Logitech Keyboard Case for iPad 2

I like this keyboard option by Logitech and Zagg cover combination but I'm not in love with it. I've provided the main points that stuck out for me:

1) It has a deep groove behind the keyboard for you to place the iPad 2 (original iPad works as well but the cover doesn't fit), which keeps it very secure as opposed to others that just have grooves. Although it only allows for one standing position, I'm a big fan.

2) The keyboard doubles as a cover, simply place the Ipad 2 face down onto the keyboard; it has hard rubber corners that provide a small space between the iPad 2 screen and the keyboard. It presses together and pulls apart without issue. The silver hard case matches the iPad and looks sleek but it would not provide the same protection as a soft cover from impact damage.

3) The Bluetooth connection was a piece of cake to set up. The keyboard has worked for 2-3 hour stretches so far (new user). It slips into sleep mode if not used continuously but pressing any key brings it back to life.

4) The keyboard buttons and layout are fine and works much better than the pop up screen keyboard on the iPad 2. However, the protruding ½" metal trim on the bottom left and right side of the keyboard interfered with my typing flow because I had to hold my hands in a certain position to avoid hitting it. Not a huge issue.

5) Continued removal of the charging cord from the keyboard sometimes presents a connectivity issue which leaves you with two choices: leave it connected to the keyboard/case all the time or wiggle the cord until you get a connection. Neither choice is a good one. A built in or retractable cord would be perfect.

This keyboard would be good for students or anyone who does a lot of typing as long as you don't mind that hard cases won't provide as much impact protection as soft covers. The price might seem steep at first but when you factor in that keyboards do not usually come with a cover, this one is reasonable. The convenience of having a keyboard that doubles as an ultra sleek cover is nice. If only the charging cord issue was addressed, I'd be more impressed.

On paper it seems like a great thing, a keyboard within a case for your ipad2, so lets talk about the good, the bad and the ugly

The good:

It works really well, it connects within seconds to your ipad via bluetooth and is a fully functioning keyboard. It even has arrow buttons - oh the joy! And of course you can still use the touchscreen as well, so once used to it you can very easily combine both for very effective productivity

Just above the keyboard is a groove to fit the ipad in and it fits in perfectly, both landscape and portrait mode whichever you prefer. When in landscape mode it really does feel like you are using a small netbook

It is (understandably) more Apple keyboard based with CMD function, however it does have some preset shortcut keys (cut, copy and paste etc) which are very easy to use.

The bad:

Because this keyboard doubles as a case (see more about this below) it has quite high, raised edges along the sides. This makes typing feel slightly awkward, it is a small keyboard anyway so I found my hands, just below the little fingers, were resting on these edges for the most part which then begins to feel uncomfortable, and for longer typing, it actually begun to hurt. Everyone types differently of course and shifting positions I found I wasn't relying quite so much on the edges, but in natural position they still rested there. This is the main reason I am taking stars off my review, everything else is down to aesthetics and personal taste, but these raised edges really let it down

It has 6 shortcut buttons dedicated to media (play, pause etc) which I can't really see the use of on ths keyboard. You might have music playing while you type but having the buttons dedicated to this seems a bit excessive

The ugly:

It doubles as a case, well, half a case. The ipad fits facedown onto the keys and fits very snuggly, however There is no back protection at all. This might not be a problem for you but ive been used to a case which protects both, so seeing my ipad look so vulnerable, so naked, was disconcerting.

Summary:

If you are using your ipad for a lot of typing, perhaps more so than just email and facebook then this keyboard is good, as i say, it works very well, and once you find a comfortable position and get used to the high edges you can type very fast on it, but these high edges are its downfall, as just typing this review i noticed i had to rub my left hand which had been leaning on the edge too long and too hard.
Perhaps you have a set place where you use your ipad more than anywhere else, then you can keep the keyboard there and use as needed.
However, if you are wanting a keyboard / case combo to use conveniently at your leisure then i dont think this case is for you. I have found myself using my old case for protection to carry my ipad around and bring the keyboard with me separately only when i know I will have a lot of typing to do in one place (at the moment im using it to great effect on the train)

I just received the case/keyboard as a Christmas gift and i'm very pleased with it. It looks and feels great - solidly built and also relatively light. Useful shortcut keys are an added bonus. I found it very easy to set up and twin with the iPad. A little on the expensive side however I do believe you get what you pay for - it seems to be a quality product. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one to other iPad 2 owners looking for a keyboard.