In this video I look at the following iPad keyboard cases and decide which I like best:
Keyboard changes iPad for the better
Having a keyboard has completely changed the way I use my iPad. Before it was a thing for my kid to fiddle with and also a thing with great music making potential I’d never commit time to. Now it’s a full-on computer with benefits.
The most important benefit of the keyboard is the ability to write. But it also makes internet searching and everything else better since the on-screen keyboard has always been bungly (‽).
Here’s some quick thoughts on why I think this keyboard/iPad combo will be important for me:
- It’s much harder to switch between applications. Jumping out of WriteUp to check email is just that much harder. Seriously helps.
- It’s much harder to jump off into searching and researching on internet.
- It’s much harder to jump off and read through tweeters… the whole tweeter experience on iPad is alien feeling anyways.
- Overall it’s much harder to jump away from anything, which means you’re more likely to stick with what you’re doing—for better or worse.
- Oh, also, naked lady video websites don’t work on iPads. Which may help you… i wouldn’t know anything about that, though.
ZAGGfolio iPad Case with keyboard
- Construction/Feel: Nice and dense feeling. Definitely heavier, but it’s fine. The plastic carbon fiber thingy outside looks great and protects the iPad well. You can charge/sync iPad when the case is closed. You can also access shutoff switch, headphone jack, volume and silent switch when case is closed.
- The Latch: The latch on the front is weirdly bulky. Not a deal breaker, just weird.
- The iPad slides into the case and stays there. You can pull it out if you want to set it up vertically. This is kind of a bummer to me… I prefer to be in vertical mode more often. Pulling the iPad out is an extra step, a little hassle. And when iPad is out of the case, the back flap hangs out in front weirdly. This isn’t a deal breaker, just a medium-sized bummer.
- The Keyboard is great. It’s smaller, so you’ll need to get used to that, but you’ll be fine. Great keyboard shortcuts along the top of the keyboard for all sorts of commands. Overall this keyboard is going to work just fine when you get all Hemingway.
- Keyboard uses a something something battery that apparently lasts a long time. To charge it you have to pull out the keyboard and connect it to your computer via included Micro USB cable. Having to pull it out to charge isn’t a deal breaker.
- Throw-a-bility: The “Throw-a-bility” factor is good (i.e., I can throw it into my bag without worrying about scratches, dents, etc).
- Overall this feels well designed and well built. My iPad feels safe. I can type well. It stands up well. This is good.
Logitech + Zagg iPad Case with keyboard
- Construction/Feel: Sleek and slim. I really like the look and size of this. Definitely slimmer than the ZAGGfolio. The case clips over the iPad screen leaving the back of the iPad exposed. This is fine for me—it saves a good deal of space.
- When iPad is in case the connection is firm. It’s easy to pull in and out.
- The iPad comes out completely and easily slides into the vertical or horizontal upright positions. This is excellent! There’s nothing bulky and sticking out behind the iPad/case—it only takes up the foot-size of the keyboard itself.
- The Keyboard is exactly the same as the ZAGGfolio.
- Throw-a-bility isn’t as good on this one. The metal on back of iPad and bottom of keyboard feel very scratchable. So you’re more likely to slide it into a bag than throw it across a room. But if you have a MacBook Pro you’re used to this already.
- The Deal Breaker: I love everything about this keyboard case except for the one g*ddam thing that makes it impossible to buy: there’s little lips/wings on the front sides of the keyboard that are very uncomfortable for your hand when you’re typing. You can feel it. It’s there. You can also get over it. But the last damn thing I want to be thinking about when I’m writing is what keyboard I’m using, how it feels, etc. The tools need to be as transparent as possible. And this little construction element is not transparent.
- Overall I love this keyboard case, prefer it to the ZAGGfolio and I’ll have to go with the ZAGGfolio because this one has shitty lil’ wings on the front sides of the keyboard.
