iPad mini Thinking of getting an iPad Mini 5. Get a separate keyboard? Yay, nay, or meh?

[brgjoe]

Thinking of getting an iPad Mini 5. Those of you who have it and have bought a separate keyboard, do you think it was worth the purchase?

I bought a keyboard case for my old iPad, but rarely used it. I was typically near my PC and/or laptop, so I just typed on it. But with the Mini, I plan to travel with it more (ok, when we all start travelling again). So I thought I might use a separate keyboard more.

So are keyboards for the Mini decent enough to touch type on easily? Or is the on screen keyboard enough, considering the smaller size of this iPad?

Thanks for any input on this.

 

[akash.nu]

This is a really open question. There are hundreds of different types of Bluetooth keyboards out there.

If you’re looking for a keyboard for travelling purposes then I’d suggest one of the folding ones like these.

Foldable Bluetooth Keyboard, LESHP Wireless Folding Portable Keyboard for iPhone, IPad Air, iPad Mini, iPad Pro, Windows, IOS, Android, Tablets, Mac, PC and Smartphone https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01MTO8Q8J/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_v3dKEbBPQR2EW


eSynic Bluetooth Foldable Keyboard Wireless Keyboards Folding Bluetooth Keyboard for for iOS Android Windows PC Tablet Smartphone Built in Rechargeable - Black https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00WSL8FH4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_n4dKEbAPJHSZR

But in terms of the actual performance of the keys, you’ll just have to try them out. Different people find different types of key travel satisfactory.

Eg. Loads of people loath the butterfly keys on MacBook line up but I don’t find any issues with them once I got used to typing on them.

 

[AutomaticApple]

Thinking of getting an iPad Mini 5. Those of you who have it and have bought a separate keyboard, do you think it was worth the purchase?

I bought a keyboard case for my old iPad, but rarely used it. I was typically near my PC and/or laptop, so I just typed on it. But with the Mini, I plan to travel with it more (ok, when we all start travelling again). So I thought I might use a separate keyboard more.

So are keyboards for the Mini decent enough to touch type on easily? Or is the on screen keyboard enough, considering the smaller size of this iPad?

Thanks for any input on this.

iLounge recommends these keyboards.

Best iPad Mini 5 Keyboards in 2020

Buy one of the best keyboard for your iPad Mini 5. These keyboards are sold on Amazon that comes with express shipping.

www.ilounge.com

 

[ericwn]

It’s really a bit of personal preference if the software keyboard is enough for you or not. I recommend you give that a try and if you want an external keyboard, pick up a Bluetooth keyboard you really like - most work on iPads without a problem.

 

[HappyIntro]

I find the on-screen keyboard ok for short emails or texts. But for longer emails or documents there's no substitute for an external keyboard. I'd recommend the Apple Magic keyboard (the compact model with no number pad). It's very light, and pairs up with iPads nicely. Along with my 12.9" iPad Pro, I actually packed a compact mechanical keyboard (HHKB) on a trip to Europe, and it worked great.

I currently have a iPad mini 5 and will definitely pack a Magic keyboard along with it the next time I travel.

 

[sracer]

Thinking of getting an iPad Mini 5. Those of you who have it and have bought a separate keyboard, do you think it was worth the purchase?

I bought a keyboard case for my old iPad, but rarely used it. I was typically near my PC and/or laptop, so I just typed on it. But with the Mini, I plan to travel with it more (ok, when we all start travelling again). So I thought I might use a separate keyboard more.

So are keyboards for the Mini decent enough to touch type on easily? Or is the on screen keyboard enough, considering the smaller size of this iPad?

Thanks for any input on this.

I have a Mini 4 (externally identical to the 5) that I use with only a smart cover. The combo is super thin and super light. I found a good deal on a Zagg keyboard case so I picked it up to use the Mini as a mini netbook of sorts. This obviously bulks it up, and the keyboard is a bit cramped, but it is a pick-up-and-go solution and works surprisingly well. As with any non-fullsize keyboard, some muscle memory adjustments need to be made for touch typists.

