Zagg Folio for iPad mini 5 adds long-lasting notebook-style keyboard

By Malcolm Owen

Accessory producer Zagg has launched a new case for the fifth-generation iPad mini, with the Zagg Folio providing protection as well as a lightweight keyboard turning Apple's compact tablet into a very small but highly capable notebook.

The key feature of the Zagg Folio is the keyboard, which covers the screen of the iPad mini 5 when not in use. Claimed to offer clean, precise keystrokes, the keys are also backlit, with users able to select between seven different colors for the illuminated sections.

The hinge used to attach the keyboard to the rest of the case can hold the iPad mini up like a notebook display, without requiring a kickstand behind the tablet to prop it up. Furthermore, the hinge also allows users to select the perfect viewing angle for long typing sessions, similar to a notebook, with 180 degrees of viewing angles to choose from.

The keyboard is also said to offer a very long battery life of up to two years of normal typing between charges, effectively minimizing the amount of time the user will have to handle the task of recharging the case manually, and without sapping battery power from the iPad mini itself.

The outside of the case is textured for grip and to help protect the iPad mini from bumps, scratches, and scrapes. A microUSB cable is also included for recharging purposes.

The Zagg Folio for iPad mini 5 is available now, priced at $99.99 from the company's online storefront.