iPad Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Folio

[abijnk]

I picked up the FabricSkin today after returning the ultrathin. The FabricSkin really is a much nicer product. The keys are still physically depressable, which gives them a nice feel. Because they are covered they are super quiet.

Sleep/wake is supported with the FabricSkin. In addition they keyboard connects and disconnects based on whether or not the ipad is locked into the magnetic holder for the "laptop" style view. I REALLY like this feature because with the ultrathin I found myself constantly turning the keyboard off and on manually to get the on-screen keyboard to show up when I had the ipad laying flat. I'd definitely recommend this keyboard case.

 

[jazz1]

I picked up the FabricSkin today after returning the ultrathin. The FabricSkin really is a much nicer product. The keys are still physically depressable, which gives them a nice feel. Because they are covered they are super quiet.

Sleep/wake is supported with the FabricSkin. In addition they keyboard connects and disconnects based on whether or not the ipad is locked into the magnetic holder for the "laptop" style view. I REALLY like this feature because with the ultrathin I found myself constantly turning the keyboard off and on manually to get the on-screen keyboard to show up when I had the ipad laying flat. I'd definitely recommend this keyboard case.

I really like the looks of this case. Is it hard to keep clean?

 

[eg2007]

I really like the looks of this case. Is it hard to keep clean?

According to Logitech you can wipe them down with a damp cloth.

My keys are still clean and perfectly fine. So far, after using the keyboard to write a bit over the last two days, I am quite impressed.

 

[abijnk]

I really like the looks of this case. Is it hard to keep clean?

I haven't had mine long enough to know, but I certainly wouldn't think twice about taking a magic eraser to this material if I really cared to. I'll defer to eg2007 for his somewhat longer use time.

According to Logitech you can wipe them down with a damp cloth.

My keys are still clean and perfectly fine. So far, after using the keyboard to write a bit over the last two days, I am quite impressed.

 

[matt172021]

Here are some. Took them with my iPhone. So far so good. They keyboard is not a chicklet style keyboard. They do have play and do work when hit. They are covered with a waterproof material. It's nice and I don't fear they'll scratch the iPad at all. They are made of a soft material. See Logitech's website for all the particulars.

Attached are some pics.

Can I ask how tactile the fabric skin keyboard feels?

 

[eg2007]

Can I ask how tactile the fabric skin keyboard feels?

I actually thought they'd be less responsive than the Ultrathin, but surprisingly, they are really nice. If you have a Best Buy nearby, go check on out and see before you buy.

I'm happy with it. I like the folio aspect, but still want to check out that new Belkin Ultimate.

I'm going to put a skin on the back of my iPad Air for extra scratch protection, not that I'm worried at all, it's just a thing I do

 

[GaresTaylan]

Any pics? Thinking about picking that or the zagg to replace the logitech ultrathin. Logitech really screwed up the new ultrathin this time around

I'd love to see some pics too. See how it compares to the Logitech Fabricskin I have. IMO, the Fabricskin blows away the Ultrathin.

See pics below. Should be able to enlarge them. Unfortunately I don't have a better camera available while Im at work.

 

[eg2007]

See pics below. Should be able to enlarge them. Unfortunately I don't have a better camera available while Im at work.

Thanks for the pics. How's it working out? Pros/Cons?

 

[GaresTaylan]

Thanks for the pics. How's it working out? Pros/Cons?

The magnets used for the various positions are very strong. When using in my lap last night even at the most extreme angle i was certain it would fall back, but never did. I even tried giving the case and iPad a good shake or two to see if I could get it to come unlatched.

Biggest con I would say is the size of the keyboard and its position. On the Zagg, the keyboard was further back so when using in my lap I had a bit more surface area for my palm/wrists. With this case my palm/wrists are off the case for the most part. When using on a table, it works out much better.

The case is slightly raised up so that the whole surface isn't touching the desk. This is a design change that Logitech added with the Ultrathin cover this year that I liked as well. My old Logitech for earlier series iPads was scratched to death because of it sliding around on surfaces.

I should also add that it doesn't support auto wake/lock. The case also is not black in case the pictures are hard to tell. The aluminum is more of a midnight navy color I would say. All of the plastic pieces are black, however.

 

[jazz1]

I actually thought they'd be less responsive than the Ultrathin, but surprisingly, they are really nice. If you have a Best Buy nearby, go check on out and see before you buy.

I'm happy with it. I like the folio aspect, but still want to check out that new Belkin Ultimate.

I'm going to put a skin on the back of my iPad Air for extra scratch protection, not that I'm worried at all, it's just a thing I do

Do you think you can use the skin and the Logitech? I know skins are thin, but I'm wondering if it would interfere with the device? I too would like to have a skin on the back for times I used the iPad Air sans the Keyboard Folio.

 

[eg2007]

Do you think you can use the skin and the Logitech? I know skins are thin, but I'm wondering if it would interfere with the device? I too would like to have a skin on the back for times I used the iPad Air sans the Keyboard Folio.

Yes. I had a Sticker Boy on my iPad mini and used it with Logitech's iPad mini Ultrathin Folio. It had the same locking mechanism as this Fabricskin. Shouldn't be a problem at all.

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The magnets used for the various positions are very strong. When using in my lap last night even at the most extreme angle i was certain it would fall back, but never did. I even tried giving the case and iPad a good shake or two to see if I could get it to come unlatched.

Biggest con I would say is the size of the keyboard and its position. On the Zagg, the keyboard was further back so when using in my lap I had a bit more surface area for my palm/wrists. With this case my palm/wrists are off the case for the most part. When using on a table, it works out much better.

The case is slightly raised up so that the whole surface isn't touching the desk. This is a design change that Logitech added with the Ultrathin cover this year that I liked as well. My old Logitech for earlier series iPads was scratched to death because of it sliding around on surfaces.

I should also add that it doesn't support auto wake/lock. The case also is not black in case the pictures are hard to tell. The aluminum is more of a midnight navy color I would say. All of the plastic pieces are black, however.

Thanks for the input. Appreciate it.

Bummer about the sleep/wake feature.

Do you think you'll keep it?

 

[Epiphron]

See pics below. Should be able to enlarge them. Unfortunately I don't have a better camera available while Im at work.

Case looks great, albeit a little heavy looking. How does it feel to hold for you? Is it much heavier than the air?

 

[GaresTaylan]

Yes. I had a Sticker Boy on my iPad mini and used it with Logitech's iPad mini Ultrathin Folio. It had the same locking mechanism as this Fabricskin. Shouldn't be a problem at all.

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Thanks for the input. Appreciate it.

Bummer about the sleep/wake feature.

Do you think you'll keep it?

So far its looking good for keeping it. The real test will be when Im in meetings at work. I havent been able to use it much for business yet, just playing here and there.

Case looks great, albeit a little heavy looking. How does it feel to hold for you? Is it much heavier than the air?

It actually isnt that heavy. The thing I hated about the zagg was that it plus my air was heavier than my 3rd gen ipad and logitech ultraslim cover. The zagg was really weighed down so the ipad didnt tip it over with their hinge design.

The aluminum is light on this case. Its certainly much lighter than the ipad was with the zagg. I dont mind the way it feels. Generally if i am going to be holding a tablet for a long time ill pull it out of the case, so i look for cases that are easy to remove as well. This one is pretty quick to pop out. The case folds very easily and flat so i can use the ipad in any orientation though if i like.

 

[redman042]

I just picked up the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Folio in black for my Air. This keyboard case is terrific! It's better than I expected after spending some time last week with the Logitech products available for the 3rd/4th gen iPads. The new folio is far better than the last gen. It has a much higher quality look and feel, and it's thinner and lighter, and it doesn't have that ridiculously bulky frame inside the case for the iPad. Instead, it has two lightweight but effective plastic clips.

Overall this case is surprisingly light for a keyboard case. That doesn't mean it matches the weight of a thin non-keyboard case, but it's lighter than I expected. It is also easy to get the iPad in and out, so I can quickly remove it when I want to use the device naked.

The keyboard has a very nice tactile feel. I'm coming from the Apple Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard, which sets a high bar for feel, and this is reasonably comparable except for less (but still adequate) key travel. This case improves on Apple's offering in that it offers more iPad specific-keys. I can go to the Home screen, double tap the Home button to multitask, select words with fn-arrow, and sleep/wake the device all with keyboard combos. Very nice.

