Best keyboard for iPad?

[JeffL]

I can tell there will be times when I'll want a keyboard for my new iPad. Any recommendations? I assume the key features are quality of the keyboard and compactness?

[Juste]

Zaggmate seems to be the keyboard of choice. They are owned by Logitech now i believe.

[rei]

apple bt one is the best if you don't mind carrying a separate keyboard.

[Gratzby]

If you've got an iPad 2 or Retina iPad, you might want one with a dock built in. The curved edges mean I normally have to either rest it against a wall, or prop it or something, or lay it flat / slanted which makes for a weird typing experience (peering over it). Depends on where you want to use it etc. Maybe consider a case that will let you stand it upright, with a keyboard separate. The apple keyboard/dock seems like it makes you hunch over the screen a little. I type on the screen, so haven't got any recommendations, but I like the feel of my Bt keyboard I use for my mac vs most other keyboards.

[DrCrypt]

I review shit like this for a living, so here's the consensus of me and everyone I work for.

If you absolutely must have a keyboard cover, get this: http://www.logitech.com/en-us/tablet-accessories/keyboards/ultrathin-keyboard-cover

Otherwise, get an Apple bluetooth keyboard with an Origami case: http://www.cultofmac.com/128634/fold-up-keyboard-case-turns-your-ipad-into-a-laptop-review/

[JeffL]

Well, I've already got a case, so I don't really need a new case (I just picked up the new Apple smart cover + case back, and I'm happy with it - there may be better, and the stand part is kinda poor, but I'm good with it.) So I need a keyboard that doesn't require replacing my case but that has a good stand, if that makes sense.

I think from a quick read that Origami thing plus the Apple keyboard would work, and I'm trying to figure out which is a better answer, that vs. this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0054L8MR8/ref=s9_simh_gw_p147_d0_g147_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0D ER&pf_rd_s=center-3&pf_rd_r=1BKKGHFTKH24SFG7EXWP&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938811&pf_rd_i=507846

Thanks all!

[Ephraim]

I review shit like this for a living, so here's the consensus of me and everyone I work for.

If you absolutely must have a keyboard cover, get this: http://www.logitech.com/en-us/tablet-accessories/keyboards/ultrathin-keyboard-cover

Otherwise, get an Apple bluetooth keyboard with an Origami case: http://www.cultofmac.com/128634/fold-up-keyboard-case-turns-your-ipad-into-a-laptop-review/

The Origami + Apple Bluetooth Keyboard is the answer for you, then.

[ARogan]

I like the logitech tablet keyboard:
http://blog.arogan.com/2012/02/logitech-tablet-keyboard-for-ipad.html

DrCrypt,
That logitech ultrathin keyboard cover looks way cool.

[rei]

Oddly enough the Logitech-with-case keyboard is $10-20 more expensive than the Apple keyboard here in Canada.

[ARogan]

Yeah, the prices have gone up since I picked it up. It was $50 in the US when I bought it. Now it's showing $62 but still cheaper than the $69 for the apple keyboard.

[stusser]

The problem with nulky keyboard cases is that they're always attached to the tablet, even when you don't need the keyboard. So you end up taking your tablet out of the case to use it most of the time, which renders the whole thing ridiculous. That's the advantage of the separate keyboard with that origami case. When you need a keyboard, you pull it out of your bag separately and you're good to go. Otherwise, you use the ipad as a tablet, which is what you want 99% of the time anyway.

[JeffL]

The problem with nulky keyboard cases is that they're always attached to the tablet, even when you don't need the keyboard. So you end up taking your tablet out of the case to use it most of the time, which renders the whole thing ridiculous. That's the advantage of the separate keyboard with that origami case. When you need a keyboard, you pull it out of your bag separately and you're good to go. Otherwise, you use the ipad as a tablet, which is what you want 99% of the time anyway.

Yeah, that's exactly what I want to be able to do - keep the iPad in the case I have it in, but be able to simply set it up on a stand and connect the keyboard when I need it, then toss the keyboard and stand back in a bag.

[rei]

Waterfield (http://www.sfbags.com/) makes cases (http://www.sfbags.com/products/keyboard-cases/keyboard-cases.php) for keyboards. Just buy the Apple BT keyboard and get one of these.

[ARogan]

Or get the logitech one which is pretty much identical to the apple one but with the keyboard case included and it converts to a stand eliminating the need to buy the Origami case.

[rei]

I picked up the Logitech UltraThin Keyboard Cover today for $119 CAD.

[kaosfere]

Nthing the Logitech Ultrathin. I had the original ZaggMate for my first-gen iPad, and got this new dealy when my wife bought me a third-gen for Fathers' Day. It's been on there since day 1, and I enjoy using it more than I did the old version -- you give up some of the side protection, for the benefit of not having aluminum lips get in the way when you're trying to type.

[DennyA]

Jeff, I'm using the Apple keyboard/Origami (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004X355Y6?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=393177&creativeASIN=B004X355Y6&linkCode=shr&tag=datkinnet-20&keywords=origami%20keyboard%20case&qid=1341258239&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1)combo that DrCrypt recommends and I highly recommend it.

I had a really nice case/keyboard combo before, but they all suffer from the same problem: They're the width of the iPad, so it's a cramped typing experience. The Apple BT keyboard has a great feel, and the key spacing is normal, so I can type much faster. I wrote quite a bit using the Adonit Writer keyboard/case, and it was fine, but I MUCH prefer the Apple BT keyboard/iPad combo.

