Michal Ždanský Unfortunately, one fact applies to keyboards for the iPad mini - the vast majority of them are not worth anything, and the ones that are worth something are the result of many compromises, and in the end, any full-fledged Bluetooth keyboard that does not necessarily copy the shape of the iPad, but the writing experience is ten levels different. I had the opportunity to test a large part of the available keyboards on the market and unfortunately I have to confirm the truth in the first sentence.
However, the pair of Zagg Keys Cover and Keys Folio keyboards are a dawn of hope that not all keyboards for a small tablet have to be unusable. When you place an iPad on top of a MacBook keyboard, you immediately know where the poodle's core lies. The iPad's surface is too small to fit a full-sized keyboard into its contents, so it has to be cut in many places and the result is a less than comfortable typing device. That's why I was pleasantly surprised that typing on Zagg keyboards is not bad at all.
Construction and design
The Keys Cover is intended to turn the iPad mini into a miniature laptop, so it largely follows the design of the back of the tablet. The back surface is thus made of aluminum of the same shade as we find on the MacBook, that is, at least in the case of the version for the white iPad. The metal then transitions to matte plastic on the edges, which also covers the front of the keyboard.
The iPad is attached using a special joint into which it is inserted. After inserting it, it holds the tablet really firmly, both thanks to the exact width of the opening, and thanks to the rubberized surface inside the joint, which also protects the iPad from scratches. When opened, the hinge goes below the level of the keyboard by about 1,5 cm and thus creates a relatively pleasant angle for typing. The keyboard is slightly curved at the edge around the hinge, it almost looks like someone bent it slightly on that side. I'm not entirely clear on the purpose of this design decision, however there are two screws in this part of the keyboard on the back, which could be related. The aforementioned screws spoil the integrity of the back a bit and it could definitely have been done better. After all, the overall processing still lacks a piece to be perfect, which can be seen, for example, in the transition between aluminum and plastic or around the charging microUSB port.
The port is located on the left side and the charging cable is included in the package. On the other side, you will find a toggle button for switching off and a button for starting pairing. The built-in battery should keep the keyboard going for up to three months depending on usage. The Keys Cover also has a cutout in the front for easier opening of the entire "notebook", similar to MacBooks. When you snap the iPad with the keyboard, it really looks like a small laptop, and the snap-off feature adds to the impression.
Unlike the Cover, the Keys Folio is completely made of plastic. Its joint is significantly more elegant, because it does not have to hold the entire tablet, instead a back cover is set into it, into which the tablet needs to be inserted. The case fits the iPad mini exactly, the iPad does not fall out of it, on the contrary, it holds firmly, while it is not difficult to remove it from the case. The case also has cutouts for all ports, hardware buttons, and the camera lens.
In addition to the plastic, the Keys Folio has a rubberized surface with a leather-like texture on the front and back, which may look cheap at first glance, but it actually doesn't look bad at all. Definitely much better than if it was just matte plastic all over the surface. In addition, the rubberized part is useful, it prevents the keyboard from sliding on the surface, while the Keys Cover is prevented from sliding by thin rubberized strips around the joint.
Both keyboards weigh roughly the same, just over 300 grams, but the Keys Cover feels heavier than the Folio. As the Cover's weight is concentrated at the bottom, it is less likely to tip over when typing on your lap, for example. The folio has part of the weight in the back cover as well and as a result is not as stable, which is also due to the design of the joint, which Keys Cover plays more into the cards. The angle holding the iPad with the keyboard can be adjusted as desired, up to 135 degrees.
Keyboards and typing
The keys themselves are the alpha and omega of the entire device. Zagg managed to pack all the necessary keys into a relatively small space and even added a sixth row with function keys. In it you will find buttons for the function of the Home button, Siri, hide the keyboard, copy/paste and control music and volume. But even though it is almost a full-fledged keyboard, it was not without compromises here either.
In the front row, the keys are slightly smaller than on a classic laptop. Specifically, the width is 2,5 mm smaller than the MacBook, while the key spacing is roughly the same. Unless you have really small hands, typing with all XNUMX fingers isn't much of an option, however, with average-sized hands, you can type fairly quickly on the keyboard, although you probably won't get as fast as a regular keyboard.
I'm glad that, compared to other keyboards, the fifth row of keys, containing the necessary accents for us, was almost not reduced. Only the "1" key has a reduced width. However, there is another problem here. As a result of the compromises, the entire row has been moved a few millimeters to the left, the layout does not quite correspond to a regular keyboard, and it will often happen that you mix up accents and numbers. At least the keyboards have Czech labels. Another problem with the fifth row is the combination key for =/% and hook/comma. For example, if you want to type "ň", you have to hold the Fn key in addition to activate the second part of the combination key.
