Standing screen display size | 9.7 Inches |
---|
- VIDEO
Image Unavailable
Color:
-
-
-
- To view this video download Flash Player
Logitech CREATE Backlit Keyboard Case with Smart Connector for iPad Pro 9.7" ONLY! (will not fit other models) , Black
Sustainability features
This product has sustainability features recognized by trusted certifications.
Carbon emissions from the lifecycle of this product were measured, reduced and offset.
Carbon Neutral Certified by SCS Global Services enables companies to demonstrate carbon neutrality for their products by reducing carbon emissions throughout their operations and offsetting their remaining carbon footprint through the purchase of carbon credits. SCS Global Services is a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. SCS is a chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices.
Return this item for free
Free returns are available for the shipping address you chose. You can return the item for any reason in new and unused condition: no shipping charges
Learn more about free returns.- Go to your orders and start the return
- Select the return method
- Ship it!
Brand | Logitech |
Compatible Devices | Tablet |
Connectivity Technology | Bluetooth |
Keyboard Description | Multimedia |
Recommended Uses For Product | Home |
Special Feature | Backlit |
Color | Black |
Number of Keys | 78 |
Style | Modern |
Material | fabric, plastic |
About this item
- Ipad pro 9.7 keyboard features the most advanced power directly from ipad pro via Apple smart connector so no charging is needed
- Logitech’s best ipad keyboard with well spaced keys and adjustable backlighting; Keyboard: key: full size keys, 19 millimeter key pitch, 1.3 millimeter key travel
- Dedicated row of ios shortcut keys for one tap to home, screen brightness adjustment, search, language switch, keyboard backlighting adjustment, media controls, volume controls, ipad on/off sleep/wake
- Ipad pro 9.7 case with smart connector offers the most advanced connectivity with no bluetooth pairing needed
- Built in fabric pencil holder keeps your Apple pencil in easy reach so you never lose it, refer user manual below.
- Protective ipad pro 9.7 case helps safeguard both sides of ipad from bumps, dirt and drops
Get similar items fast
- Arteck iPad 9.7-inch (iPad 6, 2018 / iPad 5, 2017) Keyboard, Ultra-Thin Bluetooth Keyboard with Folio Full Protection Case for Apple iPad 9.7 iPad 6, 5 and iPad Air 1 with 130 Degree Swivel RotatingAmazon's Choicein Tablet Keyboard CasesFREE Shipping by AmazonGet it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26
- Apple Smart Keyboard for Apple iPad Pro 9.7-inch - MM2L2AM/A - Black (Refurbished)FREE Shipping by AmazonGet it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26Only 19 left in stock - order soon.Climate Pledge FriendlyProducts with trusted sustainability certification(s). Learn more
PRODUCT CERTIFICATION (1)
Pre-owned Certified: Electronics products are inspected, cleaned and (if applicable) repaired to excellent functional standards. Buying Pre-owned extends a product's life, reducing e-waste and raw material extraction.
Compare with similar items
This Item Logitech CREATE Backlit Keyboard Case with Smart Connector for iPad Pro 9.7" ONLY! (will not fit other models) , Black | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | Try again! Added to Cart | |
Price | $49.00$49.00 | $72.99$72.99 | -5% $39.98$39.98 List: $41.97 | -19% $29.99$29.99 List: $36.99 | $129.99$129.99 | $40.99$40.99 |
Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26 | Get it as soon as Tuesday, Mar 26 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Battery life | 4.4 | 4.2 | 4.5 | 4.4 | — | 4.3 |
Sturdiness | 3.5 | 4.3 | 4.0 | 4.7 | — | 3.8 |
Bluetooth connectivity | 4.5 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.7 | — | — |
Durability | 3.4 | — | 4.0 | — | — | 3.6 |
Easy to use | — | 4.3 | 4.2 | — | — | 4.2 |
Sold By | NGNEER | Eoso Direct | GreenLawUS | ANGE-USA | Decione | Tech Vendor |
connectivity tech | Bluetooth | Bluetooth | Bluetooth | Bluetooth | Bluetooth | Wireless |
number of keys | 78 | 76 | 78 | 78 | 78 | 75 |
hardware interface | bluetooth | — | bluetooth | — | — | bluetooth |
