Logitech Combo Touch iPad Air (4Th, 5Th Gen - 2020, 2022) Keyboard Case - Detachable Backlit Keyboard With Kickstand, Large Trackpad, Smart Connector,

The Logitech Combo Touch for the 13” iPad Air may be the overall best keyboard case available today. Certainly, for my own use, it checks almost every feature box I want in a keyboard folio, and it exceeds my expectations. In sum, it brings a realistic, though imperfect, laptop experience to the iPad.I’ll detail the Combo Touch’s highlights and my experience with the case below, but I’ll start with my biggest semi-disappointment because it could be a disqualifier for some users. An adjustable kickstand supports the iPad screen rather than a self-supporting hinge seen on Apple’s Magic Keyboard. A self-supporting hinge would destroy the Combo Touch’s multiuse nature, but the lack of one means, from a practical perspective, that the keyboard requires a hard surface ... MoreThe Logitech Combo Touch for the 13” iPad Air may be the overall best keyboard case available today. Certainly, for my own use, it checks almost every feature box I want in a keyboard folio, and it exceeds my expectations. In sum, it brings a realistic, though imperfect, laptop experience to the iPad.I’ll detail the Combo Touch’s highlights and my experience with the case below, but I’ll start with my biggest semi-disappointment because it could be a disqualifier for some users. An adjustable kickstand supports the iPad screen rather than a self-supporting hinge seen on Apple’s Magic Keyboard. A self-supporting hinge would destroy the Combo Touch’s multiuse nature, but the lack of one means, from a practical perspective, that the keyboard requires a hard surface for support. Laps need not apply. I easily overlooked this, but if you want something you can work on placed on your lap this Logitech case isn’t for you.The Combo Touch works out of the box, no special app or software is necessary. However, firmware update are installed with an app which is available in Apple’s App Store. The app doesn’t seem to offer any additional functionality so I deleted it and will reinstall later if new firmware is released. All of the keyboard and trackpad settings are found in iOS 18’s settings including speed of the trackpad, opting in to gestures, and scroll direction.VERSITILITYMuch of the Combo Touch’s genius, as its name suggests, is its ability to be either a back case or a keyboard folio on the fly. I haven’t seen any thing else like it. The case and keyboard are packed as two separate parts which can be attached or disconnected from each other as desired. For example, attach the keyboard and use your iPad like a laptop. When you are done and want to chill on the sofa and browse your favorite web site, effortlessly pull off the keyboard and use the iPad like a tablet without having to hold the weight of keyboard. The adaptability here is fantastic but it could be even better if Logitech had designed the case to work in either landscape or horizontally. As it is the screen must be horizontal.KEYBOARD, TRACKPAD AND MY TYPING EXPERIENCEThe keyboard uses the iPad Air’s smart connector for both power and data transfer. This eliminates the need for cables or Bluetooth, a huge convenience, especially when traveling. It’s width almost mirrors a MacBook Pro’s keyboard. Almost. Nearly all the keys are full size except for backslash and tilde. Unless you are a coder or type Spanish language documents this shouldn’t be an issue. In addition to the standard keys there is also a top row of iPad shortcut and media control keys, similar to what you’d find on an Apple laptop. Unique keys here are Home, Siri, Screen Shot, and Do Not Disturb.As a touch typer my typing experience is pleasant, better than a mid-level Windows laptop but not as good as a scissor keyboard on an Apple laptop. The keys are generously sized and convex so the finger naturally finds the center and the feedback is snappy and tactile. What I don’t “love” is the shallow travel. It’s certainly usable but it’s not as deep as my MacBook Pro’s keyboard. That’s a personal preference though. Whatever shortcomings the keyboard has, I enjoy typing on it and as a tablet accessory it is impressive. It’s a true workhorse, not a gimmick accessory that performs only marginally better than an on-screen keyboard.Like any good laptop keyboard, at least in my mind, this one is backlit. Brightness is user adjustable via buttons on the laptop and brightness levels