5 best iPad mini keyboards

5 best keyboards for the iPad mini

The small size of the iPad mini isn't particularly suited for use with keyboards, especially those that form cases for the tablet. The width of the tablet means keyboards must be quite undersized, resulting in such narrow keyboards that good typists should be frustrated.

Several accessory makers have come up with unique designs that provide surprisingly good experiences for touch typists. These use nearly full-sized keys on small keyboards that fit the iPad mini nicely.

This collection of 5 keyboard cases for the iPad mini are the best choices available at the time of this writing. The writer has used all but one of them to type tens of thousands of words without problems. The last keyboard in this selection has not been used personally but was recommended by numerous readers and thus is included here.

FastFit Keyboard Case Review

Belkin FastFit Keyboard Case review: Small keys for big fingers 

The small form of the iPad mini doesn't seem it would be well-suited for use with a keyboard, but accessory makers have proven that's not the case. Belkin has produced a new case for the iPad mini that might be a good fit for those with small hands.

The Belkin FastFit Keyboard Case is the thinnest keyboard case and at only 7mm thick it is even thinner than the svelte iPad mini. It is not a case that completely covers the tablet so if that's important to you look for a folio style case. The FastFit is a single piece that forms a cover to protect the iPad mini screen when clipped into place. The whole assembly forms one of the thinnest and lightest units for transport.

See also: 5 best iPad mini keyboard cases | Galaxy Note 8.0: Still the best small tablet | Two keyboard cases for iPad mini change the game

The iPad mini detaches from the cover and is placed in a magnetic slot for typing. It only supports one viewing angle but it is easy to see the tablet screen. While the tablet attaches in the slot magnetically, it isn't strong enough to safely carry the assembly by grabbing the top of the iPad. The keyboard often fell off in our testing.

The FastFit has a unique magnetic hinge that makes it simple to attach to the iPad mini for closing. Just bring the edge of the tablet near the hinge and it raises up and attaches itself. The assembly is then closed like a book. Since the FastFit only covers the screen the back of the iPad mini is exposed. Like most covers for the iPad mini, the FastFit turns the iPad mini on/off by opening/closing the cover.

Typing experience

FastFit closeup. Note odd placement of some punctuation keys.

The typing experience of a keyboard case is just as important as the case function, maybe more so. OEMs producing other keyboards for the iPad mini have taken a design approach that makes commonly used keys almost as big as a full-size keyboard, with other keys smaller. This yields a decent typing experience for touch typists.

L-R: FastFit, ZAGGkeys Cover -- Image credit: James Kendrick/ZDNet

Due to having to place the tablet in a slot away from the back of the cover, Belkin must have a smaller keyboard area than some competitor's models (see comparison above). The result is that most of the keys are very small, with some oversized keys, such as the Enter and two Shift keys. While it is nice to have these easy-to-hit big keys, the rest of the keys are too small for those of us with big hands.

Another concession Belkin had to make due to the small keyboard area is to move common punctuation keys to strange locations. Touch typing is greatly impeded due to stopping to look for those keys.

While writing this review on the FastFit, I found myself constantly wishing I was using my favorite keyboard, the ZAGGkeys Cover. I create typos on the FastFit too often to get going at a fast clip as a result of the small keys. This would likely not be the case for those with smaller hands.

The FastFit Keyboard Case connects to the iPad mini via Bluetooth, and pairing it the first time is accomplished by hitting the Pair key on the keyboard and then connecting the iPad mini in Settings. This pairing key should have been located on the side edge of the keyboard with other controls rather than waste a key that is seldom used. There is a power switch on the side of the keyboard, along with a microUSB port for charging with the included cable. Belkin claims 40 hours of use on a charge.

Conclusion

Those wanting a keyboard for the iPad mini that also functions as a case won't find one thinner and lighter than the Belkin FastFit Keyboard Case. It is easy to use and easy to pack up for transport when it's time to move. The keyboard is smaller than the competition and harder to use for those with big fingers.

The FastFit is available from Belkin for $79.99, and you may find it cheaper from other online retailers. When the little box arrives you may not believe there is a full keyboard in there, but rest assured it really is that small.

