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

[jerryk]

Ordered it from the Apple site. Should be here Tuesday. Since it is coming from Apple if I hate it, it should be easy to return.
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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.

I bet that other system has a BlueTooth keyboard. This does not. It uses the iPad Pros external connector dots. I prefer that since there are no delays in typing and no need to hassle with pairing.

 

[TheBeev]

Ordered it from the Apple site. Should be here Tuesday. Since it is coming from Apple if I hate it, it should be easy to return.
[automerge]1595008501[/automerge]


I bet that other system has a BlueTooth keyboard. This does not. It uses the iPad Pros external connector dots. I prefer that since there are no delays in typing and no need to hassle with pairing.

Nope. The Combo Touch uses the iPad Pro 10.5" smart connector to connect. It attaches via magnets and pops off if you want to just it in table mode.

 

[Lorne Arnold]

Ordered it from the Apple site. Should be here Tuesday. Since it is coming from Apple if I hate it, it should be easy to return.
[automerge]1595008501[/automerge]


I bet that other system has a BlueTooth keyboard. This does not. It uses the iPad Pros external connector dots. I prefer that since there are no delays in typing and no need to hassle with pairing.

Actually the combo touch uses the smart connector, too - no Bluetooth. That's why it's so strange.

 

[TheBeev]

I have the Logitech Combo Touch for the iPad Pro 10.5", so whilst not identical, they're pretty similar.

Overall, it's a nice keyboard + case combo and by far the best for the old iPad Pro, but that's because they're really isn't any competition. Before you go ahead and buy it, here's a few gripes I have with mine:

1. It weighs a ton. It weighs about a third of the iPad, which adds a lot of weight to it. This means I only use it when I really need it, which is a pain (see point 4).
2. It's really thick. The case and the keyboard make it 3 x as thick. Good protection, but the thickness and weight means it's not far off a Macbook Pro 13" in weight and thickness.
3. The trackpad is okay. I've found it doesn't always detect when I'm using two fingers to scroll so the pointer ends up moving on the screen instead of scrolling.
4. It's a pain to get out of the case. It's not something you want to do often. Which is where I think the Magic Keyboard really shines as that allows you to quickly change modes. To get around this I ended up buying a slim case from Amazon that allows for access to the smart connector, whilst also supporting the iPad to stand up. Not ideal, but it removes the thickness and weight issue for me.

However, it is much cheaper than the Magic Keyboard, you get a full row of function keys, the build quality is great and it does work pretty well as both a keyboard and a trackpad.

 

[GuruZac]

Very nice, and love to see it work with smart connector. However, the big selling point for me when getting the Magic Keyboard was the extra USB-C port for charging the iPad while freeing up the USB-C port on the iPad. I have loved everything about the Magic Keyboard. Also, there are no other great options for the 12.9 iPad Pro so I had to go with the MK if I wanted a good trackpad experience. The Brydge is too crude at the moment.

 

[pdoherty]

Ordered it from the Apple site. Should be here Tuesday. Since it is coming from Apple if I hate it, it should be easy to return.
[automerge]1595008501[/automerge]


I bet that other system has a BlueTooth keyboard. This does not. It uses the iPad Pros external connector dots. I prefer that since there are no delays in typing and no need to hassle with pairing.

It falls off of those “dots” very easily, which sucks when you’re simply trying to position the thing in your lap and it’s constantly breaking loose and potentially falling.

 

[tripleburst]

I have the Logitech Combo Touch for the iPad Pro 10.5", so whilst not identical, they're pretty similar.

Overall, it's a nice keyboard + case combo and by far the best for the old iPad Pro, but that's because they're really isn't any competition. Before you go ahead and buy it, here's a few gripes I have with mine:

1. It weighs a ton. It weighs about a third of the iPad, which adds a lot of weight to it. This means I only use it when I really need it, which is a pain (see point 4).
2. It's really thick. The case and the keyboard make it 3 x as thick. Good protection, but the thickness and weight means it's not far off a Macbook Pro 13" in weight and thickness.
3. The trackpad is okay. I've found it doesn't always detect when I'm using two fingers to scroll so the pointer ends up moving on the screen instead of scrolling.
4. It's a pain to get out of the case. It's not something you want to do often. Which is where I think the Magic Keyboard really shines as that allows you to quickly change modes. To get around this I ended up buying a slim case from Amazon that allows for access to the smart connector, whilst also supporting the iPad to stand up. Not ideal, but it removes the thickness and weight issue for me.

However, it is much cheaper than the Magic Keyboard, you get a full row of function keys, the build quality is great and it does work pretty well as both a keyboard and a trackpad.

Thanks for the impressions. How did you find the material used. It looks like cloth but it's really plastic, correct?

 

[jerryk]

Actually the combo touch uses the smart connector, too - no Bluetooth. That's why it's so strange.

Thanks for pointing this out.

 

[ericwn]

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

I had both variants of Logitech’s keyboard cases for the 12.9 Pro first gen. The first one (Create) rubs the iPad display against the palm rest and that’s rubbing of the display’s coating. Great keyboard, rest of the Create was a lousy design. Mine broke like so many cases do at the plastic that actually hold the iPad in place.
The other one, slim combo or something like that broke in about 6 months of use. Light use at home, mind you. Again the casing material.
Logitech customer service was slow and unprofessional when dealing with my replacements.
Great keyboards and mice, but I’m done with the rest.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Not giving up my Magic Keyboard without a fight.

