iPad Keyboard Cases
Turn your 9.7-inch iPad into a productivity powerhouse
You can’t beat the feel of fingers on proper keys, but you can definitely beat the price of Apple’s own keyboard cases.
Granted, they are very nice, but they are also very pricey. As you’ll discover from this group test, you can get some very clever keyboard technology for considerably less than Apple charges.
In this test, we’re considering keyboards designed to fit 9.7-inch iPads. While many of the normal iPad cases here also support the 9.7-inch iPad Pro, they’re not specifically designed for it: they connect via Bluetooth, not via Apple’s Smart Connector (which is only present in iPad Pro models).
Some keyboard cases, such as the Logitech and Griffin, will happily accommodate different iPads of the same screen size. Others don’t, as the differences between apparently identical iPads can be significant: the 9.7-inch iPad Pro measures 6.1mm deep, for example, whereas the latest 9.7-inch iPad is 7.5mm. That’s too big to fit in the more sculpted cases. You will find, however, that case makers offer alternative models designed to fit each specific iPad version.
Keep it brief
Of course, 9.7-inch iPad keyboards have to fit into a very small space. As a result, all four keyboards here are smaller than a MacBook or Magic Keyboard; the smallest are best suited to occasional use, not bashing out your debut novel or lengthy world domination plans.
You’ll also find that keyboard covers are absolutely hopeless for typing on your lap. It’s all about gravity: even the heaviest iPad keyboard cover is much, much lighter than the iPad it contains, and that makes the whole assembly incredibly top-heavy. That means MacBookstyle typing on your lap is difficult at best and potentially risky for your iPad at worst. Put it this way: we were glad a couple of the keyboard covers we tested were drop-proof.
Some keyboard cases will happily accommodate different iPads of the same screen size, but you’ll find that the more scultped cases won’t