compatible devices | Tablet | iPad Air 2 2014, iPad Pro 9.7" 2016, iPad 5th 9.7" 2017, iPad 6th 9.7" 2018 | iPad 6th generation 2018: A1893、A1954, iPad 5th generation 2017: A1822、A1823, iPad Pro 9.7 inch 2016: A1673、A1674、A1675, iPad Air 2nd Generation 2014: A1566、A1567 | 9.7 inch iPad 2018 6th gen A1893/A1954(MR7F2LL) - iPad 5th gen - 9.7, 2017 A1822/A1823 - iPad Pro 9.7 2016 model a1674, a1673(mlru2ll/a), iPad 2014 model A1566/A1567MGKL2LL/A , iPad 9.7 A1474/A1475/A1476 MD785LL/A | iPad Pro 11 inch (4th, 3rd, 2nd and 1st Generation), iPad Air (5th and 4th Generation) | iPad 9.7" 6th Gen 2018 (A1893 A1954), iPad 9.7" 5th Gen 2017 (A1822 A1823), iPad Pro 9.7-inch 2016 (A1673 A1674 A1675), iPad Air 2 (A1566 A1567), iPad Air (A1474 A1475 A1476) |
keyboard description | Multimedia | Backlit, Detachable Case with Keyboard, Trackpad | iPad 9.7 inch Keyboard Case | Flexible | Multi Functional | Flexible |
operating system | Ios | Ios | iOS | — | IPadOS | Android |
What's in the box
Product information
Technical Details
Brand | Logitech |
---|---|
Series | 920-008131 |
Item model number | 920-008131 |
Hardware Platform | Tablet |
Operating System | Ios |
Item Weight | 15 ounces |
Product Dimensions | 7.05 x 0.95 x 9.76 inches |
Item Dimensions LxWxH | 7.05 x 0.95 x 9.76 inches |
Color | Black |
Batteries | 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required. |
Manufacturer | Logitech |
ASIN | B01HIS30OY |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | No |
Date First Available | August 2, 2016 |
Additional Information
Customer Reviews |
4.2 out of 5 stars |
---|---|
Best Sellers Rank | #33,204 in Climate Pledge Friendly (See Top 100 in Climate Pledge Friendly) #806 in Tablet Keyboard Cases #1,470 in Climate Pledge Friendly: Computers |
Warranty & Support
Feedback
Looking for specific info?
Product guides and documents
Product Description
Logitech Create is a keyboard case for iPad Pro 9.7. Create connects to iPad Pro 9.7 via Apple Smart Connector, so it does not require Bluetooth pairing or charging. Create features a keyboard with well-spaced backlit keys and a dedicated row of iOS shortcuts that make typing a pleasure.
Sustainability features
This product has sustainability features recognized by trusted certifications.
Carbon emissions from the lifecycle of this product were measured, reduced and offset.
Carbon Neutral Certified by SCS Global Services enables companies to demonstrate carbon neutrality for their products by reducing carbon emissions throughout their operations and offsetting their remaining carbon footprint through the purchase of carbon credits. SCS Global Services is a global leader in third-party environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development. SCS is a chartered Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers are satisfied with the protection provided by the keyboard. However, some customers have mixed opinions about the quality, durability, performance, connectivity, responsiveness, weight, and fit.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers are mixed about the quality of the keyboard. Some mention that it's very responsive and the backlit keyboard is a pleasure to work with. They also like the keyboard layout is great for big fingers. However, others say that later the quote key and the apostrophe key just stopped working.
"...constructed, responsive design, easy to use, convenient hot keys, backlit keyboard, secure magnetic closure, slim profile, multi-functional as a case..." Read more
"...next issue I had is that the Apple Pencil, for all its beauty and amazing functionality, is somewhat difficult to grip while writing...." Read more
"...slightly smaller than a laptop, is very responsive and the backlit keyboard is a pleasure to work with...." Read more
"...31 days later the quote key and the backslash key just stop working. I called and had a wonderful chat with a customer rep...." Read more
Customers like the protection provided by the keyboard. They mention that it provides a wonderful interface to work with the iPad, has a great protective slot with the Apple stylus pen, and is sturdy. Some appreciate the protection of the lock and volume buttons. The keyboard also doubles as a cover and does not obscure the camera lens or lamp.
