4 causes Logitech’s M4 iPad Professional keyboard case is best than Apple’s [Review] ★★★★½ – Uplaza

Logitech’s Combo Contact keyboard case for the brand new M4 iPad Professional affords practically every little thing Apple’s beloved Magic Keyboard case does. And the Logitech model contains options Apple’s doesn’t.

I put each peripherals by hands-on testing. Right here’s the place the Combo Contact comes out forward … and the place it doesn’t.

Logitech Combo Contact for M4 iPad Professional evaluate

The Apple Magic Keyboard is good. Third-party distributors like Logitech need to work onerous to face out. Both there have to be options not within the Magic Keyboard or a value benefit.

With its new keyboard case for the M4 iPad Professional, Logitech used each methods. It contains a number of options Apple’s providing doesn’t. And it comes at a considerably decrease value. Although it’s hardly low cost.

Listed below are, in no specific order, 4 methods the Logitech Combo Contact for Apple’s newest pill is best than the Magic Keyboard.

Desk of contents:

1. It’s a case with a removable keyboard

Logitech Combo Contact is made up of two components. There’s a case that protects the iPad Professional and there’s a detachable keyboard/trackpad. With this design, you will have the choice to carry and use your pill with out further bulk of the keyboard. And it’s all the time in its protecting case, even when the keyboard has been left behind.

In distinction, Apple’s keyboard case for M4 iPad Professional is a single unit. Take away the keyboard/trackpad and the iPad is “naked.”

To get the additional safety, the pill wants to remain within the case, after all. However Apple made the 2024 iPad Professional so slim and light-weight that it’s not too cumbersome even within the case.

To get particular, the case by itself (with out iPad and keyboard) is 0.9 kilos. Add the pill and the burden rises 1.9 kilos. The case is unquestionably a noticeable further weight, however you’ll be able to’t overlook the advantages, together with a kickstand.

The keyboard provides 0.8 lbs, so the full with iPad is 2.7 kilos. That’s the identical weight because the Apple Magic Keyboard and iPad collectively.

The Logitech Combo Contact wraps the iPad on all sides, back and front. Corners too. Even with the keyboard flap eliminated, the display is protected by a raised lip. Simply be aware that Logitech makes no particular declare about drop safety. And since there are openings for the ports, audio system and Apple Pencil charger, there’s no safety from liquids.

A slight further problem is that I discovered the opening across the USB-C port too small for Thunderbolt cables. Apple’s personal easier energy/information cable labored high quality, although.

Carrying your very costly M4 iPad Professional round with out some sort of safety is silly. With the Logitech Combo Contact, you get a case that additionally comes with a keyboard.

2. It has a kickstand

The iPad case might have been lighter however Logitech in-built a kickstand. Fold this out once you’re able to sort, however the kickstand is all the time accessible, even when the keyboard is indifferent.

Whether or not you’re watching a film or enjoying a recreation, you’ll be able to prop up the attractive OLED show within the M4 iPad Professional for straightforward viewing. And also you don’t need to look over an pointless keyboard when you’re doing so.

That’s not true for the Apple Magic Keyboard. If it’s holding the iPad’s show up, there must be a keyboard hooked up.

Logitech’s kickstand affords viewing choices from practically straight as much as virtually all the best way flat. And affords strong assist — I can faucet on the display and there’s no motion in any respect. That mentioned, the kickstand isn’t sturdy sufficient for use as a drawing assist with the display practically horizontal. Not if you wish to relaxation your hand on the display.

The draw back of a kickstand is that typing on the Logitech Combo Contact requires numerous house. With the display at my most well-liked angle, the again of the kickstand is 14 inches from the entrance of the keyboard flap. And it’s practically unimaginable to sort with the Logitech Combo Contact in my lap — I don’t have that a lot lap.

3. And a a lot bigger trackpad

Regardless of their totally different designs, the fundamentals of those iPad keyboard circumstances are related. Every has the normal keyboard above a trackpad.

However they diverge, too: Logitech’s trackpad is each wider and taller. It really works out to be 16.9 sq. inches in comparison with 11.5 sq. inches of the Apple model. That’s virtually 50% greater. When you like numerous trackpad house, that is the best way to go.

Then again, Apple put in a glass trackpad that doesn’t transfer when pressed — it makes use of haptic suggestions as an alternative. Logitech makes use of a extra conventional one. I choose the Apple model however I can simply see somebody making the opposite selection.

4. Logitech fees loads lower than Apple

The model of Logitech Combo Contact for the 13-inch M4 iPad Professional is $259.99 whereas the one for the 11-inch mannequin is $229.99.

That’s hardly low cost, however contemplate that the brand new 13-inch model of the Apple Magic Keyboard is $349 — about $90 extra. And the 11-inch model is $299 — about $70 extra.

The place Apple Magic Keyboard beats Logitech Combo Contact

Logitech doesn’t have all the benefits. Apple constructed a function into Magic Keyboard that its rival doesn’t have: a USB-C port. That is restricted to charging the M4 iPad Professional, but it surely’s nonetheless very helpful. With it, I can maintain my iPad juiced up whereas leaving the pill’s personal USB-C port for equipment like SSDs.

Combo Contact can’t match this.

The place the iPad keyboard circumstances tie

In some ways, Logitech Combo Contact and Apple Magic Keyboard for the M4 iPad Professional are fairly related.

They each use the pill’s Good Connector reasonably than Bluetooth. (That’s the three metallic dots on the again of the iPad.) Due to this, Bluetooth is pointless. Neither is there a battery in both accent — they run off the pill’s energy.

As for the built-in keyboards, I examined the variations of those add-ons for the brand new 13-much iPad Professional, which implies there’s room for an almost full-size keyboard within the case. Each are 10.5 inches broad, and the standard key dimension for every is 0.6 inches. Each have a row of half-size operate keys throughout the highest. Briefly, the keyboard within the Logitech Combo Contact and the Apple Magic Keyboard are available in basically equal.

Talking of equal, the exteriors of each are equally problematic. Logitech makes its case in black, and this seems each bit as unattractive because the black plastic exterior of Apple’s product. There’s additionally a white plastic model of the Magic Keyboard, and whereas that’s not an possibility for the Combo Contact, that’s in all probability as a result of the white cowl will get soiled so simply.

Logitech Combo Contact for the 13-inch M4 iPad Professional vs. Apple Magic Keyboard: Ultimate ideas

I hope you got here away from this comparability realizing that whereas these two iPad keyboard circumstances have many similarities which might be aimed toward two totally different markets.

Combo Contact is for individuals who need to maintain their iPad in a protecting case always, and don’t need that case to intrude with attaching a keyboard and trackpad.

Magic Keyboard is for individuals who need their iPad to be as gentle as potential besides when they’re carrying it round or when typing on the keyboard.

★★★★☆

I like a lot about Logitech’s keyboard I need to give it the next rating however the truth that it’s practically unimaginable to make use of in a lap is a major disadvantage. (I gave the Magic Keyboard 4.5 stars, by the best way.)

Make a purchase order

Combo Contact for the 13-inch M4 iPad Professional ($259.99):

Purchase it from: Logitech

Magic Keyboard for the 13-inch M4 iPad Professional ($349):

Purchase it from: Apple

Logitech offered Cult of Mac with a evaluate unit for this text. See our opinions coverage, and take a look at extra in-depth opinions of Apple-related gadgets.