But it’s not, reviews have been awful due to functionality not being the same
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All the iPad Trackpad Keyboard Cases You Can Buy
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But it’s not, reviews have been awful due to functionality not being the same
Might not happen, because Apple helped in the development of the Combo Touch. They might have a deal with Logitech to not have a cheap alternative here.
I've been trying keyboards for iPad for several years. I tried three without a trackpad: the Apple Smart Folio, Logitech Slim Combo, and Brydge Pro. Of the three, the Brydge Pro is vastly superior to the others. Works great in your lap (which the other two didn't). Then, when Brydge announce the version with a trackpad, I bought it the day it was announced.
When the Brydge Pro+ arrived. I instantly applied the firmware update because I read it would make the trackpad work like Apple's. After a week, I returned it.
If you don't also own a MacBook, maybe the trackpad will be good for you, but I've been a MacBook user for at least 20 years. I use all the gestures and I rely on them. That said, I've been using an iPad since they were available, too. Different gestures, but I've come to use them and rely on them, too. The trackpad on the Brydge Pro+ is the worst of both worlds. It doesn't give me all the gestures I am used on a MacBook, nor does it give me all the iPad gestures. So, you're stuck in a middle ground. You simply cannot use it to give you a totally hands-on-the-keyboard working experience.
Since I continue to use both devices, I find its best for me to leave the keyboard off the iPad 95% of the time. If I'm going to a meeting (or traveling) without the MacBook, I'll add the Brydge Pro (non trackpad version). If the MacBook is coming with me, I leave the Brydge Pro on my desk.
When the Brydge Pro+ arrived. I instantly applied the firmware update because I read it would make the trackpad work like Apple's. After a week, I returned it.
If you don't also own a MacBook, maybe the trackpad will be good for you, but I've been a MacBook user for at least 20 years. I use all the gestures and I rely on them. That said, I've been using an iPad since they were available, too. Different gestures, but I've come to use them and rely on them, too. The trackpad on the Brydge Pro+ is the worst of both worlds. It doesn't give me all the gestures I am used on a MacBook, nor does it give me all the iPad gestures. So, you're stuck in a middle ground. You simply cannot use it to give you a totally hands-on-the-keyboard working experience.
Since I continue to use both devices, I find its best for me to leave the keyboard off the iPad 95% of the time. If I'm going to a meeting (or traveling) without the MacBook, I'll add the Brydge Pro (non trackpad version). If the MacBook is coming with me, I leave the Brydge Pro on my desk.
I think considering the price point (12.9 models) of the Magic Keyboard vs Brydge Pro Plus, why would anyone go for the Brydge Pro Plus? Uses Bluetooth instead of the smart connector (big deal for me) and no separate USB-C for passive charging. I’m also surprised that Logitech launched their trackpad keyboard case on the iPad Air 3/iPad Pro 10.5 first and not for the 3rd/4th Gen iPad Pros.
Logitech K380 (30$) + Logitech M350 mouse (25$) = 55$.
Am happy with this combination. Those who looking for budget option go for this !
Am happy with this combination. Those who looking for budget option go for this !
Disclaimer - I haven’t tested the iPad version BUT I had the nearly (apparently) identical Brydge for my Surface Pro. I don’t know if I would call it awful, but it was not great. Not even close.
- The hinges always terrified me in the amount of pressure they put in a small part of the screen and case, and the Surface Pro is thicker and less prone to bending than the iPad Pro. I would be very nervous about closing the clamshell, especially with an iPad Pro 12.9
- Separating the Surface Pro from the hinges to use as a tablet was a pain. Obviously the hinges need to be somewhat grippy on the tablet which is a plus when using as a laptop-style device, but annoying for quickly separating the tablet from the keyboard.
- The trackpad WAS all kinds of awful. The edges were sharp enough to be scary, the diving board clicking was fairly extreme, and it did not support multitouch. It quite often registered my thumbs when typing.
- Even stranger, I found that the click tension (is that a thing? - basically how much force was required to click) was dependent on the tightness of the screws holding the bottom part of the case. Several of the screws holding the base were quite loose and one fell out. When I tightened them back, the trackpad would no longer click. I then realized why the screws were all loose....they had to be or the trackpad wouldn’t click.
- Bluetooth worked ok, but after separating the tablet from the base, the Bluetooth was still active and it made launching the onscreen keyboard a pain.
I bought the Magic Keyboard at $300 and while it is definitely expensive, it is WAY better than the Brydge experience.
I have the MK.
