Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

LOVE MY adonit Folio

jsh1120 said:
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.
Click to expand...

I get what you are saying bit the adonit 'feels' much much smaller than the zaggmate.

Their customer support is also lackluster if that matters to anyone.
 
madat42 said:
Can you use it on your lap comfortably, if at all?
Click to expand...

Comfortably is a subjective term.

The adonit/iPad combination is not like the Clamcase, specifically because you have to slide the keyboard from its closed position to where you can use it. Once you do that, it's usable on your lap.

If you are looking for a solution that's more laptop/netbook like, the adonit is not for you.
 
madat42 said:
Can you use it on your lap comfortably, if at all?
Click to expand...

I use my Adonit Writer 2 on my lap all the time. I usually carry it to write at coffee houses. It's not a laptop feel at all, but I knew that going in. I must say, at first, typing on it was frustrating (due to the size) but after a few weeks, I've gotten pretty good at it.

The first Adonit Writer 2 I received had a problem with the sleep/wake magnet. I emailed them via their site and the founder replied within the hour. It was over a holiday weekend, but he had another rep contact me to get my address. They overnighted me a replacement cover. Literally, a three business day process. In my experience, their customer service was excellent.
 
The writer 2 is a tricky device to recommend. One one hand it's a lot nicer than some of the other keyboard cases, but it's not a netbook / notebook feel. The keyboard takes some getting used to since it's smaller than I expected, even after reading some comments. I have to agree that the design should have been re-examined, there is no need to have such wide peripheral keys (caps, shift, etc.) on both sides and tiny keys for the main letters. Anyways, materials are great, and the flexibility of the magnetic base means I can use it in more situations.

Biggest design faux pas? Putting the sleep key right above backspace, and with such tiny keys, you are BOUND to hit it accidentally at least once a session if you are a fast touch typist.
 
you can add one more awful to the list... battery life. it wasnt turned on for 2 weeks and the batteries flattened. basically this thing is horrible from the ground up
 
TC25 said:
...
Apple BT Keyboard - While I like the size and feel of it, it's as kludgey to set up as the ZAGGmate. I carry it and my iPad2 in a Waterfield iPad Wallet with shoulder strap.

I agree with techdude6693, the best folio would be one that could hold an Apple BT keyboard, but until that comes out, I'll use the Adonit at work and the Apple BT Keyboard/Waterfield iPad Wallet combination when traveling.
Click to expand...

I use the same configuration except that I have the Travel Express rather than the iPad Wallet from Waterfield. I made that choice because the folks at Waterfield Designs indicated that the Apple Wireless Keyboard would probably not fit in the dedicated pocket if it's encased in the Incase Origami Workstation keyboard case. It works in the Travel Express, though it's a tight fit.

I'm curious. What did you find "kludgey" about setting up the Apple Wireless Keyboard. Mine worked flawlessly simply by pairing the iPad and the AWK.

As far as a folio designed to accommodate the AWK, I seriously doubt you'll see that from any manufacturer. It would mean a wider/taller folio for a niche of a niche portion of the market. While it would appeal to those of us committed to the AWK, the design and production costs wouldn't justify the investment, I'd guess.
 
After noting the negative comments in this thread, I decided to go for the Adonit Writer anyway for my iPad 2. After having used it for the past couple of days, I'm glad I did as it's the best keyboard case for me. I'm a touch typist and have large hands/fingers. Yes, the keyboard is tiny, probably the smallest I've ever used but it hasn't taken long to get used to it. It doesn't feel flimsy at all to me. It's not as solid as a ThinkPad understandably, but definitely not low-end. The design of the case is sleek and minimalist - no thick, gaudy 'executive' leather look to it. The design and choice of materials keep the whole package light as a Macbook Air, while still feeling solidly built. A feature that I truly appreciate is the 'eject' frame. Simply, it keeps the iPad an iPad. I like using the iPad as is, when using apps like Flipboard and Zite, or playing games. But I also do a lot of corresponding where a dedicated keyboard is needed. The Writer works perfectly, allowing me to do both. It works comfortably for me on a table as well as my lap. I had the Zagg/Logitech keyboard and though that keyboard was great to use, it was very awkward as a case. Anyway, my 2 cents.
 
I just received this folio today! I love it!!! of course my fingers are small so it doesn't bother me the fact that the keys are smaller then others.
 
After several months of daily use, the somewhat flimsy plastic ring holding the metal keyboard to the case has snapped. Since I didn't know this had happened until the next time I opened it, I haven't been able to locate the small piece that broke off. Now, the keyboard just falls out on one side, every time I open it, and can't support the weight of the iPad 2.

Any suggestions for a DIY fix? I was thinking about supergluing something in place, but a) I don't want it to look unsightly, and b) It still needs to support the opening and closing action - i.e. the inside cylinder needs to rotate. Any suggestions?
 
SethKOne said:
After several months of daily use, the somewhat flimsy plastic ring holding the metal keyboard to the case has snapped. Since I didn't know this had happened until the next time I opened it, I haven't been able to locate the small piece that broke off. Now, the keyboard just falls out on one side, every time I open it, and can't support the weight of the iPad 2.

Any suggestions for a DIY fix? I was thinking about supergluing something in place, but a) I don't want it to look unsightly, and b) It still needs to support the opening and closing action - i.e. the inside cylinder needs to rotate. Any suggestions?
Click to expand...

How about contacting Adonit to see about getting the frame replaced since there's a one year warranty?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back