Logitech Combo Touch
Logitech Combo Touch Review. An iPad case and keyboard designed for professionals, albeit expensive.
I originally used the Apple Smart Keyboard Folio 2nd generation for my iPad. However, the persistent issue with this device was… ‘Accessory not connected’ kept popping up… I tried reconnecting, disconnecting, rebooting, and various other methods to get it to work. But it seemed like the problem was getting worse, to where even after nearly an hour of constantly disconnecting and reconnecting, it still wouldn’t connect properly… Eventually, I started considering that the issue might be with Apple’s products and began looking for third-party accessories. And among those accessories, one of the most expensive yet also one with the highest recognition is the keyboard case, Logitech Combo Touch.
Table of Contents
- Logitech Combo Touch
-
- Logitech Combo Touch Review. An iPad case and keyboard designed for professionals, albeit expensive.
- The keyboard feels slightly different from the Apple Smart Keyboard Folio, but it’s still quite good.
- The stand allows users to adjust its angle in various ways and detach the keyboard, enabling them to use it in multiple forms according to their preferences.
- The Combo Touch wraps around the iPad, which looks like it provides good shock protection as well!
- The Combo Touch offers many features such as backlighting and a touchpad!
- However, as high as the usability of the Combo Touch is, there are also a few drawbacks, which is a downside.
- While there are some downsides, there aren’t many keyboards as good as this Combo Touch.
- Logitech Combo Touch Conclusion
-
The keyboard feels slightly different from the Apple Smart Keyboard Folio, but it’s still quite good.
Perhaps because it’s made by Logitech, it has a subtly different typing feeling.
First, being a product made by Logitech, the keyboard quality of this Combo Touch is quite good. This Combo Touch has a slightly different feel compared to Apple’s Smart Keyboard Folio. To elaborate further, while the Apple side gives a feeling of “heavy when pressing the keys (or they don’t press down, just register the press…), but the input is still fine,” this Combo Touch gives a sense of “the key feel is thin, but it feels more like typing on a standard keyboard.”
In other words, it has a subtle typing feeling. When it comes to typing, such as writing boring documents, its feeling… is important. While many people prefer Apple keyboards over the Combo Touch keyboard, personally, I prefer the keyboard of the Combo Touch.
The stand allows users to adjust its angle in various ways and detach the keyboard, enabling them to use it in multiple forms according to their preferences.
While it’s convenient to detach and attach, there’s also a bit of hassle involved… and I’m concerned it might become loose after prolonged use.
The Combo Touch allows relatively flexible change of the stand angle. Usually, iPad cases adjust the stand angle in several steps, but with this Combo Touch, you simply push and adjust the rear-fixed part. So, while the angle change is flexible, I have some concerns that after using this stand for a few years, it might become somewhat loose. Since it’s not securely fixed in place, after all. Currently, it holds up well, but it still seems somewhat unstable.
Apart from the angle change, another unique feature is the detachable keyboard, which can be used in four different configurations depending on how you detach and attach it. There are a total of four modes: typing mode, sketch mode, view mode, and book mode. I really like the freedom to transform it according to usage like this. In fact, Apple keyboards essentially have only one usage mode with just a couple of angle adjustments…
It is compatible with iPad Pro 5th generation or later, based on the 12.9-inch model, but it also fits well with the 4th generation.
My iPad Pro 12.9 is a 4th generation, but fortunately, it fits well. The reason I bought this keyboard is that my previous one broke down. There aren’t many cases available for people like me who use older iPad Pros, so I’m fortunate that it’s compatible with previous versions as well. While it covers the speaker portion slightly, it’s not a major hindrance to usage.
The Combo Touch wraps around the iPad, which looks like it provides good shock protection as well!
However, as a trade-off, it has become very heavy…
The Logitech Combo Touch, with its case wrapping around the iPad, provides better protection for the iPad. Actually, the Apple keyboard only wraps around the back and doesn’t cover the sides very well. Sometimes, despite using the Apple keyboard, unfortunate incidents like accidentally hitting the corners against the ground causing damage or malfunctioning have occurred for some people… With this Combo Touch, such incidents are less likely to happen.
The keyboard portion also wraps around the front, and with the front cover being secured with magnets, there’s no chance of the keyboard slipping out. As for Apple’s keyboard… well… hmm… However, whether this trade-off for protection is worth it, this keyboard is very heavy… I’ll delve into this aspect further later on.
The Combo Touch offers many features such as backlighting and a touchpad!
