iPads are one of the most popular devices used significantly around the globe for office work, gaming, and entertainment. Though the iPad keyboard is great, it is still only virtual, and sometimes there are things you can do using a physical keyboard, like tapping the “Enter” key hard.
Moreover, you can type on a physical keyboard faster and without the worry of breaking it. The benefits of a physical keyboard for an iPad are countless, and you might have already realized that.
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Therefore, today we will discuss three different keyboards you can buy and use with your iPad for more productive performance and results. The first two – Combo touch and Folio Touch, are made by the same brand, Logitech, and they are compared with the Apple Magic Keyboard, made by Apple.
Deciding the perfect keyboard for your iPad can be challenging, so we have discussed the most critical aspects to look out for. So, Read On.
Logitech Combo Touch
Combo Touch by Logitech is a backlit supported keyboard with a precision trackpad and smart connector for iPad. Its height of 195mm (about 7.68 in), a width of 257mm (about 10.12 in), and depth of 22.55 mm (about 0.89 in) make it look sleek.
The keyboard is detachable, and the kickstand rotates to different angles, allowing four different modes in which you can use it.
Typing Mode – normal mode, set the kickstand, and use the keyboard to type.
Viewing Mode – detach the keyboard and set the kickstand to watch TV and movies.
Sketching Mode – fully extend the kickstand for the perfect angle and use the Apple Pencil to draw.
Reading Mode – to read books, newspapers, and more.
Talking about the technology used, the touchpad is precision based and larger than you might think; also, the touchpad supports gestures for faster operations. The buttons are close with 18 mm key pitch and 1 mm travel.
Besides, the shortcut keys for home, brightness, search, key brightness, pause, play, and more, lets you keep your hands in proximity and not move it to your iPad every few minutes or even seconds. In addition, the case provides cover for both the front and rear sides.
Credit: Logitech
One very useful feature is the control system using the Logitech Control app. Using the app, you can connect to your keyboard and manage it directly from the app.
Furthermore, the keyboard allows auto turn on and off; pull up the case to turn on the screen and push it down to turn it off. All this and the added features come at a starting price of $199. The price differs depending on the size you buy it for.
Pros
- Precision and Gesture Trackpad
- Detachable Keyboard
- Backlit Keys
- Shortcut Keys
- Great Compatibility
- Adjustable Kickstand
- Apple Pencil Space
- Available in different sizes
Cons
- A little heavy, weight – 610g
- No wireless support
Check the price of Logitech Combo Touch for iPad (7th, 8th and 9th generation)
Check the price of Logitech Combo Touch for iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th gen – 2021)
Logitech Folio Touch
Folio Touch is another iPad keyboard developed by Logitech. It supports backlit and precision and gesture trackpad. It also supports four view modes, namely the Typing Mode, Viewing Mode, Sketching Mode, and Reading Mode.
But unlike the detachable keyboard in Combo Touch, it has a foldable keyboard. This saves the hassle of resetting the keyboard every time you open it to change the view. This way, you just need to fold it and unfold it to get back.
However, it also hampers the quality of the view modes, and it might not be as good as with the keyboard removed.
It supports gestures for faster controls and has shortcut buttons for controlling every important setting. With which you can adjust between 16 levels of backlit brightness. The connection is easy and is made using the smart connector.
The attached case has an Apple Pencil slot to charge and store it. Besides, the case also protects the iPad from sudden impacts.
Credit: Logitech
It is heavier than Combo touch, with a weight of 642.5gm, while the dimensions differ a lot, with the height being 56mm (about 10.08 in), the weight 189 mm (about 7.44 in), and a depth of 21 mm (about 0.83 in).
It has relatively much lower prices than Apple Magic and Combo Touch, with the starting price at $159. Considering the features and if you ignore some cons, it is a great alternative for both.
Pros
- Backlit Keys
- Adjustable Brightness Levels
- Shortcut keys
- Precision and Gesture Trackpad
- Foldable Keyboard for different modes
- Durable Fabric Materials
- Apple Pencil Space
Cons
- Hard to use on the lap
- A little heavy, weight – 642.5gm
- Not Available in different sizes
Check the price of Logitech Folio Touch for iPad Pro 11-inch (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Gen)
Check the price of Logitech Folio Touch for iPad Air (4th and 5th Generation)
Apple Magic Keyboard
Apple makes Apple Magic Keyboard specifically for Apple products, and it supports almost all iPads, iPhones, and Macs. Its dimensions are quite small, with the height ranging from 0.41–1.09 cm, the width 27.89 cm, and the depth 11.49 cm.
The design is sleek, credit to the lightweight of 239 m. This makes it best for carrying outside right in your hands without getting tired.
The quietness of the keys prevents any distractions and provides a very comfortable experience. The Apple Magic Keyboard is magnetically attached to the iPad Pro and hence allows setting up viewing angles very easily.
It can be connected to the iPad in different ways – using Smart Connector (USB-C) or wirelessly. Once it is charged enough, you can use the wireless mode, or when it’s down, connect using the USB-C. So, most of the time, no cable issues!
Credit: Apple
The pack acts as a cover for the front and back when closed, protecting your iPad. Notably, the Apple Magic keyboard has no support for shortcuts or media keys, its biggest con.
So, to make changes to the brightness, the volume, etc. You will need to tap on your iPad’s screen. Apple Magic is the most expensive of the three, with the price starting at $299 and going up as the size increases.
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Pros
- Multiple Connection modes
- Wireless and Rechargeable
- Good battery life
- Backlit Keys
- Quiet Typing
- Lightweight
- Highly Compatible with Apple Devices
- Gesture Trackpad
Cons
- Only Apple devices supported
- No Function or shortcut keys
Check the price of Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro 12.9-inch (5th, 4th and 3rd Gen)
Verdict
All the keyboards are great in their places and given the applications. If your budget is limited, you can go for Folio touch, but chances are high that the size might not fit. If you are not budget limited, the Apple Magic is the absolute best choice since it will work best with iPads.
Also, Apple Magic is rechargeable with great battery life and wireless (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth) enabled. Besides being lightweight, three times less than Combo and Folio Touch.
However, if you want features, Combo Touch and Folio Touch are better choices, with multiple view modes, shortcut keys, Apple Pencil charging support, and much more, as listed above.
Therefore, they are more reasonable options at a much lesser price and numerous more features. To keep this simple, Apple Magic is for users who are more work-oriented, while Combo Touch and Folio Touch enclose all the aspects, be it work, entertainment, gaming, etc.
Combo Touch and Folio Touch are almost similar in features; significant differences include the smaller size of the trackpad in Folio Touch and the detachable keyboard system in Combo Touch.
While you can fold the keyboard in Folio Touch, it might not give an enhanced experience in different view modes as Combo Touch does. With this, it’s mainly about why you want it and how you are going to use it. Give yourself the answers, and you got your best fit out of the three.
READ ALSO: How to Create Keyboard Shortcuts on iPad for Typing Faster
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