The downsides are that, it is very difficult to remove the iPad from the keyboard case, and if you don't have small hands/fingers, swiping up from the bottom of the screen can be difficult because of how the keyboard cover hinge works.

When I don't need to have everything self-contained, I use the Mini with a smart cover and the Logitech keys to go keyboard. The combo is thinner and lighter than with the Zagg, I have the flexibility of placing the keyboard separate from the Mini for situations where that makes sense, and the Mini is still usable by itself (no wrestling with a keyboard case to remove the Mini).

 

[brgjoe]

Thank you @sracer.

That's exactly the experienced opinion I was looking for. Really appreciate reading your insights.

Definitely am closer to making an informed opinion now. Thanks again for taking the time to post your thoughts and experiences with your iPad Mini.

 

[Deliro]

It all depends on how much you type. The mini is relativity easy to type on due to its form factor over the majority of other iPads. Expect your output to be similar to what you can achieve on an iPhone. If that’s acceptable you won’t need it. But if you are writing long papers or emails constantly than of course a keyboard will outshine the onscreen. Plus the keyboard shortcuts. Personally my mini is my out and about device, when needed. My MacBook is for real productivity.

 

[Rafterman]

Its a matter of choice, but I always saw the whole point of the Mini as a small, light portable iPad. That's why you get it. Yet people insist on clamping on all this stuff that make sit huge - keyboards, armor cases, etc. I would just get an Apple keybord that you could use, on the rare occasion you need a keyboard, and leavw the iPad free and light, like it was meant to be.

 

[EugW]

Having the Apple Smart Keyboard has transformed the usability of my iPad Pro 10.5. It’s a (18 mm key spaced) full-size keyboard that doubles as a cover, and there is no Bluetooth to worry about.

However, when I had the iPad Air 2, I never used the two Bluetooth keyboard cases I had, nor did I use my Bluetooth Magic Keyboard. The keyboard cases were too small for comfortable typing, and it was too annoying to carry the Magic Keyboard around.

For a mini, I wouldn’t bother with an external keyboard unless it’s mission critical for what you’ll be doing on the road. In my case, before I had the iPad Pro 10.5, for mission critical stuff on the road I’d bring my MacBook. Same goes today, but there is more and more stuff that can be handled with the iPad Pro 10.5 with Apple Smart Keyboard.

 

[UbuntuFu]

Don't bother with another keyboard.

When I need to input words on my iPad mini 5 I find that the voice dictation works really well.

 

[ssledoux]

I have a Mini 4 (externally identical to the 5) that I use with only a smart cover. The combo is super thin and super light. I found a good deal on a Zagg keyboard case so I picked it up to use the Mini as a mini netbook of sorts. This obviously bulks it up, and the keyboard is a bit cramped, but it is a pick-up-and-go solution and works surprisingly well. As with any non-fullsize keyboard, some muscle memory adjustments need to be made for touch typists.

The downsides are that, it is very difficult to remove the iPad from the keyboard case, and if you don't have small hands/fingers, swiping up from the bottom of the screen can be difficult because of how the keyboard cover hinge works.

When I don't need to have everything self-contained, I use the Mini with a smart cover and the Logitech keys to go keyboard. The combo is thinner and lighter than with the Zagg, I have the flexibility of placing the keyboard separate from the Mini for situations where that makes sense, and the Mini is still usable by itself (no wrestling with a keyboard case to remove the Mini).

Does the keys to go keyboard come with a piece to stand the mini up in? This is one of the two options I’m looking at. I FINALLY got my mini!

I don’t need it to have a keyboard attached most of the time, but I need something for whenI have to go out to meetings again, whenever that may be.

Looking at Brydge and keys to go. I like the Brydge for meetings because it would be contained, but idk about typing on it all the time. Amazon has an option that is similar to the Brydge for about 1/4 of the price, but I’m a little nervous because one review said it cracked her mini screen where it clips in, although it has a LOT of positive reviews.