"...Great protection, great functionality. The keyboard is large, comfortable and the keys give great feedback when typing." Read more
"...bluetooth connectivity; has a slot for my Apple pencil; lots of protection for the iPad..." Read more
"...I also like the keyboard covers the screen and there is something to cover the back of the ipad...." Read more
"...Not only was this completely protective (the tablet sits inside the case), the shell was hard, the keyboard is back-lit and keys taller it also..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the durability of the keyboard. Some mention that the case itself is very sturdy, and provides solid protection for the iPad. However, others say that it continues to break in the same location.
"...after parts of the case broke and some of the keys stopped working I would have told them they should look elsewhere...." Read more
"...Overall Impressions---PROS: Sturdy, well constructed, responsive design, easy to use, convenient hot keys, backlit keyboard, secure magnetic..." Read more
"...and I'm realizing it is made merely of layered fabric...this starts to fray and will eventually make it disposable as many used keyboards have this..." Read more
"...The quality of the case really is above average and immediately apparent... it may not be offered in designer leather or "Apple colors",..." Read more
Customers are mixed about the performance of the keyboard. Some mention it's worth the purchase, it'll save you money, and is a quality product for the money. However, others say that it started being glitchy and only working part of the time, making it unusable. Some customers also say that the keyboard lights up and when it does, it doesn't stay on.
"...I like the back-lit keyboard which is bright and helpful when it gets slightly dusky out, albeit the back-lighting is too briefly lived...." Read more
"...The Globe "internet" button literally does nothing on the home screen...." Read more
"...Did I mention it is less expensive?I took a chance knowing I could return if I didn't like it. Well, I LOVE it!..." Read more
"This is a fantastic keyboard, it has really transformed the productivity level I had from Ipad pro...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the connectivity of the keyboard. Some mention that it uses smart connect instead of Bluetooth, which means one less device to charge. They say the Bluetooth connectivity works like plug and play, while others say that it loses its rigidity and your iPad will fall out. They also say that they get random disconnects from slight wiggles.
"...properly and the iPad connector dots on the side seem to not make as exact a connection to the keyboard's 3 energy input electrodes...." Read more
"...prosthe smart connector is great.the keys feel great and the ones that do work have lasted..." Read more
"...Apple keyboard; the cover itself looks “industrial”; and the iPad bounces a little when I tap it, which isn’t a problem for me, but might be if you..." Read more
"...It’s nice in the sense that there’s no Bluetooth syncing required and you don’t have to recharge the keyboard separately...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the responsiveness of the keyboard. Some mention that it's very responsive, snappy, and easy to press keys. However, others say that the keys are harder to press than the Apple keyboard, and that typing became problematic after losing a couple keys.
"...Overall Impressions---PROS: Sturdy, well constructed, responsive design, easy to use, convenient hot keys, backlit keyboard, secure magnetic..." Read more
"...the Apple Pencil holder sleeve is made from feels supple and almost a little stretchy; I was worried at first that I might tear it while grabbing..." Read more
"...The keyboard is not detachable, which would be a huge boon. *However,* Zagg has detachable keyboards, and they are bulky and awkward to work with...." Read more
"...The keyboard, though slightly smaller than a laptop, is very responsive and the backlit keyboard is a pleasure to work with...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the weight of the keyboard case. Some mention that it's not too heavy to carry around with them, and the keyboard is very nice. They also say the material is made to be lightweight, but this trade-off in characteristics suffers from. However, others say that it adds a bit of heft to the iPad.
"...case feels great; the texture and material is such that it slides easily into a backpack yet has enough grip that it feels great in your hand and is..." Read more
"...Cons: it’s definitely heavier than my previous keyboard, which did not cover the back of my iPad; keys are harder to press than the Apple keyboard;..." Read more
"...keyboard is very nice and i do not think case is particularly bulky, not much more so than my previous logitech case...." Read more
"...I guess. I mean, yeah, the iPad itself is so absurdly thin and light that once you add any weight at all, it feels almost sacrilegious...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the fit of the keyboard. Some mention that the fit, finish, and quality of the product is perfect. They say the keyboard feels full size and fits their needs well. However, others say that it is very hard to fit and remove the iPad, and that it didn't fit their 2016 iPad Pro. Some say that the product feels bulky when closed and that the cover is too flexible and could be squeezed.
