I used to think that having a keyboard on a tablet defeats the purpose of having a tablet, especially the iPad. iOS on the iPad is swipe and touch centric and onscreen keyboard is surprisingly good for text and data entry. The iPad supports Bluetooth keyboards but carrying around the Apple Keyboard adds a lot of weight and space and most third party keyboard/case combinations are very cumbersome and unresponsive. That is until Logitech released their Ultrathin Keyboard for the new iPad.
Design
Logitech has a reputation of quality peripherals for computers and the Ultrathin Keyboard is no exception. The keyboard is thin, light, and stylish with a design that accommodates those very same characteristics of the iPad itself making a near perfect marriages between the two devices. The keyboard weighs only 11.36oz measuring only .31 inches in thickness making it one of the thinnest and lightest keyboards out for the iPad. The build quality is excellent, made of aluminum and feels solid.
They keyboard magnetically snaps onto the iPad much like a Smart Cover, which will turn the screen off if it’s closed and on if open. Due to the design however, you can’t flip the keyboard all the way back when you want to use it as a tablet so you have to remove it completely. Also you have to keep in mind, like the Smart Cover, that it does not protect the back of the iPad, which will expose it to scratches.
When using the keyboard, you snap it off the iPad and place the tablet on the magnetic groove either portrait or landscape. The iPad is angled at an ergonomically comfortable position giving you the best viewing position when typing.
Setting up is very simple. Simple switch on the Bluetooth on your iPad and the keyboard and they will pair automatically. Both devices will reconnect when waking the iPad from sleep. Typing on the keyboard with the iPad is a great experience. The keys are responsive and feels like a high quality chiclet style Logitech keyboard. The addition of cut and paste short cuts, the “home” button, and media controls are also a nice touch. The keyboard does feel cramped at times but that’s expected for something this size and as other reviews have pointed out, the Delete key is way too small!
Battery Life
Logitech claims that the battery will last up to six months between charges for two hours use per day, which is about average on how much you will spend typing with this. Of course since this keyboard was just release, there hasn’t been enough time yet to test this claim.
Conclusion
Before getting this keyboard, my home setup was a 15 inch MacBook Pro that was hooked up to a 27 inch Apple Thunderbolt Display, had to sync back and forth with my 11 inch MacBook Air when I’m out and about and my iPad was mainly used at home to surf the web and read the news in bed. Now with the Logitech keyboard, I have eliminated the MacBook Air 11″ altogether and take the iPad when I’m out on the go as it is now much more capable typing out documents, writing full length e-mails, and working on spreadsheets as I have all my files synced to Drop Box and Google Docs. And if it’s absolutely necessary (maybe 1 or 2 days out of the week), I’ll take my MacBook Pro 15″ out for a spin when heavy duty computing is needed on the go. Otherwise the iPad is more than enough to get the job done.
Although the Logitech Ultrathin isn’t a full sized keyboard or a solution to replace your main desktop or laptop, it is an excellent accessory that adds another of usefulness out of your iPad. If you are looking for a keyboard for your iPad, you will not regret owning this one thanks to the design, build quality, and portability of the Logitech Ultrathin. This one gets my recommendation.
Overall Rating: 9/10
I have got the same cover for my laptop and I really want to say that it could be the best thing to be used as the protection of your laptop’s keyboard. Good to read about the reviews of this keyboard.