I always appreciate your input.
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Its a matter of choice, but I always saw the whole point of the Mini as a small, light portable iPad. That's why you get it. Yet people insist on clamping on all this stuff that make sit huge - keyboards, armor cases, etc. I would just get an Apple keybord that you could use, on the rare occasion you need a keyboard, and leavw the iPad free and light, like it was meant to be.

Struggling with this myself. I don’t want a keyboard that stays on. I need something I can put the mini in and out of relatively easily. However, I do need something for when I take my mini to meetings and stuff.

Can I use my keyboard from my iMac with my mini? As in can I have it connected to both?

 

[sracer]

Does the keys to go keyboard come with a piece to stand the mini up in? This is one of the two options I’m looking at. I FINALLY got my mini!

I don’t need it to have a keyboard attached most of the time, but I need something for whenI have to go out to meetings again, whenever that may be.

Looking at Brydge and keys to go. I like the Brydge for meetings because it would be contained, but idk about typing on it all the time. Amazon has an option that is similar to the Brydge for about 1/4 of the price, but I’m a little nervous because one review said it cracked her mini screen where it clips in, although it has a LOT of positive reviews.

I always appreciate your input.

Congratulations! I knew you'd get one... eventually.
In the retail package, yes, the Keys-to-Go comes with a mini stand. The one that I bought didn't (but it was 1/2 MSRP). I find that the foldable stands at the dollar store are just as good.

Regarding the Brydge... RUN... RUN away from that! Yes, there are a lot of positive reviews but I never liked the clamping mechanism. It really isn't designed to be attached and removed with great frequency.

IMO, the lightest, most portable solution is the Mini with a smart cover and keys-to-go case. I fold the smartcover to stand the mini up and the keyboard is ready to go.

After holding out for so long, I am ready to get a 256GB Mini 5. They're $100 off at Best Buy, and with decent trade-in values for the Mini 4 and 6th gen iPad, I was going to trade them in for the Mini 5... but because of the quarantine, BB isn't doing walk-in trade-ins. So I wait.

 

[ssledoux]

Congratulations! I knew you'd get one... eventually.
In the retail package, yes, the Keys-to-Go comes with a mini stand. The one that I bought didn't (but it was 1/2 MSRP). I find that the foldable stands at the dollar store are just as good.

Regarding the Brydge... RUN... RUN away from that! Yes, there are a lot of positive reviews but I never liked the clamping mechanism. It really isn't designed to be attached and removed with great frequency.

IMO, the lightest, most portable solution is the Mini with a smart cover and keys-to-go case. I fold the smartcover to stand the mini up and the keyboard is ready to go.

After holding out for so long, I am ready to get a 256GB Mini 5. They're $100 off at Best Buy, and with decent trade-in values for the Mini 4 and 6th gen iPad, I was going to trade them in for the Mini 5... but because of the quarantine, BB isn't doing walk-in trade-ins. So I wait.

I'm thinking I won't even have that - just considering a super lightweight cover for the back, and a glass protector on front. I do love the look of the keys to go, but if I'm gonna have something separate, for as little as I would need to take it out in public, I could just grab something for $15 off Amazon too. The only issue then is having to have a separate stand and having to tote ALL those things if I have a meeting, but that's pretty rare actually.

That's why I was wondering if I could just use my keyboard from my iMac - is that an option? Can I sync it to more than one device?

 

[sracer]

I'm thinking I won't even have that - just considering a super lightweight cover for the back, and a glass protector on front. I do love the look of the keys to go, but if I'm gonna have something separate, for as little as I would need to take it out in public, I could just grab something for $15 off Amazon too. The only issue then is having to have a separate stand and having to tote ALL those things if I have a meeting, but that's pretty rare actually.

That's why I was wondering if I could just use my keyboard from my iMac - is that an option? Can I sync it to more than one device?

It's an option but you'd have to re-sync each device. I use the Logitech K380 keyboard when I want to use multiple devices. It can sync to 3 devices simultaneously. I can switch between my Android smartphone, iPad, and Windows desktop (or iMac). It's very handy.

