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iPad mini Anyone else disappointed no keyboard folio case was released with the new iPad Mini?

J

jozero

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 14, 2009
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Sure I think the keyboard would be a touch cramped but it would be serviceable. I think it would be the perfect little "computer" to go with a iPad Mini keyboard folio case.

Just carrying a separate keyboard isn't the same.
 
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Maybe they will.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7/S6 is small, and it has the touchpad keyboard folio. The design is different. but it works fine. But I don't think anyone expected it. The Mini doesn't have that Pro moniker, btw.
 
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Macalway said:
Maybe they will.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S7/S6 is small, and it has the touchpad keyboard folio. The design is different. but it works fine. But I don't think anyone expected it. The Mini doesn't have that Pro moniker, btw.
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They can't, the new one lack the 3 metal dots on the back that is an Apple invented connector both the iPad Folio keyboard and Magic Keyboard uses. This provides power and has no connectivity issues that Bluetooth has
 
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caoimhe said:
I am. If I had a Magic Keyboard for the new mini I could give up my 2018 11” Pro. That and more storage (at least 512 but I’d prefer 1TB) would have made this my main device.
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I am in the exact same boat. Much as I love the iPad Pro 11" it simply never fulfilled its promise, and who knows when the one potential saving grace, the new Swift Playgrounds, will actually come out . I do absolutely love the iPad for notes and reading, and the iPad mini would likely be better at that task.
 
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jozero said:
They can't, the new one lack the 3 metal dots on the back that is an Apple invented connector both the iPad Folio keyboard and Magic Keyboard uses. This provides power and has no connectivity issues that Bluetooth has
Click to expand...

Right thanks!, forgot about that. No Smart connector.
 
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jozero said:
Sure I think the keyboard would be a touch cramped but it would be serviceable. I think it would be the perfect little "computer" to go with a iPad Mini keyboard folio case.

Just carrying a separate keyboard isn't the same.
Click to expand...
The iPad Mini 6 is larger than the first netbooks that had a keyboard and trackpad. A keyboard folio would easily be doable. I have a Zagg keyboard case for my iPad Mini 5 (which has a narrower width than the Mini 6 when in landscape mode)

The Mini 5 + keyboard case makes a nifty little netbook-like device. I loaded up the iOS-versions of the Google apps and it makes a better chromebook than an actual chromebook.

Sadly, we'll have to wait for the Mini 7 (or 8) for a model with the pin connectors to make it (Apple Smart Keyboard) possible. But I have no doubt that Zagg and/or Logitech will be making a keyboard case for it.
 
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I wonder if there are any technical reasons for not including it. Seems like a really add omission especially since they increased the starting price by $100.
 
jozero said:
Sure I think the keyboard would be a touch cramped but it would be serviceable. I think it would be the perfect little "computer" to go with a iPad Mini keyboard folio case.

Just carrying a separate keyboard isn't the same.
Click to expand...

Wasn't expecting it especially after Apple made such a big deal about the size of the Smart Keyboard for the 10.5".

Mind, I've used 9" netbooks and I find the keyboards on those way too cramped for comfort.
 
Ya I mean no one can do it right due to size but Logitech (or some 3rd party Amazon seller) will still make one. It’ll just be cramped.
 
Infinitewisdom said:
I wonder if there are any technical reasons for not including it. Seems like a really add omission especially since they increased the starting price by $100.
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It’s probably that they didn’t see much demand for one. To be comfortable to type with it would likely need to fold out horizontally, which would add thickness.
 
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As someone who used to use an iPad Mini all day at work I preferred typing on the iPad itself versus using a keyboard. With the width and the size it's very easy to type on. However, this may depend on hand size.
 
lsara said:
As someone who used to use an iPad Mini all day at work I preferred typing on the iPad itself versus using a keyboard. With the width and the size it's very easy to type on. However, this may depend on hand size.
Click to expand...

Fair, but this wipes out half the screen
 
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Infinitewisdom said:
I wonder if there are any technical reasons for not including it. Seems like a really add omission especially since they increased the starting price by $100.
Click to expand...

Yes massive increase in cost porportionally and what changed was the hoped for rounded screen, the charger tech and magnet for the Pencil 2, and touchID moved.

Seems like an arbitrary limitation, basically a dividing line for functionality (but not speed and power) because the screen is 1.9" smaller (8.3 vs 10.2)
 
I’m a bit bummed out myself. While I didn’t expect them to release a $200 mini magic keyboard, a smart connector for third party keyboards would’ve been really cool.
 
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It's not the crampness that is the problem, it's that the keyboard layout itself has to change to also fit the form factor for the best results. After that, you don't actually have the room for a usable multi-gesture trackpad either.
 
We might get a good third party option. It’s still a possibility.

I’m in two minds about using the mini with a keyboard. I recently picked up a third party keyboard on Amazon. It wasn’t very expensive, about £30. I haven’t been using it because it’s not a good experience. The keys are too small and mushy and it adds too much bulk to my mini. However I’m conflicted here. I’m wondering if I try a more expensive keyboard option like the Brydge keyboard if I’d get a better experience. Or it might be that the mini just isn’t a device I want to use a keyboard with after all. Also I’ve been spoiled by the trackpad on the magic keyboard of my 11 inch pro. I don’t think any third party keyboard will have a decent trackpad. I’ll wait until the mini 6 comes out. Then I will know for sure if I’m sticking with my 5 or not. If I decided to stick with my 5 I will go ahead and pick up the brydge keyboard and try that out.
 
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Shanghaichica said:
We might get a good third party option. It’s still a possibility.

I’m in two minds about using the mini with a keyboard. I recently picked up a third party keyboard on Amazon. It wasn’t very expensive, about £30. I haven’t been using it because it’s not a good experience. The keys are too small and mushy and it adds too much bulk to my mini. However I’m conflicted here. I’m wondering if I try a more expensive keyboard option like the Brydge keyboard if I’d get a better experience. Or it might be that the mini just isn’t a device I want to use a keyboard with after all. Also I’ve been spoiled by the trackpad on the magic keyboard of my 11 inch pro. I don’t think any third party keyboard will have a decent trackpad. I’ll wait until the mini 6 comes out. Then I will know for sure if I’m sticking with my 5 or not. If I decided to stick with my 5 I will go ahead and pick up the brydge keyboard and try that out.
Click to expand...

what about a keyboard that isn’t attached to your mini? Plenty of really good ones around.
 
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Amplelink said:
what about a keyboard that isn’t attached to your mini? Plenty of really good ones around.
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The one Igot isn’t attached to the mini. It magnetically attaches to the case.

It’s this one

Keyboard Case for iPad Mini 5/4/3/2/1, Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard Case Compatible with iPad Mini 7.9" Ultra Slim Magnetically Detachable PU Leather Cover and Multi-Angle Stand
by CHEERS
Learn more: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B086JRJ56X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_V4J9V2DGY5G6RACAZVFB
If I don’t decide to get the mini 6 then I will try this one



Brydge 7.9 Keyboard compatible with iPad Mini (2019) and iPad Mini 4. Backlit, Aluminum, Wireless, Rotating Hinges, 180 Degree Viewing. (Space Gray)
More information: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01C42Z..._dp_FRNT0JFH5MY4PKS5PQTH?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
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