Logitech Combo Touch
A dream keyboard case come true
The case protects, while the keyboard connects using Apple’s Smart Connector
£129 FROM Logitech, logitech.com/en-gb FEATURES Backlit keys, Smart Connector, trackpad, iOS shortcut keys, 40° of tilt, stylus holder
There is so much to like about this keyboard case, from the design to the functionality.
The Logitech Combo Touch here has been designed for the iPad Air (3rd gen) and iPad Pro 10.5-inch), and there’s also one for the iPad (7th gen).
The case protects the iPad, and has a built-in Apple Pencil holder, while the keyboard connects to the iPad using Apple’s Smart Connector, which means it has a reliable connection and doesn’t need Bluetooth. It also means you don’t need to turn it on or off or remember to charge it.
The woven grey outer looks and feels really nice, and the overall package is well thought out. The case obviously adds a bit of bulk, but not excessively so. The integrated Apple Pencil (or Logitech Crayon) holder makes it convenient for storing the stylus when not in use, and the ability to easily remove the keyboard and simply use the case to protect your iPad makes it very versatile.
As for the keyboard, the keys are all backlit, well spaced, and the key travel feels nice. There’s a full row of function keys, which makes it easy to adjust brightness, get to the home screen, and more.
The trackpad isn’t overly large, but it doesn’t need to be any bigger. There’s a nice click feel from it, and you can use the gestures that you’re likely used to from using a Mac. You can swipe between apps, swipe up to get back to the home screen, and so on.
Minor niggles
We found a few elements of the case frustrating, some of which could be down to quirks of the keyboard, iPadOS, or just personal preference.
On a few occasions, we unlocked our iPad Air only to find the keyboard fully unresponsive. The fix was simple: remove the keyboard and attach it again. Not a huge deal, but rather annoying.
The trackpad scrolling also takes some getting used to. Obviously, you can customise some of the settings for speed, and turn off natural scrolling if you prefer.
As for the backlit keyboard, it would be handy if you could customise the lighting. A range of colours would obviously be nice but not essential, but it would be really useful to be able to set the brightness or turn the lights off completely, as you can with Apple’s Magic Keyboard. The kickstand allows you to set the iPad to a preferred angle, but it doesn’t work that well when using the iPad on your lap.
If we had to recommend one keyboard to iPad Air users right now, though, this would absolutely be the one. The keys feel great, the backlighting is useful, and the trackpad adds serious productivity value. The Smart Connector means never having to worry about whether the keyboard is charged up, and this feature alone will make it an invaluable accessory to many.
As mentioned, any minor annoyances are more with iPadOS than the keyboard and trackpad itself. The price of the Combo Touch isn’t far off Apple’s Smart Keyboard which doesn’t have a trackpad, and this ensures that your iPad is fully protected.