...and because my smartphone (Galaxy A20) is so large, I'll often go out to meetings (when I could go out) with nothing more than my phone and pocket-able bluetooth keyboard. Since Android has full and proper support for mice, I also grab a BT mouse to use with it. It's pretty neat to have my phone, keyboard, and mouse out on the conference room table and cast it to the large screen for presentation and collaborate work sessions.

 

[ejin222]

Back when the Mini 2 came out, I used that in a clamshell keyboard case. It was my only iPad at the time. I found that I used that as a dedicated landscape device and though the keys were cramped, I got used to it fairly quickly.

Now that I have a Mini 5, I keep it in a smart cover case and do not type in it. If the Mini was my only iPad, I would definitely consider a separate keyboard. Maybe my use case has changed a lot, or perhaps it's knowing I have a larger iPad that accommodates a full sized keyboard, but in any case, I do not want to go back to a small, cramped keyboard made to fit the Mini's size. In my opinion, purchase a separate keyboard and enjoy the Mini as a handheld device~

 

[EugW]

I can’t get used to the key spacing (17 mm) on a Zagg keyboard for a 9.7” iPad Air, much less on a mini. It’s fine for my petite 7 year old kid though.

This is not a surprise though, since recommended ergonomic key spacing in the US according to guidelines is between 18 and 19 mm.

Not surprisingly, the 12.9” iPad Pro keyboards are 19 mm, and the 11/10.5/10.2” iPad keyboards (Apple and Apple co-designed Logitech Keyboard) are 18 mm.

 

[ssledoux]

I have a Mini 4 (externally identical to the 5) that I use with only a smart cover. The combo is super thin and super light. I found a good deal on a Zagg keyboard case so I picked it up to use the Mini as a mini netbook of sorts. This obviously bulks it up, and the keyboard is a bit cramped, but it is a pick-up-and-go solution and works surprisingly well. As with any non-fullsize keyboard, some muscle memory adjustments need to be made for touch typists.

The downsides are that, it is very difficult to remove the iPad from the keyboard case, and if you don't have small hands/fingers, swiping up from the bottom of the screen can be difficult because of how the keyboard cover hinge works.

When I don't need to have everything self-contained, I use the Mini with a smart cover and the Logitech keys to go keyboard. The combo is thinner and lighter than with the Zagg, I have the flexibility of placing the keyboard separate from the Mini for situations where that makes sense, and the Mini is still usable by itself (no wrestling with a keyboard case to remove the Mini).

Which Zagg keyboard case was that? Someone recommended the rugged, but that looks too bulky. I want one that detaches easily, so the keyboard part being a little bulky wouldn't be a problem - I just don't want a bulky back case on the mini.

 

[sracer]

Which Zagg keyboard case was that? Someone recommended the rugged, but that looks too bulky. I want one that detaches easily, so the keyboard part being a little bulky wouldn't be a problem - I just don't want a bulky back case on the mini.

You don't want that. As I mentioned, it is very difficult to remove the Mini from that keyboard case. But if you are still interested, here's a video (not mine) about it (the narrator describes a few problems, but mine works great)

 

[ssledoux]

You don't want that. As I mentioned, it is very difficult to remove the Mini from that keyboard case. But if you are still interested, here's a video (not mine) about it (the narrator describes a few problems, but mine works great)

Thanks! Doesn’t look like you can remove the mini from that and keep the back case on. If you can, the case still looks bulky. I may just look for a stand and use the $12 Bluetooth keyboard I have, at least for now.

 

[sracer]

Thanks! Doesn’t look like you can remove the mini from that and keep the back case on. If you can, the case still looks bulky. I may just look for a stand and use the $12 Bluetooth keyboard I have, at least for now.

The case isn't bulky. But you are correct. You can't remove the Mini and keep the back case on. Your idea is the best of what is out there... I believe that Logitech made a keyboard COVER (not a case) for it... I'll have to poke around.

 

[okieoutwest]

The on-screen keyboard is fine, if cramped, if you want to tap out a grocery list, or a very quick note via email or text. If relying on writing on the iPad mini for more than a paragraph, definitely highly recommend getting some kind of external keyboard.

