Buying Guide_ Find the Best iPad Keyboard _ Macworld

Editors note: We regularly update this buying guide to reflect the latestaccessories on the market and to remove products that are no longer available.Weve noted recent additions and removals in each section.

For serious typing sessionsor if you just cant get the hang of the iPadsonscreen keyboardan external keyboard offers the tactile advantages of realkeys without sacrificing the iPads portability and touchscreen features.

The iPad supports almost any Bluetooth keyboard, but there are many, manykeyboards on the market that are specifically made for use with the iPad. Thesetend to be designed for portability, and they usually include iOS-specific special-function keys for adjusting volume and screen brightness, controlling mediaplayback, opening iOSs Spotlight-search screen, going to the Home screen, andmore. Some even offer dedicated cut, copy, and paste buttons. Most iPadkeyboards are integrated into some sort of protective case, although a good

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number are stand-alone models. Regardless of the design, most includerechargeable batteries that last for weeks or months on a charge.

How do you choose the right one? Ive tested scores of keyboards, for all iPadmodels. The result of all that testing is this buying guide, which includes bothgeneral shopping advice and specific recommendations. Read on to find theperfect keyboard for you.

Before I get into the different types of iPad keyboards, and recommended models,here are a few things to think about when shopping.

Always on or removable? If you frequently need a physical keyboard whenusing your iPad, youll appreciate the convenience of a keyboard built into a case,as the keyboard will always be with you. If, however, you use an externalkeyboard infrequentlyor you just like to use the iPad unencumbered fornon-typing tasksyou may find a bulky, folio-style keyboard case to be a hassle,as it can be difficult to remove. Keyboard shells, described below, are a nicecompromise, and stand-alone keyboards offer the most flexibility.

Portability versus usability: With the exception of stand-alone models, iPadkeyboards involve usability trade-offs. The thinner the keyboard, the thinner thecase, but the worse the feel of the keys. The smaller the keyboard, the moreportable it is, but the more crowded the keys are, or the more youll find keys thatare the wrong size or in the wrong locations. Stand-alone keyboards, on the otherhand, tend to be larger, and they arent as all-in-one convenient, but theygenerally offer standard key feel and size, a standard key layout, and a typingexperience closer to that of a desktop keyboard. Youll need to decide whichtrade-offs youre willing to make in the name of portabilityespecially if youre atouch typistand check for these trade-offs when shopping. A literal hands-ontest is immensely valuable if you can get one; otherwise, be sure the store orwebsite youre buying from offers a good return policy.

The typing experience: While plenty of iPad keyboards offer interesting features,an attractive design, or a small footprint, they vary widely when it comes to typing.When making specific recommendations, I place a heavy emphasis on the typingexperience: If a keyboard doesnt dramatically improve typing compared to theiPads on-screen keyboard, I dont recommend it. Similarly, my recommendationsare somewhat biased toward touch-typists, so a keyboard thats especiallycramped or that organizes keys in a nonstandard layout has to be otherwise veryimpressive to get my recommendation. (Theres likely a good amount of overlapbetween touch-typists and people who want a physical keyboard, so Im fairlyconfident that mine is the right approach.)

Which iPad do you have? Not too long ago, it was easy to figure out whichkeyboard case would fit your iPad: If you had an original iPad, you needed an


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older accessory designed specifically for that model; otherwise, you needed anewer keyboard case that fit the second-, third-, or fourth-generation iPad. (TheiPad 2, 3, and 4, as Ill call them here, vary slightly in thickness, but if a keyboardcase fits one of these models, it usually fits the others, as well.)

These days, you can still find a few keyboard cases for the original iPad, but mostare for either the iPad 2/3/4, the iPad Air, or the iPad mini. If youre shopping for akeyboard caserather than a stand-alone keyboard that works with anyiPadbe sure to get the right one for your iPad. To help you out, Ive noted in myrecommendations which keyboard cases fit which full-size iPads; if youre lookingfor a keyboard for the iPad mini, Ive included a separate section for the mini atthe end of this guide.

Just your type With all that out of the way, read on for details on the main typesof iPad keyboards (and related accessories) available, along with myrecommendations for a few of the best in each category.

Easily the most common type, these keyboards are integrated into a full-body,folio-style iPad case (http://www.macworld.com/reviews/collection/3767/ipad-cases.html) that protects your iPad all over. The all-in-one design of foliokeyboards is convenient, and most make it easy to type on your lapno desk ortable required. In the past, most of these models used a leather (or leather-like)folio case, but more and more are using plastic shells to reduce size and weight.These models, along with keyboard shells (below), also tend to include thethinnest keyboards.

Folio keyboards have a few drawbacks that can affect usability and comfort. Forstarters, the actual keyboards tend to be cramped and have small, poor-qualitykeys, sometimes using odd layouts. Many also limit the iPad to a singlepropped-up angle and landscape orientationeven though portrait orientation isoften better when youre typing traditional documents. It can be a hassle toremove the iPad from the case, which means you end up carrying the keyboardwhen you dont need ityet it can also be inconvenient to use your iPad as atablet while its in the case. (On some, you flip the keyboard behind the iPad,making for a tablet-ish, though bulky, package.) My recommended models dohave smaller-than-standard keyboards, but they otherwise make solid attempts toavoid these flaws. They also all support the iPads magnetic sleep/wake feature.

Recommendations: Zaggs $130ProFolio+ (http://www.zagg.com/accessories/zaggkeys-ipad-profolio-plus-keyboard-case/7063) (iPad 2, 3,4) is pricey and supports only a single(rather steep) iPad angle. But itskeyboard is easy to type on and nottoo cramped, and it even sportsbacklit keys, allowing you to choose


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the brightness level and cycle through 14 backlight colors. The ProFolio+ caseoffers excellent all-over protection thanks to a sturdy back cover; its easy toremove your iPad from the case; and the ProFolio+ is among the thinnestfolio-style keyboards on the market for older iPads. (The $100 ProFolio(http://www.zagg.com/accessories/zaggkeys-ipad-profolio-keyboard-case/7062)loses the backlit keys but is otherwise identical. Each model is available inmultiple colors.)

In terms of traditional looks like aleather folio keyboard cases, thebest ones Ive seen are Logitechs$100 Ultrathin Keyboard Folio foriPad Air (http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/ultrathin-keyboard-folio-for-ipad?crid=1240) (iPad Air)and $100 Keyboard Folio for iPad(http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/keyboard-folio?crid=1325)(iPad 2, 3, 4). The keyboards of thetwo models are essentially identical. The keys have great tactile response, theyrelarger than those on most folio keyboards, and theyre spaced normally. Logitechaccomplishes this feat by making a few symbol keys on the right[ ] \ ; andhalf-width, and by converting the Tab and Caps Lock keys into fn-key-activated overlays of the Q and A keys, respectively. If you use either Tab or CapsLock frequently, this arrangement may not be for you, but I suspect that mostpeople will be willing to give up one-touch access to these functions in favor offull-size-keyboard feel. You also get the usual array of iOS special-function keys,accessible as fn-key overlays of the top row of numbers and symbols, as well astext-selection keys as overlays of the arrow keys. I have just two minor complaintsabout the keyboard: The keys are slightly convex, instead of concave, and theaforementioned Tab/Caps Lock trick shifts the entire keyboard slightly to the left,so your hands arent centered on the iPads screen. But you get used to bothoddities fairly quickly.

The main differences between theUltrathin Keyboard Folio for iPad Airand the Keyboard Folio for iPad,besides which iPad models each fits,have to do with the folio itself. Bothlook nice and include a special fold inthe cover that lets you slide your iPadover the keyboard for use as astandard (though thick) tablet.However, the original Keyboard Foliofor iPad uses a thick internal frame, has a nylon covering, and is roughly one inchthick, while the Ultrathin Keyboard Folio for iPad Air is considerably thinner (bothbecause the iPad Air is thinner that older models and because the case itselfuses a thinner design), has a thinner frame, and is covered in your choice of a


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similar nylon or a rubbery PU leather.

