iPad Air Which keyboard cases work well on the laptop?

[neilw]

Shopping a keyboard case for my daughter's iPad Air M3... her use case would be mostly using it on her lap to take notes. I haven't really used any of these cases myself, so I'm having a little bit of a hard time sorting out which ones are really practical to use in one's lap. They all seem like they'd work well on a flat surface, but the lap is a different story. From what I've read, kickstand cases like the Logitech combo are precarious on the lap. Are there any good alternatives to Magic Keyboard-style cases for laptop use? The MKB cases seem good but heavy and a bit bulky. But then I've seen some comments that the MKB itself is hard to use on the lap. Not sure where to go with this. Oh, and it should have a means to hold a Pencil Pro.

Suggestions appreciated.

 

[sparksd]

The problem is that with any case, the weight of the iPad makes it top-heavy with a keyboard. I use the MKB but in my lap, I use a small - lightweight - lap desk.

 

[neilw]

The problem is that with any case, the weight of the iPad makes it top-heavy with a keyboard. I use the MKB but in my lap, I use a small - lightweight - lap desk.

Yeah I know it's not ideal, but for sure some have to be better than others. A lap desk would solve the problem, but not practical (I don't think) for a college student to carry around from class to class.

 

[sparksd]

Yeah I know it's not ideal, but for sure some have to be better than others. A lap desk would solve the problem, but not practical (I don't think) for a college student to carry around from class to class.

Agree - not practical.

 

[NyxAluminium]

It's not a case, but the best thing I've found for iPad lap use is Logitech's K480 keyboard. It has a slot where you can stick your tablet and/or phone. Weighs enough that it doesn't flop over. My iPad stays in firmly in place. I've even used it in cars and shaky beds. Won't need a lap desk for it.

As long as your daughter has a backpack, it shouldn't be too difficult to carry around. I personally like having the keyboard separate from the case. I only need the keyboard part of the time so there's no extra bulk in those times when I don't need it.

One big potential downside is the keyboard doesn't have a touchpad. Won't have the full laptop experience with it. One upside is that it's much cheaper than the Magic Keyboard. If it breaks or is lost, it's cheap to replace. Often on sale for around $30-50.

 

[neilw]

That's an interesting approach, and a small investment. Hard to know for sure if her iPad will fit in with the case; it sounds like the slot is roomy but we'll have to see. Maybe I'll try that route and if she doesn't like it we'll try something else. Seems like the sort of thing that you can never really know until you try it.

 

[Superman041]

I've ordered an Air and the magic keyboard. Do I still need a case? If so any recommendations?

 

[neilw]

I've ordered an Air and the magic keyboard. Do I still need a case? If so any recommendations?

The Magic Keyboard is the case.

I never followed up my previous message... After discussing with my daughter I ended up following @NyxAluminium 's suggestion (almost) and getting the Macally bluetooth keyboard, which my daughter was very happy came in purple to match her iPad case: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09S9SZ6M1. She was initially taken aback by the size of the thing, and thought we had ordered the wrong item. Its bulk is still her main complaint, and I was afraid she was going to want to get something different.

But after using it for a while she is happy with it. She's able to use it on her lap successfully and can keep it safely in her backpack when she's not using it for note-taking. So overall a success, and a small investment. 👍

 

[NyxAluminium]

...getting the Macally bluetooth keyboard, which my daughter was very happy came in purple to match her iPad case...

Glad she got something she liked! And I'm glad you linked it. I haven't seen the MacAlly KB in person but from the photo, it looks smaller than the Logitech. Might have to try it myself.

 

[neilw]

The most substantive differences seemed to be (a) Logitech uses AAA batteries, the Macally is micro-USB rechargeable (no winners there), and (b) the colors of the Macally. In other respects they seem to roughly equivalent. Maybe the MacAlly is a hair narrower but they look about the same to me (MacAlly doesn't seem to publish specs so who knows... I haven't seen it in person yet either).