These days I tend to find that I’m using my iPad Mini while I’m out and about rather than my Macbook Air. The Mini is not that bigger than my Kindle Paperwhite, and is a good all rounder when it comes to applications.
Now that Word, Excel, Powerpoint, and OneNote are all available for iPad, the need to be able to type properly – or at least faster -has become a priority for me.
So I’ve used some work gadget pounds (one of the many, many perks of working for my employers) to buy a keyboard/cover for my iPad which provides me with a proper tactile keyboard. The keyboard links to the iPad via a Bluetooth connection.
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The Logitech Keyboard Folio Mini (~£67 from Amazon UK) is a very nice package which protects the iPad whilst providing a stand and keyboard to allow the user to type properly.
Well, that’s the theory at least.
The Keyboard Folio Mini’s biggest problem is that because the Mini is, well, mini – typing is a rather strange affair at first. The A key (shown above) is where the caps key resides. Because of the size, many keys double for others. This keyboard is much smaller than Apple’s wireless Bluetooth keyboard. So it’s going to take some time to get used to this dinky little beast.
Pairing the keyboard with the iPad was a cinch – absolutely no problems at all. As the device uses Bluetooth there are no wires to get in the way (the photo above shows the keyboard charging via micro-USB cable).
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The biggest problem now is that one has to carry two charging cables – one of the keyboard, the other for the iPad Mini itself. But if you’re not using the keyboard, it can be switched off and tucked away behind the Folio’s cover.
The weight of the keyboard certainly does increase the weight of the iPad, but it weighs not much more than an average hardback book. It doesn’t pose any problems with using it as a reading device in my opinion – but some people may not like the additional weight or size.
I’ll present a proper review once I’ve had a chance to use it in the field, but I’m certainly happy with it so far.
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