"...convenient hot keys, backlit keyboard, secure magnetic closure, slim profile, multi-functional as a case, keyboard, and iPencil storage, does not..." Read more
"...the hard plastic and the softer cover was too flexible and could be squeezed, either while in a briefcase or backpack or when just handling it,..." Read more
"...But otherwise, it's a solid, firm case that fits the iPad snugly...." Read more
"...The keyboard has good overall size as well. I have large hands yet this keyboard comfortably accommodates both hands at the same time...." Read more
Reviews with images
-
Top reviews
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
So, let me preface my review by showcasing my Apple device pedigree, lol! I personally have owned or currently own: Late 2011 MacBook Pro 13", 2016 MacBook Pro 13", iPhone 4, iPhone 3G, iPhone 4s, iPhone 5s, iPhone 6s, at least 15 different iPods including the click-wheel versions, the Touch versions, and the Mini versions, an Apple Watch, the First Gen iPad, iPad 2, iPad Mini, iPad Mini 3, and now the iPad Pro 9.7". Whew!
As far as my experience with this device and case, I ordered this case the day that I bought my iPad Pro, and hardly used the iPad Pro at all until the case arrived. I own a small business and although I currently use many devices daily (MacBook Pro 13", iPhone 6s, and an Apple Watch), the iPad Pro is my only daily device that I can honestly say takes a fair amount of abuse. See, the MacBook just sits on the desk, the iPhone is compact, and the watch just chills on my wrist. But the iPad Pro is constantly in motion. I take all my notes on it, and when I'm on the phone (which is a lot), I'm always one-handedly flip-flopping it around between tablet mode (to jot down notes) and laptop mode (to type in a URL or something), during which, I'm pretty sure I mangle the keys a fair amount and I KNOW I bend/flop/slap/drop parts of it pretty often as well.
To be honest, I've had front-flap style cases on iPads for so many years, I keep forgetting that this one has actual electronic components that I shouldn't be slinging open onto the table or tapping on with my water bottle lol. My point in mentioning my use (and abuse, lol) of my iPad Pro is just as a testimony to the sturdiness and reliability of this case. I don't feel like I'm EXTREMELY hard on things; I like to think that I take pretty good care of my devices, as I typically sell them when I'm done with them, so don't take my examples as proof that this case should be able to withstand your toddler or golden retriever, but as an adult business owner who has a lot of tech in my life, I am rougher on this than normal. And it's held up quite well! On the note of longevity, I'll try to remember to update this review in another few months, but if you're curious, feel free to comment and I'll respond with a current status update lol.
I was VERY hesitant to purchase this item for a few reasons: 1) I type about 90 WPM, and I was afraid that if the keyboard wasn't just right, it would slow me down or at least annoy me and cause me to avoid using it, 2) I wasn't crazy about the aesthetics of it, and there's no options for different colors or upgraded materials like leather, and 3) I haven't owned anything made by Logitech in several years, but the last few things I owned were less than spectacular as far as performance, reliability, and longevity. However, after spending way too much time narrowing down choices (there aren't many good ones, honestly), deliberating, and reading reviews (I can never get enough pre-purchase reviews!), I bit the bullet on this case.
First off, just wanted to say I'm REALLY surprised that there aren't more companies making cases for the iPad Pro that encompass the Smart Connector/Smart Keyboard, the automatic screen locking magnetic closure thing, and an Apple Pencil holder. I found plenty of cases that had two features, but very few had all 3. The ONLY thing that kept me from getting the Apple Keyboard Case is the lack of a place to put the Apple Pencil. I don't want it hanging around outside of the case to get damaged; that thing was expensive!
Anyhow, when the case came in, I was excited, but not as excited as I probably should have been. I was still a little disappointed because of the 3 reasons I listed above, but the packaging improved my outlook immediately. Logitech's packaging for this case definitely took a lot of cues from Apple... no, not the colors or fonts, those things are still in the standard Logitech brand's styling, but the actual packaging itself was sturdy, explanatory, well-made, and kinda neat. That might be a weird thing to comment on, but it's the thing that initially cued my brain into the idea that maybe Logitech isn't the same company I remember from 5 to 7 years ago.
Putting the iPad Pro into the case was a breeze; I was a little nervous at how hard I had to push the corners to get them to go in, but it worked like a charm. The quality of the case really is above average and immediately apparent... it may not be offered in designer leather or "Apple colors", but in my opinion, it feels every bit as well-made as an Apple product. The keys feel great, as they're similar to the Apple keyboards I'm used to. The outside of the case feels great; the texture and material is such that it slides easily into a backpack yet has enough grip that it feels great in your hand and isn't easy to drop or mishandle.