It’s remarkably user-friendly. Having a touchpad is nice, but personally, I’m not a big fan…
The backlighting feature on the Logitech Combo Touch keyboard is also nice. Because many people work at night as well. The backlight isn’t too strong, but it’s possible to adjust the brightness level. It’s an outstanding feature to have, so I’m pleased with it. In life, sometimes you need to work on the pad even with the lights off…
Also, there are keys on the top of the keyboard for adjusting media such as volume and brightness, which Apple’s counterpart doesn’t have. This feature is useful for people who work on their devices as well. There’s also a trackpad attached to the keyboard palm rest area. I had high expectations for Apple’s trackpad since they are known for it, but personally, it’s not that great, to be honest. When using the trackpad, the cursor slides a bit… When you swipe the pad quickly, the cursor overshoots slightly as if there’s a lingering effect. This aspect is bothersome, to be honest.
However, the iPad has good touch sensitivity, unlike the MacBook, right? Also, since the screen isn’t as large as a laptop, I thought, “Why bother using the trackpad when you can just touch the screen?” Since app interfaces are well optimized for touch, the importance of the trackpad diminishes significantly. Well, still, it’s better to have it than not, right? In fact, the purpose of having such a trackpad is to minimize the use of the mouse as much as possible.
However, some professionals like programmers may consider switching between typing and touching as a waste of time. In that case, using the trackpad might be preferable. Actually, if there’s no trackpad on the palm rest area, it’s just space anyway, so I feel like having something there is better than nothing.
However, as high as the usability of the Combo Touch is, there are also a few drawbacks, which is a downside.
It has a different feel compared to the Apple keyboard in terms of usage environment. But couldn’t it also protect the Apple Pencil?
While it’s an unavoidable aspect, the Combo Touch also has a few drawbacks. Unlike the Apple keyboard, the Combo Touch has a major drawback – it needs space for both the keyboard and the iPad, making it unsuitable for very cramped spaces. With the previous Apple keyboard, users could simply place the iPad on their lap with no inconvenience because it was positioned on top of the keyboard. However, with this one, although you can still place it on your lap, it feels unnatural. In fact, it seems like people with smaller thighs might have trouble using it.
Another downside is that while the detachable keyboard feature is convenient, the connection point of the keyboard feels loose because of the need for detachment. It makes me wonder how it would have been if there were hinges or some way to secure it in place. As part of that, when using it, if you leave a bit of space at the end instead of placing the entire keyboard flat on the surface, the keyboard lifts slightly.
The Combo Touch is heavier compared to the Apple keyboard. I would say it feels about as heavy as a MacBook Air. People who dislike carrying heavy items would probably find it cumbersome to carry this keyboard around as well. However, this aspect is something that needs to be considered to some extent. The weight is mainly in the part that wraps around the iPad, rather than the keyboard itself. So, one can consider it as using it with the feeling of having bought an iPad protective case. It certainly seems like it would provide excellent protection… The consolation is that since you can detach the keyboard, there’s no need to always carry it around heavily.
Another disappointing aspect of the old Apple keyboard was that it didn’t provide any protection for the Apple Pencil at all. Interestingly, some older models protected the Apple Pencil somewhat, but ironically, the current models don’t. Why??? Ironically, even though Logitech sells a somewhat cheaper stylus called Crayon, they do offer official Apple stylus support…
While there are some downsides, there aren’t many keyboards as good as this Combo Touch.
If I had even more money, I’d like to try the Magic Keyboard…
Overall, it’s good for general users, but it also has many features that are useful for heavy users and various types of work. I believe it’s a more suitable tool for those who do some work on their iPad, even if it’s minimal. However, when space is limited, it becomes challenging to use, making it appear that it can only be used on an actual desk. Well, there’s no such thing as a perfect device… and honestly, the price seems steep, which is also disappointing. I think this is almost equivalent to the official Apple product, even in terms of price.
Actually, it’s expensive. Apple’s prices are higher, but… still, while Apple’s peripherals are good, there are often many shortcomings when using them. That’s why there are many people (like me…) who want high-quality peripherals similar to Apple’s, and I think it adequately meets that demand.
- This product, which I purchased myself because my Apple keyboard broke down… I may receive commissions through affiliate activities.
Logitech Combo Touch Conclusion
Good point
- The keyboard is good.
- There are many features, such as backlighting and media keys.
- It wraps around the iPad overall, providing good protection for the pad.
bad point
- It is heavier compared to the Apple Smart Folio.
- Personally, I don’t find the trackpad particularly good.
- I feel like it might become unstable in various ways after prolonged use.
- The quality is good, but it’s on the expensive side.