Top 10 Weirdest Keyboards

Top 10 Weirdest Keyboards ever

Keyboards come in many shapes - from the simplest computer grey $9.99 standard 102-key keyboard to variants that seem to come straight out of a Star Trek episode. Here's our Top 10 list of the weirdest keyboards ever.

10. Roll-up keyboard This keyboard has the same measurements as a standard 102-key keyboard, but there's a big difference. You can roll this one up and put it in your pocket. Nice.

9. The wrist keyboard This one might be useful if you're in the need to type stuff while doing practical work in tough climates - but if you would wear this keyboard at the office, you might be considered a bit geeky.

8. Maltron 3D Ergonomic Keyboard Things are starting to get a bit more weird, ey? Getting used to this keyboard isn't something you'll do in 10 minutes or so - it will take a while for sure. But if you have medical problems with your hands, this might be a good choice since it's a very ergonomic keyboard. It looks very weird though!

7. The SafeType keyboard Just take a look at this one. Do you understand how to use it? The idea is that your hands and arms shall be in a more relaxed position while working with the SafeType compared to a traditional keyboard.

6. Virtual Laser Keyboard Wow, it's heating up, don't you agree? This is more cool than weird though. This laser gadget projects a virtual keyboard on a table or other suitable material, and then interpret your finger movement and pass them on to your PDA or whatever you have it connected to. Cool.

5. The frogpad The frogpad is a tiny, tiny keyboard - or it would be more suitable to call it a keypad actually. The manufacturer say that you can get up to 40 words per minute if you practice between 6 to 10 hours with it. Any idea why they are calling it a frogpad?

4. The Twiddler 2 What do you say about the Twiddler 2? It looks to be quite painful to use, or what do you think? According to the testimonials at their site, it will take you 'a weekend' to learn typing 30 words per minute, so the frogpad wins that round.

3. The Orbitouch This one could be a leftover from Area 51, or a prop from the set of any science fiction movie. Wonder how it works? Here's what the manufacturer say: "The orbiTouch creates a keystroke when you slide the two domes into one of their eight respective positions. You type the different characters by sliding the domes to create letters and numbers. The orbiTouch also has an integrated mouse, so moving the domes gives you full mouse and keyboard capability!" The target group for this keyboard is of course people who have limited or no motion in their fingers or hands, and that's a very good thing - but anyway, it's a weird keyboard.

2. The Datahand This product is aimed for people who get pain in their hands from typing with a traditional keyboard - and that's a good thing. It's still looks like a very strange keyboard. Everytime I see this one I think of the movie Predator with Arnold Schwarzenegger, don't know why. I love this one - the keyboard, not the movie.

1. The Tidy Tippist Isn't this one lovely? The keyboard is hidden inside a decorative, washable tablecloth. The electronic is woven into a fabric, which finds itself between layers of water resistant felt as sandwich material. The soft felt surface makes it a pleasure for fingers to tip - a cosy keyboard. Awesome, hehe.

AZiO Wireless RF Multimedia Keyboard

Pros: Designated browser quick keys. Low battery indicator. Up to 100 feet of 2.4GHz wireless connectivity. Comes with built-in multitouch trackpad.

Cons : Undersized Shift key. Unattractive design. Resistant mouse buttons. Glossy, black plastic attracts smudges. No storage place for USB dongle.

Bottom Line : If you're looking for a quick and easy keyboard solution for your home theater PC, then the AZiO Wireless RF Multimedia Keyboard with Trackpad will suit your needs.

The AZiO Wireless RF Multimedia Keyboard with Trackpad (KBP336RP) ($69.99 list) is absolute for bound to quick and bedraggled couch-surfing on your home amphitheater PC. For annihilation but that, you can do bigger with addition keyboard.

The KBP336RP's anatomy measures in at 15.8 by 7.5 by 1 inches (HWD) and weighs about 1.7 pounds. The anatomy is covered in bright atramentous artificial admiring its fair allotment of fingerprints and smudges. Hoping to action that issue, AZiO put in a glassy aluminum approach blow to advice accumulate the smudges to a minimum. The approach blow is brushed to attending like atramentous decrepit wood—a nice blow to an contrarily addled design.

