Seeking keyboard compatible to iPad Pro 11”, am voice over user & my iPad Air &Logitech keyboard are biting the dust. I’d prefer a compact keyboard ease of typing & travel. Looking for any suggestions.
Might be worth checking reddit for a wider range of views.
I find the smaller the keyboard the less pleasurable the typing experience. The Logitech MX Keys Mini a delight to type on, but, with a largish bar at the back for its brains, I'd not call it a travel keyboard.
I personally have the Magic Keyboard case for my iPad.
The reason I recommend one of these two keyboard cases—the Magic Keyboard or the Logitech Combo Touch—is the Smart Connector. The Smart Connector essentially creates a wired connection between the keyboard and the iPad, meaning you don’t have to worry about Bluetooth issues or lag. It does this by using three tiny dots that line up with three connection points on the back of the iPad when it’s magnetically snapped onto the case.
It’s a very minimal, neat setup, and in my opinion, offers one of the smoothest, most reliable typing experiences you’ll get—especially since it’s the only way to use a wired keyboard with the iPad without an actual wire.
Another thing to note: the Magic Keyboard has a USB-C port built into it. While you don’t have to charge either keyboard, as they both draw power directly from the iPad, the extra port means you can charge your iPad and still keep its own USB-C port free for accessories like dongles or headsets. The Combo Touch doesn’t have this extra port, so you’d need to charge the iPad through its main USB-C port.
I believe the Apple Smart Folio also has a Smart Connector, but I’ve never used it personally, so I can’t vouch for it either way.
It depends which generation of iPad Pro you have, which Magic Keybaord you’d be buying. The M1 generation is an older style which has silicone rubber on the top surface, the M4 iPad pro’s use a new generation keyboard which has an aluminium top surface around the keys and trackpad. The older version has no function row, the new version does have a function row. They both provide an excellent typing experience. Second to non but they are expensive. The Logitech has a slightly worse keybaord but the bigger issue for me is that it has a kickstand that comes out the back. This has the advantage that you can remove the keyboard and take the iPad and stand with you but the problem I found was that it’s not as easy to use on your knee. Having the stand coming out the back wasn’t comfortable. I’ve had both the magic keybaord generations and love them both. If you are willing to spend the money, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
What a wonderfully informative thread this is. The Logitech and Magic keyboard alternatives offer the advantage of being designed specifically for iPads and you get maximum possible portability and convenience. I would tend to suggest that going with one of these above alternatives is the objectively sensible move. The only reasons to look at independent keyboards not specifically designed for iPads would be longevity and typing feel.
Each time a new iPad comes out, there's a chance that the design might differ enough to render your current keyboard unusable . This is what happens with iPhone cases and why I have so far steered clear of those cases designed for specific iPhones which have batteries in them. The next iPhone frequently changes enough that the case can't fit in properly. having a completely separate keyboard which you connect via USB C port or Bluetooth means that I can use my old keyboard even with a new iPhone.
Typing feels is another area where you'll never find as much choice in keyboards designed to be attached to iPads serving as a protective case and stand, or be built in a folio. The keyboards have to be thin or you lose the slim and portable idea that is a big reason for owning an iPad rather than a traditional laptop. This means that you can't have very much key travel. The Magic keyboard would offer the maximum in terms of that and other considerations of typing feel given the competing goal of being slim.
If you're willing to sacrifice that convenience and get other portable keyboards, the range of possibility really becomes open. At one end, there's something like the Protoarc XK04 folding keyboard small enough to stick in a pocket. On the other, there are mechanical keyboards like the Nuphy Air75 V3 that I'm typing this on. You need a shoulder bag or backpack to carry this one comfortably. It's a foot long and weighs a pound and a half. However, it's the most comfortable thing I've ever typed on hands down. I say this as someone who has owned way too many keyboards.
Best of luck in choosing the right keyboard for your particular needs. It's an interesting rabbit hole to go down.
I tried many of keybaords, Logitech always wins even over Apple's keyboard.
I tried Apple's Magic Keyboard and many other Chinese brands and Logitech shines.
