Trackpads for the iPad Are Real, and They’re Spectacular
As a full time iPad user, the arrival of trackpad support this year has been one of the best things to ever happen to the iPad. I started writing about my desire for trackpad functionality in the iPad way back in 2015. And as Pedro from Napoleon Dynamite would say “It made all my wildest dreams come true”. Thanks Apple.
Trackpad support is one thing, but incorporating it into a good iPad case is another. I ordered the Logitech Combo Touch case for my 10.5” iPad Pro on Day 1 and have been using it for about a week now. Here are my thoughts.
My Workflow
I much prefer using an iPad over a MacBook because I prefer using my iPad as a tablet when I’m surfing the web, online shopping, reading books, or writing notes in my notebook. But I also love slapping on a keyboard when I want to type out an e-mail or do some writing in Microsoft Word.
At least 3/4 of my iPad keyboard usage is in my living room sitting in my comfy recliner. I keep the keyboard half of the Logitech Combo Touch in a little storage bin under my recliner arm rest. When I’m done typing, I immediately rip off the keyboard and put it back in it’s bin.
When I’m working on my iPad at a desk I don’t need an iPad keyboard and trackpad case. I prop up my iPad on the beautiful M Stand by Raindesign and use an Apple Magic Keyboard and Mouse. I like putting my iPad closer to eye level when I’m sitting at my desk.
Kickstands Rule
If you’re like me and you like to prop up your feet when you type on your iPad then a kickstand is a Godsend. You get infinite viewing angles with no chance that the iPad will flop backwards. It’s very stable. Also, if you don’t want to type but simply want to have access to the web while you watch TV, you can remove the keyboard. Then angle your iPad on your lap up towards your eyes so that your hands are free to work the TV remote or eat some ice cream. You can’t do that on a MacBook because the keyboard would sit where you would put your bowl of ice cream.
I’m always puzzled when I hear tech journalists review kickstand type cases and say that they’re not good on the lap. What are they talking about? Because if you have your feet up, it’s great. The only thing that I can think of is that they mean when sitting erect in chair with your feet flat on the ground. But in that scenario, even a regular laptop isn’t great either. You have to hold your knees close together and keep the laptop from sliding off your thighs. A kickstand actually prevents the dreaded slide off your thighs dynamic.
They can’t mean that the screen shakes when you type. Because that is actually better on an iPad case than a MacBook. The flexible hinge acts as a shock absorber cushioning the typing blows. Whereas on a MacBook, every little movement is reflected in the top half of the laptop due to the rigid hinge.
Trackpad Functionality
I absolutely love having a trackpad for my iPad now. But the funny thing is, I’ve been using my keyboard without one for so long, that I keep reaching up for the screen and forgetting to use the trackpad. I’m sure that’ll go away soon.
But being able to scroll the screen, multi-task, or place the cursor where I want are excellent. I especially love doing the three-finger swipe to the right to go back to my last app used. The Logitech trackpad is silky smooth and very precise. It’s on par with the trackpad from my old 13” MacBook Pro. I find the size to be just fine. It’s almost exactly the same size as the trackpad on my Dell laptop from work.
The iPad Case
Now this is where the Logitech case really earns it’s keep. To me any iPad case has to first be a good case without the keyboard. This is why I don’t like iPad cases by Brydge or Apple’s new Magic Keyboard. They are great keyboard attachments, but not good protective cases without the keyboard.
The Logitech iPad case is a great iPad case without the keyboard. It has a nice feel to it and looks nicer than the black plastic of it’s predecessor the Slim Combo. I suspect that I could drop my iPad on my concrete patio and it would be completely safe. Coupled with the built-in kickstand it’s awesome for setting up on a dresser or table to watch YouTube videos when washing dishes or folding laundry. No need to place iPad stands all over your house because the iPad has it built-in.
The Keyboard
If you’ve ever used the previous version of the case misnamed the “Slim Combo” then you’ll feel right at home with this keyboard. The keys have a nice feel to them and are exactly where you’d expect them to be. The magnet is even stronger than the previous version of the case. And the previous version was plenty strong enough that you never had to worry about disconnecting while on your lap.
The old keyboard still works with the new case but you can’t use the new keyboard with the old case because the hinge magnet is larger. The old Slim Combo keyboard had a tendency to pick up a patina of scratches and marks which would show up easily on the dark black finish. This new keyboard finish seems impervious to scratching and should hold up much better. I’m liking it more and more each day.
Another thing I like better with the new version of the keyboard is the adjustable timing for the backlighting. The old keyboard would shut off after only about 5 seconds of non-use. So if you got distracted by something on your TV in a dark room, you would be greeted by a dark keyboard when your eyes returned back to your iPad. That’s less of an issue now that you can set the backlight time-out period up to 60 seconds. That’s a big improvement.
