A keyboard for iPads makes typing on the tablet easier. Apple knows this too and offers keyboard covers for its tablets. The comparison reveals which other models are available.
Apple itself likes to advertise its iPad as a laptop replacement. But the tablet isn’t quite that far yet. On the one hand, this is due to the tablet’s slightly poorer multi-tasking ability compared to the laptop and, on the other hand, to the missing keyboard. No matter how dearly the iPad is loved, typing on the touchscreen is more than idle. The solution are keyboards for the iPad, which also serve as protective covers. Apple itself has its Magic Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio on sale. The Magic Keyboard has a trackpad, but the Smart Keyboard Folio does not have that. Third-party manufacturers such as Logitech offer their own models at significantly lower prices. If you want to use a keyboard on the iPad Mini, you have to use a third-party manufacturer anyway.
Keyboards for the iPad Pro 12.9, 11 inch and Air
The iPad Pro 2022 is the tablet for professional users. Thanks to the M1 chip, there’s plenty of steam under the display. If you primarily want to edit videos on the tablet, you will be happy about a keyboard with a trackpad. The original from Apple is called Magic Keyboard. The manufacturer’s recommended retail price is a whopping 399 euros for the 12.9-inch version and 339 euros for the small iPad Pro.
Fortunately, because the 10.9-inch iPad Air is only 0.1-inch smaller than the 11-inch iPad Pro, the keyboard covers of the Pro version also fit the iPad Air. Thanks to the M1 chip, it’s raw performance almost on par with the Pro versions. However, it lags behind its big brothers in terms of camera and screen refresh rate. However, these “flaws” don’t make the Air any less interesting, which is why it’s one of the most popular tablets for Apple users.
Once connected to the Magic Keyboard, a circular mouse pointer controlled by the trackpad appears on the iPad Pro. The trackpad’s click functions are well known to laptop users. There are also various gestures, for example to display all open apps or to switch between tabs in Safari.
Logitech is one of the most well-known third-party manufacturers of iPad accessories. Accordingly, the company has developed a keyboard cover for the iPad Pro versions and the iPad Air. Its counterpart to the Magic Keyboard is called Logitech Combo Touch. Of course, it offers the popular trackpad, which can be used to control the iPad using gestures. However, this is significantly cheaper than the original from Apple. For the 11-inch Pro version, Logitech charges 199.99 euros as a recommended retail price, the keyboard for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro costs 229.99 euros. Attention: Logitech has developed its own model for the iPad Air, which also costs 199.99 euros.
But what makes the Combi-Touch better or worse than the original? Well, like the Magic Keyboard, it does without a stylus holder. This is also unnecessary because the second-generation Apple Pencil is held on the upper side of the tablet with a magnet. A really sensible extension of the Magic Keyboard is missing, however, because that expands the iPads with a USB-C socket, via which the tablet can be charged. Because Apple only gives its iPads one socket, every user is grateful for additional charging inputs. But Apple charges a princely price of around 170 euros for it.
If you can do without the trackpad because you prefer to operate the iPad with your finger or pencil, you can use the Smart Keyboard Folio. That’s what Apple calls its keyboard case for the iPad. Again, keep an eye on the different sizes. The iPad Air and iPad Pro 11-inch share the same model. Cost: 199 euros RRP. Apple charges 219 euros on its website for the 12.9-inch variant. In addition to the trackpad, Apple unfortunately also refrains from giving the Smart Keyboard Folio a USB-C charging socket. Too bad.
There is no real alternative to Apple’s Smart Keyboard Folio. This is because, according to the manufacturer, keyboard covers such as the Logitech Slim Folio or Slim Folio Pro are only compatible with previous generations of iPads. If you still have an older iPad, you’re lucky at this point.
Keyboards for the regular iPad
Apple also offers a keyboard for the normal iPad, namely its Smart Keyboard Folio for 179 euros. There really isn’t much to say about it. Connect the iPad to the folio and start typing. It’s that easy.
But it’s always cheaper with the Fintie keyboard case for the iPad. It costs just a fraction of the original. Compared to the Smart Folio from Apple, the keys are also significantly larger and therefore easier to grip. Nice for those who don’t like typing on flat keyboards. Also, the cover is available in different colors. Admittedly, the design looks a bit clumsy, but that’s easy to get over at a price of around 35 euros. Too bad: Unfortunately, the iPad does not close automatically when the cover is closed. If an app is open and you close the cover, the iPad draws power unused.
The branded product, on the other hand, is slightly more expensive. Logitech’s likeness to the Smart Keyboard Folio is called the Slim Folio. The keyboard connects to the tablet via Bluetooth. The Logitech Slim Folio draws power from a battery. According to the manufacturer, it lasts four years. The design of the Logitech keyboard is reminiscent of the original from Apple. The keys are flatter than those of the Fintie Cover. Unfortunately, the Slim Folio is not available in different colors. Buyers fork out around 55 euros for the keyboard cover.
Keyboards for iPad Mini
Apple neglects the iPad Mini when it comes to the extra keyboard: the tech giant does not offer its own keyboard. This may be due to the fact that the iPad Mini with a size of 8.3 inches is more of a digital notepad and typing on a correspondingly small keyboard is not really fun. If you still want to try it, you have to use a third-party keyboard cover. A representative of this genus is this case with a keyboard from the no-name brand Hotlife. If you don’t trust the China cover and prefer to rely on Apple, you should treat yourself to the Pro cover for the iPad Mini and connect it to a Bluetooth keyboard such as the small version of the Magic keyboard. Because that is also possible – with all iPads, by the way.
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