The Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover 4 Things To Know Before You Buy

The Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover: 4 Things To Know Before You Buy. R. Michael Miguel 25 Comments. Four months ago I picked up the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for the iPad in hopes to remove the laptop from my travels. So now after using this new lighter setup for the past months, I thought it might be beneficial to the readers here to follow-up my findings with a post. If the thought of stripping down to an iPad-Only platform has kept you up all night searching for the perfect keyboard, and stand combination? or are planning to buy a keyboard to improve your typing on the iPad? This review on the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover may just be what the Doctor ordered. So let’s get started, shall we ? A Tip on Buying iPad Accessories. With so many different styles of iPad covers and cases to choose from, it’s becoming difficult to choose one. So which one should you buy? Do you get a hard-shell case, a transparent cover, or a folio-style case with a Bluetooth keyboard? Or how about something a bit more stylish like this handcrafted bookcase. That’s why when I’m asked to recommend any extras for the iPad (e.g., a cover, a case or a stand) my advice starts with making a list. I find that in writing things down things become much clearer, and there are fewer chances of buying the wrong thing and returning it. If my advice sounds simple, it’s because it is. But simplicity doesn’t make it less useful. The average lifespan is very short for all technology gadgets, and if you’re not careful, accessories can also add up to an eye-raising cost. So be extra selective when buying. And if NOT be aware that all those trendy iPad cases you bought will probably end up collecting dust — and leaving a hole in your wallet. Cutting Through the Pile of iPad Covers. My recent purchase of the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover is an example of how being extra selective helped me to cut through the pile of iPad cover choices and buy what I needed. My search all began after the New Year started too settled down to find a case for my iPad 3. I consider the requests on my list to be simple: It had to include a Bluetooth keyboard able to hold a charge for a good amount of time It also had to be as light as possible While still providing the best protection available. Not too deep into my search I came across the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover that’s become very popular with other iPad users. It’s light to carry considering how the cover is also a Bluetooth keyboard and was attracted by how the ultra-thin anodized aluminum design not only matches the aesthetics of the iPad but also set it apart from the rest of the pile. But — even after buying the Logitech Cover I still had my doubts. Unboxing the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover. I made a quick video unboxing the Logitech Cover to show what’s in the box. If you don’t have time to watch the video it’s okay — I got you cover (Oops! S orry. No pun intended ) here’s a quick rundown. What’s in the box ? Protective screen cover with integrated Bluetooth wireless keyboard and stand USB to micro USB charging cable Cleaning cloth User documentation. The product features : Function Keys Status light On/Off switch Bluetooth connect button – To quickly detect if you’re connected Keyboard keys – Membrane scissor type keys Auto wake and sleep ( just like the iPad Smart Cover ) – Instant on/off conserves battery power Magnetic clip – A magnetic hinge securely attaches the cover to your iPad — just clip it on and you’re ready to go. Super-thin (only 8mm thick) and lightweight like your iPad — a comfortable fit in your hand or bag Place your iPad in either the portrait or landscape position ( As per the manual ) A fully charged battery provides about six months of power when the keyboard cover is in use about two hours a day. (To See Full Product Specks Visit: the Logitech Ultrathin keyboard cover web page) My Insights After 30 Days. Following after my thirty-day rule. Which simply means: I’m willing to return things within 30 days — then to have it sold at a garage sale . Here are some of my thoughts while using the Logitech Cover. I’ll start by pointing out the four things I saw directing me to return the cover and then follow by explaining each one in detail. Hopefully, this will also explain why I still felt uncertain about this purchase. 4 Things to Know Before Buying the Logitech Ultrathin Cover. A fixed viewing angle – Since the viewing angle on the stand is fixed and not adjustable, I wasn’t sure if not having this option would turn into a problem. The cover provides no protection to the back of the iPad – The cover does an excellent job of protecting the front screen of the iPad, but doesn’t protect the back. While I hate to see a scratch or crack on the screen, I also don’t like to see my gadgets scuffed up anywhere else if possible. Questioning the strength of the magnetic clips – Having already experienced how the magnetic clip on the Apple Smart Cover fails to keep the cover attach to the iPad when transported inside a carrying bag. My concern was seeing this happen again. Portrait view maybe less secure – From my first observations, I notice how the iPad placed in landscape view appeared to be more stable on the stand than in a portrait position. It’s very noticeable because when putting the iPad in landscape mode an audible clicking sound is heard as soon as the magnetic clips on the cover connect to the back of the iPad . So there you have it. The list of four concerns I had before and after buying the Logitech Cover. And also, the four areas that deserve greater explanations in my review, being they were the things that