HOU Keyboard Case for iPad mini 7/6, 156° Adjustable Stand, Detachable Full Protective Case for iPad mini 7/6, 11 Shortcut Keys, 7 Color Backlight, Silicone PU, Multifunction, Bluetooth

This particular model is the best iPad Mini keyboard case that I have ever used. There are quite a few things that make it a standout. For starters, the keyboard layout is 95% standard, and the 5% non-standard are the way they are because of the size of the keyboard. They’ve had to overload - _ + = ‘ and “ so that you have to hit CTRL and 7 8 9 0 ; or / to get those keys. Critically, the keys that are overloaded are spatially where they should be on the keyboard if it had been large enough to accommodate the additional keys. This was the right choice, and makes typing with the keyboard very natural and easy to adapt to. The keyboard itself has a great feel and good backlighting. Really, I haven’t seen another keyboard that is anywhere close to this good at this size. The next thing that makes this case a standout, especially for travel, is the protection and flexibility that the case provides for the iPad. The keyboard detaches esasily, at which point the iPad can be used with the kickstand in portrait or landscape modes. And, the case offers a good amount of edge protection to the iPad itself, without adding a huge amount of bulk. The case was pricey for me. It was around $120 CAD delivered. That is a lot for a no-name Chinese iPad keyboard, but having purchased many, many iPad keyboard cases over the years, it is hands down the best iPad Mini case I’ve ever used. Note that the same company makes older, similar versions of this case. The one that charges with USB C rather than the proprietary charger is worth the extra money and bother to buy.

I’ve heard that a common issue with iPad mini keyboard cases is how the keyboard is compromised in terms of layout and useability. I don’t think that’s the case here. The keys are very responsive and are not too small. The fact that this case does not have a track pad means that they’re able to have more key rows, minimizing any odd secondary fingerings required for special characters. I’m able to get around 70 to 80 wpm typing on this thing. The case itself feels very nice in terms of quality. The outer material is a soft leatherette material. I am really happy with this purchase. Some pros: - has sleep to wake function - Bluetooth connection seems pretty stable - battery life is pretty long. The keyboard sleeps after not using for a period of time - has an escape key, which the other HOU case doesn’t have Some cons: - a bit heavy but probably expected for any keyboard cases - you have to get used to using the control key for some special characters

After reading a few reviews of this keyboard and case combo for the iPad mini 6/7, I figured to give it a shot. I didn't really buy it for the keyboard, since I knew typing on a keyboard the size of an iPad mini was never going to be an amazing experience, but I heard rave reviews about its kickstand. This is indeed the case (har har) — the kickstand is superb here, probably the best I have ever tried on any iPad case, ever. It feels substantial and that it will stand the test of time. I was so tired of using Apple's smart folio case and my iPad mini would constantly topple over because of how flimsy it would be, in propping itself up on the side. With this case on, you have a very secure as well as wide range of angles to keep your iPad mini held up from. This works in both landscape and portrait ratios/modes. I like that when in the vertical mode you can have the usb C port facing upwards, thus allowing for you to easily charge the iPad. Unfortunately this exposed my biggest complaint with the case combo, I think I audibly said OH NO when I made this discovery. Because it is so thick and because it has such precise cut outs to the ports, buttons and speaker grills, there is a very small area from which you can plug in your charger. Neither of my long usb C charging cables that I typically have used for my iPads would fit (by Native Union and Satechi, which I included in photos). I did find a different cable that fit, but now I have to use a much shorter cable. If I'm out and about, who knows if the cable I happen to borrow from someone will fit. Another suggestion I would make is that it would be great to include, even at a higher price, a simple cover that you can optionally use to protect front of the iPad if you don't currently want to use the keyboard. The product is marketing for being multi-use, which it is. I.E. you can use it with the keyboard either magnetically attached or separated, use the iPad mini by itself for drawing, read with the iPad standing in a vertical position with the kickstand, etc. However, you can't travel or transport the iPad mini without using the keyboard as the front cover of the case. Once you have both parts of the case magnetically clad around your iPad mini... let's just say it isn't so mini any longer. It's never heavy per se, but it does take on more of the feeling of carrying around a diary, as someone else pointed out. Since the case's back cover kick stand is so good, I can see a lot of people (myself included) not buying this for the keyboard. So, that's why I would suggest the option of including a simplified front cover. Additional pluses, which I should mention as many others have already, include the high quality of materials used throughout. The quality of the materials as well as general craftsmanship are of a very, very high quality. They aren't far off of what you would expect from Apple. The cutouts for the buttons and speaker grills of the iPad mini are extremely precise. Even the manual that comes in the box is quite well made, it's much better than you would typically expect from a product like this. It is very clear that the company that made it went the extra mile to create something special. If the cutout around the usb C port were just a smidge larger, to allow for more usb C cables to work (fit) as well as the option to include a simplified front cover to the case, instead of always needing to use the full keyboard around, I would say that this is truly THE case for the iPad mini 6/7, perfected.

This keyboard case is especially good for the size and the layout is much better than the keyboard in the "HOU ultra slim folio case" (longer spacebar, less keys where yo need to use "option" key to reach the "3rd option"). This keyboard also has a very useful function row and USB C charging. The kickstand is great for typing angles AND for portrait viewing (good for FaceTime, some typing). Overall kickstand is also better than the HOU ultra slim folio. Only downside is the thickness and weight. The ultra slim folio is nearly indistinguishable from a regular folio cover and yet is has a keyboard. While not heavy, this has a thin case around the iPad (nice feel, takes more purpose to use Touch ID) which offers protection. The combined thickness of the case and keyboard is noticeable, but not bulky. For now, I'm keeping this case and already sent ultra slim folio back because of the keyboard. If HOU was to update the keyboard on the Ultra Slim Folio to this layout, it would likely be my pick.

Don't buy it. I received an older model. I checked on YouTube and saw that the one sent isn't the latest version. To make matters worse, it doesn't turn on. No, it simply doesn't work. Very disappointed, so I have to buy another one.

This keyboard/folio meets all my requirements for my iPad mini. Delivery was very fast and the item was packaged securely.