alt Hacker NewsI’m planning to take an iPad air on a trip and thought about getting a bluetooth keyboard too.
What do people generally recommend for travel?
I don’t plan to use it for extensive periods of times, mainly writing some emails/docs/notes in the hotel room.
Replies
Logitech K480 is my favorite. Its best feature is a slot. Put your iPad in it and it stays put. Even on a lap or bed or other unstable surfaces. And it's only $30. Meaning there's no worry if it breaks or is stolen on a trip.
Another thing I like about it is how wide the slot is. I can fit my iPad and iPhone into it simultaneously. Which is quite convenient at times
Backlit keyboard: https://www.amazon.com/TECURS-Bluetooth-Keyboard-Mouse-Combo...
For that use case I'd probably optimize less for "best keyboard" and more for "least annoying thing to pack and set up"
Logitech k380- small and flat for packability, not too expensive, reasonably good to type on. It’s no mechanical keyboard though.
Look what they have at Walmart now :)
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Macally-Multi-Device-Bluetooth-Ke...
I've got one of these, which has the slot above the "F" keys to support your phone and/or tablet at a good viewing angle. For better or worse the 2 lb. keyboard is heavily weighted so it will support the devices in the slot without tipping over.
And you can switch between 3 devices from the keyboard, which can also include a Bluetooth desktop.
Too heavy to carry around so it stays in the office.
There are plenty of lightweight options for much cheaper prices which can be better for travel, which are also just as big as a tablet but at least not nearly as heavy.
Wait until you get a Bluetooth mouse which can put your touchscreen to shame :)
These mice are also much more abundant for cheaper prices now, when they were not that common just a year or two ago.
Also good for your laptop when you want to save USB slots for other things.
My iPad travel setups, from least-portable/most-functional to most-portable/least-functional:
1. iPad Air with iPad Magic Keyboard. 2. iPad Air with Smart Keyboard Folio. 3. iPad Mini (usually in portrait mode) with Magic Keyboard. (The mac bluetooth keyboard, no numpad. I use an sfbags sleeve for it.)