are excellent for dim to total dark areas.Beneath the keys sits a massive 6” diagonal mechanical multi-touch trackpad – slightly bigger than my MacBook Pro’s trackpad. Like the keyboard, it performs better than a budget PC laptop, but obviously can’t compete with the glass haptic trackpad on Apple laptops. All the iPad’s screen gestures work on the trackpad, if trackpad gestures are enabled. Moving across the trackpad is smooth and accurate and absolutely gives the iPad a laptop feel and utility, especially with Office apps that beg for a trackpad or mouse. Since the trackpad is mechanical and not sealed there are visible gaps at the edge where the trackpad meets the case, especially if physically clicking. Expect dust to get in these crevices, maybe a few crumbs too, so frequent dry wipe down here is advised.From a design perspective I enjoy how Logitech placed the keyboard close to the screen allowing for larger palm rests than its competitors. It’s a small touch, ignored in similar keyboard cases, that adds comfort when typing for long periods. In sum, Logitech’s thoughtful keyboard design offers the user a realistic laptop experience including auto-sleep when the case is closed.CASEThe other half of the Combo Touch is its case, which for this review included the stand-along back case and the reverse side of the keyboard which is its cover. The cover is a durable polycarbonate that has a silky, but not slippery feel. The back may also be polycarbonate, but whatever the base material, it’s wrapped in a thin vinyl that also feels good, though I have doubts about its long-term robustness. The area around the keyboard’s keys is this same vinyl-like material.The sides are rubber-like, flexible enough to install the iPad without a struggle but not so much that the iPad can pop out without assistance. All the iPad’s ports and side buttons are covered except for the USB-C and magnet/charge area for the Apple Pencil. The iPad’s buttons work smoothly and promptly. Fit is excellent even with a glass screen protector installed.A stand on back stabilizes the iPad’s screen in “laptop mode,” and can be set to a desired viewing angle – it’s not “one size fits most.” Stability is rock solid no matter what kind of work or play you are doing on your iPad Air. I tried, but failed, to make the screen wobble when writing and editing documents, watching TV, playing games, or drawing with the Apple Pencil. If there is a weak point it’s that the point where the stand meets the case’s back is already creasing, just days old. I include a picture. It could just be aesthetic; I can’t say for sure. It does make me wonder if it will withstand constant flipping up and down that a road warrior will do. Only time will tell.A couple other negatives: first, opening the case is awkward thanks to Logitech being “forced” to design the case around the iPad’s Apple Pencil charge area and the smart connector’s placement. The result is when you open the case the keyboard is backwards so it must be flipped around. I can’t fault either Apple or Logitech here because I’ve been wanting the Pencil to latch to the horizontal edge for a long time and I would not want this space blocked. The only way to get around how any keyboard folio opens is to go to a hinged case and then you lose the versatility the Combo Touch offers.My other quibble with the case is that it’s impossible to fold the keyboard to the back of the case to handhold. When attempted, the keyboard instantly falls off and has to be set aside. It’s not a huge bother – I’d rather not hold dead weight anyway. But I can also see situations like on a plane, hotel, etc., where I remove the keyboard and then forget it. So, it’s something I have to be mindful of when using this way in these circumstances. The way the Combo Touch works in this way might be a reason to not get it for a kid.Finally, since this is a “laptop” like experience a word on weight. The entire Combo Touch package weighs as much as the iPad itself, effectively doubling its travel weight, but to me that is only relevant compared to what a comparable laptop weighs. My shipping scale broke so I can only judge by perception here, but to my hand my 13” iPad Air inside the Combo Touch feels ½ pound or so lighter than my 14” M3 MacBook Pro. This is why I look forward to taking the iPad Air and Combo Touch with me on short trips. All aspects considered, Logthe positives of this case vastly outweigh the negatives to me. It’s a winner.

