It almost voice risible , but using a teeny - midget keyboard with aniPad miniis not a terrible estimation . In fact , it just might aid you get some work done in a space that would otherwise be sacrificed to societal media doomscrolling , give you a headstart into the Clarence Day , or simply affiance in some parole - yttrium recreational activity .
The iPad mini is a fantastic twist . It’scriminally underrated as a portable external display , especially for Mac user . It has all the firepower in the world you will need from a tablet . In fact , were it not for the screen size , it would deserve a productiveness - boost keyboard more than the2025 iPad with its 11 - inch screen .
Alas , Apple does n’t make a keyboard for the iPad mini . For obvious reasons , one might say . But that does n’t mean there is no space for one such accessory . Third - party label surely feel otherwise , and if you look up on on-line retail platform , you will find a healthy few keyboard accessories for the compact pad of paper .
Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends
HOU is one of those brands that answer ambitious products at a bargain . Their iPad keyboard , in particular , are quite popular in Reddit forums . In hindsight , there are hardly any mainstream brand name out there that put up a keyboard accoutrement for the iPad mini . I was eager to try one , and I was entrust in a State Department of bewilderment , both the good and frustrating kind .
More premium than it should be
I stupefy myself the latest iteration of HOU ’s iPad miniskirt keyboard , and straight out of the box , it defied what a $ 60 peripheral should see and feel like . For deterrent example , Apple ’s folio keyboard for the pad costs the same , and lacks a keyboard pack of cards .
The HOU keyboard case is made out of a rubberized silicone stuff . It ’s not as soft as one of Apple ’s cases , but it offers the same grain as theMagic Keyboard for iPads . In doing so , HOU ’s accessory also borrows the smudge - prostrate nature of its Apple inhalation .
It ’s pretty easy to pass over off the crude oil stains and dust , but you unquestionably will notice them during day - to - sidereal day custom . The overall body-build lineament , however , is fantastic . There are no rough edges , misaligned part , miserable cuts , or loose sides .
Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends
The inner lining is easy velvet , which is another slap-up assurance that the lozenge ’s coat will be safe over draw out usance . The overall textile finish is definitely on par withApple ’s $ 249 Magic Keyboard Folio for the iPad .
The upper one-half of the keyboard case has a creased folding course with 30 magnets to securely lock up the iPad mini in place . I have intercourse the flexibility of using the pill in portrait mode while typing a quick article . It ’s not any more productive , but it feels ripe while using the nomadic app , and look pretty nice while at it .
There are no guide stairs , which means when you fold the upper half to rest on a 2-dimensional airfoil as a back relaxation , you are free to adjust the magnetic inclination slant . The low I could get was an magnetic inclination of 126 degrees , and the highest it could go was a keyboard - screen angle deserving 168 degrees .
Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends
That ’s far more than the Magic Keyboard or any MacBook can accomplish . Despite the lack of any steps or rails , the rear foldable lot corset locked in its place and does n’t parade any wobble or slide on the Earth’s surface .
It ’s not too dense either , and add just about the right heft so that you could well carry it without any palm fatigue . The soft , yet grippy surface texture definitely add up in handy here .
The sides are slightly extended , so no matter where the tablet is place , its chassis is not in contact with the external environment . I love this protective approaching .
The in-built magnets hold on pretty tightly to the tablet.Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends
The typing experience is a learning curve
I ’ll spell out out the bad part first . This is not a day-by-day - use keyboard . It ’s more like a stop - opening solution that fills the penury for a keyboard in spaces where you ca n’t quite access ( or whip out ) your laptop computer . Think of those flyspeck foldaway tables behind train seats .
Of of course , you may just perch it atop a voluptuous deskstation , but that ’s not going to move the experience needle too much . Now , I ’ve got small hired man even by Asian standards . My partner ’s palm profile make mine look like a adolescent male child .
Despite not being blessed by generously grown finger , I get hold the HOU keyboard cramp . It ’s not so commove that you want to thrust it out , but if your job entails typing all sidereal day on a big keyboard , or a full - sized laptop , your fingers will want some time to aline .
Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends
Now , here ’s the good part . Once your fingers get used to the tiny deck , you may comfortably type your way past a few emails or handle quick Slack chat . It took me a couple of twenty-four hours before I got a feel of things and strive a comfortable typing cadence .
On a type test , I could hit roughly 60 % of my typing speed , which is not spoilt . The error pace were slightly higher . If I were to quantify , I would say the typing fault are about 20 - 25 % more frequent compared to my usual rate while using a full - sized laptop or larger keyboard .
The encouraging part is that the scissor - dash keys pop the question a decent amount of traveling and a resilient feedback . The keycaps faithfully record keystrokes , even if you tap around the periphery . There is some sideways movement around the cardinal nook , but nothing too worrisome or unexpected .
Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends
You get the full Magic Keyboard layout on this one , except the affair course keys at the top , due to space constraints . Thankfully , all the iPadOS crosscut that I am used to , work just okay . From app shift to universal search , the key combos worked reliably well .
It charter me a while getting used to the number rowing at the top , which also hosts two other symbolization identify each . On occasions where I felt too lazy to remove the Option / Shift cutoff , I merely pulled the on - screen keyboard and got the job done .
I really love this hybrid approach , specially with the iPad mini , because your fingertips are well faithful to the screen . It ’s also one of the reasons I did n’t escape a trackpad . It is n’t feasible to fit one either , so there goes that running brain-teaser .
Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends
There are a few hidden tricks
This is a Bluetooth - connected keyboard and charges via a two - pin charismatic connector . The pairing cognitive process is fairly square , and you have to go through that tussle only once .
The battery life is astonishingly ripe . I ’ve been using the keyboard for nearly two workweek now , and have n’t charged it since the initial set - up . I ’ve used it on a daily basis , albeit in an irregular fashion .
On most day , it was used for 30 - 40 minutes for immediate email , Asana project management , and update in Teams . On a few occasions , I used it for about two hours , engaged in web browsing and typing a unforesightful article or two , in Google Docs . It ’s just a bliss that the iPad can do by that load without any singultus .
Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends
If you intend to use the lozenge for find out videos and reading , you could only flip the keyboard pack of cards and get last . In that land , the key are put away , so even if you are holding the tablet with multiple keys pressed tightly at the back , you wo n’t have to deal with accidental key stimulation .
In this state , the two half are magnetically clasped together , so you do n’t have to worry about the keyboard deck roll around at the back . I apprize these pocket-size , but thoughtful fringe benefit . The fact that they are accessible at such a steal is just the cherry on top .
Aside from a surprisingly good battery life , I also have intercourse the reflexive lock facility . The moment you exit the lid shut , the iPad mini automatically enters the lock nation , and on give it , the lozenge wake up .
Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends
Do you need one?
A tiny keyboard for a mini tablet might sound like overdo the productivity entreaty . But there ’s a ecological niche out there that will draw practical benefits from a gimmick like the HOU Keyboard for the iPad mini .
I , for one , bed it . Not because it ’s exceptionally dependable , but due to the fact that it fill up a operational crack in my day - to - day work flow . I asked a few acquaintances around me about the service program promise , if they had access to the keyboard on a daily basis .
One of my friends who carry a restaurant occupation mentioned that it could be used for billing - related tasks , while another individual who work at an computer architecture firm tell it ’s a nifty gimmick to handle documents on the go .
Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends
A workplace buddy , who mold as a social media manager , said the keyboard is a potent addition for quick content posting , make template on the go , and sharing updates . A couple of bookman in my common work cafe were also enamored by the idea and said it ’s a heavyset solvent for learnedness and assigning work , especially in cramp library .
The whole HOU Keyboard computer software seem and feels extremely refined , and it delivers an equally rewarding functional experience . For its request price , I ’d say it ’s a disproportionately good economic value .
It ’s not a computing workhorse , but it sure as shooting fill an conterminous gap for iPad mini fans . And it does so in quite some fashionable way without breaking the bank .
Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends
Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends
