How could they change the spacing without making the entire case bigger?
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LOVE MY adonit Folio
- Thread starter Cheffy Dave
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I don't know how to answer that other than suggesting you look at the keyboard zagg uses. It's probably not spacing as much as size.. and the zaggmate (which already has a cramped keyboard) manages to feel downright spacious. I can only assume this is due to the added bezel, as I stated before. The zaggmate goes edge to edge on the keyboard. When you are shrinking a keyboard, even a 10 mm can be a big difference in feel.
On a side note, I have not heard back from adonit yet about my return request.
Look at the above photo and then the below.. they are both the width of the ipad, but clearly drastically different in size and use. Again, the flex is equally disturbing. I am a light fingered guy, I don't hammer my keys - anything in the middle bows the keyboard, and due to the size, touch typing is impossible *for me*
Another issue, the plastic case portion feels very fragile to me. It flexes when inserting and removing the ipad. I would think with heavy use this will eventually warp or break the very thin plastic above the screen.
Finally, I think the case weighs too much for what it is, it's also awkward to slide into position. One may be tempted to think the case can be opened and just happens, but the reality is that it is a much clunkier solution than that.
Ultimately, if using on a hard surface, the zaggmate is a better solution imho, providing you don't have a rear skin that gets in the way.. and if you look at my post on the zaggmate, you will see I am not particularly a fan of that case. I had really hoped the adonit would be much better than it is. Not attempting to be cruel or rude here, but it seems it was designed by someone without much industrial design experience... it just doesn't work imo - which is completely the opposite of what I thought when viewing product shots!
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The reason the Adonit keyboard is not as wide as the ZAGGMate is because of the hinges the Adonit uses to connect the keyboard to the iPad frame.
I'm not defending them, just explaining. I find it humorous that you'd accuse the product of being 'designed by someone without much industrial design experience.'. I like the ZaggMate keyboard, too, but I understand why the Adonit is the way it is. Clearly, it doesn't work for everyone.
I'm not defending them, just explaining. I find it humorous that you'd accuse the product of being 'designed by someone without much industrial design experience.'. I like the ZaggMate keyboard, too, but I understand why the Adonit is the way it is. Clearly, it doesn't work for everyone.
I'm not particularly sure why my observation would be humourous.. however, as stated, I don't particularly like the zaggmate either. It has a host of issues.. however, the keyboard is dramatically superior.
I'm also not sure why the hinge, which is much higher, would preclude a full width keyboard - perhaps integrity...but there is sufficient space so I doubt that is the case. It would appear they wanted a sturdier surround.. but that tradeoff led to some issues.
As far as industrial design.. fair enough I guess.. maybe they are very experienced and didn't hit it out of the park.. this one fails imo.
The point of a keyboard case first and foremost is to facilitate easier typing than the onscreen. This case does not, again imo, offer that. It's more difficult to type on than a flipped smart cover equipped pad and drastically increases the weight (though in fairness for travel I suppose one has to factor in a case). I also wonder what the effects of placing the case in any kind of stress would be.. I have to double check but the keyboard ending halfway down the ipad screen is concerning - should one place the entire thing in another bag.
As you stated, clearly different solutions exist for different people. I'm a tall guy, maybe my long fingers create more of an issue. I am glad there are choices.. but I also think it may be good to have a balance of positives and negatives and so far all i see are glowing reviews - which convinced me to buy - and that just isn't my experience.
I'm also not sure why the hinge, which is much higher, would preclude a full width keyboard - perhaps integrity...but there is sufficient space so I doubt that is the case. It would appear they wanted a sturdier surround.. but that tradeoff led to some issues.
As far as industrial design.. fair enough I guess.. maybe they are very experienced and didn't hit it out of the park.. this one fails imo.
The point of a keyboard case first and foremost is to facilitate easier typing than the onscreen. This case does not, again imo, offer that. It's more difficult to type on than a flipped smart cover equipped pad and drastically increases the weight (though in fairness for travel I suppose one has to factor in a case). I also wonder what the effects of placing the case in any kind of stress would be.. I have to double check but the keyboard ending halfway down the ipad screen is concerning - should one place the entire thing in another bag.
As you stated, clearly different solutions exist for different people. I'm a tall guy, maybe my long fingers create more of an issue. I am glad there are choices.. but I also think it may be good to have a balance of positives and negatives and so far all i see are glowing reviews - which convinced me to buy - and that just isn't my experience.
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Different strokes for different folks.
I love my Adonit Writer 2. I use it every day. The form factor is awesome. If I want to use a bigger keyboard, I have a laptop. But, the Adonit lets me have the flexibility of a keyboard when on the go as a lightweight solution if I don't want to lug my laptop around. It's slim, made out of the same material as that iPad 1 Apple case, and I really like it.
I'm having an easier time typing on the Adonit than I did with the Zagg/Logitech keyboard case. All of these smaller iPad keyboards have learning curves, it's just a nature of the beast.
