ZAGG
ZAGGfolio
Price: $159.92
From accessoryvillage.co.uk
Info zagg.com
Key
point The original and still great
ZAGG’s
keyboard case for the original iPad was one of our favourite early accessories. The ZAGGfolio,
for iPad 2 and the new iPad,
is neater but still hugs your tablet similarly; it’s more of a protective shell
than a folio case, despite the name. But it has a pleasant soft-touch finish so
it doesn’t feel like a cheap plastic cover.
Your iPad slides into the top half of the case and is held
firmly in place; a minor quibble is that you have to remove the keyboard from
the case to charge it. With the keyboard and iPad
together, the Zagg is relatively heavy, though still
easily portable.
The clasp
that holds the iPad shut works, but it’s not a great
design - not easy to clip shut and tricky to undo. And the way your iPad sits in the keyboard means you get just the one
viewing angle; it’s fine for most situations, but some cases provide more
flexibility. Still, the chunky base does mean the ZAGG can be used easily on
your lap, which is not something most of the other cases allow for.
The ZAGG is
similar to the Adonit keyboard in that it’s one of
the better options for fast or touch-typists. But you’ll still have a few
frustrating hours getting used to the more cramped keys.
The ZAGG is
a great protective case, and despite the small shortcomings of the clip and the
weight, it remains an excellent choice.
Adonit
Writer
Plus
Price: $143.98
From shop.adonituk.com
Info adonit.net/product/writer2-plus
Key
point For the stylish typist
The Adonit has a hard keyboard with tile keys not unlike the
ones you’d find on a modern Mac keyboard, but a lot smaller. It’s probably the
very best of the keyboard styles for those who can type quickly. Although
realistically it’s still not going to work quite as well as a full-size
keyboard, carrying around a full-size keyboard with your iPad
is too annoying for most people.
This case
is clearly designed for those who’ll be on the keyboard all the time. Using the
iPad for general browsing and viewing the web or
video is a bit fiddly with the keyboard attached. You can take the keyboard
off, obviously, but it’s not a convenient solution if you have to keep doing
that.
As a case,
the Adonit sits nicely in the hand and the iPad feels secure when it’s clipped into the plastic base.
What it does lack is an easy to reach on/off switch: when the keyboard is
paired, the iPad’s onscreen switch doesn’t show up,
which can be a pain. It’s not a massive oversight, but other keyboards have a
switch that makes unpairing faster.
We were
also slightly concerned that the keyboard sits flush against the iPad screen when the case is closed. Overall, though, the Adonit is right up there with the best choices for those
who expect to use the keyboard a lot.
Scosche
keyPAD
price: $111.92
From mobilefun.co.uk
Info scosche.com
Key
points Squidgy
The keyPAD is an executive-style case with a shiny
leather-effect finish that reaches the heady heights of quite nice, but no
further. A flappy stand keeps the iPad screen angled
towards you and is held in place magnetically when you don't need it. We liked
the magnetic clasp that holds the case together, too: it feels sturdy, and
there’s a stylus holder on the spine for those who like to invoke the wrath of
Steve Jobs’ spirit by using a rubber pen instead of their fingers.
The main
issue we had with this case was the keyboard. The keys are held below a rubbery
cover, and typing on it isn’t much better than using the iPad
screen. This very much defeats the point of having a keyboard case. You can
take the keyboard out of the case altogether if you need to, to get a better
viewing angle or more a comfortable position.
It’s a
shame about the rubber finish, because overall this is a nice enough case.
It’ll protect your iPad and allow you to type, just
not with any great degree of accuracy. There is, we suppose, an argument that
the rubber keys are less likely to damage your iPad
screen when in transit, but still, it’s not a great compromise.
iLuv
Professional
Workstation
Price: $89.6
From .co.uk
Info www.i-luv.co.uk
Key
point Not one for
the typing pool
The iLuv Professional Workstation feels like a proper folio
case. It’s sturdy and has a pleasingly shiny leather finish. In any business
meeting, you’d feel like the boss with the iLuv in
hand. Your iPad slips snugly and safely inside, with
all the relevant holes aligned so you still get full use of your tablet.
There’s a
magnetic stand which props the iPad facing you at a
comfortable angle, and it locks into place so it won’t fall over or rock when
you prod at the screen. In fact, it’s so strong it may take a bit of force to
get it down when you’ve finished, but better that than too floppy.
The
keyboard is frustratingly tedious to use, however. It looks as if it should be
easy to bash away at, but the keys are too close together. Even after a little acclimatisation we were still hitting two keys and either
getting nothing or multiple letters together.
As a case,
the Professional Workstation is excellent, but the keyboard is poor unless you
have very tiny fingers or like to type with chopsticks.