Honorable mentions: Many othermodels in this category are simplybulky leather or faux-leather folioswith a disappointing keyboard tackedonto the inside of the case. However,a few products get my limitedrecommendation.

Belkins $129 Qode UltimateKeyboard Case for iPad Air(http://www.belkin.com/us/F5L151-Belkin/p/P-F5L151/) (iPad Air) and $100 QodeUltimate Keyboard Case for iPad (http://www.belkin.com/us/F5L149-Belkin/p/P-F5L149/) (iPad 2, 3, 4) are worth a look, especially for non-touch-typists.(The models differ slightly, but theyre basically minor variations on the sameproduct.) First, the bad things: The keyboard is more cramped than those of therecommended models above; Belkin has overlaid the special-function keys withthe number keys in the top row (you access the former using the fn key); and afew keys are in non-standard locations that will drive touch-typists crazy. But thekeyboard itself is otherwise pretty good; the case offers three different screenangles and a thin, rigid shell that provides good protection; and you can flip thekeyboard behind the iPad for traditional tablet usethe keyboard automaticallyturns off when your iPad isnt propped up. Best of all, the iPad Air version is justover half an inch thick when closed, and the keyboard and iPad Air togetherweigh under two pounds.

Kensingtons KeyFolio Exact line isworth a recommendation because ofthe keyboard the KeyFolio Exactmodels share. Though the keys are abit small, and they dont feel quite asnice as those on the recommendedmodels above (for example, I foundthat I had to press keys a bit morefirmly than on those keyboards), thekeys offer good tactile feedback, thekey layout is standard, and the keyboard is overall nice to touch-type on. You geta dedicated row of iOS special-function keys, and you also get a couple keys forquickly selecting text. My only major complaint about this keyboard is that theresa raised frame at the front, just below the Spacebar and modifier keys, thatsslightly taller than the keys. At times, I "pressed" this frame when I meant to pressa modifier key.

Of the KeyFolio Exact offerings, my favorite is the $110 KeyFolio Exact Thin Foliowith Keyboard for iPad Air (http://www.kensington.com/kensington/us/us/v/1615/1510/keyfolio-exact-thin-folio-with-keyboard-for-ipad-air.aspx). (The $130KeyFolio Exact Plus Thin Folio with Keyboard for iPad Air(http://www.kensington.com/kensington/us/us/p/1615/K97095US/keyfolio-exact-


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plus-thin-folio-with-keyboard-for-ipad-air.aspx) is the same product but with abacklit keyboard.) The overall package is thin, though its quite deep, front edge toback: 8.2 inches when closed, and 9.5 inches when open with your iPad proppedup. In return for this added depth, you get multiple screen angles and a built-instylus holder, and you can remove the keyboard itself from the folio for amore-ergonomic typing arrangement. Its not the most-attractive keyboardfoliofor example, there are some flaps of extra material that will surely showwear and tear over timebut its versatile.

Kensingtons $100 KeyFolio Thin X3 for iPad Air (http://www.kensington.com/us/us/4462/K97269US/keyfolio-thin-x3-for-ipad-air--black) (iPad Air) isntpart of the Exact line, but its still worth a look. Though its keyboard isnt quite asgood as that on the KeyFolio Exact modelsthe keys are thinner and dont offerthe same tactile feedbackit uses the same standard layout with a dedicatedspecial-function-key row. (It also omits the Exact lines raised frame, which is aminor improvement.) Like many recent folio-style keyboard cases, the Thin X3uses a plastic shell for the iPad, rather than a traditional leather cover, and offersa single propped-up angle, but when closed, the entire package is quite thin andlight. The Thin X3s case includes the capability to flip the iPad over the keyboardfor tablet-mode use; the keyboard automatically turns off when your iPad isntpropped up for typing. But what makes the Thin X3 worth including here is that its1650-mAh battery can be used to charge your phone, at full 1-Amp speed, aslong as the X3s battery has enough juice left. (You use the included USB adapteralong with your phones own charge/sync cable.) Kensington says that a fullycharged Thin X3 battery should give a depleted-battery iPhone 5 or 5s nearly afull charge. Its a really nice feature that I appreciated more than I expected Iwould.

Latest update: Added Kensingtons KeyFolio Thin X3; updated prices onKensington KeyFolio Exact models; updated names of Zagg models. Previousupdate: Added Logitechs Ultrathin Keyboard Folio for iPad Air, Belkins QodeUltimate Keyboard Case for iPad Air and Kensingtons KeyFolio Exact Thin Folio


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with Keyboard for iPad Air; updated prices; removed Zagg ZaggFolio for iPad 2and Logitech Solar Keyboard Folio, which have been discontinued.

These models essentially turn your iPad into a laptop: The iPad acts as the laptopscreen, while the keyboard and its surrounding enclosure, attached by some sortof hinge, play the role of the laptop base, often complete with palmrests. Thedownsides to most clamshell keyboard cases are that they tend to add a goodamount of weight and bulk to your iPad; they usually make it difficult to use youriPad as a tablet (i.e., sans keyboard) when youre not typing; and they usesmaller-than-normal keys in a cramped layout. But the quality of the keys is oftena step up from that of the average folio-case keyboard; the laptop-style designworks well for typing on your lap; and most offer a good range of screen angles.Like folio-style models, most clamshells hold the iPad in landscape orientation,though you may find ones that let you prop the tablet up in portrait orientation.

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Recommendations: ClamCase is perhaps the best-known vendor of clamshellkeyboard cases, and for good reason: The $169 ClamCase Pro for iPad Air(http://clamcase.com/ipad-air-keyboard-case.html) (iPad Air) and $169 ClamCasePro (http://clamcase.com/bluetooth-ipad-keyboard-case.html) (iPad 2, 3, 4) aregreat combinations of clever design, solid iPad protection, and a very good (ifslightly cramped) keyboard. The well-built clamshell encloses your iPad in anattractive, aluminum-and-plastic case that looks and functions almost exactly likea laptopso much so that while testing it, I often reached for a palmrest trackpadthat doesnt exist. But the ClamCase Pro is also flexible: Flip the keyboard/basearound toward the back, and the solid hinge makes a great stand for watchingvideo; or rotate the base and fold it flat against the back of the iPad to turn theentire package into a thick tablet. (On the iPad Air version, the keyboard evenautomatically turns off when you flip it back.)

The ClamCase Pros keyboard itself is one of the best Ive seen in a keyboardcase. Its a bit cramped, and the modifier keys are on the small side; but all thekeys are in the correct place, its got a nice array of dedicated special-function


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keys (including Cut, Copy, and Paste), and theres little here that will frustrate atouch-typist. The iPad Air version is, of course, smaller, thinner, and lighter (twopounds, four ounces including your iPad, compared to three pounds for theversion for the iPad 2/3/4), but both models use the same overall design and anidentical keyboard. The only real difference I found is that the iPad Air versionshinge isnt quite as stiff as that on the older version. Overall, the ClamCase Promodels offer one of the best on-your-lap typing experiences of the iPad keyboardcases Ive tested.

ClamCases $149 standard ClamCase (http://clamcase.com/ipad-3-keyboard-case-black.html)available in black, white, or black-and-white, with specificversions for each iPad generationis bulkier than the ClamCase Pro, uses anall-plastic case, and has keys that arent as good. But its still a decent option ifyou insist on a clamshell model, or if you have an older iPad.

Despite the word folio in its name,Zaggs $100 Folio Keyboard Case forApple iPad Air (http://www.zagg.com/ipad-air-folio/8513) (formerly calledZaggKeys Folio with BacklitKeyboard) is really a clamshell case,as it uses a rigid iPad back shellconnected to the keyboard base by astiff hinge. But unlike most clamshellcases, the Folio does your iPad Air justice by keeping things thin: The closedFolio is just 0.7 inch thick, and the whole packageiPad Air and Folioweighsjust 2.3 pounds. The Folios excellent keyboard, like that on the ProFolio+, above,is easy to type on and offers backlit keys. The overall design makes it easy to usethe Folio on your lap; however, the hinge design makes it a challenge to accessthe iOS Control Center feature (http://www.macworld.com/article/2048740/get-to-know-ios-7-control-center.html), since the bottom edge of the iPads screen is soclose to the hinge. The shell covering your iPad has nifty channels that redirectyour iPads audio toward you; and both the top and bottom of the case offer anice, grippy texture. Like the ClamCase Pro, this one offers a very goodon-your-lap experience, though at a much lower price.

