Do you ever get like bored of using the same
things over and over and over again?
Well, that's the point I'm at with Apple's iPad Pro
Magic Keyboard.
It's a great keyboard. It's excellent. I love it.
I've been using it for the past year but
the beauty of the iPad is that you can use it a variety of different accessories
and a variety of different ways.
Magic Keyboard kind of made me forget about that.
When you get an iPad, you have to realize that you're not
stuck using the iPad one way like you are with a laptop.
So late last week, I was researching new keyboard
cases and I stumbled upon Logitech's new Combo Touch
case with trackpad.
Now a trackpad wasn’t a necessity for me
because my iPad isn't replacing any of my MacBooks
but what intrigued me was the versatility
of this case - especially the detachable keyboard here.
So I decided to pick it up and give it a try! Let's see what it's all about!
When I got the Combo Touch the two things
that I instantly fell in love with was:
1.) the fabric finish and b.) how thin and lightweight
it is.
This case keeps the iPad Pro true to it's
roots of being an ultra portable device and
doesn't add a whole lot of bulk.
It feels on-par if not slightly lighter than
Apple's Magic Keyboard, which is pretty impressive
given that the case offers full 360 degree
protection.
The edges around the case are rubberized with
cut outs that perfectly fit the first, second
and third generation iPad Pro.
Yes, that even includes the new M1 iPad Pro.
I'm using this case with the 2018, first gen
iPad Pro and it fits like a glove.
There's also a cut out on top for the Apple
Pencil to snap right onto your iPad.
Though I was a little disappointed that there
is no flap to keep it secure like on Logitech's
other keyboard cases.
What's interesting with the Combo Touch here
is that Logitech takes advantage of the Smart
Connector on the back of the iPad Pro to power
and pair this keyboard case.
There's no batteries or pairing required.
Snap it on and it works.
Super easy.
According to Logitech, there are 4 different
ways that you can use the Combo Touch.
Type mode, view mode, sketch mode and read
mode.
That’s what made this case so appealing
to me.
There’s so much flexibility here.
If you don’t feel like using your iPad one
way, you can use it another.
Just attach and detach the keyboard anytime
you want.
In my option, this case makes the iPad feel
so much more like an iPad and doesn’t make
it feel like it’s trying to be something
it’s not - that being a laptop.
The detachable keyboard is a huge plus and
it adds so much more flexibility in how you
can use your iPad over something like the
Magic Keyboard.
Time is going to tell how this thing holds
up but as of now, I think I found the perfect,
most versatile iPad Pro case you can buy at
the moment!
The typing experience on the Combo Touch is
also really, really good.
I'm actually typing the script for this video
on my iPad Pro with the keyboard.
The keys feel awesome with solid travel, there's
a function key row up top and also a light
underneath to see in the dark.
It performs as good as it looks.
Although each have a different feeling and
are made with different materials, I would
consider the experience to be very similar
to that of the excellent typing experience
found on the Magic Keyboard.
The Magic Keyboard may have the slight edge
since it feels more like a desktop keyboard
but it's not $100 better.
The Combo Touch is a joy to type on plus you
get the added bonus of a row of function keys
which are very useful to quickly adjust brightness,
volume and navigate around iPadOS.
There's no doubt in mind that students, script
writers, those who like to write and even
casual iPad users looking for an awesome keyboard
case will enjoy the typing experience here
on the Combo Touch.
Beneath the keyboard is the trackpad and it's
huge - it's much larger than the small one
on the Magic Keyboard.
Third party keyboards and trackpads have always
been hit or miss on the iPad but I am happy
to report that the one here on the Combo Touch
stands out.
It's excellent, highly responsive and works
with all of the gestures you're already familiar
with on Mac's and iPad's.
The surface is also very clicky from the center
all the way over to each of the corners.
To say I was surprised by its performance
would be an understatement.
The Combo Touch performs so much like any
first party keyboard case that it makes me
think - why would anyone spend more on anything
else?
It's thin, lightweight, pairs instantly via
the Smart Connector, offers 360 degree protection
and a detectable keyboard with trackpad - there's
a lot to love here.
The only reason I can think of for wanting
something else is if you have a preference
for first part accessories or if want a different,
more compact form factor - which the Magic Keyboard is really great for.
Though this case is very close to perfect,
I do have a few minor things to complain about
and that's the viewing angle and the amount
of physical space that it takes up.
First, it's tough to set your iPad at certain
viewing angles in the Combo Touch, especially
if you're trying to type on your lap or on
a soft surface like your bed.
If the detachable keyboard had like a hinge
or something this wouldn't be a problem but
do note that some surfaces are better than
others for this case.
Secondly, the Combo Touch has a longer physical
footprint and takes up more space then the
Magic Keyboard or even a laptop.
With this case, the iPad is set back more
rather than almost on top of the keyboard
like Apple’s offering.
This is due to the kickstand around the back
and the keyboard being on the larger side.
These are both very minor complaints though
and I had to dig a bit to actually find things
to complain about with this case - and that's
a really good thing!
Overall, I am really impressed with the Combo
Touch keyboard case.
When I saw it online, I wasn’t entirely
sure what to expect since I never really ventured
into third party keyboard cases but it performs
exactly like the Magic Keyboard only in a
different form factor.
It definitely has it's slight downfalls but
the Combo Touch is a near perfect keyboard
case for your iPad Pro.
It adds full protection and gives you so much
more flexibility in how you can use your iPad
- all at a full $100 cheaper than Apple’s
Magic Keyboard!
This thing is awesome!
Anywho, that’s about it for this video guys!
I hope you enjoyed it and found it helpful.
If you did and you liked what you saw, be
sure to give it a thumbs up and hit that subscribe
button because it always helps out the channel
- and until the next one, I will catch you guys later.
Peace!