Review: The Anker TC930 bluetooth keyboard for my iPad Air 2

Today arrived my Anker TC930 bluetooth keyboard. I wanted to get a cheap bluetooth speaker to see if I would really use it, and the Anker keyboard has great reviews at only $36 as of this writing.

One of the first things that I was surprised about was that although the inside is plastic, the back is aluminum like the iPad. So when carrying your iPad with the keyboard, the outside looks aesthetic in all aluminum.

The keyboard is like Apple's Smart Cover, which magnetically attaches to the side of the iPad and can be used as a normal cover. It has similar features like the iPad turning off when closing and turning on when opening the cover.

I am happy with the angle the iPad is set in. When you attach the iPad from the magnetic cover edge to the "typing slot," a plastic stand rises triggered by a lever in the slot.

While I cannot type on it as fast and precise like a normal keyboard, I find myself typing way faster than using the on-screen keyboard. The main thing I have to get accustomed to is the small delete key in the top right for backspace. 

Bluetooth setup is easy, just like any other bluetooth device. The keyboard goes to sleep after 10 minutes, which then you must press a key and wait a few seconds for it to wake up again. It will be easy to tell because you will see the on-screen keyboard. It could get annoying depending how long you are leaving your iPad alone, but it is not too big of a deal.

My main wish at this moment was that it had backlit keys for when I am in presentation meetings with the lights out. But for $36, I am very pleased. Now to find out how much use I will get out of it.