Typing large amounts of text using the iPad’s virtual keyboard may or may not be efficient nor comfortable to most users. Fortunately, there are many alternatives to using the virtual keyboard, including the use of a silicone overlay or, what I like best, a physical keyboard. These can come in the form of a full-on folio case, a keyboard dock, or a keyboard shell. Today, I’ll be looking at Logitech’s iPad 2 Keyboard Case by Zagg ($79.99; Amazon), which is excellent for typing and for general purpose use. Is it worth the rather high price? We’ll see! Also, be sure to check out the video review below.

To answer the above question, it’s basically an instant “yes”, but I’ll get into more details right now.

Packaging…

The packaging is rather simple and quick to get into. Included with your purchase is the keyboard case itself, a small user’s manual, and a short USB cable for charging the keyboard.

The product…

Basically, you can somewhat use your iPad like a laptop. Your iPad 2 will lay face-down into the unit when not being used. Sure, the back of your iPad 2 is exposed, but a simple back protection film will do you well. While your iPad isn’t fully secured into the shell, it’s still held in there pretty well. When you actually want to use your iPad and the keyboard, just lift your iPad up and put it into the ridge, which will keep your iPad lifted up at a nice angle in both landscape and portrait orientations. Your iPad is held securely into place and is very stable in either orientation. There are various rubber (?) inlays in the product to keep your screen slightly lifted up and off of the keyboard when you’re not using it. The same material is stuck along the sides of the keyboard to keep your iPad actually face-down into the case.

The keyboard itself is great. The keys are nicely sized, and I can type extremely fast using this product. There are several iPad-specific functions on the top-row of the keyboard, including one to go back to your home screen. What I love most about the keys is that the right shift key is rather large. The reason I like this is because I only use the right shift key; the left one is left alone. The spacing of the keys is appreciated.

Hardware-wise, the unit is rather lightweight and very durable. The build-quality is excellent. The product is made of “aircraft-grade” aluminum, so it should definitely be able to take a beating. While my metal casing is a bit dirty, there are no scratches on it, even after a month of daily usage of the device going in and out of a backpack and onto scratchy surfaces.

The tech is simple. The keyboard uses Bluetooth to connect to your device. The battery life is amazing. You can easily get at least 2 weeks of life with regular/moderate usage. Charging is also very quick.

There are two lights. The first light indicates whether or not the keyboard is in Bluetooth pairing mode. The other light lets you know that the device is charging, or is finished charging. You’ll also find a Bluetooth pairing button, and an off/on switch. The USB charging port it on the right side of the case.

The case has various cutouts for you to use certain iPad functions, even if your iPad is laid down into the product. You have a headset jack cutout, as well as a dock connector cutout.

Summary…

Overall, I’m very satisfied with the product itself. The price? Not so much. I think that $50 is much more reasonable for this. Nevertheless, it’s still awesome to have. It’s much slimmer than using a big & bulky folio-style keyboard case, and it’s much more efficient than using a silicone overlay. If you can look beyond the price, then you’ll fall in love with this product. It works very well, has several nice features, and has a large right shift key .

So… If you’re in the market for an external keyboard for your iPad 2, then this is the way to go.

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Video…

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