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Topic: Tablets

9 best iPad keyboards (hands on): March 2013

Summary: The question I get asked most frequently is, "what keyboard do you like for the iPad?" This collection is bound to have an iPad keyboard for everyone. I have even covered two keyboards for the iPad mini.

James Kendrick

By for Mobile News |

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(Image: James Kendrick/ZDNet)

9 good keyboards for the iPad (March 2013), including bonus iPad mini model

It seems there is a keyboard released for the iPad every few weeks, and figuring out which one might work best is almost as hard as finding a good app in the App Store.

This collection of iPad keyboards is unique in that with the exception of one, they all have been used by me. I own all of them, except two that were supplied for evaluation by the manufacturer. I have used all but one of these keyboards extensively in my work, and I have a good feel for which ones are best for me.

All of the keyboards in this collection are shown closed for thinness and open for business. With the one exception mentioned, all of the keyboards charge via microUSB and will last for months on a charge. A microUSB to USB charging cable is included with these keyboards. They all connect to the iPad via Bluetooth.

In addition to the eight good iPad keyboards, there is a bonus for iPad mini owners. Three keyboards for the iPad mini are also covered in this collection.

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Topics: Tablets, Apple, iPad, Mobility

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22 comments
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  • Best iPad keyboards (hands on): March 2013

    Nothing like a iPad keyboard ccompared to that crapy one used in Surface RT..................
    Over and Out
    Reply Vote

    • your view

      And of course you own a Surface and you've been using it for a while. You must considering the fact that you have an informed opinion about it.

      Get a life and stop trolling
      gbouchard99@...
      Reply 2 Votes

      • He's upset that he needs to carry all that extra hardware around

        as opposed to the Surface.

        I'm guessing the guy at Starbucks the other day was him, He pulled out his iPad, took the cover off and was looking for a place to put it out of the way, then pulled a stand from his bag from his bag and put the iPad on that, then pulled out a keyboard, removed it from it's carrying case, put that in front and then had to sync them up, then put the covers and whatnot into his bag, then had to find someplace to put the bag.

        All the while the guy next to him pulled out his Surface, opened the built in stand, and flipped down the cover into a keyboard.

        I guess "Another View" was jealous at that point, so he came here to vent, as he had like 007 other steps and hardware pieces he had to assemble before he could even turn the thing on, and his hot chocolate got cold, which is just as well as he spilled it trying to clear room for his Frankenstein hardware solution.
        William Farrel
        Reply 3 Votes

        • No stand required

          I pull my iPad out of the bag, open the one piece case/iPad (which turns on the iPad), and I'm working. One piece in the case.
          JamesKendrick
          Reply Vote

          • Glad to meet you Another View == JamesKendrick

            n/t
            Ram U
            Reply 2 Votes

          • Run with it, James

            Obviously, you've never followed the posts of Another View and his numerous "friends" (tongue in cheek) You gotta' run with it, and have some fun at his expense.

            It's what he's craving.
            William Farrel
            Reply 1 Vote

          • Do none of you have homes?

            What are you all doing in Startbucks all the time?

            It`s full of people showing off their tech ;)
            Boothy_p
            Reply 1 Vote

  • Best iPad keyboards (hands on): March 2013

    Nothing like a iPad keyboard ccompared to that crapy one used in Surface RT..................
    Over and Out
    Reply Vote

    • I imagine you'll be posting like 007 times on this blog?

      Just a hunch...
      William Farrel
      Reply 2 Votes

  • 7 good keyboards for the iPad (March 2013) including bonus iPad mini model

    Nothing like a iPad keyboard ccompared to that useless one used in Surface RT..................
    Over and Out
    Reply Vote

    • You do know

      That you can buy the surface without a keyboard and add your own after market one.
      Failed argument!
      martin_js
      Reply 3 Votes

    • Besides, if you wanted an honest comparison

      You'd compare the factory fitted surface keyboard with the factory fitted iPad keyboard.
      Oh wait! You can't!

      (disclosure) I don't own and am not interested at this stage in buying a Surface.
      martin_js
      Reply 2 Votes

  • Please Exit Stage Right

    Apple fanboys just never get enough, do they. Three strikes and you are out. (In case this gets edited - Exit Stage Right posted the same thing three times: "Nothing like a (sic) iPad keyboard ccompared (sic) to that useless one used on Surface RT..............)
    dksmidtx
    Reply 3 Votes

  • Perhaps

    He may be using one of those dreadful Surface keyboards he was trying to refer to.... So, perhaps he's actually one of those MS junkies who is addicted to sub-par products.

    On a serious note though, all the keyboards shown seem to defeat the purpose of having a tablet since they are relatively integrated with the cases.... And then, you are looking at paying an additional $100 for the keyboard as well.
    tomxfoolery
    Reply Vote

  • Profanity flag???

    Ok... that's a first. Was flagged for moderator review due to profanity. God only knows what normal reference to keyboards is considered "profane" by ZDNet.
    RaulYbarra
    Reply Vote

  • Mine works with Droid also.

    Happy surprise"
    The Bluetooth keyboard that I bought for my ipad also works just as well on
    my Samsung Galaxy tab.
    Surprise 2, a Compaq travel mouse also works ( with a USB adapter ).
    This plus a 32G sd card ( Galaxy ) makes for a decent light weight mobile office.
    bhaskins@...
    Reply Vote

  • My favorite keyboard is the one that falls apart....

    Oh wait that's Surface ReTard, not iPad.
    toddbottom7
    Reply Vote

    • Oh, so witty. I see your fear of MS is increasing

      But we do so enjoy watching you squirm!

      You probably had your Twinkies rigged with a Ballmer Alarm to make sure he didn't sneak in at night and take them from your blanket castle.
      William Farrel
      Reply 2 Votes

  • So consumers who bought iPads have lots of keyboard options

    A good thing.

    Now bring on all the comments from the regular Microsoft fanboys (and Apple "haters") about how much the iPad "sucks", how it's just a "toy" etc.

    And I will add this: An iPad might not be the best tablet choice for everybody. People are different, with different needs.
    Smalahove
    Reply 1 Vote

  • Yet another iPad Keyboard Submission from Kendrick

    What, is this the 6th iPad Keyboard article of 2013 already? Geeze Louise find another topic already Mr. Kendrick. All with the deceptive photo angle that makes an iPad keyboard appear AS IF it's wider than it is. Always focusing on what you love about them while avoiding the obvious short falls. Ill make you a fair warning deal, You be honest about them so I won't have to take you to task for not doing it.
    greywolf3
    Reply 1 Vote
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