On top of the keyboard sit seven media buttons that can brace a page, accompany up a attending on your computer, go aback and advanced in your browser, alarm up your e-mail, go to your appointed homepage, and assuredly aphasiac your sound. These quick keys are absolutely advantageous for anyone attractive to use this with their home amphitheater PC setup. But I catechism why there aren't any appointed aggregate buttons. In comparison, the Logitech MK700 keyboard came with a play/pause, advanced and aback media buttons, and the appointed audio acclimation buttons. Rather than accept these appointed buttons, these playback and audio controls are represented in the action keys.

Off to the appropriate ancillary of the keyboard is the multitouch trackpad, which acquainted bland and was accessible to cross with. The abrasion buttons were a little added aggressive than I would accept liked, but application the one blow columnist adjustment on the trackpad is an accessible antidote to aphasiac the issue.

The keyboard is in the acceptable style, and the keys accept a cheap, matte artificial attending and feel to them. The all-embracing blueprint of the keyboard additionally confuses me: The Enter key is oversized, the advanced carve key has been confused to the appropriate ancillary of the Up Arrow key. Also, the appropriate Shift key is bisected the admeasurement of a accustomed Shift key and sits abutting to the Up Arrow key—needless to say there were abounding times my pinky overextended itself and hit the Up Arrow key instead. Overall, the accomplished blueprint looks like a ailing advised design.

The AZiO Wireless RF Multimedia Keyboard with Trackpad uses a 2.4GHz wireless affiliation via USB dongle. The keyboard can break affiliated up to 100 feet, so home amphitheater enthusiasts or alike business presenters won't accept to anguish about accident a connection. Unfortunately, the AZiO keyboard lacks any abode to abundance the USB dongle, which is usually a accepted affection amid keyboards in this class.

For what AZiO is allurement for its Wireless RF Multimedia Keyboard with Trackpad, you can acquisition bigger keyboards with added features. If you're attractive for a keyboard set that can accord you comfort, a solid mousing experience, and an all-encompassing affection set, attending no added than the Logitech Wireless Desktop MK710 ($89.99 direct, 4.5 stars).

Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo

Why You Need a Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Combo

Whether you assignment in the technology industry, are a adamantine bulk gamer or artlessly adopt a minimalistic assignment space, a wireless keyboard and abrasion admixture is appropriate up your alley. No best will beefy cords ataxia up your workspace and accumulate you trapped at your desk. With the abandon of a wireless keyboard and abrasion admixture you can accoutrement your home appointment in your active room, angle up a computer to your 55” TV and run your business or boss newbs from the abundance of your couch. We’ve researched the best Bluetooth keyboard and abrasion combos and accept delineated the best appearance to attending for. Our favorites accommodate Logitech's Cordless Desktop MX 5500 Revolution, HP's Wireless Abundance keyboard and abrasion and Microsoft's Wireless Desktop 6000. We additionally accept accessories on wireless keyboard and abrasion combos to aid in your purchasing decision.

Wireless Keyboard and Abrasion Combos: What to Attending For

Some of the best wireless keyboard and abrasion combos we’ve advised accept arch keyboards and mice in one package. This is an important appropriate because, although the abandon of a wireless keyboard and abrasion admixture agency you aren’t trapped at your desk, one of the downsides of purchasing a keyboard and abrasion admixture is that as a array you can’t mix and bout elements. You may like the keyboard in one but the abrasion in another. Instead of annoying about bond and matching, back looking for the absolute keyboard and abrasion combo, attending for key elements in both the keyboard and the mouse, and you won’t be aghast with either.

Features

The best important affection in a cordless keyboard and abrasion admixture is the wireless ambit it offers. Don’t achieve for annihilation beneath than 30 anxiety during your search. The accomplished point of wireless technology is to acquiesce the user to accept a adaptable office, so those keyboards that avowal a ambit of 10 to 15 anxiety artlessly don’t cut it. For the keyboard, attending for customizable hot keys, a array akin indicator and one-touch admission controls. For the mouse, attending for an on/off about-face to save array ability or a rechargeable base.

Combos with the best keyboards, like Logitech’s Cordless Desktop MX 5500, accept a tiny LED awning that tells you the date and time, can comedy music and acquiesce you to admission the calculator appropriate on the keyboard. For the mouse, appearance like a snap-on receiver and laser technology should appear standard.

