As a writer, I’ve never found a keyboardless tablet to be very useful as I have a hard time separating work and play. And the original Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover turned me into iPad owner (for a time). So it was with high expectations that I picked up the redesigned Ultrathin Keyboard Cover ($100) for the new iPad Air. With many past Apple product releases and revisions, accessory makers were in the dark. Yet these days, it appears product dimensions are getting fed to them in a timely fashion as we’ve seen quite a few covers, cases, and keyboards hit within just a week or so of the iPad Air’s launch (with many sporting “iPad 5” branding). However, I wonder if Logitech would have been better served by having waited a bit for retail hardware to arrive, as I have a few concerns with their new keyboard. But let’s start on a positive note…
One of my main concerns with the prior gen was that the keyboard cover might get scuffed up. As you can watch above, boy has it. Also, the original back/base is somewhat slick and will shift around a bit more than one would like on some surfaces. Logitech appears to have improved the situation with their new hardware given a somewhat rubberized strip near the magnetic hinge and two plastic nubs near the front and slightly raise the keyboard cover above your working surface. And speaking of that hinge, it’s slightly bulkier this time around, but it’s matte finish is an improvement and the magnetic closure seems significantly stronger than my original in keeping the keyboard cover in place when closed and the iPad is being put away. As far as typing goes, while I haven’t spent a whole lot of time banging away, I’m satisfied with the feel and key placement as a part-time composition device. The iPad angle is comfortable for both viewing and typing, and didn’t actually notice the angle is slightly different this time around until I sat the two devices side-by-side. Logitech advertises the same 3 months of battery life based on two hours of typing per day (and is charged via any micro USB cable, with one included).
What has me worried is the new groove that the iPad sits in when used as a stand and keyboard. It feels a bit flimsier than the 2012 model. Some of this is probably psychological as I don’t hear the same solid, reassuring magnetic click as the iPad settles in the groove. But the iPad also makes a creaking sound with every screen touch, something unheard via the original, and the keyboard exhibits some flex near the groove. Lastly, the magnetic element associated with the groove appears to be slightly off as the iPad seems most secure when it’s positioned about half a millimeter off center towards the right. Taken together, I’m not left with a warm, fuzzy feeling entrusting my $500 purchase to this accessory. I assume these are initial manufacturing kinks that’ll get sorted now that Logitech has real iPads to work with and we’ll find ourselves in a better place a few months down the line. However, I’m moving on and am looking forward to checking out the backlit, multi-positionable Zagg Air Cover ($100) as soon as it’s released in the next week or so.
Update: While the Ultrathin was purchased at Best Buy, Logitech PR worked out a trade so they could examine my unit. Given my description, they feel something isn’t right and it shouldn’t have made it through the review process. The newly received Keyboard Cover exhibits no creaking and the groove seems more secure. However, Amazon reviews are mixed and it remains possible Logitech may be experiencing early design or quality control issues. I intend to test this (better) unit for a few days and ultimately compare it to the competing Zagg Keyboard Cover, so stay tuned. In the interim, I took down our video review while I percolate how to best represent the varying build qualities.
I reached out to Logitech prior to publication and just heard back – they believe my observations/issues are atypical and should have been caught during testing. However, GottaBeMobile has some similar concerns based on their production unit. Logitech would like to take a look at mine, but I’m not exactly sure how to get it to them as I had intended to return it to Best Buy and wait on the Zagg. Seen this many times before with early production runs and not sure I’m game for a replacement at this time. Will percolate on it…
Thanks for the review. Glad to see you’re seeing the same thing about the weak groove contact that others were reporting. I was really excited about this keyboard case, so that’s a bummer. Hopefully Logitech can quickly address this and shore up their production. Also curious to see how you like the Zagg keyboard. I just hope it’s not any heavier than the Logitech one.
I was upgraded from an iPad 3 with the Logitech Ultrathin keyboard to the iPad Air. I loved the LUK cover, but I purchased the Zagg iPad Air Folio last week since with the earlier release I found it at Best Buy and I was excited about the backlighting. The backlighting is cool, the variable hinge is very convenient, and I love the dedicated function keys, but the Folio case is heavy … as a matter of fact I think that with the iPad Air it may be almost the same weight as my 11″ MBA.
The reason that I upgraded to the Air is because of the 64 bit processor (Safari screams in comparison even if it does crash occasionally) and because of the weight and size. I have an iPad mini and when I was looking for a case, I was trying to find the most minimal one that I could find to reduce the load in my shoulder bag and so that I can use it bare most of the time. I thought that I might be able to stand a little more weight because I was already carrying an iPad3 + the LUK, but once I held the iPad Air, I had that same feeling of minimalism that I felt with the mini. After using the Zagg Folio for just under a week just seems to kill that excitement to me. And after perusing the specs, I don’t have a lot of faith that the Zagg Keyboard cover will be much better since most of the weight in the Folio is in the hinge and keyboard – common elements with the cover. I am also tiring of pulling the iPad Air out of the Folio case (which wouldn’t be an issue with the cover), so I figure that I will be returning the Folio to Best Buy now that they have the Logitech in stock.
