Advice from anyone out there who likes to do a bit of writing while on the go, and doesn’t like to drag around a laptop: what’s the best fold-up portable keyboard for an iPad Mini?
I gather that you can get keyboards that act as cases, or some such magic, for the bigger iPads. But what about the Mini?
In the days of Palm I got a fold-up keyboard for that; a knacky little thing, but impossible for me to use because a good few of the keys were assigned to totally weird things. It was one of the two main reasons I stopped using the Palm. So whatever keyboard I get would need to be normal in terms of what the keys are used for.
Logitech have a reasonable if not stellar reputation for good keyboard cases for iPads. I’ve used one of theirs with my iPad Mini for several years, with no problems (other than the fundamental one that I think the Mini is too small for me to use for writing seriously for any length of time - but that may be my fault rather than Apple’s or Logitech’s).
I suspect that my Logitech case is now out of production, but I see that there at least two newer models available for the Mini on amazon.co.uk.
It doesn’t fold, but I’ve got a Logitech Keys-to-Go I’m very fond of; it’s not much thicker than two credit cards and barely bigger than my wife’s iPad mini, but big enough for full-bore touch-typing with my smallish and arthritic hands.
Years ago I had a folding keyboard for my Compaq iPaq, and it worked a treat–if I could find a flat level spot to set it down. The advantage I’ve found with the Keys-to-Go is I can use it comfortably in my lap, or balanced on a knee.
I have seen several folding keyboards advertised online but never tried one myself. But I can second the recommendation for the Keys-to-Go, at least as a travel companion. It served honorably with my iPad Mini 2 and ior a year or so until I moved to the iPad Pro. You can usually find them for around $30 if you look hard enough. I got a refurbed one for about half that. After a couple years of use, the fabric skin has pulled away a bit from the keys in a couple places. It doesn’t really impede my typing but might annoy others. Also, mine developed a white faded look on several keys. I thought skin oil or just abrasion might be rubbing the letters off but it turns out that if you wash it off with water (it’s waterproof), it looks new again.
However, I did notice that as I used my iPad more and more for Scrivening and my MacBook less, I started to feel some wrist ache that I attribute to the KTG’s flatness. It wasn’t serious but worried me enough to haul out my old Incase Origami keyboard case and use my old Apple Wireless Keyboard with my iPad pro when I’m around the home office, which is most of the time. There’s no substitute I’ve found for a really good keyboard for extended writing sessions, and the AWC is probably the best I’ve used. The KTG is excellent for the occasional trip to the library or coffee shop etc. because it’s so slim it fits into my little superslim shoulder bag and it’s utterly silent, a real advantage in such situations that the AWC does not share, alas. But if I were going on an extended trip where I knew I was going to be doing a lot of writing, and I had the room, I’d probably bring the AWC in its origami case.
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I picked up Microsoft’s latest universal (iOS, Android & Surface) foldable keyboard a few months ago and I really like it. You do need a flat surface to rest it on, as it is a simple folding design that doesn’t “snap” into position, it unfolds more like a wallet might. The material is that “leathery” stuff Apple uses on their keyboards. Foldable means it can be as wide as it needs to be but when you’re done with it, it doesn’t even take up as much space as a novel would.
It’s not at all a case, which in my opinion is a good thing where it comes to the Mini and iPhones. I’ve never found a case form factor that works with those, because the size of the device is too small for a comfortable keyboard. This folds out to something as wide as a MacBook keyboard.
It’s liquid resistant, has a good tactile feel to it, and the layout of the keys is familiar enough that it doesn’t take much to acclimate to it. The only keys I’d swap are the Ctrl and Home keys. As a Mac user I’m more familiar with Ctrl being right next to Option.
Oh and it can pair with two devices (with a different platform for each pairing), so you can easily use it with a phone in a pinch, without having to go through the whole pairing dance every time you switch.
I’ve just started beta-testing a just-short-of-miraculous little keyboard called the Text Blade. The principles behind it are genius:
give fingers all the space they need on the home row, but reduce how far they need to reach. Text Blade achieves this by providing large keys that are touchpad-like surfaces — keys that know what part of the key you’ve hit. This works really really well.
provide fingers with ‘travel’ that feels velvet smooth and steady, providing clear tactile feedback. Text Blade’s fewer, spacious keys allow this: full 2mm travel, like the best keyboards you’ve used with a satisfying smooth mechanism.
ultra-portable with a long battery life.