Design

Bulky, active keyboards with accompanying active mice are a affair of the past. Today, a keyboard with a thin, glassy exoteric can add to your avant-garde appointment décor. Spill attrition and impaired keys are additionally accustomed in the top keyboard and abrasion combos. For those who assignment at a computer all day every day, an ergonomic architecture is acute to advance the bloom of your easily and wrists. Attending for a wireless keyboard and abrasion admixture that has an adjustable keyboard with a approach blow and an ergonomic abrasion with a adequate fit. The best mice accept a annal caster amid the aboriginal and added buttons that allows for fast scrolling and click-to-click capabilities.

Help & Support

Plug-and-play functionality is a acute affection to attending for in a keyboard and abrasion combo. Installing added drivers or software is a footfall you don’t accept to accord with. The best keyboard and abrasion combos don’t crave annihilation added than a accessible USB anchorage and an antecedent accompany amid the computer, keyboard and mouse. The top combos are additionally accordant with a ambit of operating systems, acceptance the articles to absolutely be carriageable from computer to computer.

Wireless technology agency you can accept a aboriginal computer bureaucracy with the atomic bulk of cords possible. Gone are the canicule of actuality tethered to your computer by abrasion and keyboard. Experience the abandon of wireless with one of the top wireless keyboard and abrasion combos.

2012 Computer Keyboard

2012 Computer Keyboard latest and greatest

2012 Computer Keyboard latest and greatest - the latest information for your tech enthusiast has been present this latest and most sophisticated computer keyboard 2012 should you have because some of the features of the sophistication of the technology did not exist in ordinary keyboard.

2012 Computer Keyboard latest and greatest
Manufacturer   : Logitech - Logitech G15 Keyboard Name
Pros                : Software SDK allows extensive customization functions of the keyboard.
Disadvantages  : Keyboard game 2011 does not have some little extra, like a custom backgroundcolor.
Decision          : G15 is very balanced because it has all the key features that gamers use.

Computer Keyboard Logitech G15 Specifications 2012 the latest and greatest

General 
* Device Type Keyboard
* Form Factor External
* Localization Classic: U.S.

input Device 
* USB Interface
* Connectivity Technology Wired
* Buttons Qty 6
* Features Palm rest, LCD display
* Key / Button Function Multimedia, Programmable

Expansion / Connectivity 
* Expansion Slot (s) None
* Interfaces None
* Connections 1 x USB - 4 pin USB Type A

Miscellaneous 
* Cables Included 1 x USB cable
* Microsoft Certifications Works with Windows Vista

Software / System Requirements 
* Software Included Drivers & Utilities
* OS Required Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Windows Vista
* System Requirements Details Windows XP - RAM 256 MB - HD 20 MB, Windows Vista - RAM 256 MB - HD 20 MB

Manufacturer Warranty 
* Service & Support 1 year warranty
* Service & Support Details Limited warranty - 1 year

Cable (s) / Peripheral (s) 
* Cable (s) Included 1 USB cable

Interface (s) Required 
* Port (s) / Connector (s) Required 1 USB 4 pin USB Type A

interface Provided 
* Port (s) Total (Free) None

Warranty 
* Service / Support Details Limited warranty 1 year

Expansion Slot (s) 
* Slot (s) Provided None

keyboard key explanations

Computer keyboard key explanations

When talking to tech support or to other people about keyboard commands, web pages, and command line commands, you may hear such things as forward slash,backward slash / backslash, and caret. Many times this can be confusing for users unfamiliar with each of the symbols found on a keyboard. Below is a chart that can be used to quickly identify keyboard keys. Keep in mind that your keyboard may not have every key listed in this chart.

