Logitech Launches New 'Folio Touch' Keyboard Case With Trackpad for 11-Inch iPad Pro

[groove-agent]

Almost wish I waited to buy the magic keyboard. It would have saved me a fair bit of money, plus I wish the magic keyboard had the shortcut controls above the number keys and could fold over the keyboard to use it as a straight tablet rather than disconnecting.

The only saving grace for the magic keyboard is the fact that I can put it on my lap and type on it like a laptop, which is what I do about 80% of the time.

 

[puckhead193]

looks nice and a lot thinner then the old style keyboard.

 

[Lucifer666]

The MK has that very useful charging port on the side. Does this have something similar? That feature alone could decide for me.

 

[wouwout]

looks great!!

 

[arvinsim]

I just want an escape key!

 

[nicho]

My daughter has this on her refurb 10.5” iPad Pro that we got her when school went remote. It works really well. The only downsides are the keyboard/trackpad part seems to pop off rather easy, the very top of the trackpad seems to have a clicking dead zone, and the folding kickstand doesn’t do well in a lap. The trackpad and keys are nice, though, especially the trackpad compared to all other third party cases.

Not a concern with this one, given the design. Because the smart connector is on the back, the keyboard is permanently fixed to the rest of the case.

 

[YaUr04]

I wish that you could fold back the keyboard on the Combo Touch, which is what I use on my iPad Air. But I guess that this keyboard makes it easier to do that since the smart connector is in a different position.

 

[pasamio]

I've got the Slim Folio Pro and I've liked it much more than the Magic Keyboard. The Magic Keyboard never felt safe as a case for the iPad which is something I really like about the Slim Folio Pro and it's locking mechanism. I like that I have a safe place to keep the pencil and not lose it like at least one friend of mine did with the MK. Finally the command key row is very hand and something I continue to rely upon. This new Folio Touch seems to retain much of that but I do worry that it doesn't have the angled support that the Slim Folio Pro has and that might make it a little awkward to use on a plane or other space constrained environment. It also feels like the kick stand would end up being less self-supporting in a way compared to the Slim Folio Pro. Looks interesting either way

 

[Koh Phi Phi]

Problem with these "always on" cases (meaning they're cumbersome to detach) is that they add a lot of weight when you want to use the tablet as, you know, a tablet. With the Magic Keyboard you can detach/attach seamlessly.

I wished the MK had the function keys row

 

[makarama]

Nice. Quite like a Microsoft surface but for a better machine!

You are confusing a tablet (iPad) with a laptop (Microsoft surface).

 

[amartinez1660]

If the Apple one looks so great why are people putting skins on it?

Not much of a metric I think.
People put stickers, skins and signs (and some very big and obnoxious) on their MacBook pros, iPads, iMacs, Audis, Mercedes, Ferraris and Lamborghinis.
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Interesting, but too much weight (650g) for a case with keyboard. I’m fine using my Smart Keyboard Folio even if I have to use an external mouse or trackpad. The thinness of Apple’s Smart Keyboard Folio is key for my use, as well as the ease to detach the iPad and use it without the keyboard.

On this boat, I too have a Smart Keyboard Folio (bought it before the MK release) and also love it with a full sized trackpad.
And even being probably the lightest keyboard, it still feels noticeably heavy when detaching the iPad Pro from it and realizing that it is actually incredibly light.

“Easily detachable“ is big plus imo.

 

[The Game 161]

Wonder what was taking them so damn long to bring one out...

 

[Expos of 1969]

Wonder what was taking them so damn long to bring one out...

They wanted to do it right and include the features that many people want, unlike Apples overpriced offering.

 

[Lucifer666]

This is a must have simply because it can do portrait. That's the main use I have for these iPads. The dimensions for iPads are to accommodate portrait. A case that doesn't support this is not a complete solution.

The MK also supports it. It's just not a complete solution. It accommodates portrait by making it very easy to remove. This works very well, but leaves the iPad vulnerable, without a case.

 

[tripleburst]

Problem with these "always on" cases (meaning they're cumbersome to detach) is that they add a lot of weight when you want to use the tablet as, you know, a tablet. With the Magic Keyboard you can detach/attach seamlessly.

I wished the MK had the function keys row

The “Always On” design brings some benefits too. For one, it’s always on. The keyboard is with you the whole time. No need to store or leave it somewhere else. The ipad is protected 100% of the time regardless of whatever "mode" it's on.

I remember people being disappointed with the MK not folding all the way back for tablet mode. I also know there's a demand for CoverBuddy cases. From what I can see, Logitech addressed both issues.

Not saying it's perfect or for everyone but it certainly has advantages, depending on the user's needs. For only $30.00 more than the cost of the pencil (edit: and cheaper than the track pad-less Smart Keyboard Folio!) I can certainly live with the extra weight (which was my complaint with the MK as well).
But the whole setup still weighs less than the 13" MBP or MBA. At least for us 11" users.