If you want even less bulk, Zaggs$100 Cover for Apple iPad Air(http://www.zagg.com/ipad-air-keyboard/8534) (formerly calledZaggKeys Cover for iPad Air) isessentially an iPad Air version of thecompanys older ZaggKeys Cover foriPad mini (http://www.macworld.com/article/2043953/review-zaggkeys-keyboard-cases-for-easier-typing-less-insanity.html). Like the Brydge, below, the Cover for iPad Air forgoes aprotective iPad cover or shell in order to give you an extremely thin clamshell-


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keyboard design. Instead of such a cover, the back edge of the keyboard basehosts a wide, sturdy hinge with a slot for the edge of your iPad Air. Slip your iPadinto that slotit takes a bit of force to insert or removeand your bare iPadserves as the laptop screen and top case, folding flat against the base to coverthe screen for transit. The Covers keyboard is excellentits the standard modelused on all recent Zagg keyboard cases, including the Folio, aboveandconveniently backlit. The Cover adds only a quarter of an inch of thickness andunder a pound of weight to your iPad, and the hinge is sturdy and adjustable,making this another great lap-typing option. My biggest beef is that the hinge, likethe one the Folio, makes it difficult to access iOSs Control Center.

(Im currently awaiting our review unit of Zaggs new Rugged Folio(http://www.zagg.com/keyboard-case/rugged-folio-ipad-air/8974), which combinesthe Covers design with rugged, all-over protection.)

Honorable mentions: Brydges Brydge+ with Speakers(http://www.brydgekeyboards.com/collections/brydge-ipad-keyboards/products/brydge-with-speakers) ($99 for aluminum; $79 for black polycarbonate composite(http://www.brydgekeyboards.com/collections/brydge-ipad-keyboards/products/brydge-polycarbonate); iPad 2, 3, 4), like Zaggs Cover, above, uses your iPad asthe top of the clamshell. Instead of the Zagg Covers single wide hinge, however,the Brydge+s base sports two narrow-but-still-sturdy hinges. You slip your iPadinto these silicone-lined hinges, and they grab the tablet firmly enough that thekeyboard wont detach without some firm tugging. The Brydge+ also includes apair of tinny-but-decent Bluetooth speakers to give you louder audio. (Thecompany offers an $89 aluminum model (http://www.brydgekeyboards.com/collections/brydge-ipad-keyboards/products/brydge-speakerless) that omits theBluetooth speakers.) The Brydge+ is a well-made and impressively designedaccessoryespecially the aluminum versionbut theres a caveat for touch-typists: Though the keys are nice to type on, theyre slightly cramped, and thelayout wedges the up-arrow key between the right-hand slash (/) and Shift keys.In my testing, I regularly pressed the up-arrow key, thus moving the cursor to theprevious line, when I meant to press Shift. I could never get past this odd layout.

Brydge recently announced the $199 BrydgeAir(http://www.brydgekeyboards.com/collections/brydge-ipad-keyboards/products


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/brydgeair) for iPad Air. Im awaiting a review unit, and Ill update this section onceIve had a chance to test the new model.

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New Trents $40 Airbender 1.0 Keyboard Case (http://www.newtrent.com/store/ipad-case/airbender-1-0-nt38b.html) (iPad 2, 3, 4), $40 Airbender 2.0 KeyboardCase (http://www.newtrent.com/store/ipad-case/airbender-2-0-nt30b.html) (iPadAir), and $75 Airbender Pro (http://www.newtrent.com/store/ipad-case/airbender-pro-nt610kr.html) (iPad Air) are all variations on a theme. Each has a keyboardthats a tad more cramped than those of the Brydge+ and ClamCase models, andthe keys feel just okay, but the Airbender models offer some unique and welcomefeatures. After lifting the screen, you can rotate the iPad into portraitorientationin fact, its the preferred orientation, as the hinge/stand isnt as sturdyin landscape orientation. In addition, the hinge/stand can detach from thekeyboard, letting you create a more ergonomic typing station by placing your iPadand the keyboard at different levels. And if you want to use the iPad on its own, aquick-release latch on the stand lets you detach the iPad, still clad in theAirbenders protective top case. The 1.0 and 2.0 use a thin, hardshell top case;the Pro uses a rugged, dual-layer top case with a protective screen cover thateven covers the iPads buttons and ports. If the keys were better, one of theAirbender models might be my keyboard case of choice thanks to the uniqueversatility. (The company has also released the $30 Airbender Air(http://www.newtrent.com/store/ipad-case/arclight-2-0-nt510k.html) for the iPadAir, a thinner but less-protective model that has the added feature of letting youfold the iPad over the keyboard for easier tablet use. I havent yet tested thisone.)

Latest update: Replaced the original New Trent Airbender with the newerAirbender 1.0, 2.0, and Pro models; updated Zagg product names; updated priceand options for Brydge+. Previous update: Added Zaggs ZaggKeys Folio withBacklit Keyboard for iPad Air and ZaggKeys Cover for iPad Air; updated prices;added info about New Trents new models for the iPad Air.


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These models are the thinnest and lightest of the keyboard cases. They integratea thin keyboard into a rigid shell that protects the front (screen) of the iPad intransit. When youre ready to type, you pop the iPad out of, or pull it away from,the shell; stick it in a prop-up slot above the keyboard; and start typing. Mostkeyboard shells offer only a single angle for your iPad, though they often let youuse your iPad in your choice of portrait or landscape orientation. Keyboard shellscan be used on your lap if youre careful, but theyre usually less stable on yourlap than folios and clamshells, especially if your iPad is positioned in portraitorientation. Some keyboard shells, but not all, can be used in tandem with ApplesSmart Cover.

As with clamshell-case models, the keyboards here tend to be a bit cramped, andthe keys are usually smaller than normal. The models Ive recommended arenevertheless quite usable, and despite their super-thin profiles, they have keysthat feel nice when typing.

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Recommendations: Logitechs $100 Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad(http://www.macworld.com/article/1166471/logitechs_ultrathin_keyboard_cover_makes_the_right_compromises.html) (iPad2, 3, 4), $100 Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad Air (http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/ultrathin-keyboard-cover-ipad-5?crid=1325) (iPad Air), and $100Ultrathin Magnetic Clip-on Keyboard Cover (http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/ultrathin-air?crid=1240) (iPad Air)all variations on the samedesignare personal favorites thanks to a clever design, a thin profile, lightweight, very good keys, and a standard key layout thats the least cramped Ivefound in a keyboard shell. Instead of gripping the edges of your iPad, eachUltrathin Keyboard Cover uses a hinge that attaches magnetically to the edge ofthe tablet; the keyboard then closes against your iPads screen (again, stickingmagnetically) to protect the screen during transit. When youre ready to type, youjust flip the keyboard away from the screen, give it a gentle tug to detach thehinge, and then prop your iPad in the slot above the keys. Combine an Ultrathinwith a Smart Cover-compatible back shell, and your iPad is completely protected


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in transit. Though there are many copycat products out there these days, theLogitech models are still the best overall, in my opinion.

The original and iPad Air versions of the Ultrathin Keyboard Cover are verysimilar to each other, though the one for the iPad Air is, of course, a bit smaller.Each uses a hinge that looks like, and functions identically to, the hinge onApples Smart Cover. The Air model includes a few tweaks to its keys comparedto the original: It removes the right-hand Command and Option keys in favor of alanguage key; it gains Previous and Next media-playback keys; it adds special-function keys for Siri and iOSs multitasking screen; and it loses the Spotlight-search key. A few keys are also narrower than on the original version, but insteadof fingerprint-magnet glossy black, the area above the keyboard has a nicer mattefinish on the Air version.

