{"id":437,"date":"2013-06-21T21:43:31","date_gmt":"2013-06-22T02:43:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thechristiangeek.wordpress.com\/?p=437"},"modified":"2013-06-21T21:43:31","modified_gmt":"2013-06-22T02:43:31","slug":"review-logitech-tablet-keyboard-for-ipad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/thechristiangeek.net\/wp\/?p=437","title":{"rendered":"Review: Logitech Tablet Keyboard for iPad"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Logitech<\/p>\n

The most essential accessory for making the iPad a serious productivity device is undoubtedly a good keyboard.\u00a0 Apple did not even consider support for a keyboard initially and “pooh-poohed” the idea that anyone would want one.\u00a0 In spite of their original disdain for a keyboard, even Apple got on that bandwagon with both their Apple Wireless Keyboard and their Keyboard Dock for the iPad, though the latter is (understandably) discontinued.<\/p>\n


\nMy History<\/b>\u00a0 For this review, I’m going to assume that the reader already recognized the value of a keyboard with their iPad.<\/p>\n

Keyboards are something I have long been very picky about.\u00a0 I will probably write a full post on my history and preferences with keyboards, but let’s just leave it at I cannot afford to skimp on quality where keyboards or mice are concerned.\u00a0 Just so you have a reference for this article, my keyboard at home and work is the current version of the original Model M buckling spring mechanical keyboard.<\/p>\n

The Apple Wireless Keyboard is not an iPad specific keyboard, though Apple advertises it with the iPad accessories.\u00a0 It has been my primary work desk keyboard for my iPad for some time.\u00a0 For as small as it is, it has a surprisingly good action and is easy to type on.\u00a0 Moreover, it is a full-size keyboard which is good for my large hands.<\/p>\n

However, this keyboard doesn’t travel well.\u00a0 The power switch is an easily triggered button on the side.\u00a0 For some bad luck reason, when it gets turned on by accident in my bag, it seems the next key to get pressed is always the multimedia Play button.\u00a0 When I nearly wreck the car when the power chords from Bat Out of Hell came blaring out of my mini case, I realized it was time to find something more travel friendly.<\/p>\n

This led me to the Belkin iPad Keyboard.\u00a0 It was reasonably priced, full sized and had a physical switch on the bottom.\u00a0 The only downside of it was that it was not terribly durable.\u00a0 I took about one year of serious daily use to wear it out.\u00a0 Numerous letters either skip or go into auto-repeat.\u00a0 Far beyond the “double type” problem inherent in all Bluetooth keyboards.\u00a0 As a result, I was back in the keyboard market.<\/p>\n

Keyboard Requirements<\/b><\/p>\n

There are a few things that I consider absolutely essential in an iPad keyboard.\u00a0 First, it has to be a full-sized key layout.\u00a0 I am a reasonable speed touch typist of about 60 wpm and the keyboard needs to let me at least be in the ballpark.<\/p>\n

Second, it has to be highly transportable.\u00a0 I prefer a keyboard small and light enough that I can put in my bag with my iPad when I need it and leave it behind when I don’t.\u00a0 Third and latest, it has to have a mechanical on\/off switch that will not get triggered accidentally.\u00a0 No more surprise power chords.<\/p>\n

Other preferences that I would prefer are things like comfortable key travel, a good tactile response, indicator lights and a selection of iPad specific control keys.\u00a0 However, these are all subject to tradeoff to give the best typing experience.<\/p>\n

Those requirements immediately ruled out the most common type of iPad keyboard – the keyboard case.\u00a0 I honestly don’t understand why anyone other than a “hunt-and-peck” typist would ever want one of those.\u00a0 They are cramped and anything more than a short email becomes very uncomfortable rather quickly.<\/p>\n

It also ruled out a full size Bluetooth keyboard.\u00a0 Now I do have to clarify what I mean when I say “Full Size.” regarding the keyboard.\u00a0 By that I only mean that the QWERTY layout has to match that of a traditional keyboard in size and spacing.\u00a0 I am not referring to the physical size of the keyboard itself.\u00a0 I am also not referring to, or requiring, items like function keys or a numeric keypad.<\/p>\n

My Choices<\/b><\/p>\n

Obviously, these requirement very quickly ruled out much of the field.\u00a0 As I said earlier, the market is dominated by keyboard cases using miniaturized layouts.\u00a0 My choices ended up surprisingly to be what you would expect to see for a traditional desktop keyboard vendor: Apple, Logitech and Microsoft.<\/p>\n

The Apple keyboard is one I already have and as noted, it is an excellent keyboard.\u00a0 The power button issue I mentioned, however, makes it undesirable for easy transport.<\/p>\n