Given that the iPad is not as wide as a standard keyboard, Logitech has gone with a non-standard layout. Some keys have been moved (ie. the exclamation point), some keys have been combined (the letter a combined with Caps lock), and some are half width (colon and quote), so this takes a bit of getting used to, but in return you get great size and spacing on the main letter keys, and those keys are all in the right place. I'm a touch-typist and I'm getting used to this very fast, after only having used the keyboard for this post so far.

Each brand/type of keyboard case out there has its pros and cons and different ways of striking a balance on key layout and weight, so your preferences may vary, but this product definitely deserves a look and for me it's the clear winner. Logitech's packaging makes it easy to open it up and try it out right in the store. I highly recommend you spend some time with it before buying.

I did not compare it to the new Fabricskin. I did try last year's model of the Fabricskin and did not care for the key feel. Not sure if this one is improved - my Best Buy did not have it in stock yet - but I already knew I liked the Ultrathin plus it's $50 cheaper so it was an easy choice for me.

I had a preorder in place with Logitech for this keyboard, but they were talking end of month to ship, so I cancelled that and got it locally. Seems like Best Buy has first dibs on their inventory.

Anyway, I'm a happy owner of this new case.

 

[eg2007]

So far its looking good for keeping it. The real test will be when Im in meetings at work. I havent been able to use it much for business yet, just playing here and there.



It actually isnt that heavy. The thing I hated about the zagg was that it plus my air was heavier than my 3rd gen ipad and logitech ultraslim cover. The zagg was really weighed down so the ipad didnt tip it over with their hinge design.

The aluminum is light on this case. Its certainly much lighter than the ipad was with the zagg. I dont mind the way it feels. Generally if i am going to be holding a tablet for a long time ill pull it out of the case, so i look for cases that are easy to remove as well. This one is pretty quick to pop out. The case folds very easily and flat so i can use the ipad in any orientation though if i like.

After a week with the Logitech Fabricskin Folio for the iPad Air, I just picked up this Belkin today to try out. I have to admit, the keyboard is better spaced than the Logitech Fabricskin Folio and Ultrathin Folio. Looks like Logitech actually shifted the keyboard to the left and combined keys. Belkin did not on the Ultimate Keyboard.

I weighed them both with my iPad Air inside. They both weigh the same.

That said, like GaresTaylan said, the sleep/wake feature does not work. This for some reason bothers me, but I've turned my auto sleep on for 5 mins.

So, the real question is, better keyboard, thinner profile and no sleep/wake (Belkin) or thicker profile, sleep wake and off-centered/combined keys keyboard?

For now, I think I'm sticking with the Belkin.

 

[lv4q]

My keyboard case of choice has come down to the FabricSkin or the Moshi VersaKeyboard! Or possibly just a thin folio for the iPad!

The Moshi VersaKeyboard = http://store.moshimonde.com/versakeyboard-ipad-air-bluetooth-keyboard-stand-case.html

 

[redman042]

After a week with the Logitech Fabricskin Folio for the iPad Air, I just picked up this Belkin today to try out. I have to admit, the keyboard is better spaced than the Logitech Fabricskin Folio and Ultrathin Folio. Looks like Logitech actually shifted the keyboard to the left and combined keys. Belkin did not on the Ultimate Keyboard.

I weighed them both with my iPad Air inside. They both weigh the same.

That said, like GaresTaylan said, the sleep/wake feature does not work. This for some reason bothers me, but I've turned my auto sleep on for 5 mins.

So, the real question is, better keyboard, thinner profile and no sleep/wake (Belkin) or thicker profile, sleep wake and off-centered/combined keys keyboard?

For now, I think I'm sticking with the Belkin.

I agree with everything you said. I had the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Folio for a month, but just returned it after one of the iPad clips broke. They looked too thin when I first got the case, and sure enough it was the first thing to fail, and it didn't take long at all. Now I like to remove my iPad and use it naked when reading, but maybe the Logitech is a "install it and leave it in" type of system.

I ordered the black Belkin from the company website. Just received it today. I am much happier with it. The keyboard layout is a better balance. It's not as roomy as the Logitech, but puts almost all of the keys where they belong, while Logitech had to combine Caps Lock and Tab with letter A and Q keys and also offset the number row in a way that messed me up frequently. It even caused me errors on my PC keyboard because I failed to switch my brain back to "normal mode" when typing on that one.

