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iPad keyboards tested on deadline (photos)

With my laptop crippled and a deadline looming, I needed my iPad to stand in as a fully functional word processor. It was the perfect opportunity to review five keyboards designed to get you typing from the tablet's touch screen.

John Lewinski
Crave freelancer John Scott Lewinski covers tech, cars, and entertainment out of Los Angeles. As a journalist, he's traveled from Daytona Beach to Cape Town, writing for more than 30 national magazines. He's also a very amateur boxer known for his surprising lack of speed and ability to absorb punishment. E-mail John.
John Lewinski
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1 of 10 ThinkGeek

Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard

Wouldn't you know it? Just as I was approaching my deadline last week for a CNET commentary on John F. Kennedy's "moon speech" and the current state of the American space program, my MacBook Pro crashed. While the Apple store was installing a new hard drive, I turned to my iPad as my backup word processor. Since I don't like the iPad's onscreen keyboard, I tried a series of iPad keyboards I had on hand to review.

This Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard works well enough, but it provides many of the same problems as the virtual iPad keys. I need the "click" of real keys. Cost: $150.

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2 of 10 ThinkGeek

Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard in action

The laser keyboard is interesting to watch in action, but it distracted me from actual writing.
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3 of 10 ThinkGeek

Logitech Keyboard Case by Zagg

The Logitech Keyboard Case by Zagg doubles as a protective case. Cost: $99.
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4 of 10 ThinkGeek

Logitech Keyboard Case in harness

The keyboard in the Logitech Keyboard Case by Zagg works well, but make sure you hook your iPad into the case properly.
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5 of 10 Apple

Apple Wireless Keyboard

The Apple Wireless Keyboard works with desktops, laptops, iPads, and iPhones. But I've gone through two, and the number keys failed on both. Cost: $69.
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6 of 10 Omnio

Omnio Wow-Keys

The Omnio Wow-Keys can work with a computer, or you can plug in your iPhone and make that into a word processor. Cost: $100.
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7 of 10 Omnio

Omnio Wow-Keys in black

The Omnio Wow-Keys need to be hooked into a PC or Mac for power, even when you're typing into your iPhone.
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8 of 10 ThinkGeek

ThinkGeek's iPad Bluetooth Keyboard

ThinkGeek's iPad Bluetooth Keyboard serves up the best, most effective, and touch-sensitive keyboard I used so far.
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9 of 10 ThinkGeek

iPad Bluetooth Keyboard up close

ThinkGeek's iPad Bluetooth Keyboard doesn't "click," but the keystrokes are confident and clean.
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10 of 10 ThinkGeek

ThinkGeek's iPad Bluetooth Keyboard and leather folio

When you're not typing with the ThinkGeek iPad Bluetooth Keyboard, it folds into a full leather carrying case.

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