Satechi’s OntheGo Bluetooth Keyboard with Stand has great keys for typing, but its strength of being unconnected to a tablet might also be its weakness. Anyone looking for a part-time keyboard is in for a treat. But if you want a long-term commitment, you should look at a dedicated keyboard case.
8/10
- Battery
-
Up to 3 months of life
- Num Pad
-
No
- Switch Type
-
Scissor-switch keys
- Wired operation
-
No
The OntheGo Bluetooth Keyboard with Stand is a compact, travel-ready typing solution designed for professionals who work from anywhere.
- Comfortable typing
- Stiff stand positioning
- Low profile design
- Cover folds underneath
- On the heavy side for portable keyboard
- No trackpad
Price and Availability
The Satechi’s OntheGo Bluetooth Keyboard with Stand is available to buy now. It retails for $80 and comes in black and sand colors. It comes with a USB-C cable in the box for charging. The USB port on the keyboard can’t be used for a data connection, however.
- Battery
-
Up to 3 months of life
- Num Pad
-
No
- Switch Type
-
Scissor-switch keys
- Wired operation
-
No
- Dimensions
-
11.4 x 5.8 x 0.4in.
- Bluetooth
-
5.1
- Multi-device pairing
-
Up to 3 separate devices
- Charging
-
2.5 hours
This Keyboard Is All About Versatility
Anyone who needs a keyboard for more than 50% of their tablet work should probably get a keyboard case. It’s always there and isn’t a separate piece to keep track of. There are plenty of keyboard combo cases, but Apple and Logitech probably make the best ones.
If, on the other hand, you only need a keyboard occasionally, then a standalone keyboard like this OntheGo one from Satechi is a better move. There’s no reason to carry the extra weight of keys most of the time if you’re mostly watching videos. You can grab it only when you need it.
The OntheGo Keyboard with Stand measures 11.4 by 5.8 by 0.4 inches. While it’s pretty compact, it is thicker than an iPad Pro—then again, most gadgets are.
It weighs 1.22 pounds, or nearly 550 grams, which means the keyboard feels solid and sturdy. But it also means that the accessory is a commitment to bring along. You can feel it in a bag. The weight is probably its worst physical attribute.
The stand portion has a 150-degree viewing angle. This is the crux of the device, too. If you don’t want a stand, then Apple’s desktop Magic Keyboard is lighter and more compact overall.
Thankfully, the cover that doubles as a stand works well. It’s firm and rigid, but easy to open and prop up. It’s wide enough for an 11-inch or a 13-inch iPad in landscape. It’s also wide enough for a vertical 11-inch iPad and a vertical iPhone.
The back kickstand is nearly invisible unless you need it. I didn’t find it to get in the way or pop open when I didn’t want it to.
In terms of versatility, the cover can flip around completely to sit under the keyboard and get out of the way if you don’t need the stand portion. The keyboard can connect to and remember three devices, so if you need to connect it to a Mac or another device, it can be used as a desktop keyboard too.
Speaking of the Apple Magic Keyboard, the OntheGo key layout is nearly the same proportions as it. But you do get inverted “T” arrow keys on Satechi’s version.
Importantly, the battery life is claimed to be up to three months of use. I’m in the middle of trying to wear it down. I can confirm that its advertised 2.5-hour time to charge is about what I saw.
The only part I wish were different was the power button. I’d rather have an on and off switch to toggle, rather than a slightly ambiguous button, but that’s minor overall.
Typing Feels Great, If You’re Used to Low-Profile Keyboards
The OntheGo Keyboard has a solid design, but its best quality is probably its keys and the feel of typing. A keyboard is only as good as how it feels to type on, after all.
Not only does the physical size of the layout closely mimic Apple’s Magic Keyboard, but the shape, height, and spring of the keys also match Apple’s keyboard very closely.
Ultimately, Satechi’s keyboard has a more plasticky feel to it. The scissor-switch keys seem to have slightly more travel, which also contributes to a different typing experience. But using this keyboard is one of the few that I’ve been able to move to from Apple’s thin profile model with almost no hiccups. It took me a few paragraphs of typing this review before it felt like I was at home again. Even the Logitech Keys-To-Go 2 took longer to get used to. The spacing and pressure on Satechi’s model were both familiar and comfortable.
This keyboard isn’t quite as quiet as Apple’s, but it isn’t loud like a mechanical keyboard. You should be able to use it in an office, plane, or library setting without getting any dirty looks.
Should You Buy the Satechi OntheGo Keyboard with Stand?
For its $80 retail price, the Satechi OntheGo Keyboard with Stand provides a fantastic typing experience with a clever stand for tablets or phones. As the product is conceived, it’s hard to find a lot of fault with it. But that doesn’t mean this form factor is for everyone.
If you regularly need a keyboard, this one could be cumbersome to set up and bring along as another device to charge and keep track of. Apple’s Magic Keyboard for iPad is the way to go. If you’re used to using a trackpad, it’s hard not to have one available.
If you want a separate keyboard, but want the lightest and most portable option, that title is still reserved for the Logitech Keys-To-Go 2. That one only weighs 222 grams and can last up to 36 months on a single coin-cell battery.
Still, there’s a place for this OntheGo Keyboard with Stand. Occasional tablet writers who want a similar keyboard to the Apple one on their desk at home.
8/10
- Battery
-
Up to 3 months of life
- Num Pad
-
No
- Switch Type
-
Scissor-switch keys
- Wired operation
-
No