I love my Adonit Writer 2. I use it every day. The form factor is awesome. If I want to use a bigger keyboard, I have a laptop. But, the Adonit lets me have the flexibility of a keyboard when on the go as a lightweight solution if I don't want to lug my laptop around. It's slim, made out of the same material as that iPad 1 Apple case, and I really like it.
I'm having an easier time typing on the Adonit than I did with the Zagg/Logitech keyboard case. All of these smaller iPad keyboards have learning curves, it's just a nature of the beast.
I put a Zagg on my iPad 2 and remove it from the Adonit all the time. No problems here. It has a little quick release tab at the top. You cannot remove the keyboard and just use the case. You'd have to get a different case. Personally, I have a this Adonit Writer 2 and then I also have a Vaja. I haven't used the Vaja since I got the Adonit. Don't really miss it. May even Ebay the Vaja.
The guys who created the Adonit Writer came from Apple and Microsoft! I'm sure they know what they're doing. Ha! I think it's designed just right. Either way, something better always comes along. That's just the tech world. We consumers deal.
I still haven't looked, but regardless, that statement is a logical fallacy anyway.
I have asserted what I believe are some of the shortcomings of the design... and had one response which discussed why it may have been implemented that way - the rest have just been random responses with no merit to the statements I have made.
There are plenty of individuals who have worked for great companies that were not able to reproduce the effects an entire team obtained regularly. There are plenty of companies (including apple) who have flubbed design ideas (you all know which ones).. so where they used to work is pretty irrelevant.
The issues I have with the device are clearly stated.. and I will add one more.. the material used is yet another material that shows dirt ridiculously easily.. I am not sure if it is the same material as used in the original apple case, maybe.. regardless, that too was a poor choice based on aesthetics not usability.
Of course I come here to share opinion, and counter opinions are welcome.. however nobody is really discussing the shortcomings cited.. but basically are still telling me I'm wrong... which is.. ridiculous.
P.S. one is a design researcher, the other a mechanical engineer. For any who may be curious. No specific role at apple or microsoft is mentioned.. they may have been call center (not suggesting this is likely, however the phrase 'born from technology giants' isn't exactly specific.)
BTW, I used to work for apple, and several fortune 100 companies, that alone does not specifically qualify me to make grape soda.
Additional note, there is a difference between a product designer and a mechanical engineer.. and a design researcher.
At the end of the day, the largest issue with this item is that it limits to index finger typing, which is actually slower than the on screen keyboard. The bad choice in material used, wasted bezel space, weight, keyboard flex, and potential stress point of the 'quick release' area are all additional bothers, but the main one is that it just doesn't allow me to type even as fast as the onscreen keyboard. I appreciate others can handle it or have an easier time, I however do not see it as a well designed (well better to say well implemented) product.
In trying to review further the device I came up with another annoyance. lack of one handed opening and closing. even if it is lying flat, one cannot close the device as one would other devices and just go. for example the clamcase.
Anyone have any idea why I received a commercial invoice in the package for $50? I guess that was meant for them.
I have asserted what I believe are some of the shortcomings of the design... and had one response which discussed why it may have been implemented that way - the rest have just been random responses with no merit to the statements I have made.
There are plenty of individuals who have worked for great companies that were not able to reproduce the effects an entire team obtained regularly. There are plenty of companies (including apple) who have flubbed design ideas (you all know which ones).. so where they used to work is pretty irrelevant.
The issues I have with the device are clearly stated.. and I will add one more.. the material used is yet another material that shows dirt ridiculously easily.. I am not sure if it is the same material as used in the original apple case, maybe.. regardless, that too was a poor choice based on aesthetics not usability.
Of course I come here to share opinion, and counter opinions are welcome.. however nobody is really discussing the shortcomings cited.. but basically are still telling me I'm wrong... which is.. ridiculous.
P.S. one is a design researcher, the other a mechanical engineer. For any who may be curious. No specific role at apple or microsoft is mentioned.. they may have been call center (not suggesting this is likely, however the phrase 'born from technology giants' isn't exactly specific.)
BTW, I used to work for apple, and several fortune 100 companies, that alone does not specifically qualify me to make grape soda.
Additional note, there is a difference between a product designer and a mechanical engineer.. and a design researcher.
At the end of the day, the largest issue with this item is that it limits to index finger typing, which is actually slower than the on screen keyboard. The bad choice in material used, wasted bezel space, weight, keyboard flex, and potential stress point of the 'quick release' area are all additional bothers, but the main one is that it just doesn't allow me to type even as fast as the onscreen keyboard. I appreciate others can handle it or have an easier time, I however do not see it as a well designed (well better to say well implemented) product.
In trying to review further the device I came up with another annoyance. lack of one handed opening and closing. even if it is lying flat, one cannot close the device as one would other devices and just go. for example the clamcase.
Anyone have any idea why I received a commercial invoice in the package for $50? I guess that was meant for them.
