iPad Portable Keyboard becomes fashion gift idea of Christmas

The iPad virtual keyboard is plenty for most users, but some wordsmiths need the power of a physical keyboard for when they’re using their iPad for heavy duty writing. And because those moments sometimes come while on the road, portability becomes paramount. As such, various vendors have gotten the idea to build a physical keyboard into the interior of an iPad case. And of the various options out there, the ZAGGmate with iPad Keyboard (from ZAGG, the Invisible Shield people) is your winner.

It’s a metal hardshell which snaps onto your iPad for protection and then snaps off to reveal a ipad keyboard inside. And unlike many of its competitors, the ZAGGmate allows you to use your iPad in either portrait or landscape mode when typing.

The iPad keyboard market is still very early in its development, and we look forward to seeing what ZAGG and others have up their sleeve in that regard in 2011. But as of now, this is the option you’re most likely to be pleased with. As such, the ZAGGmate with Keyboard is Beatweek’s 2010 iPad Portable Keyboard of the Year.