Pros
Comfortable to use
Case finish is attractive, durable, assists grip, and resists stains
Keys are responsive with good travel
Keys feel well spaced
Keys have an adjustable backlight
Keyboard doesn’t have batteries that require charging
Touchpad movements are precise
Touchpad uses inertia
Keyboard is very sturdy with no flex
Case is very thick with good protection
Stylus holder has just the right amount of friction for secure storage
All ports, including charging port, have large opens to accommodate accessories
Kickstand feels very sturdy and stays at the angle you put it at
Cons
Tablet use requires taking the keyboard off
Magnets are too weak to hold hold heavy keyboard on reliably
Power and volume buttons are too low profile and require too much force
Keyboard cover is difficult to open with no notch or other tab to grab
Kickstand bottom is sharp and can be uncomfortable on legs
Kickstand extends beyond case making tablet use less comfortable
Front and back cover profiles don’t match
Keyboard connection is finicky and sometimes loses connection
Out of the box, the Logitech Combo Touch Keyboard Case feels premium. The case has a substantial amount of weight, likely because of the kickstand design which stays where you put it. The keyboard cover is equally as sturdy with little flex. The texture looks like canvas and gives the more sophisticated look to the overall design. The stylus holder has more of a soft touch rubberized finish. The power and volume keys are low profile bumps in the case versus cutouts. There are cutouts for the speakers and the charge port, which is large enough to accommodate most their party cables
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Usage
The overall design attempts to allow both tablet format and computer use and this does require some compromises. In table use, you can’t just fold the keyboard cover to the back. You must remove it. Once removed, the left side leaves and open cavity where the protruding sharp edge of the kickstand digs into your hand slightly. It’s still usable. But, you might find yourself shifting the way you hold it periodically to give your palm of your hand a break. Also, in tablet mode the overall bulk of the case becomes apparent as it doesn’t feel much lighter with the keyboard off. At first glance, you might feel the stylus holder is an afterthought but it works surprisingly well. The slightly rubberized finished and overall size provide just enough friction to give you confidence. It will hold the Pencil securely while still allowing it to be removed without much effort.
If you want to use it as a laptop, you will find the compromise is first in the overall length but the harsh edge of the kickstand. Although it holds position very well, the sharp edge over time can dig into your thighs. The overall length and top heavy design means laptop usage works best if you are laying slightly back. This both allows the space but improves stability and reduces the overall pressure the kickstand exerts. So, usage on laying back on the couch isn’t too bad, but sitting up in a chair isn’t as great. The place where the overall package shines the most is sitting at a desk. The kickstand can be adjusted to the perfect angle for you with no discomfort while remaining stable and the keyboard case has a solid base to allow confident typing. You can also adjust the tablet and keyboard backlight straight from the keyboard to suite your needs. There is a slight learning curve but the touchpad supports all the gesture navigation features of iOS.
Performance
Of course, trying to be jack of all trades means there will be compromises. But, the big question is do they improve the overall functionality in a meaningful way. The answer to this question is a yes. The kickstand mechanism works very well and stays where you put it without requiring much effort. The keyboard allows much faster typing on par with an ultra book with a good quality keyboard. And finally the touchpad has a precision and movement that feels, for lack of a better term, very Apple. If you have used other Apple products, the overall feel of the touchpad should be very familiar.
As for protecting your tablet, of course it won’t provide liquid protection but the thickness and rigidness of the panels gives the impression it will protect you from most drops. The weak magnets might be the one area of concern but when all are used when it is closed it feels like it will keep the cover on in all but the most extreme drops.
Final Thoughts
If this fits your iPad and you have been looking for an affordable way to increase your productivity, this combo case is definitely worth a look. Logitech has a long history of making quality products and the overall feel and usage of this case gives you the feeling it will last for quite some time. At the risk of sounding cliché, it really does make it feel more like a computer. If Apple could ease up on some of the mobile design restrictions this could potentially negate the need for a regular computer. For now, this just reduced the need.