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The very latest model, the Ultrathin Magnetic Clip-on Keyboard Cover, is eventhinner, yet it manages to make the actual keys slightly larger, and it even givesyou a separate special-function-key row instead of overlaying those functions onthe number keys. The newest versions keys arent quite as nice to type on as theones on the earlier two models, but theyre still very good for this type ofkeyboard, and their larger size makes up for much of that difference in feel. Youalso now get a right-hand ctrl key, a dedicated Spotlight-search key, and adedicated screenshot key. The other big changes are to the hinge and iPad slot.Instead of the Smart Cover-like hinge found on the earlier models, the MagneticClip-on Keyboard Cover features a hinge that collapses into the body of the coverwhen youre using the keyboard; you extend the hinge by carefully sliding youriPad, flat against the cover, toward the hinge until the iPads own magnets causethe hinge to pop up. This new design looks nice, but in practice its a bit too fiddlyfor my tastes. On the other hand, the slot on the new model also features its ownstiff hinge, so you can tilt your iPad back as much as 30 additional degrees,allowing for much nicer screen angles when typing (at least when your iPad is inlandscape orientationthe additional lean makes a portrait-orientation iPad lessstable). This slot hinge is quite sturdyit takes a good amount of force to changethe angle. The only drawback to this feature is that you must remember tomanually press the hinged slot back into place before putting your iPad and thecover together for travel.


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If you have an iPad 2, 3, or 4, its easy to decide which Ultrathin to get, as onlyone of the three models fits those iPads. If you have an iPad Air, youll need tomake a decision: Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad Air or Ultrathin MagneticClip-on Keyboard Cover? Both are very good; each has minor advantages, andeach has minor shortcomings. Having used both extensively, I recommend buyingwhichever one you find for a lower priceunless youd really value the capabilityto change the angle of your iPad while typing, in which case youll want theMagnetic.

Zaggs $130 Pro Plus(http://www.zagg.com/accessories/zaggkeys-pro-proplus-ipad-keyboard-case.php) (iPad 2, 3,4; formerly called Zagg KeysPro Plus)uses the same solid keyboard as thecompanys ProFolio+, above, but in akeyboard-shell body that clingsmagnetically to the front of your iPadduring transit. You just detach the ProPlus from your iPad, prop your iPad inthe slot above the keys, and typeaway. A nice bonus feature is that,like the ProFolio+, the Pro Pluss keyboard uses backlit keys for easier typing inlow-light environments.

Honorable mentions: Belkins $100 Qode Thin Type Keyboard Case for iPad Air(http://www.belkin.com/us/F5L155/p/P-F5L155/) (iPad Air) uses a keyboardsimilar to the one in the Qode Ultimate Keyboard Case for iPad Air (mentioned inthe folio section above), which means that while the keys themselves are nicelyresponsive, the keyboard is a bit cramped, and some keys are in non-standardpositionslike its sibling, this isnt a great option for touch-typists. However, theThin Types keyboard bests its siblings thanks to a dedicated special-function-keyrow and some interesting keys that correspond to the iTunes Radio options toPlay More Like This, Never Play This Song, and Add To iTunes Wish List. TheThin Type uses a Smart Cover-like hinge, and it looks fantastic thanks to aunibody anodized-aluminum bodyat the thinner front edge, this is the thinnest


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keyboard shell Ive seen, though the edges are MacBook Air-sharp. The companysays the Thin Types battery, which adds a bit of thickness to the back edge,offers 3,100 hours of standby life or 79 hours of active use. A nifty touch is thatwhen you remove your iPad Air from the Thin Types slot, the keyboardimmediately turns off, so you avoid accidental typing when your iPad isntpropped up for work. If you arent a touch-typist, this is a nice option.

Belkins $80 Qode FastFit KeyboardCover (http://www.belkin.com/us/F5L141/p/P-F5L141) (iPad 2, 3, 4)is similar in design to LogitechsUltrathin Keyboard Cover, but withoutthe magnetic hinge. Instead, its got amagnetic, stationary lip along theback edge that holds the iPad inplace during travel. It bests theUltrathin by offering two grooves foryour iPad, so you get a choice of twoscreen angles. However, the FastFitskeys are a bit smaller; the squareshape of those keys feels a little off;and the FastFit makes the sametouch-typist-thwarting mistake withthe up-arrow key as the Brydge+, above.

If youre on a budget, Ankers TC930 Ultra-Thin Bluetooth Keyboard Cover foriPad Air (http://www.ianker.com/support-c22-g358.html) (iPad Air) looks a lot likean iPad Air-sized clone of Logitechs original Ultrathin Keyboard Cover, thoughwith keys that are a tiny bit smaller and more cramped, and that dont feel as nice.Also, I had to press those keys a bit more firmly than expected for the keypresses to register. The result is a typing experience that isnt as good as whatyoull get with the other keyboard shells recommended here. But the keys are allin the right locations; you get a proven design; and the TC930 adds a niftysupport stand that automatically pops up whenever you prop your iPad Air in theslot above the keyboard, making the iPad a bit more stable than with the originalLogitech model. And then theres the most compelling feature of the TC930: Its


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available for just $30 on Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/Upgraded-Version-Anker%C2%AE-Ultra-Thin-Keyboard/dp/B00HAWW590).

Latest update: Added Logitechs Ultrathin Magnetic Clip-on Keyboard Cover,Belkins Qode Thin Type Keyboard Case for iPad Air, and Ankers TC930Ultra-Thin Bluetooth Keyboard Cover for iPad Air; updated product names;removed Zaggs ZaggKeys Pro, which has been discontinued. Previous update:Added Logitechs Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad Air.

Instead of a physical keyboard,several companies offer overlays thatlie on your iPads screengenerallysecured using magnets or some kindof sticky siliconeand add a tactilefeel to the iPads own softwarekeyboard. For example, TouchfiresTouchfire Keyboard for iPad(http://www.touchfire.com/) (iPad 1, 2,3, 4; Air version announced; $40 andup) is a clear, silicone overlay thatadds little nibs to each virtual keystop, as well as slighty raised ridgesaround each key. The Touchfire does make typing a bit more tactile for touch-typists, but the overall experience isnt otherwise much different than typing onthe bare screen. And I found that because of the tactile feel, I frequently restedmy fingers on the Touchfires key areas, which resulted in accidental key taps.

The $35 TacType (http://www.tactype.com) (formerly called the iKeyboard; iPad 2,3, 4) instead uses a rigid-plastic frame with clear, bubble-like key overlays. Thisapproach prevents accidental keypresses, and I liked typing with it better thanwith the Touchfire, but I found the bubbles to be too difficult to press compared togood physical keys.

Keyboard overlays can be convenientthey take up quite a bit less space than afull keyboard, and they dont require batteries or chargingbut I personally dontfind them to be enough of an improvement over the iPads on-screen keyboard tomake them worth the cost. And, of course, you must move them out of the waywhenever you want to use the iPads screen normally.

Continue to the next page for stand-alone keyboards, desktop/tablet hybridkeyboards, stands and cases for keyboards, and iPad mini keyboards.

A stand-alone keyboard must be carried separately from your iPad, and it oftenrequires that you have a separate iPad stand (or at least a case with a built-instand). For these reasons, many people dont even consider this category. Butyou should, because stand-alone keyboards offer a number of advantages over


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other types. Stand-alone keyboards usually offer full-size, high-quality keysarranged in a standard layout. Combined with a good stand, you get much betterergonomics than with a keyboard case, because you can separate the iPad andthe keyboard. When you dont need the keyboard, you can leave it behind totravel light. And with a stand-alone keyboard, you dont need to buy a newversion if you upgrade your iPad. A stand-alone keyboard also lets you use yourfavorite case, and it works with any iPad, iPhone, or iPod touch. (Most can evenbe used with a Mac or Windows PC.) For all these reasons, this is my favoritetype of iPad keyboard unless you spend more time with a keyboard thanwithoutand even then, Id at least consider a separate keyboard.

The good news is that there are plenty of excellent stand-alone iPad keyboardsout there, and all of them work with any iPad model. (See the "Stand-alonestands" section, below, for stand recommendations.)