Coming from the Apple Magic Keyboard, which I used on my three previous generation iPad Pro 12.9, I was hesitant to change anything with my routine. I was especially hesitant because I generally trust Apple OEM products but when I heard that Logitech, a company that I know puts out good products, was taking a fully integrated stab at the keyboard market for iPad, I dove right in.The most obvious difference between my Magic Keyboard and the Logitech Combo Touch is that the keyboard is detachable, and the back case stays on my iPad at all times. My general workflow with my iPad Pro at home is that I use it naked when I'm watching tv on the couch or sitting up in bed, but always magnetized to my Magic Keyboard when I'm outside the house. The Logitech case stays ... MoreComing from the Apple Magic Keyboard, which I used on my three previous generation iPad Pro 12.9, I was hesitant to change anything with my routine. I was especially hesitant because I generally trust Apple OEM products but when I heard that Logitech, a company that I know puts out good products, was taking a fully integrated stab at the keyboard market for iPad, I dove right in.The most obvious difference between my Magic Keyboard and the Logitech Combo Touch is that the keyboard is detachable, and the back case stays on my iPad at all times. My general workflow with my iPad Pro at home is that I use it naked when I'm watching tv on the couch or sitting up in bed, but always magnetized to my Magic Keyboard when I'm outside the house. The Logitech case stays attached to my iPad, offering edge protection when not using the keyboard, with all proper port openings, magnetic connections, and a slot for my Apple Pencil to magnetically charge.The touchpad feels similarly responsive to the Magic Keyboard and the keyboard/backlight are equally useable, but the touchpad on the Logitech is significantly larger - maybe double the size. I never had any problem with the Magic Keyboard touchpad but bigger is better in this case. The two cases look almost identically sized. Of note, there's no integrated charging port on the Logitech like there is on the Magic Keyboard, which gives you a place to plug in the USB-C cable on the hinge. You'll have to plug in your iPad via the normal port, which isn't as sleek as having the wire sticking out of the corner when using on a desk.The only major thing I like better about the Magic Keyboard is the way that the floating hinge works. It brings the iPad screen closer to my face right behind the keyboard and that little bit of elevation makes using it on a desk slightly more comfortable. On an airplane, it also means that you'll end up with more space to use it. The depth of the Magic Keyboard in use is significantly smaller. Also, anyone who uses the Magic Keyboard knows that it doesn't have much play in terms of viewing angle, even though it generally doesn't feel like a detriment because the small range seems like it's perfect no matter where I'm using it. For some people, the Logitech's kickstand might be a positive, as it gives you a much bigger range of viewing angles.All in all, I'm happy with the keyboard because it's more important to me to have a case on it when I'm using it without the keyboard. The edge protection when it's in my bag is another huge positive for me.

## DesignThe Logitech Combo Touch Keyboard Case is a good alternative to Apple’s Magic Keyboard if you’re looking for something that provides protection to the iPad when it is detached and used away from the keyboard. The Logitech Combo Touch case provides protection for the back and 3 sides of the iPad (part of one side is exposed so as to not hinder the magnetic attachment of the Apple Pencil.The case (and keyboard) will add about 1 pound to your iPad Air. It definitely takes the “Air” out of the iPad Air by making it bulkier, but in exchange for the bulk, you get added protection for your iPad as well as a kickstand on the back so you can prop up your iPad with or without the keyboard attached. This makes it great watching a movie or YouTube video as the iPad ... More## DesignThe Logitech Combo Touch Keyboard Case is a good alternative to Apple’s Magic Keyboard if you’re looking for something that provides protection to the iPad when it is detached and used away from the keyboard. The Logitech Combo Touch case provides protection for the back and 3 sides of the iPad (part of one side is exposed so as to not hinder the magnetic attachment of the Apple Pencil.The case (and keyboard) will add about 1 pound to your iPad Air. It definitely takes the “Air” out of the iPad Air by making it bulkier, but in exchange for the bulk, you get added protection for your iPad as well as a kickstand on the back so you can prop up your iPad with or without the keyboard attached. This makes it great watching a movie or YouTube video as the iPad can stand on its own.While the design of the Logitech Combo Touch Keyboard Case is great for working at a desk, it’s less ideal than the Magic Keyboard for setting on your lap. The Logitech keyboard requires more space in order for the kickstand to prop up the display, making it somewhat awkward for lap use.## PerformanceThe Logitech Combo Touch Keyboard Case is powered by the iPad and does not require separate charging. Upon initial connection, the iPad will prompt you to install the Logitech app, which will check for and install any available firmware updates for the keyboard.The keyboard is similar to a laptop keyboard and is comfortable to type on. Although the keyboard is thin and has some flex, it still feels sturdy. The keyboard has an adjustable backlight for late night typing sessions. There are additional keys at the top for dictation, screenshots, volume, brightness, and media controls.The magnetic attraction of the keyboard cover keeps it closed (and the screen protected) when the iPad is not in use. Your iPad will also automatically lock when the keyboard is closed over the screen. The perimeter of the Logitech case keeps the keys of the keyboard from touching the screen of your iPad, even with a screen protector installed.My only gripe is that opening the case (both the keyboard cover and kickstand) can be a little tricky. I find it best to use the cutout for the Touch ID in order to get your finger under the keyboard cover to open it. The kickstand on the back is also a little tricky to open. It hangs over the bottom of the unit just slightly, but it's enough to get your fingernail under in order to pull it out.## SummaryThe Logitech Combo Touch Keyboard case for iPad offers several benefits over the Magic Keyboard: protection for the iPad when detached from the keyboard and a built-in kickstand to prop up the iPad independently. The keyboard is backlit and comfortable to type on. The case adds about a pound of bulk to the iPad Air, but it does give you extra protection.