Before recently buying both a refurbed 12.9" IPP and the MKB to pair to my MBP16, I considered the iPad to be a neat convenient but overpriced consumption device, meaning - bedtime or couch reading of news, rarely limited email because keyboards on touchscreens are NOT meant for long email responses, occasional travel movies.
I picked up the refurbed iPad Pro to replace an aging iPad Air 2, wanting to use it for Sidecar to add to my 38" LG + MBP screen, and also to see if I can use it for travel/casual work use. I'm also irked that unlike the original iPad Pros, moving the smart connector has made the option for 'stand charging' or wireless a non-starter.
The MKP is dreadfully overpriced, but - I REALLY like it. It doesn't solve the problem of consumption except in a handful of cases, meaning the keyboard doesn't fold back over flat, so for normal bedtime news etc, I usually remove it from the case, and am still looking for an updated 'Case Buddy' that will also work with the MKB, but it excels at:
1. iPadOS changes making the trackpad/mouse behavior sane. When in productivity mode, touching the screen is a serious annoyance vs using the keyboard or trackpad.
2. The keyboard itself - is very nice. Think keys between the butterfly and the current scissors keyboard.
3. The trackpad is small compared to the 2019 MBP16, but the latter is huge. It's the same width as my MBP 2015 15", and only a bit shorter...very usable, IMO, plus supports all the gestures, etc.
4. It stops the cable silliness and provides a convenient stand for charging as well as nice positioning sitting under my 38" UW screen.
It's not great to draw on, although workarounds exist (flip it upside down, literally, or 'catch the notch' and lean it up again the ledge at bottom of keyboard, or just remove altogether).
I don't love the lack of protection when 'naked,' and don't love the price, but it's quite a nice device, IMO.
The lack of ESC key can be sort of worked around, while an updated iPadOS to provide virtual touch/function keys would be great.
Seems like a combination of the MK and the Logitech might be the 'perfect' device, but out of those two, even if the Logitech were available for the 2018+ models - I'd choose the MKB, even while choking a bit on the $. YMMV as always.
Before recently buying both a refurbed 12.9" IPP and the MKB to pair to my MBP16, I considered the iPad to be a neat convenient but overpriced consumption device, meaning - bedtime or couch reading of news, rarely limited email because keyboards on touchscreens are NOT meant for long email responses, occasional travel movies.
I picked up the refurbed iPad Pro to replace an aging iPad Air 2, wanting to use it for Sidecar to add to my 38" LG + MBP screen, and also to see if I can use it for travel/casual work use. I'm also irked that unlike the original iPad Pros, moving the smart connector has made the option for 'stand charging' or wireless a non-starter.
The MKP is dreadfully overpriced, but - I REALLY like it. It doesn't solve the problem of consumption except in a handful of cases, meaning the keyboard doesn't fold back over flat, so for normal bedtime news etc, I usually remove it from the case, and am still looking for an updated 'Case Buddy' that will also work with the MKB, but it excels at:
1. iPadOS changes making the trackpad/mouse behavior sane. When in productivity mode, touching the screen is a serious annoyance vs using the keyboard or trackpad.
2. The keyboard itself - is very nice. Think keys between the butterfly and the current scissors keyboard.
3. The trackpad is small compared to the 2019 MBP16, but the latter is huge. It's the same width as my MBP 2015 15", and only a bit shorter...very usable, IMO, plus supports all the gestures, etc.
4. It stops the cable silliness and provides a convenient stand for charging as well as nice positioning sitting under my 38" UW screen.
It's not great to draw on, although workarounds exist (flip it upside down, literally, or 'catch the notch' and lean it up again the ledge at bottom of keyboard, or just remove altogether).
I don't love the lack of protection when 'naked,' and don't love the price, but it's quite a nice device, IMO.
The lack of ESC key can be sort of worked around, while an updated iPadOS to provide virtual touch/function keys would be great.
Seems like a combination of the MK and the Logitech might be the 'perfect' device, but out of those two, even if the Logitech were available for the 2018+ models - I'd choose the MKB, even while choking a bit on the $. YMMV as always.
Props to the designers and engineers at Apple who crafted such as beautiful ensemble. I think the iPad Pro w/MK is the product of the year. How many knock-offs will we see next year?
I think you make a good point. If you buy the budget iPad 7 for $250 and you add $150 on a keyboard case and $100 on a pencil, then you are left scratching your head wondering about the economics of your decision. If you primarily use your iPad in Tablet mode, there really isn’t much reason to keep it in a keyboard case. These cases generally add a lot of bulk. You can throw a separate keyboard into your suitcase or backpack and just use it when you need it. This keeps the iPad slim and light for optimal use With touch in Tablet mode, which is the iPad’s most natural interface.