Yeah, I’m sure the Zagg hinge adds weight and bulk – but if the iPad slips in and out rather efficiently, I can deal. I did take a look at the Zagg Folio you have but didn’t like the cover material. In fact, my original thought was to get the official Apple cover and this cheap, but well reviewed Bluetooth keyboard. Yet I also wasn’t confident in the Apple cover’s stability and prefer to minimize clutter when possible. Hm.
This video came up on my youtube subscriptions last night, and I didn’t realize it was a Zatz production. Unfortunately I stopped watching it, as I could not see the product due to insufficient lighting.
Yeah, the one room light is pretty dim to begin with and it was overcast yesterday – I opened the blinds but it obviously wasn’t enough. If I get more serious about shooting video, I’ll wait for and/or acquire better lighting. As it was, it was a one-take iPhone video shoot… and I’ve come to learn the iPhone 5s is particularly bad at low light video. I guess it’s somewhat ironic as I had just sort of assumed my wife’s phone would do better than my Galaxy Note 2. As Flav once said, don’t believe the hype. YouTube has some brightness settings – I’ll increase it a bit (but expect I’ll lose sharpness as a result).
I too had used the LUK with my iPad 3 for quite some time now. I love this keyboard, but I might try something else with my Air now. Have you seen a similar one by Belkin called the QODE Thin Type Keyboard(http://www.belkin.com/us/p/P-F5L155/)? I might give this one a try once its out.
My Logitech iPad Air keyboard case seems really solid, not demonstrating the same quirks that you mention. Guessing there are good and bad production runs circulating?
My only concern is how the cover doesn’t snap closed on the opposite end of the case. The magnet end is great, but on the other side it closes with weight, but nothing more. I wish there was a magnet or some kind of latch on the other side. Put another way, the iPad/Logitech combo needs to be pinched (to a point) in order to stay closed. Is this a defect, or does yours have the same issue?
I got my Logitech Ultrathin keyboard cover today directly from Logitech via UPS. The unit is built sturdy with a great typing experience using the keyboard. Both magnets have a ton of holding power. With my Ipad Air connected to the keyboard cover using the back magnets I can lift my Ipad Air up jiggle it around and not shake my keyboard loose. Likewise I can pick my keyboard cover up with my Ipad Air connected, jiggle it around and not shake my Ipad Air loose. The magnet in the ‘holding slot’ is very strong with my Ipad Air ‘clicking’ into position when inserted near the slot. I can pick up my Ipad Air while connected to the keyboard cover using the ‘holding slot’ magnet and jiggle it around with out loosing the keyboard. I have seen no separation of the assembled components of the keyboard cover and it feels very sturdy and stable. The typing experience is great with positive feed back from the keys on the keyboard. My unit works flawlessly and I have experience none of what the above reviewer has indicated with the unit I got directly from Logitech. I had a Logitech Ultrathin keyboard cover with my Ipad 4 and had no issues with that unit. The unit I now have for my Ipad Air is as good as that unit or better.
Dylan, mine doesn’t have a problem opening up. But there are enough issues with the continuous creaking and off center groove magnet that it’s definitely going back. I may take a look in another month or so, when my odds of receiving a better product have improved. In the interim, I’ll seek out the Belkin Richlee mentioned and I have the Zagg cover on pre-order.
Rodalpho, if you’re still reading, I ordered a pair of budget “studio lights” from ebay to better illuminate the room if we do this again.
@Robert How much does Logitech pay you to write that? That’s a very blatant fake review. Not only does it not pass the smell test, it fails a little computer algorithm I have to detect fake reviews.
Jonny, let’s give him the benefit of the doubt. He is quite effusive in his praise, but it’s entirely possible there are good batches and bad batches. For example, David Chartier seems to have received a better model than the sort GottaBeMobile and I picked up. So, until proven otherwise, I’d like to believe he’s a “real” person rather than something more nefarious. Thanks.
FYI, I just returned my Zagg Folio back to Best Buy and purchased the Ultimate Keyboard for iPad Air. I can say that I am also not seeing the issues that you guys saw. The iPad does not make the click sound and the magnets do not seem quite as strong, but I can pick up the iPad and the keyboard remains attached. I just think the issue may be that the edge is not as thick, or the chamfered edge of the iPad makes the side come a little more to a “point” than in earlier versions. Also I will admit that when the cover closes, it doesn’t close all the way like earlier versions and feels as though it floats a bit above the iPad. I don’t have the offset issue that Dave reported.