Regarding John Siracusa’s “iOS Laptop” Comparison
When listening to the latest episode of Accidental Tech Podcast I heard John Siracusa bemoan the fact that no one who reviews iPad keyboard cases ever compares them to the idea of an iOS laptop. So here is my reasoning why that idea is flawed.
John makes the case that a slim and light iOS laptop would mitigate all of the drawbacks of adding a keyboard to your iPad. It would be lighter and more stable than an iPad Pro with a Magic Keyboard added. I agree with John on that point.
However, he makes the same mistake that all Mac lovers do. He compares the mythical iOS laptop to an iPad with a keyboard attached. The whole reason that people like me gravitate towards iPads is because we like to rip off the keyboard and walk around the house with our iPads.
The sad fact is that no laptop with a permanently attached keyboard will ever be as light as only the iPad screen with no attached keyboard. And therein lies the rub. When I’m surfing the web on my couch or reading in bed I want the lightness of my iPad. This is a contest that the iPad will win every time. I can’t tell you how many times I’m working on a project in the living room and then I rip off the keyboard and carry my iPad to the bathroom with me and continue my reading. I can even quickly open the kickstand and keep reading while I wash my hands. Try doing all of that on your MacBook Air.
No, I don’t ever want an iOS laptop and I find the whole idea abhorrent. It would be the worst of both worlds. All of the shortcomings of iOS coupled with the weight of the laptop. In recent history, I’ve put up with the shortcomings of iOS in order to gain the lightness of the iPad. But nowadays, those shortcomings are much less significant. If I was going to accede to carrying around a permanently attached keyboard, I might as well get the payoff of the more powerful OS.
Conclusion
The Logitech Combo Touch is the best design on the market today for any iPad. It has a great case for your iPad that is protective. It allows you to quickly connect or detach your keyboard. The keyboard and trackpad are excellent. And best of all, it has an integrated kickstand which allows you to prop up your keyboard on your lap or counter sans keyboard.
My only gripe is that when my iPad is in the case it won’t fit in my Logitech Base Charging Stand. Ironically, that is another Logitech product. Oh well, nothing is perfect.
I love the design of this keyboard case so much that it’s prevented me from upgrading to Apple’s newer style iPads. The design of my previous favorite iPad case, the Slim Combo, never made it to the 2018 iPad Pro. I really wanted to get the newer style Apple Pencil that charges when connected to the side of the iPad but I just can’t do it at the expense of giving up my beloved kickstand case.
I highly recommend the Logitech Combo Touch. So much so that I’m hoping that Logitech makes one for the new iPad Pros. I would buy it over Apple’s Magic Keyboard case in a heartbeat.
My Workflow
I much prefer using an iPad over a MacBook because I prefer using my iPad as a tablet when I’m surfing the web, online shopping, reading books, or writing notes in my notebook. But I also love slapping on a keyboard when I want to type out an e-mail or do some writing in Microsoft Word.
At least 3/4 of my iPad keyboard usage is in my living room sitting in my comfy recliner. I keep the keyboard half of the Logitech Combo Touch in a little storage bin under my recliner arm rest. When I’m done typing, I immediately rip off the keyboard and put it back in it’s bin.
When I’m working on my iPad at a desk I don’t need an iPad keyboard and trackpad case. I prop up my iPad on the beautiful M Stand by Raindesign and use an Apple Magic Keyboard and Mouse. I like putting my iPad closer to eye level when I’m sitting at my desk.
Kickstands Rule
If you’re like me and you like to prop up your feet when you type on your iPad then a kickstand is a Godsend. You get infinite viewing angles with no chance that the iPad will flop backwards. It’s very stable. Also, if you don’t want to type but simply want to have access to the web while you watch TV, you can remove the keyboard. Then angle your iPad on your lap up towards your eyes so that your hands are free to work the TV remote or eat some ice cream. You can’t do that on a MacBook because the keyboard would sit where you would put your bowl of ice cream.
I’m always puzzled when I hear tech journalists review kickstand type cases and say that they’re not good on the lap. What are they talking about? Because if you have your feet up, it’s great. The only thing that I can think of is that they mean when sitting erect in chair with your feet flat on the ground. But in that scenario, even a regular laptop isn’t great either. You have to hold your knees close together and keep the laptop from sliding off your thighs. A kickstand actually prevents the dreaded slide off your thighs dynamic.
They can’t mean that the screen shakes when you type. Because that is actually better on an iPad case than a MacBook. The flexible hinge acts as a shock absorber cushioning the typing blows. Whereas on a MacBook, every little movement is reflected in the top half of the laptop due to the rigid hinge.
Trackpad Functionality
I absolutely love having a trackpad for my iPad now. But the funny thing is, I’ve been using my keyboard without one for so long, that I keep reaching up for the screen and forgetting to use the trackpad. I’m sure that’ll go away soon.