The attention to detail really shows, and it's easy to see all the little features that Logitech really spent time on:
- The buttons on the case, which correspond to the device's on/off button at the top, and the volume buttons on the side, feel wonderful and function perfectly.
- The material that the Apple Pencil holder sleeve is made from feels supple and almost a little stretchy; I was worried at first that I might tear it while grabbing the Pencil from it in a hurry, or that it would stretch out over time from use (seriously, I put the Apple Pencil in the case's sleeve and remove it again probably 20 or 30 times a day), but it's really holding up well.
- The front-flap fold that allows you to use the iPad like a tablet without leaving the keyboard keys exposed on the back is clever and extremely well-implemented. You might THINK that this is actually just smashing the keyboard keys into the back of your iPad, but look again; another example of the thought and engineering that Logitech put into this product is that the keys actually won't touch the back of the iPad unless you were to really force it. Neat!
- The light that lights up behind the keys is a fantastic feature that is so often overlooked, and since Logitech doesn't have much competition for this particular case, they probably could have cut costs and skipped the light without sales being affected much. But they didn't cut that corner, which makes me feel like they didn't cut corners on the internals of the case, either. I know there are more components that I CAN'T see than ones I CAN see, but typically when a manufacturer's corner-cutting is visible on the outside, it's even worse on the inside. I feel good about this product, inside and out!
Overall, FANTASTIC job, Logitech! :D
There are a few things I want to mention in this review that really don't have much to do with Logitech's case directly, but they are things that I wish I would have thought about when I was shopping for it. If this is your first foray into the iPad Pro, and you're planning on using a keyboard AND an Apple Pencil with it pretty frequently, here's a few things to think about:
- This case makes the device pretty heavy. In my opinion, it's well worth the added weight to have a keyboard AND a very protective and sturdy case, but it's worth mentioning because the added heft is definitely noticeable. I am not knocking points from Logitech's case for this; I think the added weight is totally justified; anything much lighter might have been flimsy and/or less protective.
- This case makes the device a bit awkward to hold. Not just because of the extra weight, but because of the movement of the case itself. There's really only two ways to fold the front flap (which contains the keyboard) back to use it as an iPad tablet rather than an iPad laptop... you either have to fold it back like a normal front flap which leaves the keyboard keys exposed face-down, or use the case cover's fold over position, which allows the keyboard keys to be protected. If you use the first option, it lays flatter on a surface, but if you're holding it (as I typically am), your hand is pushing the keyboard keys. This doesn't really matter in the big scheme of things; the keyboard isn't connected to power, nor to the device itself, so it's not as if you are typing strings of random letters somewhere (that wouldn't work out as well if this was a Bluetooth keyboard), so as long as you're not putting the keys through hell while you're holding the device, no big deal. But the movement of the keys as you move your fingers on the back of the pad is enough to cause you to drop the iPad Pro, or if you're nervous about being too rough on the keys, you may be holding it so gingerly that you drop it anyhow. If you use the second option of folding the front flap back, which is to fold the front flap inward BEFORE folding it back, the keyboard keys are protected, but at a high price of reduced "holdability". When folded back like that, the right side of the device becomes much thicker, leading to an uneven thickness overall. Add that to the motion of the two halves of the case going in opposite directions (which is caused mostly by the iPad's weight), and you're almost juggling sometimes. It's not a deal-breaker for me, because when I use it, I'm usually in my office... worst-case scenario, I'm in the grocery store or my living room or something. This MIGHT be a deal-breaker for anyone who would be using this "in the field", where they might be trying to handle it without a table, with just one hand, and/or with gloved hands.
- I love the Apple Pencil, and now I write with it constantly, but it took some getting used to. When I initially bought this Logitech case, I had no idea that I would want or need any accessories for my Apple Pencil, since I had only had it a few days at that point. However, I quickly determined that the Apple Pencil's cap is pretty easy to lose when you're charging it, and the little charging connector/adaptor that comes with it is easily misplaced as well because of its size. There's nowhere for these items to really "go" for everyday use storage, so I purchased this (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HCGYZHS) to help me keep track of things. Obviously, the piece that goes onto the Apple Pencil to keep the cap nearby when charging, doesn't fit through the Apple Pencil holder sleeve of this Logitech case, AND it makes the Apple Pencil too thick for it to actually be in its normal position within the case and still have the case's magnetic closing auto-off thing happen effectively. The case will fold over and lay (mostly) flat, but it won't consistently trigger the magnetic auto-off function. It's a bit of a pain. It seems like Logitech could come up with clever storage for the Apple Pencil charging adapter thing; maybe just an additional sleeve, identical to the current one, in the same place but a bit lower and much shorter since the Apple Pencil charging adapter is only about an inch long. I'm not really sure what I'm going to do about this issue, but what I'm going to try first is trimming down the thickness of the silicone on two sides of the Apple Pencil cap holder thing, to see if that helps. Note, the Apple Pencil still goes into the case's sleeve (except the part with the silicone thing on it), it's still held in place nicely, and I don't think it's causing any damage to anything, so this is just a minor annoyance.