In fact, it works so well that I sold my MacBook Air last week. Because with the great keyboard, and a remote desktop client to my home PC if I need "full-power" apps, I was never taking a laptop on trips anymore.

Ran across this... This looks like the possible worst keyboard for the iPad... http://ikeyboard.com/

[rei]

Just finished charging my Logitech and will try it out at work tomorrow.

[rei]

Ran across this... This looks like the possible worst keyboard for the iPad... http://ikeyboard.com/

Our very own Arogan's review of it is on their reviews section

[ARogan]

To be honest I haven't used it much since I wrote that review. It takes considerable training on the part of the user to get use to that thing. Since I got the logitech one I've been using that mostly which just feels right.

[JeffL]

Jeff, I'm using the Apple keyboard/Origami (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004X355Y6?ie=UTF8&camp=213733&creative=393177&creativeASIN=B004X355Y6&linkCode=shr&tag=datkinnet-20&keywords=origami%20keyboard%20case&qid=1341258239&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1)combo that DrCrypt recommends and I highly recommend it.

I had a really nice case/keyboard combo before, but they all suffer from the same problem: They're the width of the iPad, so it's a cramped typing experience. The Apple BT keyboard has a great feel, and the key spacing is normal, so I can type much faster. I wrote quite a bit using the Adonit Writer keyboard/case, and it was fine, but I MUCH prefer the Apple BT keyboard/iPad combo.

In fact, it works so well that I sold my MacBook Air last week. Because with the great keyboard, and a remote desktop client to my home PC if I need "full-power" apps, I was never taking a laptop on trips anymore.

Ran across this... This looks like the possible worst keyboard for the iPad... http://ikeyboard.com/

Denny, does that Apple keyboard/Origami work with my current Apple case (the one you recommended a while ago, the new one with the case and smart cover?)

[Ephraim]

Denny, does that Apple keyboard/Origami work with my current Apple case (the one you recommended a while ago, the new one with the case and smart cover?)

Yes. The Origami snaps tightly onto the Apple Bluetooth Keyboard, but it just has these stiff flaps for propping up your iPad. There's plenty of room for it in the new Smart Case. Or any variation of Smart Cover and light back case.

[JeffL]

Yes. The Origami snaps tightly onto the Apple Bluetooth Keyboard, but it just has these stiff flaps for propping up your iPad. There's plenty of room for it in the new Smart Case. Or any variation of Smart Cover and light back case.

OK, looks like there are several good options, but I think that is the approach I'm going to take. Thanks.

[DennyA]

Yep, as Ephriam said, works fine. Just fold the smart cover around the back and slide the iPad onto the Origami case.

[JeffL]

Yep, as Ephriam said, works fine. Just fold the smart cover around the back and slide the iPad onto the Origami case.

Beautiful. Once I recover financially from the wedding I just paid for, and the new engine I had to put in my car that broke down on the way there, and the new GPS that got stolen during the time there, etc. I will pick that up.

Of course, by then, they may have mind-reading apps and I won't need a keyboard! ;)

[JeffL]

I review shit like this for a living, so here's the consensus of me and everyone I work for.

If you absolutely must have a keyboard cover, get this: http://www.logitech.com/en-us/tablet-accessories/keyboards/ultrathin-keyboard-cover

Otherwise, get an Apple bluetooth keyboard with an Origami case: http://www.cultofmac.com/128634/fold-up-keyboard-case-turns-your-ipad-into-a-laptop-review/

About to pull the trigger on this today - is this Origami still the stand/case of choice to accompany the Apple Bluetooth keyboard? (I have the new Apple smart cover + case.)

[DennyA]

Yep, I still haven't seen anything better. Love mine!

[JeffL]

Yep, I still haven't seen anything better. Love mine!

Cool. They are on the way.

[Alan Friesen]

Confirmed. Apple BT + Origami for the win. Both work together swimmingly.

[rei]

Enter won't "Send" an iMessage or SMS annoyingly enough though without a Jailbreak tweak.

[ARogan]

The best keyboard is the one you already have!
http://blog.arogan.com/2013/02/easyblue-bluetooth-keyboard-and-mouse.html

This device is way cool for some very specific usage scenarios:
- Sitting at work and doing some heavy iMessaging with the wife
- easily cutting and pasting url's into the iPhone.
- Adding a new login to 1password on the iphone.

OMG rei the enter won't "SEND" issue on iMessage is SOOOOOOOOOOO annoying!!!!!!

[rei]

there's a jailbreak tweak for that.

i think i'm going to pickup a logitech k760 on sale locally for $67 at staples.

[Gus_Smedstad]

So.... it lets you use a computer as a keyboard for a mobile device? I'm hard pressed to imagine finding that useful. If I've got a PC turned on (desktop or laptop), there's not a lot I can do with the mobile device that I can't do more easily directly with the PC.

[ARogan]

If you don't want to jailbreak this actually works:
http://decadentwaste.net/2011/03/navigate-using-a-bluetooth-keyboard-on-your-ios-device/

It's pretty kludgly but it actually does work.

[ARogan]

So.... it lets you use a computer as a keyboard for a mobile device? I'm hard pressed to imagine finding that useful. If I've got a PC turned on (desktop or laptop), there's not a lot I can do with the mobile device that I can't do more easily directly with the PC.

Except for iMessage or things I don't want to install on my work PC like 1Password. Yes, I agree the usage scenarios are a bit limited but it fits a few of my niche scenarios. I'll have to see if I can find anymore uses for the thing.

[Gus_Smedstad]

Yeah, I can see not wanting to install password minder software on a work PC.