Recommendations: Logitechs $100Bluetooth Easy-Switch KeyboardK811 (http://www.macworld.com/article/2033714/review-logitechs-easy-switch-keyboard-pairs-with-everything.html) is slightly widerthan Apples Wireless Keyboard, butits the same depth and a little thinner.Despite its thin profile, theEasy-Switch uses fantastic,concave-top keys in a fully standard layout, along with a full complement of iOSspecial-function keys. Even better, all of the keys are backlit for easier dim-lighttyping. And the Easy-Switch can pair with up to three devicesfor example, aniPad, an iPhone, and a Mac, or even an Apple TVsimultaneously, letting youinstantly switch to whichever computing device happens to be sitting in front ofyou. The result is that the K811 is one of my favorite keyboards for iPads andMacs. (The company also makes the Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard K810(http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/bluetooth-illuminated-keyboard-k810?crid=26), a version for Windows, Android, and iOS.)

Although not specifically designed forthe iPad, Apples $69 WirelessKeyboard (http://www.macworld.com/article/135996/2008/10/applekeyboards.html) is a great fit forthe companys tablet. The keyboard iscompact, light, and sturdy, yet it offersa full-size keyboard with the same great keys as Apples laptops. And many of itsMac-focused special-function keys perform similar duties when used with the iPad(namely, screen brightness, media control, and volume level; the Eject key alsotoggles iOSs on-screen keyboard). You may prefer some of the other optionshere thanks to their additional special-function keys and lighter weight, butApples Wireless Keyboard remains one of the better optionsespecially if youve


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already got one for your Mac that you can borrow when traveling with your iPad.

If Apple were to make its WirelessKeyboard a bit thinner at the back,add a full complement of iOS special-function keys, and toss in a splash ofcolor, youd get InNuevos $50InNuevo Keyboard(https://www.innuevo.com/products/keyboard.html). Though it sports a silver-plastic bottom and a top casing in yourchoice of black, green, blue, red, or white, the InNuevo Keyboard neverthelessresembles Apples offering thanks to full-size white keys that look and feel muchlike the ones on the Wireless. But at just under 11 ounces and only half an inchthick along the back edge, the InNuevo is more travel friendly, and it gives you allthe iOS keys Apples keyboard is missing. The InNuevo Keyboard also fitssnuggly into InNuevos Dockr 2, mentioned in the stands section, below.

Honorable mentions: Amazons $26AmazonBasics Bluetooth Keyboardfor iPad (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005EOWBKE/) andGeniuss LuxePad 9000 Ultra-thinBluetooth Keyboard for iPad(http://www.geniusnet.com/wSite/ct?xItem=51870&ctNode=3640&mp=1) ($60 MSRP;roughly $35 at street prices) arevariations on the same keyboardthe Amazon model is black and about half aninch shorter from front edge to back, while the Genius version is white and slightlydeeper. Neither is as solid as the best models here, but each weighs under nineounces, and apart from a difficult-to-use pod of arrow keys, each is a solidkeyboard at a great price.

Logitechs $80 Wireless SolarKeyboard K760(http://www.macworld.com/article/1167588

/logitech_wireless_solar_keyboard_k760_works_with_all_your_apple_devices.html)(officially discontinued, but still widely available) is similar to the Easy-SwitchK811, above, in that it offers a very good iOS-focused keyboard that pairs with upto three devices. But it lacks the Easy-Switchs key backlighting, and while its


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solar-powered battery-charging system is convenient, the added space requiredby the solar cells makes the K760 considerably larger than the Easy-Switch. Still,its a great stand-alone keyboard if youll generally keep it with your computer butwant to be able to use it with your iPad in a pinch.

Logitechs third entry in thiscategoryan impressive featis the$70 Tablet Keyboard for iPad(http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/tablet-keyboard-ipad). Thismodel sports very good keys, feelsrock-solid, and comes with ahardshell keyboard case that flipsopen to double as a sturdy iPadstand. However, the Tablet Keyboardis relatively heavywith the case itweighs nearly 22 ouncesand itomits dedicated iOS special-function keys in favor of fn-key-modified numeralkeys.

Targuss $64 Bluetooth Keyboard foriPad (http://www.targus.com/us/productdetail.aspx?regionId=7&sku=AKB32US&PageName=Keyboards&productCategoryId=16&bucketTypeId=0&searchedTerms=&navlevel1=products&

cp=&bannertxt=Keyboards%20for%20Laptop%20) features large, easy-to-presskeys and even an fn-key-activated embedded numeric keypad (like the one onmany older Apple PowerBooks). While this model isnt as solid-feeling as many ofthe other products recommended here, its light (just 9.5 ounces) and it fitsfull-size keys in a compact package. (Though I havent tested it, Ankers T300Ultra-Slim Mini Bluetooth 3.0 Wireless Keyboard (http://www.ianker.com/product/98ANSLM78-BTA), available for just $20 on Amazon.com(http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0096M8VR2), appears to be the samekeyboard as the Targus Bluetooth Keyboard for iPad, but at a much lower price.)

Take Zaggs Folio, mentioned above,and strip it down to just the keyboard,and you get the $80 ZaggKeys Flex


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Tablet Keyboard and Stand(http://www.zagg.com/accessories/zaggkeys-flex-tablet-keyboard-stand/6146). With a footprint of just9.5 by 4.7 inches, and only a third ofan inch thick, the Flex is the smalleststand-alone keyboard Ive tested thatdoesnt induce typing frustration. Italso comes with a rigid travel case that folds out to double as an iPad stand(though a gap in the back of the stand means it cant prop up a portrait-orientationiPad mini). And at just over 11 ounces with the case/stand, and under 7 ounceswithout, the Flex wont add much to your load. One complaint: The dedicated"Siri" key in the lower-left corner of the keyboard is really just a secondHome-screen button...which means that if you accidentally hit it (which isntdifficult to do given the keyboards smaller-than-standard layout), youre whiskedout of your app and back to the Home screen.

Also from Zagg is the $70 ZaggKeysUniversal Tablet Keyboard and Stand(http://www.zagg.com/universal-tablet-keyboard/8100). Though itsindividual keys are similar to those onthe Flex, the body of the keyboard isslightly convex. Zagg says this is amore ergonomic design, but Im not convincedthanks to the curve, I found it abit more difficult to reach the top row of keys than on the Flex. And the Universalis about half an inch deeper, front edge to back, than the Flex, and slightly thickerthanks to its curved shape. But the Universal fixes the Flexs annoyingHome-button placement, and its even lighter than the Flex at 6.7 ounces by itselfor 10.4 ounces with the included travel case. (The case doubles as a tabletoptablet stand while youre using the keyboard.) If youve got an Android orWindows tablet, a switch on the back of the Universal changes the special-function keys to work with those platforms; the downside to this flexibility is auseless-to-iPad-users Start key that displaces the left-hand Option key.

Latest update: Updated prices and product names; added mention of Anker T300.Previous update: Added Zaggs ZaggKeys Universal and InNuevos InNuevoKeyboard; updated prices; removed Kensington KeyStand Compact Keyboard &Stand, which has been discontinued.

Most iPad keyboards connect wirelessly, using Bluetooth. But there are timeswhen Bluetooth isnt an option, such as when youre on a plane and not allowedto use wireless technology, or when you dont want to worry about battery life orcharging the keyboard. And some situations just arent suited to Bluetooth pairing,such as a classroom full of iPads that share a keyboard or two, or if youre lookingfor a keyboard for someone who may not be tech savvy enough to deal with


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potential pairing issues. In these circumstances, a wired keyboard is a betteroptionyou just plug in and start typing.

The downside to the wired approach is that your iPads stand or case must keepthe tablets Lightning- or 30-pin-connector port accessible, but the upside is aninstant, no-hassle connection, along with the capability to quickly move thekeyboard between devices. (Wired keyboards are powered by your iPadtheydont require charging or batteries.)