 

[MrMorden]

Actually the combo touch uses the smart connector, too - no Bluetooth. That's why it's so strange.

It makes sense, actually. On the other iPads, the smart connector is on the side, so the keyboard can be easily detached. On the iPad Pro, the smart connector is in the back.

 

[slimejester]

Just ordered a 2018 iPP AND, now, this case. If the Magic Keyboard was $199, I would've bought that one instead, but $160 is unbeatable for a solid trackpad case.

 

[jerryk]

It falls off of those “dots” very easily, which sucks when you’re simply trying to position the thing in your lap and it’s constantly breaking loose and potentially falling.

The iPad Pro 9.7" had it's dots on the side. This case is for the iPad Pro 11". The dots are now in the middle of the back. About an inch inside where the USB-C (or Lightning in 9.7 IPP) connector plugs in. They are also bigger in diameter and spread out a bit more.

 

[Lorne Arnold]

It makes sense, actually. On the other iPads, the smart connector is on the side, so the keyboard can be easily detached. On the iPad Pro, the smart connector is in the back.

That's a good point. A detachable keyboard on the new iPad would require an internal detachable connection within the case. I'd still like to see that ability, but it does make sense to me now. Thanks!

 

[pdoherty]

The iPad Pro 9.7" had it's dots on the side. This case is for the iPad Pro 11". The dots are now in the middle of the back. About an inch inside where the USB-C (or Lightning in 9.7 IPP) connector plugs in. They are also bigger in diameter and spread out a bit more.

I’m referring to the iPad Pro 10.5” 2018 model and the Logitech Combo Touch case. It falls off. A lot.

 

[jerryk]

I’m referring to the iPad Pro 10.5” 2018 model and the Logitech Combo Touch case. It falls off. A lot.

Do they magnets on the back? My folio keyboard for the 11" does and it is solid as a rock. It is kind of hard to pry it off.

 

[pdoherty]

Do they magnets on the back? My folio keyboard for the 11" does and it is solid as a rock. It is kind of hard to pry it off.

No - the Logitech Combo Touch only attaches via those three magnetic power spots on the iPad.

 

[Adam Henry]

swing and a miss. i want something i can use on my lap thats why the magic keyboard is the winner and this is a surface knockoff loser.

 

[MikeLW]

So, been waiting more than a year before I get the 11” iPad Pro until Logitech came out with the 11” combo touch (detachable keyboard.)

instead, I get this keyboard that I have to fold back even though I use it 80% of the time without the Keyboard. Do I keep waiting?

 

[Klae17]

Any idea of when the 12.9 version might come out? I just got the MK. Still in the return window.

 

[TheBeev]

Thanks for the impressions. How did you find the material used. It looks like cloth but it's really plastic, correct?

Yes, that’s right. I think it gives the case a quality feel to it. The texture gives it some grip without being too tough.

There is one slight issue with the material though and that’s with the edge. The edge tapers in to a point which can cause a bit of irritation on your wrist when using it over long periods of time. However, the edge doesn’t look quite a pronounced on the image provided, so maybe they’ve tweaked the design.

 

[MikeLW]

It’s a shame the keyboard can’t be removed like the iPad Air/Pro 10.5” and iPad 7 cases can, because of Apple’s silly placement of the smart connector on the new iPad Pros. I’ll never understand the placement on the back vs the side. All of apple’s implementations could easily utilize the side.

i didn’t know they moved it — I was waiting for the detachable Logitech Comob keyboard (like I have with the 10.5 today) before I bought the 11” Pro. Should I assume it’s never going to be made because you can’t connect it?
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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.

Apparently the smart-connector location was moved? I don’t have an 11” Pro yet so not familiar with this change. I wanted the detachable combo, but maybe that’s not possible to make work like it did on the 10.5??

 

[jerryk]

No - the Logitech Combo Touch only attaches via those three magnetic power spots on the iPad.

But where are the 3 dots? Does the 10.5 have a rounded edge like previous iPads and the dots are on the edge. or is a sharp 90% edge like the 2018+ iPad Pros. On the 2018+ iPad Pro the dots are on the back, right below the label with the model number.

With my Apple smart folio keyboard I can hold my 2018 11" iPad Pro by the keyboard and shake it hard and the ipad stays attached. I hope it is similar for the Logitech unit.

 

[pdoherty]

It’s a 2018 10.5” iPad Pro I’m talking about the Logitech case detaching easily from.

 

[Alhagar]

My Folio Touch arrived yesterday. Using a 2018 IPP running iOS 14 (second dev beta). A few thoughts. It works for lap typing much better than I thought it would. I believe it is different from the Combo Touch in that the keyboard is NOT detachable. In other words, the keyboard is attached to the case (I’m guessing that others mentioned that above). The keyboard is great (keys a bit plasticy) as is the trackpad. I find both better and more comfortable than the magic keyboard for IPP (even though as others have pointed out, the whole trackpad is not clickable (just the bottom half I believe). If you have trackpad set up for tap though, tapping it anywhere seems to work.

Huge cavet. The keyboard only recognizes about 90% of my keystrokes. My theory is that it keeps detaching from the smart connector because as I type this the software keyboard keeps popping up for a second or so and then disappears as the case reconnects to the smart connector.

Perhaps relatedly, the cursor sometimes disappears even though I have it set in accessibility not to do that.

I have opened a support case with Logitech and will update. I realize that this could be a Beta issue or that Logitech has a firmware update in the works that will solve this. If not, as much as I like it I will be compelled to return it.