Tablet Keyboards, iPad Has one Nearly as good as Surface

Dec 28, 2012                                                    

In an earlier post I described how I liked the Type keyboard cover for the Surface. I feel like it’s nearly a game changer since the keyboard can be flipped forward or back in less than a second, so you can alternate between true tablet touch work or laptop typing, right in the middle of your work-stream.

By the way, notice I am favoring the Type version over the Touch version of the Surface keyboard cover—I couldn’t really get the speed I wanted on the Touch version and they both weigh essentially the same (very little). The Type version costs you in extra thickness though.

iPad Keyboard Cover

Well, I’ve finally tested a similar keyboard cover for the iPad and I like it a lot. It’s the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad (iPad 2, 3, or 4). It’s definitely a winner.

As a cover, it attaches magnetically over the front of the iPad and protects it, and the metal color matches the iPad back perfectly. It’s not as thin and lightweight as the Surface keyboard, but almost.

How it Works

As a keyboard it works differently than the Surface keyboard. With Surface, you just rotate the keyboard into place around the bottom edge of the tablet, and then use the kickstand to hold up the tablet. But since the iPad has no built-in kickstand, that can’t work. Instead, the Logitech keyboard has a slot about 1/3 of the way from its back, and you remove the iPad and place it into the slot—it holds the iPad at a good reading angle.

The keyboard uses Bluetooth to communicate with the iPad, and it has an internal battery whose charge is said to last 6 months.

Increases Productivity

Since the keyboard is attached as a cover, it goes with you everywhere, and it is much more likely to be at hand if you need to quickly switch into keyboard mode. That means it could be a game changer for productivity use of the iPad. For example for the short email that turns into a long one and needs some true keyboard work to finish. Or the sudden need to type a longer document.

By the way, there are lots of other iPad covers that have keyboards built in, it’s just they are a lot thicker or heavier than this one. But if you have had good experience with other ones, leave a note in the comments section so others can learn what works!

Michael

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5 Responses to Tablet Keyboards, iPad Has one Nearly as good as Surface

  1. Ed says:

    My gripe with these iPad covers is that the keyboards are smaller than normal and I spend a lot of time correcting mistakes. I’m looking for a cover that can integrate the Apple Wireless keyboard.

  2. Brent Stroh says:

    I use the Logitech fold-up keyboard just because it’s closer to full size. It’s heavier, more expensive, and only fits the iPad 2 – and it’s discontinued. Other than that, it’s perfect.

    Not sure what I’ll do when I get around to an iPad upgrade…

  3. James says:

    Adonit writer+ is awesome. Plus it allows varying viewing angles, a gripe of mine for most others.

  4. Michael Linenberger says:

    Thanks James. Adonit is a great company (I use their pen), but I did not realize they had a keyboard folio. Will check it out! Michael

  5. Thank you,
    The information you have shared is very informative.

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