The best wired iPad keyboard Iveseen is Macallys $60 iKey WiredKeyboard. Available in two versions,the iKeyLT Lightning Wired Keyboard(http://www.macally.com/EN/?page_id=15281) (shown here,for Lightning-connector devices) andthe iKey30 30 Pin Wired Keyboard(http://www.macally.com/EN/?page_id=13242) (for older,30-pin dock-connector devices), thiskeyboard features full-size keys in a standard layout, and it connects to your iPad(or other iOS device) using a 3-foot cable. It also includes a few other niceties,including dedicated keys for undo, redo, and taking a screenshot, as well as keysfor typing , , , .com, .net, .org, and .biz. Both models come with a fold-up iPadstand, but that stand is flimsy and feels like an afterthought.

A close second is Belkins $60Secure Wired Keyboard for iPad(http://www.belkin.com/us/p/P-B2B124/), also available in bothLightning-connector and 30-pin(ttp://www.belkin.com/us/B2B125-Belkin/p/P-B2B125) versions. Thisone is quite a bit larger than theMacAlly modelspecifically, its a bitthicker and a couple inchesdeeperbut it offers widely-spacedkeys with longer key travel, resultingin a typing experience that feels a bitcloser to that of a desktop keyboardthan a laptop. The keys are slightlymushy, but I suspect that many people will still prefer them for their tactilefeedback. Because of the keyboards desktop-style size, the arrow keys are largeand separated from the main keyboard area, and the keys along each edge (Tab,Caps Lock, Shift, Enter, and so on) are considerably larger than on most portablekeyboards, making for easier touch-typing. The Secure Wired Keyboard isdesigned for use in schools and feels exceptionally sturdyit should hold up toreasonable abuse. The downsides here are that the keyboard offers fewer


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special-function keys than youll find on the MacAlly model (just media-playback-control, volume/mute, Home, and screen lock), and the two-foot cable might betoo short for some situations.

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Honorable mentions: Griffin Technologys $60 Wired Keyboard for iOS Devices(http://store.griffintechnology.com/wired-keyboard-for-ios-devices) is the lightestand most compact wired keyboard Ive tested, making it a nice option for travelitlooks and feels a lot like the Targus Bluetooth stand-alone keyboard mentionedabove, only with a silver-plastic body instead of black (and without the Targusmodels handy overlaid number pad). The low-profile keys are roughly the samesize as those on Apples Wireless Keyboard, though they dont have as muchtravel or tactile feedbackI occasionally didnt press a key firmly enough toregister a keystroke. The keyboard uses a 3.5-foot cable, and is available in bothLightning-connector and 30-pin versions.

Logitechs $60 Wired Keyboard foriPad (http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/wired-keyboard-ipad?crid=1240), also available inboth Lightning-connector and 30-pinversions, is another solid offeringdesigned specifically for schools. Itfeatures a rugged, spill-resistantdesign and a shorter cable. However, the Logitech keyboard is even thicker thanthe Belkin model, and its keys arent quite as responsive.

Latest update: Added Belkin Secure Wireless Keyboard and Griffin TechnologyWired Keyboard for iPad. Previous update: Added Logitech Wired Keyboad foriPad.


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If you generally use an external keyboard only when at your desk, you might wantto consider forgoing travel-friendly size and weight in favor of some desktopniceties. Several vendors make keyboards designed to be used at a desk thatadd features you wont find in a portable model. Other vendors make keyboardsthat can pair with multiple devicessay, your desktop computer, your laptop, andyour iPadand let you easily switch your Bluetooth connection between thosedevices, so you can use a single keyboard with all your gear. Youll still need astand, but youll have one less keyboard on your desk.

Recommendations: I already recommended (in the stand-alone keyboardsection, above) Logitechs excellent Bluetooth Easy-Switch Keyboard K811(http://www.macworld.com/article/2033714/review-logitechs-easy-switch-keyboard-pairs-with-everything.html) and Wireless Solar Keyboard K760(http://www.macworld.com/article/1167588/logitech_wireless_solar_keyboard_k760_works_with_all_your_apple_devices.html).Each of these models can pair with multiple devices, and each works great as akeyboard for both an iPad and a desktop computer simultaneously. Theyre myfavorite multi-device keyboards.

Matias, the well-known maker ofmechanical-keyswitch keyboardssuch as the Quiet Pro(http://www.macworld.com/article/2013700/review-matias-quiet-pro-keyboard-offers-old-school-keys-without-the-noise.html), offers anumber of desktop/iOS hybridmodels. The $200 Tactile One Keyboard (http://matias.ca/onekeyboard/tactile/) isa full-size desktop keyboard that uses the same excellent keys as the popularTactile Pro (http://www.macworld.com/article/1145922/tactilepro3_review.html) butadds Bluetooth and a USB 3.0 hub. You connect the Tactile One to your computervia USB, and to your iPad (or other iOS device) via Bluetooth; a button on thekeyboard lets you toggle between the USB and Bluetooth connections. Acushioned pad, positioned between the main key area and the numeric keypad,lets you keep your smartphone close at hand. (The One line is officially designedfor the iPhone, but it works just as well with the iPad.)

If you prefer a compact keyboard, Matiass $50 Slim One Keyboard(http://matias.ca/onekeyboard/slim/) is based on the same concept as the TactileOne, but instead of a full-size keyboard with a number pad, the Slim is about thesize of Apples wired keyboard and uses similar flat, low-profile keys. Those keysare pretty good as iPad keyboards go, though theyre not quite as good as thekeys on Apples own keyboards. Both One keyboards are handy if you tend touse your iPad at your desk for, say, reading and posting to Twitter, or for takingquick notes.

Honorable mentions: Matiass $100 One Keyboard (http://matias.ca


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/onekeyboard/standard/) is similar to the Tactile One but uses less-expensive(and less-tactilely-pleasing) keys; it also includes a USB 2.0 hub instead of USB3.0.

Like Logitechs Easy-Switch K811keyboard, Kanexs $69 Multi-SyncKeyboard (http://www.macworld.com/article/2051671/kanex-multi-sync-keyboard-review-one-keyboard-four-macs-and-ios-devices.html) canpair with multiple iOS devices andMacs simultaneously, letting you switch between paired devices with a buttonpress. But the Multi-Sync also includes a USB port for connecting directly to yourcomputer, leaving you with all three Bluetooth slots for iOS devices (or othercomputers). The Multi-Sync also offers a full-size design, complete with a numerickeypad, and it includes a great iPad stand that I also recommend separately inthe next section. However, the Kanex keyboards keys arent nearly as good asthose on the Logitech or Matias models.

Finally, its worth noting that you can use many standard USB keyboards with aniPad via Apples Lightning to USB Camera Adapter (http://store.apple.com/us/product/MD821ZM/A/lightning-to-usb-camera-adapter) for Lightning-connectoriPads, or the older 30-pin version for 30-pin-dock-connector iPads. As long as thekeyboard doesnt require too much powerfor example, some keyboards withbacklit keys need more juiceit should work fine, though youll miss out oniOS-specific keys.

If youre using a stand-alone keyboard, and your iPads case doesnt include asuitable standIm a fan of ZeroChromas Vario-SC line of stand cases(http://www.macworld.com/article/2360951/gear-we-love-zerochroma-vario-sc-mini-case-stands-alone.html)youll need a separate stand to prop up yourtablet.

Travel stands My current favorites for travel are Kanexs Foldable iDevice Stand(http://www.kanexlive.com/foldstd) ($20 for two), Cooler Masters $30 Jas mini(http://us.coolermaster.com/product/Detail/mobile/tablets-stands/jas-mini.html),Twelve Souths $40 Compass 2 Mobile Stand (http://www.twelvesouth.com/product/compass2), and Rain Designs $40 iSlider iPad Pocket Stand(http://www.raindesigninc.com/islider.html). The Kanex stand weighs less than anounce and folds into an almost-flat package, yet it offers multiple angles and issurprisingly sturdy. Its also a fantastic value. The stylish Jas mini weighs just 2.7ounces, but its made of anodized aluminum and is available in multiple colors.My only complaint is that the lip on Jas minis cradle is a bit shallow for an iPad ina case, especially if that case has a smooth finish.