But being able to scroll the screen, multi-task, or place the cursor where I want are excellent. I especially love doing the three-finger swipe to the right to go back to my last app used. The Logitech trackpad is silky smooth and very precise. It’s on par with the trackpad from my old 13” MacBook Pro. I find the size to be just fine. It’s almost exactly the same size as the trackpad on my Dell laptop from work.
The iPad Case
Now this is where the Logitech case really earns it’s keep. To me any iPad case has to first be a good case without the keyboard. This is why I don’t like iPad cases by Brydge or Apple’s new Magic Keyboard. They are great keyboard attachments, but not good protective cases without the keyboard.
The Logitech iPad case is a great iPad case without the keyboard. It has a nice feel to it and looks nicer than the black plastic of it’s predecessor the Slim Combo. I suspect that I could drop my iPad on my concrete patio and it would be completely safe. Coupled with the built-in kickstand it’s awesome for setting up on a dresser or table to watch YouTube videos when washing dishes or folding laundry. No need to place iPad stands all over your house because the iPad has it built-in.
The Keyboard
If you’ve ever used the previous version of the case misnamed the “Slim Combo” then you’ll feel right at home with this keyboard. The keys have a nice feel to them and are exactly where you’d expect them to be. The magnet is even stronger than the previous version of the case. And the previous version was plenty strong enough that you never had to worry about disconnecting while on your lap.
The old keyboard still works with the new case but you can’t use the new keyboard with the old case because the hinge magnet is larger. The old Slim Combo keyboard had a tendency to pick up a patina of scratches and marks which would show up easily on the dark black finish. This new keyboard finish seems impervious to scratching and should hold up much better. I’m liking it more and more each day.
Another thing I like better with the new version of the keyboard is the adjustable timing for the backlighting. The old keyboard would shut off after only about 5 seconds of non-use. So if you got distracted by something on your TV in a dark room, you would be greeted by a dark keyboard when your eyes returned back to your iPad. That’s less of an issue now that you can set the backlight time-out period up to 60 seconds. That’s a big improvement.
Regarding John Siracusa’s “iOS Laptop” Comparison
When listening to the latest episode of Accidental Tech Podcast I heard John Siracusa bemoan the fact that no one who reviews iPad keyboard cases ever compares them to the idea of an iOS laptop. So here is my reasoning why that idea is flawed.
John makes the case that a slim and light iOS laptop would mitigate all of the drawbacks of adding a keyboard to your iPad. It would be lighter and more stable than an iPad Pro with a Magic Keyboard added. I agree with John on that point.
However, he makes the same mistake that all Mac lovers do. He compares the mythical iOS laptop to an iPad with a keyboard attached. The whole reason that people like me gravitate towards iPads is because we like to rip off the keyboard and walk around the house with our iPads.
The sad fact is that no laptop with a permanently attached keyboard will ever be as light as only the iPad screen with no attached keyboard. And therein lies the rub. When I’m surfing the web on my couch or reading in bed I want the lightness of my iPad. This is a contest that the iPad will win every time. I can’t tell you how many times I’m working on a project in the living room and then I rip off the keyboard and carry my iPad to the bathroom with me and continue my reading. I can even quickly open the kickstand and keep reading while I wash my hands. Try doing all of that on your MacBook Air.
No, I don’t ever want an iOS laptop and I find the whole idea abhorrent. It would be the worst of both worlds. All of the shortcomings of iOS coupled with the weight of the laptop. In recent history, I’ve put up with the shortcomings of iOS in order to gain the lightness of the iPad. But nowadays, those shortcomings are much less significant. If I was going to accede to carrying around a permanently attached keyboard, I might as well get the payoff of the more powerful OS.
Conclusion
The Logitech Combo Touch is the best design on the market today for any iPad. It has a great case for your iPad that is protective. It allows you to quickly connect or detach your keyboard. The keyboard and trackpad are excellent. And best of all, it has an integrated kickstand which allows you to prop up your keyboard on your lap or counter sans keyboard.
My only gripe is that when my iPad is in the case it won’t fit in my Logitech Base Charging Stand. Ironically, that is another Logitech product. Oh well, nothing is perfect.
I love the design of this keyboard case so much that it’s prevented me from upgrading to Apple’s newer style iPads. The design of my previous favorite iPad case, the Slim Combo, never made it to the 2018 iPad Pro. I really wanted to get the newer style Apple Pencil that charges when connected to the side of the iPad but I just can’t do it at the expense of giving up my beloved kickstand case.
I highly recommend the Logitech Combo Touch. So much so that I’m hoping that Logitech makes one for the new iPad Pros. I would buy it over Apple’s Magic Keyboard case in a heartbeat.
RSS Feed