A couple of other observations …
Probably due to the reduction of the beveled edges, but the keyboard doesn’t seem as deep as earlier versions, and that makes my hands feel a little more cramped (and my hands are small.)
Thanks to the new hinge, you can actually can connect the keyboard behind the iPad, although I do have the offset issue (I guess the iPad Air magnets aren’t centered on the side.) I think this will be convenient for the times that I am carrying the keyboard, but want to point to whole screen without having to deal with the on-screen keyboard.
I really like the LUK for iPad Air that I just got – it’s light and convenient. The Zagg Folio was a pain to get the iPad out of and it was a lot heavier than LUK. As I mentioned, the difference between the Folio and keyboard cover only appears to be the plastic encasing portion for the iPad which doesn’t really add much weight, so I’ll bet that the Zagg Keyboard Cover is almost the same weight (plus most of the weight appears to be in the hinge.) The LUK/iPad 3 combo I had before seemed a little more secure, but at the expense of a lot more weight which was the primary consideration for a guy that is always carrying at least an iPad Air, iPad mini, batteries, cables, etc…
Do not work for Logiteck just have had a great experience with the ultrathin keyboard with my ipad 3, 4, and now my Ipad Air. I am a retired Technical Sercices Manager as well as a ISO 9000 certified lead auditor that’s age 71. The unit I received directly from Logitech is as I have described it above.
I wanted to also point out to those on reading this site that I have a Ipad Mini also but for it I chose a ZagKeys Keyboard Cover for it. I use my Ipad Mini for the most part with the keyboard attached and carry it most every where I go. The Zaggs keyboard cover holds the Ipad Mini in its hinge tightly but at the same time makes it very difficult to remove quickly and easly to use the Ipad Mini by itself. I chose the Logitech Ultrathin for my Ipad Air because its design allows for a spontaneous, fast and easy removed of the Ipad Air from the keyboard. I use my Ipad Air for meetings where presentations are made to attendees by connecting the Ipad Air to external viewing equipment. I have enjoyed both keyboards since purchasing them from the original manufacturer. Both have a solid design and both are well build with a high degree of quality being demonstrated by the fact that I have had no issues with either product.
I’ve set the video to private for the time being while I evaluate a replacement Ultrathin and added an initial update to the post (see above) indicating NO CREAKING and a more secure groove. However, now the non-hinge side doesn’t stay securely closed. We’ll circle back after Thanksgiving with more thoughts and hopefully a Zagg comparison.
I just got the logitech keyboard ipad air cover. Mine does not close. The hinge side clicks fine but other side stays open. I thought it was supposed to close securely. So disappointed so I guess I will return it. I have an apple cover and it seems to close pretty securely so I don’t think the ipad magnets are bad. Too bad apple didn’t make a keyboard cover.
@Dylan, @Dave, @Karen g, I have the same problem, my iPad Air doesn’t snap shut. It is as if there is no magnet on the spacebar side of the cover. Is it suposed to be like this?
@douwe A few weeks into use of the Logitech, and, weird as this might sound, I don’t know if the snap closure issue is, in fact, an issue. I don’t feel like the keyboard is lacking in function. I pick it up, hinge in hand, and it doesn’t flop open. So, maybe all’s well? Would love to know that I’m missing something here…
The end of the story… I returned the replacement Ultrathin Keyboard Cover and then picked up a black Ultrathin Keyboard Folio, which has issues of its own. While the contraption is more secure overall, the screen stands taller and is bouncy when tapped, the auto-wake/sleep magnets are not aligned properly, and ascetically-speaking the camera cut out is not centered. So that went back too. Very disappointing. :/
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Since it’s been at epidemic levels of late, let me say yet again that I’d be happy to fill in a CAPTCHA for comments. Seems quite reasonable to me as a commenter. (And in the unlikely event you ever go that direction, which I know full well you prefer not to, go with all an all numerical CAPTCHA, as it seems reasonably effective, but is an easier effort for commenters.)
Of course, if you have the UI within your WordPress system to do CAPTCHA while whitelisting previous commenters, then you’ve got heaven.
I dunno… I’d say we’re extremely successful. You perspective is distorted by a limited view and as one of the few people subscribed to comments in some way. Tale of the tape:
https://zatznotfunny.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/spam.png
There are others things I can do, but most will increase my workload and decrease the end-user experience. And, after all’s said and done, I’m not sure we’ll be in a better place. (The spam situation has also been somewhat exacerbated lately due to ongoing database issues at my host, resulting in the Akismet losing its key and connection to the mothership.)
“You perspective is distorted by a limited view and as one of the few people subscribed to comments in some way.”
No doubt.
“There are others things I can do, but most will increase my workload and decrease the end-user experience.”
Like I said, I thought it was unlikely you’d go in that direction, and you have a better big-picture view than I, but just wanted to throw it out there.
I do thank you for your continued contributions and patience with the additional spam. :)