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The Compass 2 is heavier (8.2 ounces) and it offers just two anglesone uprightand one for onscreen typingbut its more stable than the iDevice Stand and Jasmini when used with an iPad in portrait orientation, and it folds up to a size thatsnot much larger than a few pens. (Compared to the original Compass(http://www.macworld.com/article/1155448/twelve_south_compass_for_ipad.html), the Compass 2 is more stable, especiallyin portrait orientation.) The iSlider (7.5 ounces) is the bulkiest of the bunch, but itsalso the sturdiest, and its clever design offers a range of angles, from nearlyhorizontal to nearly vertical.

Less-portable stands If youll be using your iPad/keyboard combo mainly at yourdesk, consider Heckler Designs $49 @Rest for iPad (http://www.macworld.com/article/1159633/heckler_design_rest_for_ipad.html), a heavy, rock-solid standthat offers several angles and compatibility with a range of casesit would betough to find a more-stable stand. Rain Designs $40 iRest Lap Stand(http://www.macworld.com/article/1158989/rain_design_irest_lap_stand_for_ipad.html) lifts your iPad higher than most, andit doubles as a comfortable stand for propping your iPad in your lap when yourelounging. For something more compact, Gogos $25 Stump Tablet Stand(http://www.macworld.com/article/2141601/gear-we-love-new-stump-stand-sits-pretty-holds-your-ipad-or-iphone.html) is a staff favoritethanks to its chunkyprofile, sticky bottom, and nearly 9-ounce weight, it offers a stable base thatdoesnt slide around, yet it doesnt take up much room on your desk.

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Stands for Apples Wireless Keyboard If youre using Apples own WirelessKeyboard, a slew of stands are available that are specifically designed to pair itwith an iPad. A longtime favorite is Incases $30 Origami Workstation(http://goincase.com/shop/incase-origami-workstation-for-ipad-2), which enclosesyour Wireless Keyboard in a sturdy travel case that unfolds into a solid iPad standwhen its time to get to work. The stand even works in a pinch for typing on yourlap.

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A similar, though less svelte, option is the Touchtype (http://touchtypecase.com/)($49 for polyurethane; $99 for leather), a folio-style case that holds both your iPad


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and Apples Wireless Keyboard for travel. When youre ready to type, slip thekeyboard out of the case and the case becomes an iPad stand for either portrait-or landscape-orientation use. However, the current version of the Touchtypedoesnt fit the iPad Air or iPad mini.

The $40 Nimblstand (http://www.nimblstand.com) is a nifty Apple WirelessKeyboard stand for those who need to type and draw. The keyboard slides into agroove in the front, and your iPad rests in a thin cradle just above the keyboard. Astabilizing wedge in back allows your iPad to lean much farther than with moststands, even in portrait orientation, making it easier to view the screen whiletyping. When you want to sketch or drawor just to read something on thescreen without handsyou move that wedge to the other side (under thekeyboard), flip the stand around, and the Nimblstands second cradle holds youriPad at an even-closer-to-horizontal angle thats great for onscreen strokes.Theres even a slot to hold a Wacom Bamboo Stylus (http://www.macworld.com/article/1156560/touchscreen_stylus_roundup.html).

MyKeyOs $35 silicone Executive Restt (http://www.mykeyo.com/collections/frontpage/products/low-cost-the-executive-restt-for-pads-and-tablets-mk1100) isweighted in the rear for a flexible-yet-stable design. The front of the Restt fitsApples Wireless Keyboard perfectly, and a wide slot in the rear props up anyiPad in either orientation, even in a thin casethough its tough to press theiPads Home button in portrait orientation. What makes the Restt unique is a slewof organizational features: You get two stylus/pen holders, two business-cardslots, andmy favoritea hidden desktop organizer. Just lift the front of thekeyboard, like the top of an old-fashioned school desk, to reveal five smallcompartments for desk supplies. The Restt is available in eight colors and comeswith a five-year warranty. (MyKeyO also sells a $70 version(http://www.mykeyo.com/collections/frontpage/products/6-in-one-the-executive-restt-stand-organizer-for-pads-and-tablets-mk1150-with-bluetooth-keyboard) thatincludes the companys own Bluetooth keyboard.)( https://cms-images.idgesg.net/images/article/2014/07/restt-tablettray-ipad-stands-100355677-orig.png)

If youre looking for something with a bit more style, the German-made WoodysTabletTray (http://www.woodys-shop.de/en_noneu/) (67) is CNC-carved, handsanded, environmentally friendly, and fits Apples Wireless Keyboard precisely. Its


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available in your choice of walnut, cherry, or mapleIm partial to the walnutmodel (http://www.woodys-shop.de/en_noneu/woodys-tablettray/walnut-wood/index.php). A slot at the rear holds your iPad (any size, even in a thin case)at a pretty good angle in landscape or portrait orientation; a cutout at the front ofthe slot lets you access the iPads Home button in portrait orientation. Its a veryattractive package that looks great on a desk, and it also works well for typing onyour lap, though when used on your lap with a full-size iPad, its more stable inlandscape orientation than portrait. (The company ships to the U.S., or you canpurchase from AhaLife (http://www.ahalife.com).)

For something a bit more minimalist,and portable in a pinch, Ethics $15WingStand (http://wingstand.com)consists of two small pieces of plasticthat slide onto the cylindrical rearedge of the Wireless Keyboard.These plastic pieces form a cradle foryour iPad or other iOS device inlandscape or portrait orientation. TheWingStand isnt very versatileit doesnt work with thicker cases, its intended foruse only on a desktop or other flat surface, and it works only with Appleskeyboardbut its sturdy and inexpensive.

Finally, if youve got Apples Wireless Keyboard or InNuevos InNuevo Keyboard(mentioned above), the $115 Dockr 2 (https://www.innuevo.com/dock-2.html)(iPad 1, 2, 3, 4) is an interesting option. It looks much like a laptop, but when youopen the lid, the base offers a well thats custom-fit for either of these twokeyboards; the lid becomes an adjustable stand that holds any iPad model inportrait or landscape orientation. (It doesnt hold the iPad Air or iPad mini firmly,so you wont want to carry those iPad models inside; the iPad 1, 2, 3, and 4 fitmore securely.) The Dockr 2 also includes a set of Bluetooth speakers and abattery that adds a bit of extra use time to your iPad. The speakers are fairly tinny,and the case is plasticky and bulky, but the Dockr is great on your lap, and itcould be a nice option for a classroom. (The company sells the Dockr 2 andInNuevo Keyboard together for $150.)

For other stand options, check out ourchart of stand reviews(http://www.macworld.com/reviews/collection/4166/ipadstands.html).

Keyboard bags and cases: If youfrequently travel with a stand-alonekeyboard, you might also consider apouch or bag for carrying it.WaterField Designs offers a numberof nice options(http://www.sfbags.com/products/keyboard-cases/keyboard-cases.php), includingone that holds both your iPad and a keyboard (http://www.sfbags.com/collections


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/ipad-cases/products/ipad-travel-express-case). I personally use WaterFieldslightweight, padded Keyboard Socket (http://www.sfbags.com/products/keyboard-cases/keyboard-socket.php) ($15), which fits a number of the stand-alonekeyboards I recommend above.

Latest update: Added Cooler Masters Jas mini, MyKeyOs Restt, and WoodysTabletTray; updated prices. Previous update: Added Kanexs Foldable iDeviceStand, Gogos Stump Stand, the Nimblstand, and InNuevos Dockr 2; updatedprices; removed Griffin Technologys Xpo Compact Universal Tablet Stand, whichhas been discontinued.

Apples iPad mini (http://www.macworld.com/article/2013515/review-ipad-mini-gives-you-most-of-an-ipad-at-half-the-size.html) and Retina iPad mini(http://www.macworld.com/article/2063344/retina-ipad-mini-review-high-density.html) have turned out to be even more popular than their full-sizecounterparts. But the minis smaller screen means that its even more difficult todo serious typing using iOSs software keyboardwhich for some people willmake a physical keyboard that much more appealing.

