Logitech Combo Contact overview: the 2021 iPad keyboard case to beat

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The Logitech Combo Contact is a Magic Keyboard for everybody — outfitted with nearly all the pieces you’d need from a keyboard case and extra. 2021 iPad house owners selection of premium keyboards is severely restricted, as Apple retains its luxurious choices just for the Air and Professional.However with a pleasant cloth exterior, an adjustable kickstand, a removable backlit keyboard, and a glass trackpad, Logitech has stepped in and crammed the void. And at $150, it’s even $10 cheaper than Apple’s Sensible Keyboard. During the last month, I’ve taken the 2021 iPad with a Combo Contact in every single place, from airplanes to work to seashores. Right here’s the way it fares in real-world use. Logitech Combo Contact Keyboard Case at Amazon for $149.99 (opens in new tab)Logitech Combo Contact design and buildUnlike Apple’s Sensible Keyboard, the Logitech Combo Contact is available in two separate elements: a plastic and exhausting silicon iPad case with a hinge and the keyboard housing a trackpad. This clips on magnetically by way of the good connector port, so you may take away the keyboard once you don’t want it.When closed with the Combo Contact, the 2021 iPad’s thickness shoots up from 0.3-inches to 0.85-inches, and also you’ll really feel that added heft at the least within the first few days. (Picture credit score: Future)Nonetheless, it nonetheless maintains a better portability than even the MacBook Air with its smaller general footprint and lighter 1.34-pound weight. It didn’t take me lengthy to simply accept that weight trade-off, because of what the Combo Contact affords in return. For drop safety, the case is made out of a heavy rubber that doubles as a  higher grip than the gadget’s personal metallic floor. Regardless of the added bulk, you’ll don’t have any bother clicking the iPad’s bodily buttons or reaching its ports. Extra importantly, the hinge on its again is encased in a textured fabric-like materials the place you may comfortably relaxation your fingers whereas, for example, watching a film. There’s even an Apple Pencil holder on the prime. Logitech Combo Contact kickstand(Picture credit score: Future)Talking of the hinge, it has a 40-degree tilt vary (120 to 160 levels), permitting you to put the pill in quite a lot of positions. On a desk, you may push the kickstand to its restrict for sketching, or pull it again to return to a typing stance. The Combo Contact could seem wobbly once you regulate it, however in use, the kickstand is sturdy and doesn’t budge once you’re interacting with the pill — even when it’s sitting in your lap. The one draw back to the hinge is how a lot room it wants. Practically two-thirds of the case’s rear acts as a kickstand versus, say, the Microsoft Floor Professional’s one-third. Due to this, in areas the place you solely have restricted house, the expanded footprint could also be a wrestle. However with some tinkering, I’ve been capable of finding a candy spot to get the job achieved, even on a airplane’s slender tray desk.Logitech Combo Contact keyboardEven although the backlit keyboard is smaller than normal laptops, typing on the Combo Contact is pleasant. Keys are well-spaced and there’s even an ample 1mm of key journey (identical because the MacBook Air) for impressively clicky tactile suggestions, not like the Sensible Keyboard’s mushy response.(Picture credit score: Future)Logitech additionally managed to cram in a row of perform keys that allow you to immediately entry widespread shortcuts, comparable to brightness, Highlight search, and residential. Because of this consideration to element, I used to be capable of hit my regular mechanical keyboard’s typing tempo very quickly. You’ll additionally discover all of the Apple keys like Cmd, Choice, and Alt are right here too, which lets you use all the same old multitasking shortcuts, like “Alt+Cmd” for app overview or Alt+Area for Highlight. What’s extra, that fabric-esque materials extends to the keyboard, and its cushioned textured end makes for a comfortable palm relaxation. Fairly good for a totally removable keyboard, which you’ll simply carry round like a hardcover ebook and magnetically hook up with the display screen in a flash.Logitech Combo Contact trackpadThe built-in glass trackpad is equally spacious and succesful. It’s easy, simple to click on, and since that is an Apple-approved accent, it’s suitable with all iPadOS’ multi-finger gestures.Surprisingly, it’s a hair larger than the trackpad on Apple’s Magic Keyboard (55mm x 110mm vs. 50 x 100mm), that means you’ll don’t have any bother hitting swipe actions, such because the four-finger shortcut for rapidly biking by way of open apps or the three-finger swipe for multitasking. Backside Line(Picture credit score: Future)In my time with it, I’ve discovered the Logitech Combo Contact exhausting to fault. It’s a keyboard case each iPad 9 proprietor ought to get in the event that they plan to make use of their gadget for greater than streaming motion pictures or taking part in video games. It has a flexible kickstand, wonderful keyboard and trackpad, and the good connector ensures you don’t have to fret about charging it. The Combo Contact handily beats out its closest competitors within the Brydge 10.2 MAX+, which doesn’t also have a hinge.Put merely, the Combo Contact is a no brainer, particularly given it’s recurrently on sale. TODAY’S BEST DEALS