Microsoft has three keyboards that fit my criteria.\u00a0 These are the Arc keyboard, the Sculpt mobile keyboard and the Wedge mobile keyboard.\u00a0 The Arc came in just a bit larger than I liked and I really didn’t care for the key action.\u00a0 However, I was quite content with the Sculpt and Wedge.\u00a0 What ultimately ruled them out for me was that they were very Windows focused.\u00a0 Microsoft has thrown their entire business venture into making the new paradigm for Windows a success, and that includes their hardware.\u00a0 While technically compatible with the iPad, the Windows focus takes away from the attractiveness.<\/p>\n

In addition to their keyboard cases, Logitech has two keyboards that fit my selection criteria; the Bluetooth Illuminated Keyboard and the Tablet Keyboard for iPad.\u00a0 Both keyboards have very similar key action and layout.\u00a0 There are three primary differences.\u00a0 The first is that the Illuminated Keyboard has multiconnect capability.\u00a0 It can pair to three different devices.\u00a0 The second is that the Illuminated Keyboard is USB rechargeable while the Tablet Keyboard is AAA battery powered.\u00a0 Finally, there is a huge difference in price.\u00a0 The Illuminated Keyboard will run about $100 while the Tablet keyboard can be found for $50.<\/p>\n

Due to the similar typing experience and the much cheaper price, I went with the Logitech Tablet Keyboard for iPad.<\/p>\n

Logitech Tablet Keyboard<\/b><\/p>\n

\"Keyboard<\/a>

Keyboard Layout<\/p><\/div>\n

The first and most important question on any keyboard is “How does it type?”\u00a0 After about 3 months of use, I think I can answer that question.\u00a0 I am typing this review right now on this keyboard.\u00a0 While no rubber dome based keyboard will allow me to type as fast as my mechanical switch keyboard, I am certainly typing as fast as any other rubber dome commercial keyboard whether intended for tablet or PC.\u00a0 I would estimate I’m clocking in at around 50 WPM based on previous experience.\u00a0 That’s about right for me on a decent keyboard and far better than what I get on the typical miniaturized layout.<\/p>\n

The keys have good feeling travel, though only 2mm rather than the 4mm of my mechanical keyboard.\u00a0 That’s not uncommon and certainly not a detriment.\u00a0 In spite of the short travel, the keys have a very distinct tactile response when the key registers.\u00a0 Better than the Apple keyboard in my opinion.\u00a0 The keys also have a satisfying – albeit – quiet click to them.\u00a0 For me that is a definite plus.\u00a0 It is a very comfortable keyboard for touch typing.<\/p>\n

While the keyboard is rather flat, it does have a slight tilt, thanks to the battery compartment.\u00a0 Just enough for comfort, though as with all such keyboards, I would have liked a bit more.\u00a0 The keys themselves also have just a bit of curvature to the surface.\u00a0 It’s very hard to see, but the fingers certainly know it is there.\u00a0 This is a very subtle but important assist in touch typing.<\/p>\n

One of the reasons for my pickiness about keyboards is that I’ve had some history of repetitive strain issues.\u00a0 Keyboards have played a big role and I’ve found that the quickest way for me to get aching wrist is to type on a poor keyboard for an extended period.\u00a0 Ergonomic design has certainly helped, but I’ve found the most effective solution has been in the keyboard action.\u00a0 I can type on the Tablet keyboard for a few hours at a time with periodic short breaks.\u00a0 Even though the travel is only 2mm, I still don’t get the feel of hard impact and bottoming out that I do on most non-mechanical switched keyboards.\u00a0 The only other such keyboard I’ve been able to say this about has been the Apple.<\/p>\n

Physically the keyboard measures 11.3″ by 5.12″ and is 0.62″ thick.\u00a0 It weigh just over 14 oz.\u00a0 It\u00a0 is powered by four (yes, four) AAA batteries, which come with the keyboard and account for much of the weight.\u00a0 I cannot comment on battery life, because after three months, I’m still on the original batteries.\u00a0 Draw your own conclusions.<\/p>\n

The most obvious difference from a desktop keyboard is that there is not a Function Key row.\u00a0 Since this keyboard is intended for the iPad, that is something that will not be missed. The power switch is on the top right, as are the battery and connection lights.\u00a0 These lights show at power-on for a few moments, then go off for regular use.\u00a0 The switch is a two position slide switch that is slightly recessed.\u00a0 It is easy to use and will not switch on or off by accident.\u00a0 There is also an indicator light for the Caps Lock key.\u00a0 On the bottom of the battery compartment is the pairing button.\u00a0 This switch is small and recessed to prevent accidental triggering.\u00a0 It is also elongated, so a fingernail is sufficient to press it.\u00a0 You won’t need a pen or bent paperclip.<\/p>\n

