Pros
-Classy design with front and back protection
-Easy to remove iPad when you want
-Clever magnetic stand design
Cons
-Keyboard takes a little getting used to
-Pricey in comparison to alternatives
Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio for iPad Air review
What is the Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio?
As if to alleviate any doubt, Logitech seems determined to
answer this question in full using just the name. As its title suggests this a
folio case with a keyboard, while the 'FabricSkin' part refers to how the
keyboard and outer shell are splashproof. It's Logitech's second attempt at
such a case and it doesn't come cheap at £119, but it has a lot of plusses if
you can overlook the price.
FabricSkin Keyboard Folio: Design
This version is a serious step up from the original
FabricSkin Keyboard Folio. It still protects the front and rear of the iPad,
but this version trades the soft touch material of the original for a hardier,
more satisfying textile material over a hard plastic shell.
The combination gives the FabricSkin Keyboard Portfolio a
more tactile feel, but just as important it's thinner and lighter than before.
The old version, admittedly using a heavier iPad, weighed in comfortably over
1kg combined. An iPad Air and this Folio, however, are a more manageable 880g.
It's a still a fair bit heavier than an iPad Air on its own, but it's far more
in line with Logitech's popular Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad Air than
before.
This makes the FabricSkin a far more viable solution for
anyone who wants a Folio-style keyboard and case in one, but doesn't want to
sacrifice too much portability. It helps, too, that in this incarnation the
FabricSkin Keyboard Folio looks very classy. The textile exterior looks far
more professional and smart, while the choice of either a white or a (rather
fetching to our eyes) yellow interior gives you a little choice.
All these improvements are great and the Folio's best
feature remains: the magnetic clasp. This holds the iPad in place when in
typing mode, with the Bluetooth connection automatically engaging (or
disengaging) when its activated. It's a neat, very user-friendly touch that
means you're never left wondering whether the keyboard is connected or not and
saves on battery life -- Logitech claims up to three months when used around
three hours per day.
One final plus point is that's it's very
easy to remove your
iPad when you want to, so you don't have to put up with the extra bulk when you
just want to read a book or magazine. Our only irksome criticism of the design
is the mute toggle switch is very hard to access when using the case, but it's
an annoyance we can just about tolerate.
FabricSkin Keyboard Folio: Keyboard
So far, so positive, but there's no escaping that the actual
typing experience on the FabricSkin Keyboard Folio is a step below due to the
fact it's a not a physical keyboard in the traditional sense. Instead the keys
are like a soft membrane above actuators, which gives the keys a slightly
sluggish, spongy feel that takes a little getting used to.
The layout is also a little compromised. The 'Q' and 'A'
keys on the left are merged with the Tab and Caps Lock keys respectively, which
means everything feels a little off-kilter at first. You'll get used to this
layout after a while, though, and apart from these small liberties the basic
layout is fairly standard.
In fact, there are some nice iPad-only secondary functions,
such as the selection shortcut on the arrow keys that lets you select whole
words rather than individual characters. The only slight gripe, and it is a
small one, is things like playback and volume controls are actually third
functions, not even primary or secondary ones, on the top row of number keys.
Irritating as this might seem, however, it means the usual secondary functions
remain unaffected.
Overall, while we imagine many people will dismiss the
keyboard out of hand, it's worth persevering with -- it's certainly won us over
after a couple of weeks.
Should I buy the Logitech FabricSkin Keyboard Folio for iPad
Air?
This really comes down to how much you're willing to spend
to get what the FabricSkin offers. It's by no means perfect as the typing
experience takes a little getting used to and the FabricSkin adds a fair amount
of heft, but it's the simplest, most elegant folio keyboard we've come across
and is stylish to boot.
If you want the absolutle best typing experience possible
then the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard is still the one to go for, but the
FabricSkin is a great alternative if you want a keyboard and all-in-one
protection.
Verdict
A neat, innovative but rather pricey folio keyboard for iPad
Air, but a good one if you can justify the price.
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