The Belkin has tighter key spacing (but still reasonably comfortable), and a few relocated symbols, but IMO the compromises are much less on this one than the Logitech, and a better balance. I can type fast with less errors overall.

More importantly, the Belkin is better built, with a much better system for securing the iPad, three stand positions instead of one, and an innovative auto sleep for the keyboard when the stand magnets are not engaged. Yes it's $25 more, but once you are in this price neighborhood, I figure you might as well get what you want most.

And frankly if the Logitech clips break, the whole thing is useless anyway. Might as well get one that will last even if it's a bit more money.

Now, if only I'd stop hitting Enter instead of apostrophe. But none of these keyboards are compromise-free.

 

[eg2007]

I agree with everything you said. I had the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Folio for a month, but just returned it after one of the iPad clips broke. They looked too thin when I first got the case, and sure enough it was the first thing to fail, and it didn't take long at all. Now I like to remove my iPad and use it naked when reading, but maybe the Logitech is a "install it and leave it in" type of system.

I ordered the black Belkin from the company website. Just received it today. I am much happier with it. The keyboard layout is a better balance. It's not as roomy as the Logitech, but puts almost all of the keys where they belong, while Logitech had to combine Caps Lock and Tab with letter A and Q keys and also offset the number row in a way that messed me up frequently. It even caused me errors on my PC keyboard because I failed to switch my brain back to "normal mode" when typing on that one.

The Belkin has tighter key spacing (but still reasonably comfortable), and a few relocated symbols, but IMO the compromises are much less on this one than the Logitech, and a better balance. I can type fast with less errors overall.

More importantly, the Belkin is better built, with a much better system for securing the iPad, three stand positions instead of one, and an innovative auto sleep for the keyboard when the stand magnets are not engaged. Yes it's $25 more, but once you are in this price neighborhood, I figure you might as well get what you want most.

And frankly if the Logitech clips break, the whole thing is useless anyway. Might as well get one that will last even if it's a bit more money.

Now, if only I'd stop hitting Enter instead of apostrophe. But none of these keyboards are compromise-free.

Funny thing -- I got tired of that one keyboard key that they misplaced (I think it was a colon) so I returned my Belkin and went with an Apple BT Keyboard and a Incase Origami Keyboard Case. Also, put my iPad Air in a Portenzo Hardback giving me the flexibility of not having to carry around a keyboard all the time.

 

[redman042]

Funny thing -- I got tired of that one keyboard key that they misplaced (I think it was a colon) so I returned my Belkin and went with an Apple BT Keyboard and a Incase Origami Keyboard Case. Also, put my iPad Air in a Portenzo Hardback giving me the flexibility of not having to carry around a keyboard all the time.

Interesting, because I'm transitioning FROM the Apple BT Keyboard and Origami Case, which I previously used with my iPad 3. I wanted a more "built-in" solution this time (a keyboard that was always with me and not something separate to carry), and I felt that the lighter weight of the iPad Air plus the refined designs of the latest keyboard cases made the total package much more reasonable to carry around than what was available before.

Also, a keyboard case works well on the lap, where the Origami solution does not. This was very important to me.

But yes, the relocated apostrophe is annoying. I keep making that mistake, but thankfully I don't use the apostrophe a ton. I still think the Belkin has the least compromises of the available options, and I'm happy with it.

 

[eg2007]

Interesting, because I'm transitioning FROM the Apple BT Keyboard and Origami Case, which I previously used with my iPad 3. I wanted a more "built-in" solution this time (a keyboard that was always with me and not something separate to carry), and I felt that the lighter weight of the iPad Air plus the refined designs of the latest keyboard cases made the total package much more reasonable to carry around than what was available before.

Also, a keyboard case works well on the lap, where the Origami solution does not. This was very important to me.

But yes, the relocated apostrophe is annoying. I keep making that mistake, but thankfully I don't use the apostrophe a ton. I still think the Belkin has the least compromises of the available options, and I'm happy with it.

I've had all the iPad Air keyboards out right now. Ha! I'm a writer, so stopping to fix mistakes slows me down when I'm on a roll.

I carry a Waterfield bag and just leave the keyboard in it. Tried the Origami lap thing and it was working for me. But I didn't give a long whirl.