determined if I was going to send the cover back. But before I explain all these in greater detail I want to share my thoughts briefly about the keyboard. In trying to be transparent and give the best value for my review. I need to share the following: I consider myself an average touch-typist but most currently I’ve relied on using the iOS devices to dictate my thoughts using Siri — than to type. That’s why, the feel and size of the keys weren’t a huge concern in my decision-making process when evaluating the Logitech Ultrathin keyboard cover. Don’t get me wrong. I did buy the Logitech Cover to also improve my typing on the iPad. But I don’t consider myself an expert in this area. That being said in comparison to the size and feel of the keys on the Apple Wireless USB keyboard, ( which is what I regularly use ) it didn’t feel awkward going from one — to the other. But overall I’ll describe the experience as feeling natural. To give you a better reference and comparison of this check out the photo of the two above. Tackling My 4 Doubts. Now let’s go back to each of my concern on the list to give you a greater depth into how I dealt with some of these concerns, and to find out if this iPad cover with attached USB keyboard is the right match for you. And just to clarify: my reasons wasn’t to find faults with the Logitech Cover but instead provide value regardless if my experience was favorable or not. So, in the process of being extra selective and evaluating if I was going to stay with the Logitech Cover — these were certain things that came up. 1. A Fixed Viewing Angle. Not being able to adjust the viewing angle on a stand is usually a big turn-off. I like the option to adjust the viewing angle on a stand so that I’m able to make the proper adjustments for the following: The type of ambient light in the room The kind of content viewing The type of surface the iPad is on. To feel confident, this wasn’t going to turn into a problem — if I kept the cover. I made sure to test the stand in different settings while performing different tasks. For example, in one of the many Skype video conferences that I attended I felt the fixed angle on the stand provided the best viewing angle of the person. While in another test I watch a handful of Netflix content lying down without feeling the need to make a single adjustment to my viewing. And the same can be said when I played my favorite games on the iPad and wrote my lengthy blog articles at 2 o’clock in the morning. 2. The Cover Provides no Protection to the Back of the iPad. In searching for ways to protect the back of the iPad, I received many suggestions on Twitter recommending the Luvvitt protective back skin and the Invisible shield protective skin to resolve this. But none of those solutions appealed to me for the obvious reason that I didn’t want to spend any more money. But in the process of giving the cover a slight touch of personality — by adding some plastic feet as illustrated in the above image. This small change not only improved the support of the stand from sliding but also took care of my immediate concern of minimizing scratches when the tablet is sitting on my desk. 3. Questioning the Strength of the Magnetic Clip. I mentioned before how I’m not a huge fan of the Apple Smart Cover. Considering how I only used one for a week before I took it back. My biggest gripe with the cover was that it was always getting detached inside my carrying bag. And for this reason, I’ve stayed away from buying covers using the magnetic clip. But with the Logitech Cover my experience was very different. I didn’t come across any of the problems I had before. And to end any doubts you might have about similar issues or with questioning the strength of the magnetic clips on the cover take a look at the photo above. Just remember this is not the proper way to carry the iPad . 4. Placing the iPad in Portrait View. Now from all the things on this list this was probably my biggest concern. Here’s why! I came across this situation when I placed the iPad for the first time in portrait view and notice quickly how the iPad kept falling back if I wasn’t careful. Careful meaning: not to use my finger or a stylus in a way that resembles the gesture of tapping or poking on the screen. To see why this is. It’s very noticeable when placing the iPad on the holder strip in landscape mode to hear how the iPad is better secured by the click sound the magnet clips make when the iPad is in this position. But the same result is not noticeable when the iPad is in portrait view. Also, in landscape mode, I can pick both items up as a single unit, which is very handy if I need to move to another working area. But I wouldn’t recommend doing this all the time. So unless you want to see your iPad fall, I would stay away from tapping and similar type gestures in this position. I’m not saying that placing the iPad in portrait view is useless. But rather be aware that each viewing mode perforce better with certain hand gestures than the other. In Conclusion. I’m going to assume that you figured out before the end here — that I never returned the Logitech Cover back, this alone should be proof of how much I like this item and don’t regret getting rid of the laptop for my new mobile set up. The battery life alone on both units plus the flexibility to type on a physical keyboard and the ease of detaching the iPad from the stand to read provides the best of both worlds. Note: If you want more information on this iPad case, be sure to check out this product on Amazon.com. And if you use my affiliate link to buy the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover. I would appreciate if you send me an email. This way I can thank you and provide any additional support that you might need. Oops, I forgot! Make sure to check this video slide show too. It’s got “VIRAL” all over it.