Symbol	Explanation
Windows	PC keyboards have a Windows key represented by a flag.
Command	Apple Mac computers have a command key.
F1 - F12	Information about the F1 through F12 keyboard keys.
Tab	Tab key
Caps lock	Caps lock key
Shift	Shift key
Ctrl	Ctrl key
Alt	Alt key (PC Only; Mac users have Option key)
Back Space	Back space key
Delete	Delete or Del key
Enter	Enter key
Prt Scrn	Print screen key
Scroll lock	Scroll lock key
Pause	Pause key
Break	Break key
Insert	Insert key
Home	Home key
Page up	Page up or pgup key
Page down	Page down or pgdn key
Num Lock	Num Lock key
~	Tilde
`	Acute, Back quote, grave, grave accent, left quote, open quote, or a push
!	Exclamation mark, Exclamation point, or Bang
@	At or At symbol
#	Octothorpe, Number, Pound, sharp, or Hash
£	Pounds Sterling or Pound symbol
€	Euro
$	Dollar sign
¢	Cent sign
¥	Japanese Yen
$	Generic currency
§	Micro
%	Percent
°	Degree
^	Caret or Circumflex
&	Ampersand or And
*	Asterisk and sometimes referred to as star.
(	Open parenthesis
)	Close parenthesis
-	Hyphen, Minus or Dash
_	Underscore
+	Plus
=	Equals
{	Open Brace
}	Close Brace
[	Open bracket
]	Close bracket
|	Pipe, Or, or Vertical bar
\	Backslash or Reverse Solidus
/	Forward slash, Solidus, Virgule, or Whack
§	Section
:	Colon
;	Semicolon
"	Quote, Quotation mark, or Inverted commas
'	Apostrophe or Single Quote
<	Less Than or Angle brackets
>	Greater Than or Angle brackets
,	Comma
.	Period, dot or Full Stop
?	Question Mark

Mozilla Firefox shortcut keys

Below is a listing of all the major shortcut keys in Mozilla Firefox. See the computer shortcut page if you are looking for other shortcut keys used in other programs.

Shortcut Keys	Description
Alt + Home	Go to home page.
Alt + Left Arrow	Back a page.
Backspace	Back a page.
Alt + Right Arrow	Forward a page.
F5	Refresh current page, frame, or tab.
F11	Display the current website in full screen mode. Pressing F11 again will exit this mode.
Esc	Stop page or download from loading.
Ctrl + (- or +)	Increase or decrease the font size, pressing '-' will decrease and '+' will increase.
Ctrl + Enter	Quickly complete an address. For example, type computerhope in the address bar and press CTRL + ENTER to get http://www.computerhope.com.
Shift + Enter	Complete a .net instead of a .com address.
Ctrl + Shift + Enter	Complete a .org address.
Ctrl + Shift + Del	Open the Clear Data window to quickly clear private data.
Ctrl + D	Add a bookmark for the page currently opened.
Ctrl + I	Display available bookmarks.
Ctrl + J	Display the download window.
Ctrl + N	Open New browser window.
Ctrl + P	Print current page / frame.
Ctrl + T	Opens a new tab.
Ctrl + F4 or Ctrl + W	Closes the currently selected tab.
Ctrl + Shift + T	Undo the close of a window.
Ctrl + Tab	Moves through each of the open tabs.
Spacebar	Moves down a page at a time.
Shift + Spacebar	Moves up a page at a time.
Alt + Down arrow	Display all previous text entered in a text box and available options on drop down menu.

Microsoft Outlook shortcut keys

Below is a listing of all the major shortcut keys in Microsoft Outlook. See the computer shortcut page if you are looking for other shortcut keys used in other programs.

Shortcut Keys	Description
Alt + S	Send the e-mail
Ctrl + Enter	Send the e-mail you're composing.
Ctrl + C	Copy selected text.
Ctrl + X	Cut selected text.
Ctrl + P	Print selected text.
Ctrl + K	Complete the name or e-mail being typed in the e-mail address bar.
Ctrl + B	Bold highlighted selection
Ctrl + I	Italic highlighted selection
Ctrl + M	Send and receive all
Ctrl + U	Underline highlighted selection
Ctrl + R	Reply to an e-mail.
Ctrl + F	Forward an e-mail.
Ctrl + N	Create a new e-mail.
Ctrl + Y	Go to folder.
Ctrl + Shift + A	Create a new appointment to your calendar.
Ctrl + Shift + O	Open the Outbox.
Ctrl + Shift + I	Open the Inbox.
Ctrl + Shift + K	Add a new task.
Ctrl + Shift + C	Create a new contact.
Ctrl + Shift + J	Create a new journal entry.
Ctrl + Shift + V	Move folder.

Microsoft FrontPage shortcut keys

Below is a listing of all the major shortcut keys in Microsoft FrontPage. See thecomputer shortcut page if you are looking for other shortcut keys used in other programs.