 

[Mr. Awesome]

I have an 1st Gen 12.9 iPad Pro and the apple Smart keyboard was incredibly ******. It was replaced once under warranty and the it failed again 6 months beyond the warranty. I replaced it with Logitech way better build nicer KB backlight. Apple Smart Keyboard and case was problem the worse build quality ever in any Apple precut I have owned.
Logitech iPads caKB and cases are awesome - the kick stand is the way to go. WTF is Apple thinking SJ is turning over in grave

If you had read my post, you would have known that I was talking about the Magic Keyboard, not the Smart Keyboard Folio.
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Sure but that's $300 and this is $160 so that's not terribly a surprise. I think it's great Logitech is providing cheaper alternatives.

True. If you can afford it, the Magic Keyboard is incredible, but Logitech offers some awesome alternatives.

I am a big fan of the Combo Touch keyboards for the iPad and iPad Air. I prefer those to the regular Smart Keyboard for iPad/iPad Air.

 

[pdoherty]

This almost makes me want to sell the magic keyboard.

I wouldn't. I got the Combo Touch and ended up returning it. The keys were not spaced enough (hit wrong keys often), not enough key travel, and the trackpad while seemingly a great idea, is less useful in reality. I found it took a lot more effort and time to get it to, say, pinch-zoom to the level I wanted than if I simply used the screen. Switched to a $50 bluetooth case/keyboard with colored backlighting and it's much better for 1/3rd the cost.

 

[jdclifford]

FWIW this doesn't have the extra USB-C port

 

[jerryk]

The “Always On” design brings some benefits too. For one, it’s always on. The keyboard is with you the whole time. No need to store or leave it somewhere else. The ipad is protected 100% of the time regardless of whatever "mode" it's on.

I remember people being disappointed with the MK not folding all the way back for tablet mode. I also know there's a demand for CoverBuddy cases. From what I can see, Logitech addressed both issues.

Not saying it's perfect or for everyone but it certainly has advantages, depending on the user's needs. For only $30.00 more than the cost of the pencil (edit: and cheaper than the track pad-less Smart Keyboard Folio!) I can certainly live with the extra weight (which was my complaint with the MK as well).
But the whole setup still weighs less than the 13" MBP or MBA. At least for us 11" users.

I agree. Since getting a Folio keyboard, I think I have used my iPad Pro naked less than 5 times. Looking forward to seeing reviews of this new Logitech cover/keyboard.

 

[TheDreaded26]

Wish they would make these cases for those of us with the older gen iPad Pros.

 

[Greenmeenie]

I must be in the minority, but i much prefer to use the onscreen virtual keyboard on my ipad than an external one. Kinda defeats the whole ipad feel. I do use the apple pencil tho. Love writing notes on my ipad with it.

 

[spiderman0616]

I might have considered this Logitech option if I hadn’t already bought my Magic Keyboard. The main two problems I have with it just by the pictures though: 1) Not as lappable and takes up more table space because of that goofy kickstand, and 2) You can’t completely remove the iPad portion from the keyboard.

Also, I’ve already been burned by Logitech twice before in the past. Their iPad Pro keyboard cases always LOOK really nice, but there is usually some kind of functionality or fit-and-finish related issue that sends me running back to whatever the Apple option again. Not going to fall for it this time. I’m quite enjoying my Magic Keyboard.
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I must be in the minority, but i much prefer to use the onscreen virtual keyboard on my ipad than an external one. Kinda defeats the whole ipad feel. I do use the apple pencil tho. Love writing notes on my ipad with it.

Being new to the 12.9” size this year, I do find it much easier to screen type than I ever did on my 9.7” or 10.5” iPads. It’s not too bad at all, and I take my iPad off the Magic Keyboard and use it as just an iPad pretty often, so that large keyboard does come in handy. But for more long form stuff, I want a real keyboard.

 

[YaUr04]

I just want an escape key!

On a separate note, out of curiosity do Logitech have to get apples approval to make a rival to the MK which ultimately could impact apples sales, or do they just make it with having apples permission?

Logitech actually worked with Apple to make the Combo Touch for the iPad Air 3 and iPad 7th Gen.
So I bet that they did have permission to make this and they might have even worked with Apple.

 

[pdoherty]

I must be in the minority, but i much prefer to use the onscreen virtual keyboard on my ipad than an external one. Kinda defeats the whole ipad feel. I do use the apple pencil tho. Love writing notes on my ipad with it.

The case/keyboard is pretty useful. Holds the iPad well and is faster to type on that the onscreen keyboard, not to mention leaves your screen for displaying stuff instead of 1/3 of the screen being the keyboard.

 

[Lorne Arnold]

I find it strange that this new case for the iPad Pro doesn't have a detachable. Logitech's Combo Touch for earlier iPad models, which is nearly identical to this product, has a detachable keyboard.
Both use the smart connector, not bluetooth.