- The next issue I had is that the Apple Pencil, for all its beauty and amazing functionality, is somewhat difficult to grip while writing. I don't consider myself to be "writing furiously", I never broke pencil leads in school, and my ink pens don't leave an indention of my writing 5 pages deep in a notebook, but I kept finding myself getting hand cramps when using the Apple Pencil for long periods of time because I was having to hold it so tightly to try to prevent it from sliding up. I guess my hands get a little sweaty and slippery from time to time while writing? Anyway, the only solution I could come up with is to put a grip on it. I found the thinnest pencil grip I could find, which I took off of a cheap mechanical pencil, and now, between the grip on one end and the silicone cap-holder on the other end, I can't get my Apple Pencil into the case's sleeve at all lol. Since the sleeve seems kinda stretchy, I MIGHT be able to force it, but I definitely don't want to risk messing it up, nor do I really want to struggle with pulling it out of such a tight squeeze and putting it back in there so many times every day. So, right now, my Apple Pencil is just chilling in the case's crevice without being in the sleeve, just laying on top of it. Not ideal. My plan is to experiment with some tape wraps as a grip instead; I'm hoping that if I only use one or two layers of tape, it will be enough to grip, but not enough thickness to prevent use of the case's sleeve. I'm definitely not looking for this issue to be solved by Logitech lol, BUT if the Apple Pencil holder had a slightly different design (maybe if the Pencil snapped into a partially open plastic claw-style grip?) then it might be able to accommodate a fairly wide variety of Apple Pencil accessories.
That about wraps up my review for this Logitech Smart Keyboard Case for iPad Pro 9.7" and I really hope that it will be helpful for at least one person who is stuck in the same decision-making process I was stuck in several months ago. Thanks for reading! :)
So, here I am, on Amazon searching for third-party options. I knew I wanted something that made use of the smart connector feature (that connector on the side that enables the ipad to both charge and communicate, no bluetooth or synching required). I also wanted something that provided coverage for the back of my expensive ipad pro, was easy to use, and if at all possible, a secure place to store my Apple iPencil. I had hoped to find something in the $50-$60 range, but after the fiasco of my first two cases, I found it really hard. I came across this product and after reading the reviews, staring at the photos, and several hours of arguing with myself about spending $130 on a keyboard/case, I bit the bullet. I eagerly awaited for my smiley-faced box from Amazon to arrive, and immediately opened it up. The packaging was on par with what you would expect from an Apple product. Not that this really mattered, but it was a great first impression. I opened the box and found the case with a simple instruction sheet showing how to install the ipad. In 30 seconds my ipad was docked and the keyboard INSTANTLY turned on and I was off and typing. The smart dock works perfectly and easily enables quick placement at a perfect viewing angle for typing. I can't say enough great things about this product. It is lightning fast (no more going to settings to sync/re-sync EVER!) and even has backlit keys (which are a bonus as I wasn't looking for this feature) that you can adjust using the hot keys you'd find on any Mac. I was a bit concerned that the backlighting might reduce the battery life of my ipad, but they automatically dim 5 seconds after you stop typing. You can control the brightness of the keys by selecting one of the three options provided by the hotkeys: 100% on, 50% on, or off. Yep, they included a full keyboard with all the hot keys you'll need, including volume up/down, muting, screen brightness, video FFW, REW, Play/Pause, lock, and power down. The keys are made of a soft and smooth texture that doesn't show finger prints. That might sound weird, but have you ever typed on keyboard that have that slickery plastic and know exactly what you typed because the oil from your fingers shines? The keys are responsive and are spaced much like a laptop, and for anyone who doesn't hunt peck, this is a huge plus! The case itself is sturdy and has a slot where I can securely store my iPencil WITH the cozy (plastic tip cover with ring that ensures I don't lose the cap). The automatic sleep/wake feature works great and the case closes magnetically and securely. It has a slim profile for a case with a keyboard that also houses the pencil. All of the exterior buttons work well with the case. The only down side is the volume buttons are a bit on the flimsy side due to their "+" and "-" shapes and honestly, they look a bit corny, but a they seem to work just fine. I'd suggest future iterations emulate the buttons they protect. As for charging, the keyboard automatically charges through the ipad so I only need one cable to charge both. The exterior texture is great in that is both practical and easy to keep fingerprint free. It looks a bit like a canvas finish, but is made of high quality plastic (I think it's called TPU) though it doesn't look plastic.