Shortcut Keys	Description
Ctrl + C	Copy selected text.
Ctrl + X	Cut selected text.
Ctrl + P	Paste selected text.
Ctrl + K	Create a hyperlink.
Ctrl + B	Bold highlighted selection.
Ctrl + I	Italic highlighted selection.
Ctrl + U	Underline highlighted selection.
Ctrl + L	Left align the text.
Ctrl + R	Right align the text.
Ctrl + E	Center the text.
Ctrl + /	Turn on or off the display of HTML tags.
Ctrl + S	Save document.
Ctrl + Tab	Switch between open web pages.
Ctrl + Ins	Enter Line break.
Ctrl + Enter	Move cursor above or below a table.
Ctrl + Shift + B	Preview in web browser window.
Ctrl + Shift + <	Decrease font size.
Ctrl + Shift + >	Increase font size.
Ctrl + Del	Deletes word to right of cursor.
Ctrl + Backspace	Deletes word to left of cursor.
Alt + mousedouble-click	View the properties of a selected item. For example, doing this on a table cell would display the properties for that cell.

Internet Explorer shortcut keys

Below is a listing of all the major shortcut keys in Microsoft Internet Explorer. See thecomputer shortcut page if you are looking for other shortcut keys used in other programs.

Shortcut Keys	Description
Alt + Left Arrow	Back a page.
Backspace	Back a page.
Alt + Right Arrow	Forward a page.
F5	Refresh current page, frame, or tab.
F11	Display the current website in full screen mode. Pressing F11 again will exit this mode.
Esc	Stop page or download from loading.
Ctrl + (- or +)	Increase or decrease the font size, pressing '-' will decrease and '+' will increase.
Ctrl + Enter	Quickly complete an address. For example, type computerhope in the address bar and press CTRL + ENTER to get http://www.computerhope.com.
Ctrl + D	Add a Favorite for the page currently opened.
Ctrl + I	Display available bookmarks.
Ctrl + N	Open New browser window.
Ctrl + P	Print current page / frame.
Ctrl + T	Opens a new tab.
Ctrl + F4	Closes the currently selected tab.
Ctrl + Tab	Moves through each of the open tabs.
Spacebar	Moves down a page at a time.
Shift + Spacebar	Moves up a page at a time.
Alt + Down arrow	Display all previous text entered in a text box or available options on drop down menu.
Alt + D	Highlights the text in the address bar

Microsoft Excel shortcut keys

Below is a listing of all the major shortcut keys in Microsoft Excel. See the computer shortcut page if you are looking for other shortcut keys used in other programs.

Shortcut Keys	Description
F2	Edit the selected cell.
F5	Go to a specific cell. For example, C6.
F7	Spell check selected text or document.
F11	Create chart.
Ctrl + Shift + ;	Enter the current time.
Ctrl + ;	Enter the current date.
Alt + Shift + F1	Insert New Worksheet.
Shift + F3	Open the Excel formula window.
Shift + F5	Bring up search box.
Ctrl + A	Select all contents of the worksheet.
Ctrl + B	Bold highlighted selection.
Ctrl + I	Italic highlighted selection.
Ctrl + K	Insert link.
Ctrl + U	Underline highlighted selection.
Ctrl + 5	Strikethrough highlighted selection.
Ctrl + P	Bring up the print dialog box to begin printing.
Ctrl + Z	Undo last action.
Ctrl + F9	Minimize current window.
Ctrl + F10	Maximize currently selected window.
Ctrl + F6	Switch between open workbooks / windows.
Ctrl + Page up	Move between Excel work sheets in the same Excel document.
Ctrl + Page down	Move between Excel work sheets in the same Excel document.
Ctrl + Tab	Move between Two or more open Excel files.
Alt + =	Create a formula to sum all of the above cells
Ctrl + '	Insert the value of the above cell into cell currently selected.
Ctrl + Shift + !	Format number in comma format.
Ctrl + Shift + $	Format number in currency format.
Ctrl + Shift + #	Format number in date format.
Ctrl + Shift + %	Format number in percentage format.
Ctrl + Shift + ^	Format number in scientific format.
Ctrl + Shift + @	Format number in time format.
Ctrl + Arrow key	Move to next section of text.
Ctrl + Space	Select entire column.
Shift + Space	Select entire row.