However, all the usability trade-offs I mentioned for iPad keyboard cases affectiPad mini keyboard cases even more: Because the iPad mini has a considerablysmaller footprint, any keyboard case that tries to match that footprint mustincorporate an even more-cramped keyboard, with even smaller keys, than woulda keyboard for a full-size iPad. Most iPad mini keyboard cases weve tested omitsome keys altogether, or at best relegate them to fn-key-enabled functions ofremaining keys.

Ive tested many iPad mini-sized keyboard cases, and while they vary in designand key quality, Ive found most of them to be exceedingly frustrating to use fortouch-typing. A number of them have keyboards that just feel cheap and flimsy,and most are so cramped, and have enough keys in non-standard locations, that Icouldnt type a sentence without multiple errors. Others, such as GeniussLuxePad i9010 Ultra-Thin Keyboard for iPad mini (http://www.geniusnet.com/wSite/ct?xItem=58202&ctNode=3617), Kensingtons KeyCover Hard ShellKeyboard for iPad mini (http://www.kensington.com/us/us/4543/K39797US/keycover-hard-shell-keyboard-for-ipad-mini-with-retina-display), LogitechsUltrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad mini (http://www.macworld.com/article/2028888/review-logitechs-ultrathin-mini-keyboard-cover-makes-the-wrong-tradeoffs.html)and Ultrathin Keyboard Folio for iPad mini (http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/ultrathin-keyboard-folio-for-ipad-mini?crid=1325), and Zaggs Mini 7(http://www.zagg.com/ipad-mini-7-inch-keyboard.php#7065) (formerly calledZaggKeys Mini 7), use higher-quality keys, but in the case of the Ultrathin models,some are just too small for comfortable use, and on the LuxePad i9010, HardShell Keyboard, and Mini 7, larger key size has been achieved by placing somekeys in non-standard locations and by overlaying commonly used keys, requiringthe fn key to access the overlays.


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( https://cms-images.idgesg.net/images/article/2013/03/zaggkeysmini9-100029360-orig.png)

( https://cms-images.idgesg.net/images/article/2013/07/zagg-mini-cover-

In short, if youre a hunt-and-peck typist, some iPad mini keyboard cases may beacceptable to you, but touch-typists like me will largely be disappointed. Thatsaid, there are a few models that stand out from the rest.

Recommendations: As you may have guessed, I dont have any strongrecommendations here. If youre a touch-typist, and you dont need to type onyour lap, consider going with a stand-alone keyboard instead. (Even if you doneed to type on your lap, consider a stand-alone keyboard with one of thelap-friendly stands or cases recommended above.) Youll get a much better typingexperience, you wont ruin the iPad minis thin profile and light weight, and youcan leave the keyboard behind when you want to travel lightwhich, if youve gotan iPad mini, is likely a good deal of the time.

Honorable mentions: If you trulyneed a keyboard that fits the iPadminis profile, a few models get mylimited recommendation. If you dontmind a bit of extra bulk, ZaggsZaggKeys Mini 9(http://www.zagg.com/ipad-mini-9-inch-keyboard.php) (officiallydiscontinued, but currently availablefor as little as $19 on Amazon.com(http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=zaggkeys+mini+9)) forgoes an iPad mini-matchingfootprint in favor of a better typing experience. The Mini 9 is about an inch and ahalf wider than the Mini 7 mentioned above (9.6 versus 8.1 inches), but is thesame depth and thickness. Your iPad looks a bit odd in the Mini 9s too-long case,but it fits snuggly (almost too snugglyits a bit of a challenge to remove the iPad,especially the iPad mini with Retina display, which is slightly thicker than theoriginal model). In return for putting up with this extra length, however, you get akeyboard thats about the same size as youd find in a standard iPad keyboardcase. In other words, the keyboard is somewhat cramped, but entirely useable,with all the keys in the correct places. The Mini 9 even lets you type in your lap.Though the Mini 9 was one of the first iPad mini cases on the market, its still myoverall favorite, despite the larger-than-a-mini size, because I can actually type onit.

Zagg also has a couple other decentofferings, the $100 Folio for iPad mini(http://www.zagg.com/ipad-mini-folio.php) (formerly calledZaggKeys Folio for iPad mini) and the$100 Cover for iPad mini(http://www.zagg.com/ipad-mini-cover.php) (formerly calledZaggKeys Cover for iPad mini). Each


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580-100045790-orig.png)uses the same backlit keyboard andis roughly the same size as the iPadmini itself. The main difference is that the Folio uses a plastic back shell thatholds your iPad; the Cover features a hinge into which you slide the iPad, usingyour iPad itself as the lid of a makeshift laptopthe Cover doesnt actually coverthe minis backside. (If you read the sections on keyboards for full-size iPads,above, these are simply iPad mini versions of Zaggs standard Folio and Coverkeyboards.) The keys arent full size, but most of the main keys are large enoughand, as we pointed out in our review (http://www.macworld.com/article/2043953/review-zaggkeys-keyboard-cases-for-easier-typing-less-insanity.html), you canactually type on them. To fit everything, however, other keys are half-width, whilea few serve fn-enabled double duty. The result is, as with other iPad minikeyboards, a good amount of compromise, but if you want a keyboard thatmatches your iPad minis footprint, these two offer the best set of compromisesweve seen. (Which to choose? Check out our full review for the relative merits ofeach.)

( https://cms-images.idgesg.net/images/article/2014/07/new-trent-airbender-minis-100355836-orig.png)

Finally, New Trents $41 Airbender Mini (http://www.newtrent.com/store/ipad-case/ipadmini-keyboard.html) and $36 Airbender Mini 1.0(http://www.newtrent.com/store/ipad-case/airbender-mini-1-0-nt520k.html), likethe full-size Airbenders mentioned above, have cramped keyboards with keys thatfeel just okay. But as with their larger siblings, after opening the case/screen onthe Airbender Mini, you can rotate the iPad into portrait orientation; the hinge candetach from the keyboard to become an independent stand for a more ergonomictyping setup; and a quick-release clip lets detach your iPad completely from thestand/hinge for use sans keyboard. The Airbender Minis case section is all-overprotective: Theres a rigid shell on the back; a plastic front with a use-through,transparent screen cover; and a silicone jacket that wraps around everything.

The Airbender Mini 1.0 is less ruggedits case is a thinner shell without thesilicone jacket or screen protectorand instead of using a removablehinge/stand, the 1.0 uses a laptop-style hinge that also swivels 180 degrees(much like the Clamcase, above). The result is that the 1.0 has a considerablythinner profile, though it loses a lot of the versatility of the non-1.0 Airbender Mini.

Latest update: Added information about the Airbender Mini 1.0; updated names ofZagg keyboards; updated prices. Previous update: Added mention of Kensington


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AROUND THE WEB

(http://www.macworld.com/article/2449839/devices-disconnecting-its-about-the-hub-bub.html)

Devices disconnecting? It'sabout the hub, bub(http://www.macworld.com/article/2449839/devices-disconnecting-its-about-the-hub-bub.html) (Macworld)

(http://www.macworld.com/article/2454700/why-the-appleibm-deal-matters.html)

Why the Apple-IBM dealmatters(http://www.macworld.com/article/2454700/why-the-appleibm-deal-matters.html)(Macworld)

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Comic: Windows, the horrorof the nineties(http://www.macworld.com/article/2365085/comic-windows-the-horror-of-the-nineties.html) (Macworld)

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The Wait for the Superphoneis Over, the LG G3 is Here(http://www.technobuffalo.com/reviews/lg-g3-review-the-superphone-weve-been-waiting-for/) (TechnoBuffalo)

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Something better thanLASIK? Meet the Visian ICL!(http://visianinfo.com/something-better-than-lasik-meet-the-visian-icl/) (VisianICL)

(http://txchnologist.com/search/cancer)

Science Fixes UnhealthyGrilling Problem With Beer(http://txchnologist.com/search/cancer)(Txchnologist)

and Genius iPad mini keyboards and Logitechs Ultrathin Keyboard Folio for iPadmini.


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Documents

Buying Guide_ Find the Best iPad Keyboard _ Macworld