Why doesn't Apple make something like this?

Not a big fan of Logitech. Their products lack the level of production quality of Apple. Too plasticky and cheaply made. I prefer to get only Apple accessories...and if Apple doesn't make them (which is common) then I usually pass.

I also shy away from accessories that I have to carry, pack, charge, or just store. They seem to add bulk to the iOS device and take away from the elegance of the design.

Having said this it looks rather intriguing, especially for the Mini. I will check it out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1983 

Why doesn't Apple make something like this?

Because they don't need to.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1983 

Why doesn't Apple make something like this?

Apple leave lots of niches for third-party accessories, and there are lots of keyboard choices. (Keyboard attachments are a big and popular niche, but a niche nonetheless: a tablet is at its best being a tablet, not a wannabe laptop. And attaching a keyboard to a tablet with no real adjustable hinge is always going to be a little cheesy and awkward and lacking Apple simplicity; true of this, true of the Surface. That said, I'd gladly use one of these sometimes and leave it home doing no harm the rest of the time!)

This keyboard is the clear winning option in my book, since it uses the magnets instead of plastic friction clips. I like the Fn-Arrow commands to select text, too.

Logitech beat Microsoft to the Surface punch: they've been selling these for the full iPad long before Microsoft mimicked (and, yes, enhanced greatly) Apple's magnetic Smart Covers.

I like these better than the Surface because of a) more key travel and b) most important: portrait support! Plus, no awkward kickstand. (The kickstand would have a real benefit... if it were adjustable! Missed opportunity there.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by christopher126 

Not a big fan of Logitech. Their products lack the level of production quality of Apple. Too plasticky and cheaply made. I prefer to get only Apple accessories...and if Apple doesn't make them (which is common) then I usually pass.

I also shy away from accessories that I have to carry, pack, charge, or just store. They seem to add bulk to the iOS device and take away from the elegance of the design.

Having said this it looks rather intriguing, especially for the Mini. I will check it out.

 

I agree with all of the above... bulk = bad! But I'd take a keyboard like this with me just SOMEtimes and be glad for it. (BT uses little power, so charging would be rare.)

 

I know people who have largely replaced their computer with an iPad, but only because they got an external keyboard.

 

As for Logitech quality, I too have concerns: I've had a couple of their products die, and a couple feel cheap. Others have felt great and lasted forever, though, so it's hit or miss. The tie-breaker: every other attachable iPad keyboard seems even more cheap, and doesn't attach by magnets! (Folios? Holy bulk, Batman!) And reviews for this (full-size iPad version, on Amazon, Wirecutter, etc.) have been great.

 

I wish it came in red-and-black. (The full-size one comes in a third color, red-and-white.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by christopher126 

Not a big fan of Logitech. Their products lack the level of production quality of Apple. Too plasticky and cheaply made. I prefer to get only Apple accessories...and if Apple doesn't make them (which is common) then I usually pass.

I also shy away from accessories that I have to carry, pack, charge, or just store. They seem to add bulk to the iOS device and take away from the elegance of the design.

Having said this it looks rather intriguing, especially for the Mini. I will check it out.

Agree, but if this is aluminum, I'll take a very close look at it.  My daughter has been wanting a notebook for school just for the keyboard....we have an extra iPad so I don't want to spend on a notebook.  But $79, with aluminum casing?  And it matches the white 32 GB white iPad at home?

I think my problem has been solved ;-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by nagromme 

 

Apple leave lots of niches for third-party accessories, and there are lots of keyboard choices. (Keyboard attachments are a big and popular niche, but a niche nonetheless: a tablet is at its best being a tablet, not a wannabe laptop. And attaching a keyboard to a tablet with no real adjustable hinge is always going to be a little cheesy and awkward and lacking Apple simplicity; true of this, true of the Surface. That said, I'd gladly use one of these sometimes and leave it home doing no harm the rest of the time!)

 

This keyboard is the clear winning option in my book, since it uses the magnets instead of plastic friction clips. I like the Fn-Arrow commands to select text, too.

 

Logitech beat Microsoft to the Surface punch: they've been selling these for the full iPad long before Microsoft mimicked (and, yes, enhanced greatly) Apple's magnetic Smart Covers.

 

I like these better than the Surface because of a) more key travel and b) most important: portrait support! Plus, no awkward kickstand. (The kickstand would have a real benefit... if it were adjustable! Missed opportunity there.)

 

 

 

I agree with all of the above... bulk = bad! But I'd take a keyboard like this with me just SOMEtimes and be glad for it. (BT uses little power, so charging would be rare.)

 

I know people who have largely replaced their computer with an iPad, but only because they got an external keyboard.

 

As for Logitech quality, I too have concerns: I've had a couple of their products die, and a couple feel cheap. Others have felt great and lasted forever, though, so it's hit or miss. The tie-breaker: every other attachable iPad keyboard seems even more cheap, and doesn't attach by magnets! (Folios? Holy bulk, Batman!) And reviews for this (full-size iPad version, on Amazon, Wirecutter, etc.) have been great.

 

I wish it came in red-and-black. (The full-size one comes in a third color, red-and-white.)

Agreed. That battery life of a month at 2 hrs use a day is impressive! :)

So this already exists at a much lower price ($25): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ABSP6QY/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00

I just bought one and I love it. This new logitech one might be better, but for $55 more, it should be a lot better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by allenbf 

 

Agree, but if this is aluminum, I'll take a very close look at it.  My daughter has been wanting a notebook for school just for the keyboard....we have an extra iPad so I don't want to spend on a notebook.  But $79, with aluminum casing?  And it matches the white 32 GB white iPad at home?

 

I think my problem has been solved ;-)

I was thinking the same thing for my GF! :) She is happy to put up with a little extra bulk for the keyboard. She does a lot more typing than I do. You're right. A better solution than buying a $1,000 MBA.

You might also want to checkout FingerPrint. It's an App you put on your Mac and allows you to print from any iOS device (on your network). Better than buying a new printer just so you can print from an iOS device. $20. Works well for me...even though I'm doing a lot less printing! :)