Comments
Might be worth checking…
Might be worth checking reddit for a wider range of views.
I find the smaller the keyboard the less pleasurable the typing experience. The Logitech MX Keys Mini a delight to type on, but, with a largish bar at the back for its brains, I'd not call it a travel keyboard.
Logitech Combo touch or Magic Keyboard
I personally have the Magic Keyboard case for my iPad.
The reason I recommend one of these two keyboard cases—the Magic Keyboard or the Logitech Combo Touch—is the Smart Connector. The Smart Connector essentially creates a wired connection between the keyboard and the iPad, meaning you don’t have to worry about Bluetooth issues or lag. It does this by using three tiny dots that line up with three connection points on the back of the iPad when it’s magnetically snapped onto the case.
It’s a very minimal, neat setup, and in my opinion, offers one of the smoothest, most reliable typing experiences you’ll get—especially since it’s the only way to use a wired keyboard with the iPad without an actual wire.
Another thing to note: the Magic Keyboard has a USB-C port built into it. While you don’t have to charge either keyboard, as they both draw power directly from the iPad, the extra port means you can charge your iPad and still keep its own USB-C port free for accessories like dongles or headsets. The Combo Touch doesn’t have this extra port, so you’d need to charge the iPad through its main USB-C port.
I believe the Apple Smart Folio also has a Smart Connector, but I’ve never used it personally, so I can’t vouch for it either way.
Info about magic keybaords
It depends which generation of iPad Pro you have, which Magic Keybaord you’d be buying. The M1 generation is an older style which has silicone rubber on the top surface, the M4 iPad pro’s use a new generation keyboard which has an aluminium top surface around the keys and trackpad. The older version has no function row, the new version does have a function row. They both provide an excellent typing experience. Second to non but they are expensive. The Logitech has a slightly worse keybaord but the bigger issue for me is that it has a kickstand that comes out the back. This has the advantage that you can remove the keyboard and take the iPad and stand with you but the problem I found was that it’s not as easy to use on your knee. Having the stand coming out the back wasn’t comfortable. I’ve had both the magic keybaord generations and love them both. If you are willing to spend the money, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Convenience fersus typing feel
What a wonderfully informative thread this is. The Logitech and Magic keyboard alternatives offer the advantage of being designed specifically for iPads and you get maximum possible portability and convenience. I would tend to suggest that going with one of these above alternatives is the objectively sensible move. The only reasons to look at independent keyboards not specifically designed for iPads would be longevity and typing feel.
Each time a new iPad comes out, there's a chance that the design might differ enough to render your current keyboard unusable . This is what happens with iPhone cases and why I have so far steered clear of those cases designed for specific iPhones which have batteries in them. The next iPhone frequently changes enough that the case can't fit in properly. having a completely separate keyboard which you connect via USB C port or Bluetooth means that I can use my old keyboard even with a new iPhone.
Typing feels is another area where you'll never find as much choice in keyboards designed to be attached to iPads serving as a protective case and stand, or be built in a folio. The keyboards have to be thin or you lose the slim and portable idea that is a big reason for owning an iPad rather than a traditional laptop. This means that you can't have very much key travel. The Magic keyboard would offer the maximum in terms of that and other considerations of typing feel given the competing goal of being slim.
If you're willing to sacrifice that convenience and get other portable keyboards, the range of possibility really becomes open. At one end, there's something like the Protoarc XK04 folding keyboard small enough to stick in a pocket. On the other, there are mechanical keyboards like the Nuphy Air75 V3 that I'm typing this on. You need a shoulder bag or backpack to carry this one comfortably. It's a foot long and weighs a pound and a half. However, it's the most comfortable thing I've ever typed on hands down. I say this as someone who has owned way too many keyboards.
Best of luck in choosing the right keyboard for your particular needs. It's an interesting rabbit hole to go down.
Experiences
I tried many of keybaords, Logitech always wins even over Apple's keyboard.
I tried Apple's Magic Keyboard and many other Chinese brands and Logitech shines.