Completely agree though. The Belkin IS very nice. The best iPad case keyboard I've used it the Zagg. There's a new one coming out for the Air called the Cover. Sadly, every Zagg I've ever dabbled with felt cheap and flimsy for the price.

The Apple addiction carries on...

 

[redman042]

I've had all the iPad Air keyboards out right now. Ha! I'm a writer, so stopping to fix mistakes slows me down when I'm on a roll.

I carry a Waterfield bag and just leave the keyboard in it. Tried the Origami lap thing and it was working for me. But I didn't give a long whirl.

Completely agree though. The Belkin IS very nice. The best iPad case keyboard I've used it the Zagg. There's a new one coming out for the Air called the Cover. Sadly, every Zagg I've ever dabbled with felt cheap and flimsy for the price.

The Apple addiction carries on...

After several weeks with my Belkin, I'm back to having mixed feelings again. I'm going to stick with this case (because every keyboard case has compromises), but I can understand better why Logitech made the keyboard layout choices that they did. I can't tell you how many times I hit ENTER instead of apostrophe (because Belkin moved it down a row). Pretty much happens every time I start writing. And I did not realize until now how often one uses the apostrophe in normal writing, or how hard it is to retrain myself on this one thing.

Logitech, on the other hand, left the apostrophe alone, but compromised Caps Lock, Tab, and the orientation of numbers relative to the top row of letters. That was annoying too, but I'm starting to think a bit less annoying than messing with the apostrophe.

This is really just an issue for fast touch typists, and you can adjust. I am, slowly. The Belkin is the better built case in my opinion, and I really like the magnets and auto wake feature. But the Logitech had the edge on typing accuracy given how I type.

Each person shopping for one of these cases really needs to spend quality time with both in the store.

 

[Max Your Macs]

Reviving an old topic...

I have been bouncing around a few keyboard case options myself and have ended back where I started with the Logitech Ultrathin Folio for my iPad Air. I had originally bought this model and after reading more about the Belkin QODE I decided to try one of those and return the Logitech. While the Belkin was nice and the keys were pleasant to type on, I have to say the aesthetics and plasticky feel of the top half of the case just came off cheap. Working in professional environments, it just seemed a little too 'amateurish' looking with the band of vinyl that connects the two halves and the overall feel.

I then tried the Logitech Fabricskin and honestly, it's amazing. Loved it but I couldn't really see where it was worth the extra $50 over the standard Ultrathin Folio, which is already pretty premium priced to begin with so I exchanged it for another Ultrathin Folio and couldn't be happier. If the Folio and Fabricskin were priced the same, or closer it would be an easier decision but a 50% premium for a minor difference is a bit much.

The one slight improvement I can see for the Folio is the way the iPad screen rests against the case when closed. There are rubber bumpers to keep the screen from touching the screen, but the back flat part of the keyboard part do touch the screen. It would have been nice to have so very small rubber bumpers there too to keep the screen off that hard plastic area. Other than that, this thing is a winner!

 

[ZipZap]

Reviving an old topic...

I have been bouncing around a few keyboard case options myself and have ended back where I started with the Logitech Ultrathin Folio for my iPad Air. I had originally bought this model and after reading more about the Belkin QODE I decided to try one of those and return the Logitech. While the Belkin was nice and the keys were pleasant to type on, I have to say the aesthetics and plasticky feel of the top half of the case just came off cheap. Working in professional environments, it just seemed a little too 'amateurish' looking with the band of vinyl that connects the two halves and the overall feel.

I then tried the Logitech Fabricskin and honestly, it's amazing. Loved it but I couldn't really see where it was worth the extra $50 over the standard Ultrathin Folio, which is already pretty premium priced to begin with so I exchanged it for another Ultrathin Folio and couldn't be happier. If the Folio and Fabricskin were priced the same, or closer it would be an easier decision but a 50% premium for a minor difference is a bit much.

The one slight improvement I can see for the Folio is the way the iPad screen rests against the case when closed. There are rubber bumpers to keep the screen from touching the screen, but the back flat part of the keyboard part do touch the screen. It would have been nice to have so very small rubber bumpers there too to keep the screen off that hard plastic area. Other than that, this thing is a winner!

New version of this is due next month.