Multiple keys are similarly combined, for example CAPS/TAB. Unfortunately for Czech writers, one of the combination keys is also the one for brackets and commas, which makes typing even more difficult. On the other hand, of all the other keyboard layouts for the iPad mini, this one is by far the most acceptable. The keyboard is also missing the left Alt and the "ú" and "ů" keys are half-sized. Despite the mentioned shortcomings, you can write on the keyboard quite quickly and comfortably with a little getting used to it, after all, this entire review was written on it.
Pressing the keys is a little harder than on the MacBook, so at the beginning you may not be able to click the keys at times. I, on the other hand, had duplicated letters quite often, probably because I wasn't sure about clicking. The stroke is similar to the MacBook keyboard, and the Keys Cover and Folio are quite quiet, even quieter than the MacBook.
the backlighting of the keys, which is standard for Apple. The keyboard offers a total of three levels of intensity, and in addition to classic white, the keyboard can also be illuminated in blue, cyan, green, yellow, red, or purple. Although the backlight is very practical, the Czech characters are unfortunately not visible under the backlight, they are only printed on the original American QWERTY keyboard layout.
Evaluation
It would like to say "One Eyed King Among the Blind", but that would be a bit unfair to Zagg keyboards. Compared to the competition, it stands much higher than the others, not only in processing, dimensions and weight, but above all in the keyboard itself, which is both backlit and, on the other hand, you can write really well in Czech, even if there are visible compromises. However, if you want a compact keyboard for your iPad mini, you won't find anything better on the market.
The Zagg Keys Cover is the first small tablet keyboard I'd actually buy, but the Folio isn't a bad choice either if you'll be doing a lot of work on the iPad in laptop mode. Both keyboards turn the iPad into a very compact netbook on which typing is not a complete pain. The only possible disadvantage is the price, which is approximately 2 CZK including VAT. It is then up to consideration whether a cheaper full-fledged Bluetooth keyboard is not better in the end. But that depends on whether you prefer to write on a table in a cafe or on your lap while traveling. Either way, the Zagg Keys Cover and Folio are the first keyboards for the iPad mini that are actually worth something, at least worth considering.
[one_half last="no"]
advantages:
Finally a usable mini keyboard
Dimensions and weight
[/checklist][/one_half]
[one_half last="yes"]
Disadvantages:
[bad list]
- Shifted 5th row and connected keys
- Processing is not 100%
- Price
[/badlist][/one_half]
[/checklist][/one_half]
[one_half last="yes"]
Disadvantages:
[bad list]
- Shifted 5th row and connected keys
- Processing is not 100%
- Price
[/badlist][/one_half]
It seems quite similar to the Logitech UltraThin Cover for iPad mini, which has been on sale for about a year. I use its variant for the classic iPad 3 and maximum satisfaction
Are you using the Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for the mini? This option struck me as a possible ideal solution with the least compromises. How well does the mini fit in that notch for the big iPad?
There is a variant directly for the iPad mini. The mini would not fit in the keyboard for the iPad 3.
http://www.logitech.com/cs-cz/product/ultrathin-keyboard-mini?crid=1325
But this one is not backlit.
But in addition, he doesn't speak Czech, he weighs himself when typing on his lap and if he falls to the ground including the iPad, the magnet won't hold the iPad and it jumps out. In my case to the display that broke. So no thanks. For a new iPad as well as a new keyboard and I'll be going to Zagg. Thanks for making the choice easier. Do they already have it on Air?
I know, I reviewed the mini version and it's terrible for typing.
So it's great that there is another quality product for the iPad mini. Those who want to write longer texts, meeting minutes, etc. will use something like this. I can recommend it from my own experience, although I use another brand and this one from Zaggu works well too.
Surely such a review is useful. A year ago, I browsed the net before I chose the Logitech one for my iPad, and I was glad for every such review, because it's not exactly a cheap thing.
Anyway, probably one of the top solutions for a mini that combines functionality with portability and design
I would just supplement the article with one additional feature that Cover has. The iPad can also be inserted into the joint the other way around (with the display facing up), when the magnets are attached to the joint. The iPad can then be used for presentations, games, etc.
You can go and try it with everything APR :).
thank you for the recommendation, this is exactly what I was looking for, the price is higher, but it is well worth it.
Both keyboards look very interesting. I would like to ask if it is not already produced for the iPad air? Alternatively, what other similar keyboard (such as Folio or Cover) would you recommend.
The ZAGGkeys Folio keyboard for iPad Air will be available on the Czech market in about a week. ZAGGkeys Cover should hopefully arrive before Christmas....
Thank you for the information, I was very pleased. When the iPad comes back from the claim, I will order the folio.
Hello and thanks for the review,
can i ask if both are compatible with the new mini with retina? I am mainly concerned with the greater width of the new version in relation to the "groove" for attachment. Thanks for the response.
It should sit there
I own one of the keyboards, I'm happy with it, but today it started to annoy me a little, the backlight turns off after a while, and when I write on Facebook, it cuts out and some letters are written 6 times instead of once. I want to ask if there is a problem with the iPad or the keyboard. Thank you for answer.
I would like to ask where you can buy a key cover