Logitech iPad Pro keyboard case offers big trackpad without Bluetooth hassles [Review]

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Logitech Combo Touch review
The Logitech Combo Touch includes a well-designed iPad Pro keyboard and trackpad. And it looks great.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Logitech Combo Touch combines an iPad Pro case with a kickstand and removable keyboard. It sets itself apart from the crowd with a large trackpad and using the Smart Connector rather than Bluetooth.

I brought this keyboard case into my daily work life for most of a week. I also compared it to the Apple Magic Keyboard. Here’s why I like it.

Logitech Combo Touch review

Apple itself makes clip-on keyboard cases for iPads, so third-party vendors have to stand out. Either there must be features not in the Magic Keyboard or a price advantage.

With the Combo Touch, Logitech used both strategies. It includes several features Apple’s offerings don’t. And it comes at a significantly lower cost. Though it’s hardly cheap.

Hardware and design

The Combo Touch is made up of two parts. There’s a case that protects the iPad Pro and includes a kickstand. And there’s a removable keyboard/trackpad. With this design, you have the option to hold and use your tablet without extra bulk of the keyboard. But the kickstand is always available.

The downside of adding a protective case and keyboard is bulk. For the 12.9-inch version, the weight is 1.7 pounds — more than double the weight of the iPad alone. But take off the keyboard/trackpad and the extra weight drops to 0.8 lbs.

Apple’s Magic Keyboard weighs in at 1.6 lbs. so it’s comparable in weight.

Case

The Logitech Combo Touch wraps the iPad on all sides, front and back. Corners too. Even with the keyboard flap removed, the screen is protected by a raised lip. Just note that Logitech makes no specific claim about drop protection. And because there are openings for the ports, speakers and Apple Pencil charger, there’s no protection from liquids.

Front and back of the case are covered in an Oxford grey pattern. The keys are surrounded by this too. The look is very professional — I love it. It’s actually one of my favorite features.

By comparison, the Apple Magic Keyboard doesn’t cover the sides of the iPad. And while it offers an amazing “floating” effect, the material it’s made of looks like it’s been stripped off $5 boots.

On the back of the Combo Touch is the adjustable kickstand. It bends out and props up the iPad, with options from nearly straight up to almost all the way flat. And offers solid support — I can tap on the screen and there’s no movement at all. That said, the kickstand isn’t strong enough to be used as a drawing support with the screen nearly horizontal. Not if you want to rest your hand on the screen.

The downside of a kickstand is that it requires a lot of space. With the screen at my preferred angle, the back of the kickstand is 14 inches from the front of the keyboard flap. (It doesn’t fit on this narrow table.) And its nearly impossible to type with the Logitech Combo Touch in your lap.

The rival Apple Magic Keyboard uses a clamshell design that takes up much less room and offers excellent lapability.

Logitech Combo Touch folds up into an attractive package.
The fabric exterior of the Combo Touch looks outstanding, and the texture makes dropping the iPad much less likely.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Keyboard/trackpad

I’m testing Logitech’s version for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, and the tablet is large enough for a full-size laptop keyboard. It’s 10.5 inches wide. Most keys are 0.625 inches wide and tall, with 0.125 in. of space between them. That’s easily large enough for comfortable typing. Key travel isn’t great, but it’s reasonable. And typing is fairly quiet — this isn’t a “clicky” keyboard.

The keys are backlit. And they offer 16 levels of white light, ready to be used in a dim classroom or airplane cabin.

In addition to the standard set of keys, the Combo Touch includes a row of function keys. (Something Apple refuses to put in its keyboards.)

The trackpad in the Logitech Combo Touch is 4.5 inches by 2.3 in. That’s quite generous — and 36% larger than the trackpad in Apple’s keyboard case. I never felt crowded while using it. Plus, the trackpad supports native iPadOS gestures.

I used the peripheral for days — I’m using it write this review, for example — and the keyboard and trackpad worked so well that I very quickly stopped thinking about them. I just used them to get my job done, hassle free.

Both keyboard and trackpad communicate with the iPad Pro via the Smart Connector on the back of the tablet. That means Bluetooth is unnecessary. Nor is there a battery in this accessory. It runs off the iPad’s power.

The keyboard/trackpad unit is easily removable. It attaches to the Combo Touch’s case with magnets and can be easily popped off.

That’s an advantage over the Apple Magic Keyboard. With that product, there’s no way to separate the stand from the keyboard. You can remove the iPad completely, of course, but then you can’t use the stand.

The kickstand on the Logitech Combo Touch case is always available.
The Logitech Combo Touch can be used with or without the keyboard/trackpad.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

Logitech Combo Touch final thoughts

This is one of the best iPad keyboard cases I’ve used. It looks professional and classy, typing is easy, and the trackpad is truly outstanding. Plus, there’s a considerable price advantage compared to Apple’s keyboard.

The downside of the Combo Touch is inevitable with this type of accessory: it adds bulk to your iPad. And the kickstand means you need quite a bit of space to type.

Pricing

The 11-inch version of the Logitech Combo Touch costs $199.99. The 12.9-inch version is $229.99.

That’s a hefty price tag, but the Apple Magic Keyboard for the 11-inch iPad Pro $299, and the 12.9-inch model is $349. Each is over $100  more.

Logitech provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out other in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.

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