I just picked up a Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio for my iPad Air this afternoon.
I had previously only seen the yellow coloured one which I thought looked incredibly ugly, however today I saw the white one with a black, soft-touch (instead of fabric, despite the name) plastic exterior.
I’m still getting to grips with it as Logitech insist on using a non-standard keyboard layout where the caps-lock key is shared with ‘A’ and tab key is shared with ‘Q’. No big problem, it just means you have to type slightly off-centre to the left – something that should be easy enough to get used to. Typing on it is a dream as the keys are completely soft and silent, with the exception of the spacebar which has a very slight rattle when you press it.
Things I immediately like:
- The iPad is very easy to insert and remove from the case, with just a small lip at the top holding it in place. I don’t always want to use my iPad with the keyboard case so I want to be able to install/remove it quickly.
- The keys are almost full-size and they are well-spaced out.
- The keyboard switches itself on when the iPad is aligned to the magnetic strip that holds it upright. Not only is this incredibly cool, it also saves on battery life and on having to remember to switch it off and on.
- You don’t have to enter a code to pair the keyboard with your device. Sounds like a small point but if you have more than one device or if you pair/unpair regularly, this is a nice improvement.
- The case adds quite a bit of weight but not a lot of bulk. The magnets inside do a good job of keeping it closed.
- The ability to fold the iPad over the keyboard so that you can still use it without the bluetooth keyboard is a nice touch. The fact that when you do that, the keyboard powers off is even better as otherwise the on-screen keyboard would refuse to show.
Things I’m not yet sure of:
- I’ve mentioned the slightly odd keyboard layout. It’s giving me a higher number of mistypes than I’d like, but I’m sure I’ll get used to it.
- There is no row of iPad specific function keys (like brightness, multitasking etc). While there are some function keys (volume, keyboard, microphone, screen lock, home), you have to hold down the function key to use them.
- The small Logitech label is annoying. I would praise the case for its lack of branding otherwise, but I’d prefer a small embossed logo on the case to a label which will catch on things and get worn. I may try to cut it off.
- There’s some excess glue along one edge of the case. Nothing major but for a keyboard case at this price point, I expect better.
- If the iPad moves out of alignment with the magnetic strip which turns the keyboard on, it immediately turns off, triggering the onscreen keyboard. It would be better if there was a 1-second timeout for accidental movement as there’s a short delay when you realign everything before the keyboard comes back on and re-pairs.
- It’s not backlit. Not a major downside as I rarely type in the dark, however models from Zagg which are cheaper have backlit keys.
Overall though, this is the nicest iPad Air keyboard case I’ve tried, beating models by Belkin, Zagg and Logitech’s own Ultrathin Keyboard Cover (which rattled and flexed unacceptably when typing).
Update: After typing on this keyboard for a bit longer, I am seeing far fewer typos and am touch-typing with confidence. Looks like it just takes a little bit of getting used to. The feeling of the keys really is great and, on a flat surface, there is no flex or movement of the base of the keyboard. It feels solid and the ‘soft-touch’ material of the exterior of the case doesn’t slip or slide around.