Don’t Buy a Keyboard Case for Your iPad, Try this Mouse and Keyboard from Logitech Instead
Reading Time: 4 minutes If you have ever tried typing on an iPad’s onscreen keyboard, you know why many people choose to use an external keyboard. I get the appeal of keyboard cases; it’s a keyboard and case in one–and some keyboard cases, like Apple’s Magic Keyboard (for about $300), offer a cool looking way to prop up your iPad while you are typing. But I see a few problems with most iPad keyboard cases:
- The are limited positions for your iPad while it is connected to the keyboard case.
- You have to take the keyboard with you whenever you want the full case protection.
- When it is time to upgrade to a new iPad, your keyboard case will probably not fit your new iPad.
- Many people prefer using a mouse over a trackpad like the ones built-in to these cases.
For all the reasons above, I prefer a more modular solution–using a standard folio case with a separate mouse and keyboard, such as the Logitech Keys-To-Go 2 for iPad and the MX Anywhere 3S for Mac. The Keys-To-Go is an impossibly lightweight and slim keyboard that will only take up minimal space in your bag. The MX Anywhere 3S is a small but full-featured mouse with quiet clicks.
The Logitech Keys-To-Go 2 for iPad + The MX Anywhere 3S for Mac
One of the main advantages of buying a separate keyboard and mouse is that you will be able to use them with any device, and the MX Anywhere 3S for Mac ($79.99 at Logitech.com) and the Keys-To-Go 2 for iPad ($79.99 at Logitech.com) each have three Bluetooth connections, so you can easily connect to your iPad, Mac or iPhone.
The Logitech Keys-To-Go 2 for iPad
The Keys-To-Go keyboard is very lightweight and slim and comes with a built-in cover to protect the keys while it is in your bag. The Keys-To-Go 2 for iPad uses a replaceable coin battery that should last up to three years.
The typing experience
The keyboard is a little smaller than a standard keyboard–about 1.25 inches shorter in length, with the distance across the alphas (measured A-to-“) only about 0.5 inches shorter. Compared to the onscreen keyboard on my iPad (Air 4, similar screen size to iPad Air 11-in and iPad 10th gen), it is about 0.75 inches longer. Overall, the keys are spaced nicely so that you won’t have to adjust much if you are coming from a standard size keyboard.
The key presses on the Keys-To-Go are pretty shallow and definitely won’t thrill many mechanical keyboard enthusiasts, but there is some tactile feedback when pressing the keys, and it feels similar to recent Magic Keyboards from Apple. The typing noise is quiet but not completely silent.
The Logitech MX Anywhere 3S for Mac
The Mx Anywhere 3S for Mac is compatible with both macOS and iPadOS. With the Bluetooth button on the underside of the mouse, it is easy to switch between devices. The MX Anywhere 3S has the standard left and right click buttons, a clickable scroll wheel, and customizable forward and backward buttons. This mouse is rechargeable via a USB-C cable.
Using the MX Anywhere 3S for Mac
The MX Anywhere 3S feels surprisingly sturdy despite its small size. It has a nice weight and glides smoothly across different surfaces. I have tried this mouse on a variety of surfaces, and it seems to track well even on strange surfaces (glass table, couch, tablecloth, etc.).
The left and right button clicks have a decent amount of tactile feedback while remaining very quiet. Scrolling with the scroll wheel also provides tactile feedback, although this can be turned off if you prefer. The forward and backward buttons are customizable, which is especially nice when you are using this mouse with a Mac. You can also customize your mouse buttons with iPad if you turn on AssistiveTouch.
The MX Anywhere 3S is comfortable for a small mouse. The sides have a grippy texture and indentations, so you can rest your thumb and pinky and easily control the mouse movement.
Conclusion
When I need a portable keyboard to use with my iPad, I’ll definitely bring along the Keys-To-Go. I personally prefer my mechanical keyboards, but they aren’t exactly designed to be thrown in my bag and toted around. Using the Keys-To-Go 2 for iPad is far better than trying to type on the iPad’s onscreen keyboard, and I think the advantages of having a separate keyboard means I am unlikely to consider an iPad case with a built-in keyboard in the future.
The MX Anywhere 3S for Mac is like a smaller version of my favorite mouse, the MX Master 3S. (Comparing the two, the Anywhere is almost 1 inch shorter in length, more than 0.5 inches slimmer in width, more than 0.5 inches shorter in height and a little lighter weight.) Overall, the MX Anywhere 3S for Mac is a great, full-featured mouse to take with you anywhere.
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