Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard mini

Shrinking the iPad 2?down to the iPad mini while keeping the tablet as useful, is an impressive feat of engineering. Logitech has achieved a similar feat, shrinking down one of our favorite full-size iPad accessories, the Ultrathin Keyboard Cover, down to mini size. The Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard mini ($79.99 direct) is the first keyboard case for the iPad mini we've tested that we recommend enthusiastically. The Ultrathin does a good job working within the confines of the mini's footprint, and while it's not a perfectly natural keyboard, it delivers a more comfortable typing experience than the competition. It also doesn't hurt that, like its bigger sibling, the aluminum-clad Ultrathin is one of the best looking tablet accessories you'll find.

Design, Setup, and Keyboard
Just like its big brother, the Ultrathin Keyboard mini uses the same thin and light aluminum frame with glossy plastic accents and a magnetic hinge that works just like Apple's own Smart Cover. At just 0.3-inch thick and 7.7 ounces, the Ultrathin lives up to its name and makes options like the 0.8-inch, 12.32-ounce Zagg ZAGGkeys Mini 7?look pretty clunky. Above the keyboard is a thin ridge that props the iPad up for typing?a more elegant solution than Zagg's kickstand or the Belkin Portable Keyboard Case's?folding design. ?

Like the full-sized Ultrathin, the mini is not so much a case as it is a screen cover. It'll protect the glass screen when closed, but leaves the scratch-prone aluminum back and side edges exposed. The Ultrathin mini activates the iPad's Auto Sleep/Wake function when opening or closing the cover. But it isn't magnetized, so the cover could flap back open if carelessly thrown in, say, a backpack, which might affect the tablet's battery life by waking the iPad as it travels. Keep this in mind when you place it in a bag.

Along the right edge are a Power switch, a Bluetooth pairing button, and a micro USB port for charging. Power the Ultrathin on and it will automatically enter pairing mode, and from there, you can pair it with your iPad like any other Bluetooth accessory. Pressing and holding the Bluetooth button enters the cover back into pairing mode should you need to pair with another iPad.

Given the size of the iPad mini, all keyboard cases are going to have to make some sacrifices to fit within the confines of the tablet's small footprint. That said, the Ultrathin mini has one of the more comfortable full QWERTY keyboards I've tested. The chiclet keys are well defined and properly spaced, with a satisfyingly springy feedback. I was actually surprised with the travel of the keys, given the shallow depth of the cover itself. The ZAGGkeys Mini 7, by comparison, has a far mushier keyboard that flexed under pressure in my tests. The Ultrathin's aluminum frame yields almost no flex, also making a better choice for use in your lap. Zagg does manage to fit separate rows for numbers and Function keys, while the Ultrathin combines them into one, requiring you to hold a Function key to access things like media controls?a small price to pay for an otherwise superior typing experience.

Conclusions
You buy the iPad mini for its portability and looks, something you sacrifice with keyboard cases like the ZAGGkeys Mini 7 or the Belkin Portable Keyboard Case. Fortunately, the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard mini follows in the footsteps of its full-size counterpart, offering a comfortable keyboard and a design that preserves the minimal Apple aesthetic. In exchange, you get minimal protection. And if you're looking to do any serious typing tasks, I'd recommend checking out a separate Bluetooth keyboard, and combining that with a standard case, you can find our favorites here. But if you want a case with an integrated keyboard, the Ultrathin mini offers the best combination of form and function, netting it our Editors' Choice award for iPad mini keyboard cases.

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