A few months ago, I reviewed Apple’s new iPad. On this occasion, I was also able to test the Magic Keyboard. As good as the accessory is, its price – 299 euros – is still hard to swallow.
A few weeks later, Logitech presented its Combo Touch for iPad 10e generation. The promise ? More features than the Magic Keyboard for a more moderate price.
Logitech Combo Touch – Best prices:
Amazon229.98
It is clear that the company has kept its promises, since the Combo Touch and the Logitech stylus are my favorite iPad accessories.
A better Magic Keyboard
The Combo Touch case and the Magic Keyboard share many similarities. Their two-part design first (the kickstand and the detachable keyboard) and the way they can be connected to the iPad by a simple click on the lower pins second.
But Logitech also made some ergonomic choices that I really like.
First of all, while both accessories have a sturdy kickstand, the Combo Touch’s can fold up so you can tilt the iPad just low enough (see image below) to write and draw comfortably — a popular use case among tablet owners.
All four sides of the iPad are protected by the Combo Touch case, with enough space for most USB-C cables. Image: June Wan/ZDNET.
Then comes the manufacturing quality of the Logitech cover. The accessory comes in the form of a hard plastic protective case that you insert the iPad into, unlike Apple’s accessory, which sticks to the back of the tablet via magnets. The magnetic cover is easier to install, but it leaves the sides of the iPad exposed to bumps and scratches and protects the tablet less well.
Image: June Wan/ZDNET.
Among the disadvantages of the Magic Keyboard (its price being the most obvious), it should be noted that it has no place to store the Apple Pencil. The Combo touch offers a ring to store the accessory. Ring that also adapts to the stylus made by Logitech by the way.
I still have to admit that the typing comfort on the Magic Keyboard is noticeably superior to that of the Logitech. While both keyboards use scissor switches and key travel and bounce are relatively similar, Apple’s larger, squared keys make for a more comfortable typing experience. Nonetheless, both offer backlit keys, a row of function keys, and support for multitouch gestures. And one of them costs 140 euros less.
Bye bye Apple Pencil
The compatibility between the different iPads and the different Apple styluses has caused many to sink. To solve the problem, Logitech offers its “Crayon” – a simpler product, both in terms of its design and its charging method.
The most notable difference between the two styluses is aesthetic: the Logitech Crayon is shaped like a carpenter’s pencil. The front and back sides of the stylus are flat, much like a thick stick of ice cream. As bizarre as it may seem, this choice gives it two major advantages over the first-generation Apple Pencil: a more secure grip and a stylus that doesn’t roll on flat surfaces.
Although it is around 50 euros cheaper than the Apple Pencil, its brushed aluminum texture gives it a more premium look.
It takes some getting used to using the Pencil, but it took me less than a minute to do it. Image: June Wan/ZDNET.
Let’s be honest, it doesn’t take much to impress someone who had to go through the Apple Pencil pairing process of 1D generation with an iPad of 10e generation. So it’s easy to be satisfied with the Logitech Crayon, since it connects to the iPad with a single cable.
And don’t forget the dotted battery level indicator. Image: June Wan/ZDNET.
In its defense, the Apple Pencil supports sensitivity to different pressure levels, which Logitech’s accessory does not. This is especially important for graphic designers, artists, and users who rely on this feature for their work. The Logitech Crayon is still ideal for taking notes and, used as a pointer, it will be more precise than your finger.
Conclusion
Logitech’s keyboard and stylus aren’t perfect, but they provide a more feature-rich experience than Apple’s accessories, all for less. This is in no way to criticize the keyboard and stylus from Apple, but rather to see what is available from other manufacturers. More often than not, you’ll find something more suited to your needs.
Alternatives
Want to know more about iPad keyboard covers and styluses? Take a look at the following accessories:
Source: ZDNet.com