The Logitech Combo Touch Keyboard Case, which I’m using with the Apple iPad Air 11” M2, combines a bunch of essentials for your iPad needs. Be it protection, keyboard, a large multi-touch trackpad, or a kickstand to keep your iPad upright while you watch videos, sketch or work, this accessory provides a lot of what you need for your smart device. I’ve been using it for a month or two now, so what are my thoughts?
Flexibility in functionality
First impressions: In a nice steel grey, the material is, according to the packaging, a polymer including certified post-consumer recycled plastic. It looks slick, feels sturdy, and feels good in the hand.
Before I get into specifics, let’s cover off the thing that is in the name of the product. It promises versatility, but just how much does the Logitech Combo Touch Keyboard Case, you know, combine? It provides four main functions, really.
A kickstand for letting you stand your iPad up for any variety of reasons.
General protection for your iPad.
A keyboard for typing and keyboard functions (arrows, media play buttons, etc.)
And a pretty decent size touchpad for mousing around the screen or even sketching.
It delivers each of these functions to varying degrees of success. Some I love, others not as much. But overall, this is a great all-in-one solution for you. Together, they provide everything I need and does it extremely well.
Standing your Logitech Combo Touch Keyboard Case
So, the kickstand that is utilised with the Logitech Combo Touch Keyboard Case can be summarised as a thin, rigid card that is about 2/3rds the width of the case and folds out from the back of the case. It snaps back snug against the case with a magnet when pushed back.
It performs okay. If you have your iPad standing in landscape mode, it will stand on your bench, desk or table with or without the keyboard attached. That said, if you push down on the iPad while this kickstand is out, there’s no ‘lock’ or much resistance. This is not overly good if you want to draw on your iPad, as your iPad bounces a bit any pressure pressed upon the screen. But for the most part, the kickstand works well and I often use it to watch videos while in the kitchen.
What I will say, compared to other cases I’ve used in the past with iPads and kickstands in various formats, while this is great on a table top, it doesn’t exactly go well if you’re lying in bed and wanting to watch videos. Due to the kickstand being a thin card, and a bit flexible, it doesn’t exactly provide a lot of stability or ease of use on an uneven surface such as your blankets while you’re lying down.
A certain level of protection
Just how much protection does the Logitech Combo Touch Keyboard Case provide? Well, it depends on how you have it set up.
The rear half of the case, the ‘egg shell’ so to speak where the iPad slots into, seems to provide some pretty solid protection. The camera is well concealed with plenty of ‘case’ in front of it, so the lens won’t be scratched while on a table top. There appears plenty of protection around the corners. And, even with a glass screen protector on my iPad, the front is protected by plenty of bevel.
In the case, the USB-C port, speakers, and power button / fingerprint scanner are all accessible. The right side of the iPad is left without edge protection to allow you to attach an Apple Pencil or Logitech Crayon to the side of the iPad. And the volume buttons are handled via extensions through the case. They work well.
The front, however, is where it gets a bit more interesting. The keyboard (which I’ll get to in a few) is detachable and is the part that provides the cover and thus protection for the front screen of the iPad. While the case is closed, the keyboard will provide plenty of protection for your screen.
The keyboard cover, though, isn’t always attached to your case. If you are using your iPad as a tablet, the keyboard cannot be folded back onto the back of the case but instead detaches the moment it folds back too far. This is fine, as you don’t accidentally hit keys while it’s folded back. But it does mean that you need to put the keyboard aside, and ensure it doesn’t get damaged or misplaced.
Overall I’m happy with how much protection the case offers. While I don’t plan on throwing my iPad from heights in this case (or any case), this case feels sturdy and like it can protect my iPad from more than a few decent knocks. But when the keyboard is attached and front cover closed, the iPad feels well protected and I’ve not had any issues “frizbeeing” mine onto the couch or bed. It is meeting my level of needs for my iPad when travelling (one trip to Melbourne already, thrown around a car and hotel room on the way) or at home.
The Keyboard on the Logitech Combo Touch Keyboard Case
The keyboard / touchpad is, as mentioned above, a detachable piece that acts as both keyboard / touchpad and cover for the front of your iPad. It snaps on firmly when within range of the magnetic Smart Connector on your iPad. Because of this smart connector, there’s no need for batteries as the iPad powers the device.
The keys on the keyboard light up with a subtle but useful light. There are 16 levels of brightness available to adjust the lighting of the keys, so I’ve never had any issues seeing the keys no matter the lighting levels.
The keyboard is also pretty well spaced out and doesn’t feel too crowded. Admittedly, I fumble around a little with it because it naturally adopts some Apple keys (such as “option” and “cmd” keys) that I’m not used to, but I find it easy to type on. It is responsive and snappy to each key click and I’m not making many typos as I work.
In fact, this entire review has been written in a Google Doc using my iPad and the Logitech Combo Touch Keyboard Case.
It’s easy and provides me a lot of functionality when I’m travelling for work and want to work on something personal (such a review, or some budgeting, or personal emails, or even just Facebook).
Using the Touchpad
Yeah, it sounds a bit odd. Providing a touchpad… to use on an iPad. But it does prove to be pretty useful.
You can click and drag like a normal laptop touchpad. You can also use all your multi-touch gestures that you’re accustomed to from your iPad. Swiping, tapping, pinching to zoom in or out, and scrolling all works like it would if you were using the screen. May take a little bit of getting used to, but it’s easy enough.
When working on a Word Document or Spreadsheet, though, it is really quite useful to use. As you touch the Touchpad, a little dot shows on your iPad to see where the ‘cursor’ is and makes it easy to navigate around and then a simple press on the touchpad to select. Simple.
Final thoughts on the Logitech Combo Touch Keyboard Case
The Logitech Combo Touch Keyboard Case, used with my Apple iPad Air 11” M2, really does just provide a great level of versatility and flexibility to an all-in-one case. At RRP $319.95, this isn’t exactly a cheap case but does offer a whole lot for you.
Is it going to offer the best level of protection for your iPad? No. But, if you want that, get a different case that you can drive over with a car. But it won’t have a detachable keyboard included.
Is it going to offer you all the functionality of a full size keyboard or mouse connected to your iPad via Bluetooth? No, but if you are wanting to use them, use them (or just use your laptop already).
What the Logitech Combo Touch Keyboard Case is going to do is give you the options for what you need on-the-go. It’ll provide great protection for your iPad in your bag as you trek through the city before ordering a coffee in your favourite cafe and writing (or drawing) comfortably for hours without the need of a laptop and loose peripherals.
Would I recommend it? Without a doubt.
Is it coming off my iPad any time soon? No chance.
Thank you to Logitech for allowing me the opportunity to add this to my new Apple iPad Air 11″ M2 (and for use of your photos while I pack and move house!).