The secondary hinge that lets the bottom of the iPad tilt forwards while the top of the iPad tilts backwards is pure genius. For two reasons:
- It pulls the iPad's center of gravity towards the user and keeps it in front of the main hinge. This prevents the whole assembly toppling backwards. This is a huge challenge because, unlike a typical laptop, most of the weight of this assembly is in the "screen" half. Less demanding engineers would "work-around" this by adding weight to the keyboard and the whole thing would become unnecessarily heavy.
- It makes it so easy and natural to slip your hand behind the bottom edge and just lift the iPad up. Power reconnects and disconnects without thought.
Man, nice review. Where do you see the negativity? Bulk, ok, yes it’s bulky, so is the MK. The rest is fine to great as the review states.
It’s a fine product, as the price indicates!
I’ve had numerous 3rd party iPad keyboards over the years, nothing comes close to what Apple has done with the MK.
The conclusion outright damns the Combo Touch with faint praise.
"Do I love the Combo Touch? No, not really. But, let’s face it: if you’re considering one, it’s because you have an iPad model that doesn’t support the Magic Keyboard. Right now, at least, the Combo Touch is the only game in town.
If you really want a portable keyboard/trackpad combination, the Combo Touch is fine. The keyboard and trackpad portions are pretty good, all things considered. Personally, I found myself missing my light, foldable Smart Keyboard cover, and even the siren song of the trackpad was not enough to lure me away for most usage.
The Combo Touch comes in two models, one that supports the 10.5-inch iPad Pro and the third-generation iPad Air, and another for the seventh-generation iPad. Both cost $150, which is, at least, substantially cheaper than the Magic Keyboard—and definitely cheaper than replacing your current iPad with a new iPad Pro and the Magic Keyboard. So if you’re looking to put off a big purchase for a little while longer, but still want the experience of a trackpad and keyboard on your iPad, the Combo Touch is in the sweet spot—just remember that you get what you pay for."
At first I thought this article headline was an April Fools joke. But it’s May. 2020 is a crazy year indeed.
That’s the Brydge, and yes it’s awful. I, in contrast, was talking about the Logitech Combo Touch.
Well I don’t see it being much better until the comp can get the trackpad working on the level or close to the magic keyboard. I think there has to be a reason why they are yet to bring out one for the iPad Pro...it’s not as simple as it seems
I have the 2018 12.9 Pro and the Brydge non touchpad which I’ve used for about a year now. I do not/never have liked the touchpad on my Macbook Pro but added the Magic Trackpad a bit ago for my Ipad Pro and do like it (And wonder why I waited so long)—its under my right hand so use it all the time-whereas the trackpad on the keyboard or Macbook feels awkward to me— and is easy to drop in the bag with the Ipad/Brydge. I haven’t had any issues with the Brydge at all but def. would prefer the ease of the Magic Keyboard and will look at the current version of it when I replace my 12.9 Ipad Pro in the future (no time soon though). I have the Logitech Slim Combo keyboard for the original 12.9 Pro and like it pretty well as it connects by smart connector—except it is not usable in my lap where I do use the Brydge often. The USBc connector in the keyboard means little to me just being for charging as I use a hub quite a bit with USBc port for charging. The price is pretty daunting too when you add that to the cost of a 2020 with most storage.
Yes it is, the logitech trackpad has exactly the same functions as the MK one since it was developed with help from Apple. Because of that it not available as a low cost alternative to the Magic Keyboard case, as it would eat of Apples sales. So I guess they agreed that Apple would help Logi if Logi does not compete with the Magic Keyboard case. Simple, what’s not to get here.
But that’s pointless as we are talking about other better options compared to the magic keyboard and quite frankly there is none
Magic keyboard is the only one worth buying even with the high price
I believe Logitech is the OEM for all Apple keyboards. There’s a reason why Logitech will not be making their own branded keyboards for iPad Pro 11 is just so they dont cannibalize the sales of Magic Keyboard.
Logotech could have the license to use Apple's Smart Connector as well as to produce their own keyboards for iPad but probably not until the sales of Magic Keyboards have stabilized.
I owned Apple Smart Keyboard and Logitech Slim Folio but hated both of them. I’m into my 3rd Smart Keyboard now and the folding connector part is almost done by now, while the Slim Folio is just too thick and too heavy for my liking.
My new Logitech Combo Touch may just stop me from upgrading to an iPad Pro 11 for now, at least until they bring out the iPad with Mini-LED later this year