Ondrej Holzman The traditional manufacturer of accessories for Apple devices is the company Zagg, which, like its competitors, entered the battle in the field of keyboards for the iPad mini. We had the opportunity to test the ZAGGkeys Mini 7 and ZAGGkeys Mini 9.
While last time Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard tested served primarily as a keyboard, the above-mentioned products from Zagg have two functions - on the one hand, they serve as a keyboard and on the other hand, they provide complete protection for the iPad mini.
Zagg offers iPad mini keyboards in two sizes, although the dimensions of the Apple tablet are unchanged. ZAGGkeys Mini are available in either seven-inch or nine-inch versions. Each has its advantages and disadvantages.
ZAGGkeys Mini 7
The smaller of the ZAGGkeys Mini keyboards fits the iPad mini like a glove. You place the tablet in a rubber case that is strong and flexible enough to protect the iPad mini from falls. When you tilt the keyboard, which is firmly attached to the rubber cover, to the display, you get a very durable cover, with which you don't have to worry too much about your iPad mini. The problem, however, is that the keyboard doesn't have magnets or other securing in it to keep it attached to the other part of the case, so the case can open up if dropped.
The outer part of ZAGGkeys Mini 7 is covered with synthetic leather, and a flip-up stand was chosen to support the iPad, which ensures quality support and you will have no problem settling down with the keyboard and iPad anywhere, even without a solid surface. The case has cutouts for all buttons and inputs, including openings for speakers.
Pairing the keyboard with the iPad is simple. Above the keyboard itself, there are two buttons on the battery – one for turning on the entire device and the other for connecting ZAGGkeys Mini 7 and iPad mini via Bluetooth 3.0. The more economical and newer Bluetooth 4.0 is unfortunately not available, however, the ZAGGKeys Mini 7 should last several months of use on a single charge. In case of discharge, it is recharged via MicroUSB.
The most essential part of the entire product is undoubtedly the keyboard, its layout and buttons. Six rows of keys fit into a relatively small space, while the upper one contains special function buttons. The ZAGGkeys Mini 7 keyboard is 13 percent smaller than Apple's classic keyboard, and it's true that the buttons themselves look very similar, but for obvious reasons, the keys had to be inflated and certain compromises had to be made.
Unfortunately, probably the biggest problem is the response of the buttons and the very feeling of typing, which is essential for such a product. The keys seem a bit soft and don't always respond completely convincingly. With the ZAGGkeys Mini 7, you can also forget that you will be typing with all ten keys, but you can't even expect that with a keyboard of such dimensions. However, ZAGGkeys Mini 7 will ensure that you type faster than if you were using only the software keyboard in iOS, and once you get used to the smaller layout and get some practice, you'll be able to type comfortably with three to four fingers on each hand.
Good news for Czech users is the presence of a complete set of keys with Czech characters, paradoxically, the problem only arises when writing different diacritical marks. To write an exclamation point, a question mark and some other characters, you have to use the Fn key, not the classic CMD, CTRL or SHIFT, so in the beginning you can fumble for a while before you get to the desired character. A minor compensation can be function keys that allow you to return to the basic screen, bring up Spotlight, copy and paste, or control brightness and sound.
[one_half last="no"]
advantages:
[Checklist]
- High-quality device protection
- Function keys
- Dimensions[/checklist][/one_half]
[one_half last="yes"]
Disadvantages:
[bad list]
- Worse quality and response of buttons
- The Smart Cover function for putting the iPad to sleep is missing
- Keyboard Layout Tradeoffs[/badlist][/one_half]
ZAGGkeys Mini 9
ZAGGKeys Mini 9 differs from its smaller brother more than it might seem at first glance. Where the ZAGGKeys Mini 7 loses, the "nine" brings positives and vice versa.
The most obvious difference between the two keyboards is the size – the ZAGGKeys Mini 9 is a smaller version spread out in width. The exterior of the larger keyboard is also covered in synthetic leather, but the iPad mini case is handled differently. Strong plastic has replaced the durable rubber and unfortunately it is not a very smart solution. However, due to the larger dimensions of the keyboard, rubber could not be used, because the cover is larger than the iPad mini, around which there is roughly two centimeters of space on both sides. Therefore, inflexible plastic, into which the iPad mini is very difficult to fit. I often had trouble getting the entire iPad into the ZAGGKeys Mini 9 properly, and even then I wasn't sure if the tablet was actually in place.
Since the iPad mini has significant clearance on the side, despite the punched grooves, it may have a tendency to move slightly in the case. However, this is nothing to prevent functionality or access to the volume buttons, for which a hole is cut, as well as the camera lens. Accessing the Power button is somewhat inconvenient as you have to insert your finger into the hole between the iPad and the cover, but you won't need it very often when using the keyboard. Although the gaps on the sides of the iPad are not very eye-pleasing, the look and design have given way to functionality.
Gallery
The positives, however, prevail with the keyboard, again the most fundamental one, for which we will purchase the ZAGGKeys Mini 9. Pairing works like a "seven" and here we will also see six rows of keys. However, thanks to the larger dimensions, the layout of the buttons is much more similar to classic keyboards, or those that can be connected to a large iPad. Typing on the ZAGGKeys Mini 9 is comfortable, the response of the buttons is slightly better than on the ZAGGKeys Mini 7, and in addition, there were no compromises regarding the keys with diacritical marks. In the top row, functional buttons are again available for controlling sound and brightness, copying and pasting text, etc.
[one_half last="no"]
advantages:
[Checklist]
- High-quality device protection
- Virtually full keyboard[/checklist][/one_half]
[one_half last="yes"]
Disadvantages:
[bad list]
- Difficulty inserting the iPad
- Smart Cover function to sleep iPad is missing[/badlist][/one_half]
Price and verdict
Whether the two keyboards – ZAGGKeys Mini 7 and ZAGGKeys Mini 9 – offer any strengths or weaknesses, they have one negative in common: the price of around 2 crowns. After all, spending a third of what I spend on the iPad mini (800 GB, Wi-Fi) alone for the keyboard seems too much to me.
However, if you are looking for a keyboard that can protect the iPad mini at the same time, then one of the ZAGGKeys Mini can be a suitable choice. The smaller version ensures the greater mobility that belongs to the iPad mini with its dimensions, but at the same time you will have to make several compromises with it when it comes to writing. The nine-piece keyboard from Zagg will bring more comfortable typing, but at the same time larger dimensions.
If you do not need to use the keyboard as a cover at the same time and prefer a full-fledged keyboard on which you will type like on a computer, it will be better to choose elsewhere. The only thing that matters here is how you want to use the iPad and whether the iPad mini is a productive tool for you or even a computer replacement.
Price? It is still hundreds less than the surcharge for an ipad with a 3G module. X-( I would beat up Apple for this.
Jesus, what kind of hummus is this?! Did some Chinese make this at home in their kitchen?
I already have it at home, the 7″ and I can finally write emails like a human :) …. thanks for the tip :P