Because I didn't want to *always* have the keyboard attached, and I knew I'd have plenty of advance warning for when I did want to have it available, I went with a Magic Keyboard and one of these Fintie cases:

Fintie Carry Case Compatible with Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID (MK293LL/A) & Magic Keyboard (MLA22LL/A, MK2A3LL/A) - Slim Stand Cover Working with iPhone, iPad, iPad Pro/Air/Mini & iMac, Black

Fintie Carry Case Compatible with Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID (MK293LL/A) & Magic Keyboard (MLA22LL/A, MK2A3LL/A) - Slim Stand Cover Working with iPhone, iPad, iPad Pro/Air/Mini & iMac, Black

www.amazon.com

I also looked at this Studio Neat case, and ultimately chose the Fintie for no real reason besides price vs. how much I really thought I'd use it with a keyboard:

Canopy - A Keyboard case and iPad Stand for The Apple Magic Keyboard

Canopy is a case for your Apple Magic Keyboard that folds open to create a stand for your iPad or iPhone. Now you can use a full size, honest-to-god keyboard with your device. We were fastidious about finding the thinnest and lightest materials, so Canopy is easy to slip into your bag, yet still ...

www.amazon.com

It's worked out great - when I want to take a keyboard, I take it, and when I don't, it sits at home, protected and ready to go.

It lives in a case like this - although the one I bought is no longer listed on Amazon. I can't recommend the combination enough.

TineeOwl iPad Mini 5/4 Ultra Slim Clear Case, Flexible TPU, Absorbs Shock, Lightweight, Thin (Black)

TineeOwl iPad Mini 5/4 Ultra Slim Clear Case, Flexible TPU, Absorbs Shock, Lightweight, Thin (Black)

www.amazon.com

 

[ssledoux]

I really like that Finite magic keyboard case - great idea! I just really don't want to buy an Apple Magic Keyboard when I already have one for my iMac. I wish I could use the darn keyboard with both more easily.
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The case isn't bulky. But you are correct. You can't remove the Mini and keep the back case on. Your idea is the best of what is out there... I believe that Logitech made a keyboard COVER (not a case) for it... I'll have to poke around.

I think I did see a keyboard cover on Amazon, but that just adds more bulk than I'd like to have on there when I'm ready and stuff. I can't find a back case that's super light/slim. I almost just want a skin or something - maybe that's what I need to look for. It's more about scratches than getting damaged - I'm very careful, and if my grandkids are here, I put it up.

 

[sracer]

I really like that Finite magic keyboard case - great idea! I just really don't want to buy an Apple Magic Keyboard when I already have one for my iMac. I wish I could use the darn keyboard with both more easily.

I highly recommend that Fintie keyboard case. I have the version for the 1st gen keyboard ("barrel edge that uses AA batteries. I don't know if it is called "Magic"). This keyboard case is a redesign of the Origami case which used velcro. I had that too and was frustrated by the velcro detaching from the case, even after using gorilla glue. These new keyboard cases use magnets and they work great.

I think I did see a keyboard cover on Amazon, but that just adds more bulk than I'd like to have on there when I'm ready and stuff. I can't find a back case that's super light/slim. I almost just want a skin or something - maybe that's what I need to look for. It's more about scratches than getting damaged - I'm very careful, and if my grandkids are here, I put it up.

A skin is the way to go, IMO. I use clear Con-Tact paper... super cheap, super durable, and doesn't leave any residue when removed.

 

[ssledoux]

I highly recommend that Fintie keyboard case. I have the version for the 1st gen keyboard ("barrel edge that uses AA batteries. I don't know if it is called "Magic"). This keyboard case is a redesign of the Origami case which used velcro. I had that too and was frustrated by the velcro detaching from the case, even after using gorilla glue. These new keyboard cases use magnets and they work great.


A skin is the way to go, IMO. I use clear Con-Tact paper... super cheap, super durable, and doesn't leave any residue when removed.

The case does look great, but I just don't know about picking up another magic keyboard. I can get a similar bluetooth one for a fraction of the cost, unless maybe I find a good priced used one.

I remembered you mentioning that in the past about the contact paper, and am thinking that might be exactly what I do!