In the test: InLine 4in1 Bluetooth keyboard for Mac, iPhone and iPad

The manufacturer InLine kindly gave me its new one 4-in-1 Bluetooth keyboard sent so that I can write a short test report on it. The "short" didn't work out somehow, but I hope you still don't get bored with my experience report.

The special thing about this Bluetooth keyboard from InLine is that it can be paired with up to 4 Bluetooth devices - including not only Macs, but also iPhone, iPad, Windows computers or other tablets and smartphones.

I have tried the keyboard with my iPad, iPhone and MacBook Pro and would like to briefly describe my experiences with the device here. In fact, I am typing these lines on this keyboard right now.

Technical data

Before we get to the design, key travel and typing feel, I would first like to say a word about the technical data of the keyboard. As always in the form of bullet points:

• Product name: InLine 4in1 Bluetooth Aluminum Keyboard
• Layout: German (QWERTZ) with special keys for mobile devices
• Coupling via Bluetooth to up to 4 devices possible
• Charging time: about 1,5 hours
• Operating time: approx. 70 hours
• Battery: Li-Ion with 180 mAh
• Charging port: Micro-USB (45 cm cable included)
• Weight: approx 830 grams
• Dimensions: 370 x 160 x 17 mm

Design, processing and accessories

The matt black look of the keyboards is elegant and it also feels very valuable. The weight of more than 800 grams alone gives a confidence-inspiring impression. The addition of "aluminum" in the product name is also no coincidence and explains the material from which the body is made.

The key travel is comparable to the old Magic Keyboard. I think it's about a 2mm stretch that you can push here. The keys only make light tones - similar to the old Apple keyboard (see photos below) - and for luck prevent a loud clatter, which has already driven me crazy with some keyboards. I think it's okay when you hear that you are typing, but the neighbors don't necessarily have to notice. ;-)

There are numerous symbols on the keys that represent either functions or special characters. In the row of function keys there is a separate assignment for the multimedia control as well as for brightness, volume, copy & paste actions and more.

What has really been made mandatory with the inline keyboard is the operating manual and the quick start guide printed in the package, which explains all the special keys. So even as a technology dummy, you can quickly find your way around the keyboard.

The various LEDs not only show the paring mode of the individual channels, but also indicate the charge status of the battery.

Micro USB charging socket instead of USB-C

I think it's a pity that the keyboard is still on a Micro-USBcharging socket and is not already aligned with USB-C. Currently, however, this is a point of criticism that probably only affects people who travel a lot with new Macs and iPads. Everyone else will still need a Lightning connector anyway, so it doesn't matter if there's a micro-USB cable plugged into the charger.

Mechanical power switch and power saving mode

I immediately noticed the mechanical slide switch, with which you can turn the keyboard on and off, positively. I find this type of switch very important, because it means I know that the keyboard can be switched off during a long break without using up any more battery life in standby mode.

If you leave the keyboard activated anyway, it's not a bad thing either, because after 10 minutes it "goes to sleep" and then hardly needs any more power. You can wake up by pressing any button. In my test, it recorded the next input after about 2 to 3 seconds.

Pairing: Pairing and unpairing devices

If you want to pair your Mac, iPad or iPhone with the InLine Keyboard, the pairing mode is active as soon as the keyboard is switched on for the first time. Now you just have to go to the Bluetooth settings of the other device and select the InLine keyboard. When pairing for the first time, a four- or six-digit number is required.

Once a device is connected to the keyboard, you can jump back and forth between the individual devices using the 1-4 keys located above the number pad. Connecting to a new device takes less than two seconds for me and is very reliable.

If you want to decouple a device, you hold down the Bluetooth button with the corresponding number for three seconds and there is free space for another Mac - or whatever you want to connect.

When the keyboard is ready to pair, it will be indicated with a blinking blue LED.

How does it type on the InLine keyboard?

I have to say that I like the keystroke and I have very few typing mistakes, which are based on my typing and the unfamiliar keyboard and are not due to the technology ... On the contrary: I haven't had a single dropout or double letters so far. This has already happened to me with some cheap keyboards: You blindly write a sentence and then notice that some letters are missing. Of course, that shouldn't be the case, and it didn't happen with the InLine keyboard either.

Switching from the Apple Magic Keyboard is always not easy for me, but that is caused by the different assignment of the SHIFT, CMD and ALT keys, which can be found in the lower left area. For example, I prefer copy and paste (CMD + C and CMD + V) or the long hyphen (Em dash) more often wrong.

The CTRL key is still a mystery to me because it doesn't seem to have any function on the Mac. I suppose this is the one for Windows users.

The keyboard should be helpful for beginners, as there are many special characters in the row of numbers on the keys that cannot be found on the Magic Keyboard. There you just have to know them by heart.

Installation of the keyboard on macOS and iOS

On iOS, the keyboard works immediately after pairing. When setting up under macOS (for me macOS Catalina) a message is displayed that he cannot identify the keyboard. I ended up with a selection dialog where I should choose the keyboard type. I selected ISO (European) and was able to type all special characters and umlauts, which speaks for a good choice on my part.

Use with iOS on the iPad or iPhone

If you use the InLine keyboard with an iOS device, you can insert it into the holders provided in the keyboard. The slot for the iPad can also be tilted so that it does not stick out when you are not using it.

What I find remarkable about using it on iOS is that you can even unlock the iPad using the keyboard without operating it. You press FN and Del. (There is a lock symbol) and the iPad wakes up. The pin can then also be entered via the keyboard and you are on the home screen.

Use on macOS

Not all function keys are assigned under macOS. The special keys for cut, copy and paste, for example, do not work. However, the multimedia buttons and the volume control work without restrictions.

Important: With FN + Q, W or E you can set the operating system under which the keyboard is currently being used. This is important for the function of the special keys.

• Q stands for iOS
• W for Android
• E for Windows

You can see: macOS is missing from the selection here, but if you set the keyboard to Windows, the special keys (play / pause, brightness, volume, etc.) work.

Audience: People who want to use multiple devices with one keyboard

There is nothing wrong with the keyboard itself. Thanks to the pleasant typing experience and the good workmanship, it can of course also be used as a standard keyboard on the Mac, but it only really makes sense if you couple several devices with it.

I think it's especially interesting if you have a PC, another Mac or an iPad at work in addition to the Mac, and you want to switch between them quickly. Then the InLine keyboard definitely shows its strengths. This is likely to be the case, for example, with developers who work on Mac and Windows PC as well as on different tablets.

If you want to buy the keyboard, you will find it here at Amazon or via this product box:

4,37 EUR

InLine 55378B Bluetooth aluminum keyboard with number pad, for up to 4 Bluetooth devices, black

• Connection: Micro-USB
• Operating time: approx. 70 hours
• Charging time: about 1 hours

39,90 EUR −4,37 EUR 35,53 EUR

Buy it at Amazon Price includes VAT, plus shipping costs (updated: 6.06.2023 at 10: 03 clock)

Jen Kleinholz( Founder & Sir Apfelot )

Jens has been running the blog since 2012. He appears as Sir Apfelot for his readers and helps them with problems of a technical nature. In his free time he drives electric unicycles, takes photos (preferably with his iPhone, of course), climbs around in the Hessian mountains or hikes with the family. His articles deal with Apple products, news from the world of drones or solutions for current bugs.

The page contains affiliate links / images: Amazon.de