Overall Impressions---
PROS: Sturdy, well constructed, responsive design, easy to use, convenient hot keys, backlit keyboard, secure magnetic closure, slim profile, multi-functional as a case, keyboard, and iPencil storage, does not require separate charging and synching via blue tooth
CONS: I don't really have any complaints. The only thing I would change are the volume buttons, they're white and in the shapes of a plus and minus sign that take away from the overal exterior aesthetic, but they function just fine.
Reviewed in the United States on September 23, 2016
So, here I am, on Amazon searching for third-party options. I knew I wanted something that made use of the smart connector feature (that connector on the side that enables the ipad to both charge and communicate, no bluetooth or synching required). I also wanted something that provided coverage for the back of my expensive ipad pro, was easy to use, and if at all possible, a secure place to store my Apple iPencil. I had hoped to find something in the $50-$60 range, but after the fiasco of my first two cases, I found it really hard. I came across this product and after reading the reviews, staring at the photos, and several hours of arguing with myself about spending $130 on a keyboard/case, I bit the bullet. I eagerly awaited for my smiley-faced box from Amazon to arrive, and immediately opened it up. The packaging was on par with what you would expect from an Apple product. Not that this really mattered, but it was a great first impression. I opened the box and found the case with a simple instruction sheet showing how to install the ipad. In 30 seconds my ipad was docked and the keyboard INSTANTLY turned on and I was off and typing. The smart dock works perfectly and easily enables quick placement at a perfect viewing angle for typing. I can't say enough great things about this product. It is lightning fast (no more going to settings to sync/re-sync EVER!) and even has backlit keys (which are a bonus as I wasn't looking for this feature) that you can adjust using the hot keys you'd find on any Mac. I was a bit concerned that the backlighting might reduce the battery life of my ipad, but they automatically dim 5 seconds after you stop typing. You can control the brightness of the keys by selecting one of the three options provided by the hotkeys: 100% on, 50% on, or off. Yep, they included a full keyboard with all the hot keys you'll need, including volume up/down, muting, screen brightness, video FFW, REW, Play/Pause, lock, and power down. The keys are made of a soft and smooth texture that doesn't show finger prints. That might sound weird, but have you ever typed on keyboard that have that slickery plastic and know exactly what you typed because the oil from your fingers shines? The keys are responsive and are spaced much like a laptop, and for anyone who doesn't hunt peck, this is a huge plus! The case itself is sturdy and has a slot where I can securely store my iPencil WITH the cozy (plastic tip cover with ring that ensures I don't lose the cap). The automatic sleep/wake feature works great and the case closes magnetically and securely. It has a slim profile for a case with a keyboard that also houses the pencil. All of the exterior buttons work well with the case. The only down side is the volume buttons are a bit on the flimsy side due to their "+" and "-" shapes and honestly, they look a bit corny, but a they seem to work just fine. I'd suggest future iterations emulate the buttons they protect. As for charging, the keyboard automatically charges through the ipad so I only need one cable to charge both. The exterior texture is great in that is both practical and easy to keep fingerprint free. It looks a bit like a canvas finish, but is made of high quality plastic (I think it's called TPU) though it doesn't look plastic.
Overall Impressions---
PROS: Sturdy, well constructed, responsive design, easy to use, convenient hot keys, backlit keyboard, secure magnetic closure, slim profile, multi-functional as a case, keyboard, and iPencil storage, does not require separate charging and synching via blue tooth
CONS: I don't really have any complaints. The only thing I would change are the volume buttons, they're white and in the shapes of a plus and minus sign that take away from the overal exterior aesthetic, but they function just fine.