging off the side of the tablet. I tend to use a wireless travel mouse anyhow and not having to have dongles sticking out the side would be a vast improvement since I could leave the tiny USB receiver in all the time. Maybe the next version of this tablet / keyboard combo can include this.Overall it really is a “must have” accessory and you should get it bundled.

Genuinely one of the jankiest tech purchases I’ve ever made. Plug and play doesn’t work – I have to restart my tablet everytime to get the keyboard working. Trackpad doesn’t work at all, tablet screen will always turn off for a few seconds before flicking back on again. It also doesn’t register it when you disconnect/reconnect the keyboard as you’re using the tablet so it randomly goes back and forth between PC mode and tablet mode with zero logic or reason. Instructions/manual are severely lacking (one tiny sheet explaining keyboard controls and that’s it.)I’m returning the stupid thing. The only consolation is that xppen…tried, I guess.