By way of physical construction, the keyboard is a very rigid plastic.\u00a0 It has a very weighty and solid feel.\u00a0 For those who like to tout the Apple’s aluminum surface, I will note first, that this is primarily cosmetic.\u00a0 Look underneath and you will find that it too is plastic.\u00a0 In spite of a composite top, the Logitech does not feel any less durable.\u00a0 The keyboard also comes with a case that serves a double purpose that I’ll discuss later.\u00a0 In its case, they keyboard just barely fits my small profile iPad case.\u00a0 Out of the case, it fits snugly but easily.<\/p>\n

Looking at the keyboard itself, there is clearly space between the keys.\u00a0 Holding this keyboard against my Model M though, one finds that the key tops are very much in line with each other.\u00a0 This works well with the physical key design to give such a good typing experience.\u00a0 The cursor key array is below the right shift key.\u00a0 These keys are miniaturized to take advantage of the space available.\u00a0 In use, I have found that this does not create any difficulties when navigating a document.<\/p>\n

As far as special function keys, the keyboard sports typical Mac Ctrl, Option and Cmd keys.\u00a0 These allow for standard Mac style navigation and editing commands.\u00a0 These are all standard size keys.\u00a0 It’s also worth noting that the Ctrl key is only on the left side (more on that later).\u00a0 Below the left shift key, there is also a function key.<\/p>\n

This key is used to trigger the special functions assigned to the numeric key row.\u00a0 These keys provide what has become the typical media control keys, a show\/hide on-screen keyboard control and slideshow control.\u00a0 I honestly have never understood why most keyboards have this latter.\u00a0 I have yet to find anyone who actually uses it. There is also support for a back-quote and tilde keystroke.\u00a0 Finally, the fn-Delete key combination will power off or bring up the lock screen similar to pressing the top button of the iPad.\u00a0 This particular two-key combination makes it useful and safe from being accidently triggered.<\/p>\n

I wish I could say the same about one of the two iPad specific keys that were included on this keyboard.\u00a0 Rather than having a right side Ctrl key, this key has been given the function of calling up the iPad’s search function.\u00a0 This is the only aspect of this keyboard that I do not like.\u00a0 when using keyboard navigation, it has proven far too easily to hit this search key.\u00a0 This has the effect of popping me out of the current program and going to the search screen.\u00a0 This is very annoying.\u00a0 I don’t use the iPad search function often, though I know some like it.<\/p>\n

On a much more positive side, there is another iPad specific key.\u00a0 What most keyboards would have as an Escape key is a Home key on this keyboard.\u00a0 This key functions the same as pressing the Home button on the iPad.\u00a0 That also means allowing a double press to bring up the task switching view of the springboard.\u00a0 This key is perfectly located and extremely useful.\u00a0 It doesn’t allow for the “long press” that brings up the move\/delete icon function, but since that is such a screen-focus task, that is a non-issue.<\/p>\n

\"Kbd<\/a>On final aspect of this keyboard needs to be discussed.\u00a0 That is the case.\u00a0 The Tablet Keyboard is one of the few stand-alone iPad keyboards that comes with a protective case.\u00a0 This case adds to the size, of course; enough so that it makes the fit in the iPad case quite tight at best.\u00a0 I find that even so, I prefer to bring it along.\u00a0 Not only does the case serve as good protection for the keyboard, it also converts to a very effective keyboard stand.\u00a0 This stand allows the iPad to be set in either landscape or portrait orientation with a cover still attached.\u00a0 The case will split apart as seen in the illustration and an extensible tab will extend to hold the iPad.\u00a0 It looks like it would be flimsy but in this case looks are quite deceiving.\u00a0 The support is quite solid and the weight of the iPad is enough to engage small profile feet to keep it from sliding around on the table.<\/p>\n

Summary<\/b><\/p>\n

As I said, I’ve written this review on my Logitech Tablet Keyboard for iPad.\u00a0 This is hands-down the best iPad keyboard I have used, period.\u00a0 After three months of heavy use, it is still reliable and effective. \u00a0No, it’s not as good as typing on my Model M mechanical keyboard, but no<\/i><\/b> other keyboard is that good, in my opinion, even for a full-size PC.\u00a0 Still, this keyboard types better than any laptop keyboard and even most modern PC keyboards.\u00a0 Other than the poor position of the Search key, there is little that you can say that is bad about this keyboard.\u00a0 I can recommend the Logitech Tablet Keyboard for iPad without hesitation.<\/p>\n

Pros<\/b><\/p>\n