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Sorry about your experience. It's instructive that the one review of the adonit keyboard on Amazon is from a teacher who praises it for its small size, appropriate for children. My six year-old has a "child size" keyboard for her hand-me-down laptop and it drives me nuts every time I have to use it.
One week and they have not contacted me in response to my return request.
30 day money back no questions asked return policy, lol. Doesn't help much if they never authorize a return does it.
A week is unacceptable to wait for first response to a support inquiry, period.
So now not only can I say I don't care for their product, I can say their customer support, or lack thereof, sucks.
Not off to a swimming start are we adonit?
My friend from UK bought this one from WeKREAT. It has edge to edge keyboard holding keys that are only 10-15 percent smaller than the full-size keyboard. He said it is really easy to get use to, and interestingly the package come with a stand insert that holds a stylus, 3 grooves for multiple standing angles, and a name card holder.
It's now pre-ordering on WeKREAT website, I may buy it with recommendation from my friend.
Interesting find, thanks.
At the end of the day, I'm flling out of love with my iPad and starting to use a laptop more. It just seems to be better for me most of the time. iPad is still fine for reading and whatnot, but I wish at this point I got the 16 gb as now a new laptop will be on order.
At the end of the day, I'm flling out of love with my iPad and starting to use a laptop more. It just seems to be better for me most of the time. iPad is still fine for reading and whatnot, but I wish at this point I got the 16 gb as now a new laptop will be on order.
My fingers are too big, not their fault
I tried out the Adonit for ipad 2 and just found that my fingers are too big for their keyboard. It is a nice product for those than can use and adjust to the smaller keyboard. I am too used to the Apple bluetooth keyboard. I think the product works as advertised. I asked for a return authorization and got an immediate and very polite response.
I tried out the Adonit for ipad 2 and just found that my fingers are too big for their keyboard. It is a nice product for those than can use and adjust to the smaller keyboard. I am too used to the Apple bluetooth keyboard. I think the product works as advertised. I asked for a return authorization and got an immediate and very polite response.
Just a followup to a comment I made about the size of the keyboard above. I haven't read all the posts in this thread carefully so I hope I'm not being redundant. If so, my apologies.
There is simply no way that any manufacturer can provide a spacious keyboard in a combo case/keyboard. That's true of the 'adonit,' the Zaggmate, or any of their competitors. You might notice that the photos and videos of these products almost always show women or teenagers with small hands using the keyboard. There's a reason.
My Apple Wireless Keyboard is almost two inches wider than my iPad (in landscape.) My Microsoft 6000 Bluetooth portable keyboard which I also use with the iPad (and is both less expensive and in some ways superior to the Apple keyboard) is almost four inches wider. None of the combo case/keyboards can provide a keyboard even as spacious as a typical 11" notebook without making the case too large to be sold to most consumers.
That doesn't mean that a customer cannot adjust to the smaller form factor, especially if it's a high quality keyboard with appropriate action and well designed keys. But it does mean that if you shift back and forth between such a keyboard and a full size model (or even the keyboard on a small laptop) you may find adjusting to the cramped space difficult.
Personally, I use a full-size Logitech keyboard for most of my text input. I can adjust to the size of the Apple Wireless Keyboard without much difficulty but I would find anything smaller to be a major problem unless I used it almost exclusively.
Combination keyboard/cases have an undeniable appeal. But for me (and I suspect for many other touch typists) a much better approach involves something like the Apple Wireless Keyboard and the Incase Origami Workstation.
There is simply no way that any manufacturer can provide a spacious keyboard in a combo case/keyboard. That's true of the 'adonit,' the Zaggmate, or any of their competitors. You might notice that the photos and videos of these products almost always show women or teenagers with small hands using the keyboard. There's a reason.
My Apple Wireless Keyboard is almost two inches wider than my iPad (in landscape.) My Microsoft 6000 Bluetooth portable keyboard which I also use with the iPad (and is both less expensive and in some ways superior to the Apple keyboard) is almost four inches wider. None of the combo case/keyboards can provide a keyboard even as spacious as a typical 11" notebook without making the case too large to be sold to most consumers.
That doesn't mean that a customer cannot adjust to the smaller form factor, especially if it's a high quality keyboard with appropriate action and well designed keys. But it does mean that if you shift back and forth between such a keyboard and a full size model (or even the keyboard on a small laptop) you may find adjusting to the cramped space difficult.
Personally, I use a full-size Logitech keyboard for most of my text input. I can adjust to the size of the Apple Wireless Keyboard without much difficulty but I would find anything smaller to be a major problem unless I used it almost exclusively.
Combination keyboard/cases have an undeniable appeal. But for me (and I suspect for many other touch typists) a much better approach involves something like the Apple Wireless Keyboard and the Incase Origami Workstation.
I don't doubt it. They don't want to be generous with other people's (their many customers without an Apple Keyboard) money.
Please explain this bizarre sentence. They build a case and people buy it. If you don't have an Apple BT Keyboard, you don't need it and, wait for it, you don't buy it. Wow, what a concept.