Drawbacks
it takes a while for your fingers to learn not to reach too far. This is especially a problem point with the pinkie, which has a lot to do on any keyboard … I’ve been using this just over a week and I still regularly hit when I mean to hit an apostrophe.
the creators want it to be as good as it possibly can be before releasing it to the general public, and its release has now been delayed about 2 years so far. They are genuine, and the product is real, and adding new beta-testers like me last week means that I believe it will be released, but I wouldn’t like to bet on when, except to bet ‘not in time to wrap for Christmas’.
Again, I’m not affiliated with the company in anyway other than an impressed beta-tester and hoping to be a customer.
There is lots more to say about this keyboard — see the short videos at the website: waytools.com
I’m glad to hear that it exists in the flesh. I decided a few months ago that it must be some sort of weird psychological study, and asked for my money back – after two years of constantly being told that my shipment would be later in that current quarter, I stopped believing them.
A remote work area keyboard for your PC, tablet and cell phone
The Bluetooth Multi-Device Keyboard K480 is a keyboard for your PC, that likewise works with your tablet and cell phone. The Easy-Switch dial gives you a chance to switch composing between three associated bluetooth remote gadgets and you’ll locate a comfortable keyboard format with alternate route keys for Windows, Mac or Chrome PCs, and additionally Android and iOS cell phones.
Quick and smart, simple to set up, accompanies a standard AA battery so no compelling reason to stress over energizing and so forth. It switches effortlessly between gadgets
I’ve been using Logitech’s case keyboards and Keys-To-Go keyboard for iPad Air, but now that I purchased the new iPad (6th Gen., 2018), I decided to use my Apple Wireless Keyboard (2011) (and I have three of them, but don’t ask why). I was about to buy the new iPad Pro but after checking the specs, the iPad 2018 was enough for me because I use the iPad ONLY for writing and the screen resolution and size is perfect for me. I haven’t been using laptops for writing since my first novel got published in 2013.
What I love in Apple Wireless Keyboard is that it feels like a real keyboard, not just some small, plastic or fabric keyboard like Logitech’s. Plus it’s small but not too small, size is similar like in 13" laptop. I’m using Targus Versavu case for iPad and it fits perfectly with Apple’s keyboard. When I’m not writing at home and I’m going to cafe or to the library, I’ll put my iPad and the keyboard in my little soft laptop bag Just a perfect combination for me!
I have never used dark modes in my writing processors, they just take my flow away. I want my screen to look like a book, like a white A4 paper, so I don’t need backlit keyboard. The screen light is sufficient for me, but I don’t really need it though because I’m a typewriter, I can write blind.
But there’s my two cents and little experience with iPad and keyboards.
If I’m going to have a keyboard with my Ipad…(gen1)… and I own several, I want one I can type on, not some silly tiny thing where my fingers need to be scrunched up to the point that It’s impossible to touch type at any decent speed if at all. The whole idea is to facilitate data entry isn’t it? I get frustrated even with the keyboard on my 17" laptop. Perhaps I’m in the minority…but when my fingers hit the keyboard they want to fly along at 70+ wpm, not hunt and peck, or squeeze, crowd, and scrunch.
The only keyboard I use anymore when I use a keyboard for my Ipad is the Microsoft Bluetooth keyboard 6000. The Ipad get’s propped up in it’s case, and the keyboard goes in my lap or on a convenient surface. It isn’t elegant & uselessly compact. It’s bulky, and usually sits in my briefcase if I’m traveling with the Ipad, but it works and works well for me. At $50 (approx), it’s an excellent value. Smaller than full size, but large enough to be useable.
Arteck’s ultra-thin keyboard essentially turns your 2019 iPad Mini into a mini Apple laptop, which in itself is not an easy feat. First, you lock the iPad Mini to the groove stand. Once in place, you’ll be able to adjust your iPad Mini 5 to any angle, just like you would a regular laptop. Bluetooth pairing is painless and soon, you’ll be typing your usual speed and firing off emails like a pro. When not in use, the mini keyboard can serve as a shield to protect your precious iPad from everyday spills and scratches. You can even put the whole thing away in your purse or bag without worrying that it’ll get knocked up with your other things.
Moderator note: removed spam link; take the above recommendation with a grain of salt.