Review: Logitechs Folio Touch With Trackpad for iPad Pro is an Affordable Alternative to Apples Magic… – MacRumors

How to Buy.

At launch, there was no third-party equivalent to the Magic Keyboard because trackpad assistance for the iPad Pro was brand-new, however last month, Logitech revealed the Folio Touch, a $160 keyboard case that deals with 2018 and 2020 iPad Pro models.

The Magic Keyboard has a passthrough charging function that lets the iPad Pro be charged through the case through an extra USB-C port – this is not present on the Folio Touch and the basic USB-C port on the iPad must be utilized. Since its a case and a cover, the Folio Touch is a little bit thicker than the Magic Keyboard, which is not perfect due to the fact that the Magic Keyboard is already large. Theyre clicky, pleasing to press, and provide a good quantity of travel so theres no major compromise utilizing the keyboard case over a standard keyboard. Theres a small trackpad at the bottom of the keyboard on the Folio Touch, which is what puts the case on par with Apples Magic Keyboard. With the Magic Keyboard, I have to take it all the way off if I desire to utilize my iPad for anything other than typing or viewing videos, which isnt the case with the Folio Touch.

We likewise did a short article and video that compare the Magic Keyboard to the Logitech Folio Touch, and the video is worth watching if you wish to see both keyboards side by side.

This is one location where the Folio Touch outperforms the Magic Keyboard since Apples keyboard does not fold back and needs to be gotten rid of if you wish to use the iPad in a flat orientation. The stand provides 40 degrees of adjustment, but because it doesnt operate with a hinge or a locking mechanism, Im a concerned about how its going to hold up over time. It uses tension, and it appears like a mechanism that might loosen up in time, however I do not yet understand if this will hold true.

When Apple introduced updated iPad Pro models earlier this year they featured a new device, the Magic Keyboard. Priced beginning at $299, the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro is Apples most innovative keyboard yet, using backlit full-size secrets and, more significantly, a trackpad.

With the Magic Keyboard, I have to take it all the method off if I wish to use my iPad for anything aside from typing or viewing videos, which isnt the case with the Folio Touch. Thats a huge factor for someone who chooses a case that can be left on all the time. There are likewise work secrets that are absent from the iPad Pro.

The lack of these simple gain access to function keys is among the negatives to the Magic Keyboard, so anyone who utilizes those secrets regularly might want to think about the Folio Touch. The Folio Touch likewise has backlit secrets, similar to the Magic Keyboard. The keys adapt to the ambient lighting but can be changed straight on the keyboard.

The Magic Keyboard is $300 and the Folio Touch is $160, so passing price alone, its a bargain and a solid option to Apples iPad Pro keyboard. I value the flexibility of the Folio Touchs stand and the cover, and my only problem is that its not ideal for lap use.

Theres a pull-out stand thats at the back of the case thats designed to prop the iPad Pro and upright while you type on the keyboard. The stand is okay. Its not the sturdiest platform and I wasnt a fan of utilizing it in my lap due to the fact that of the flex of the stand, however it works well sufficient on a flat surface area. Im uncertain that the Folio Touch would be comfy to utilize in a lap for a longer amount of time due to the instability of the stand, which is something to remember.

The Folio Touch doesnt have a USB-C port integrated in for easier charging, however its still possible to charge with the basic USB-C port on the iPad Pro, so I didnt miss this feature. I like the floating style of the Magic Keyboard, the hinge design, and I prefer the feel of the secrets and the trackpad, but its so close that I think the majority of people will desire to conserve $140 and choose the Folio Touch.

Ive been utilizing the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro for several months, and while its easy to take it off, its a trouble, so I value the versatility the Folio Touch uses. The style of the case allows the Apple Pencil to be connected to the iPad Pro for charging purposes, and there is sleep/wake performance for triggering the iPads screen when the cover is opened.

The iPad Pro is developed to fit into the case part of the Folio Touch, which is made from a malleable rubber product. Theres a square-shaped camera cutout thats able to accommodate both the 2018 and 2020 iPad Pro designs, plus theres a cutout at the side where the USB-C port on the
iPad lies, a.
Smart Connector accessory point, and a cutout for.
Apple Pencil charging.

The Folio Touch for the 11-inch iPad Pro can be pre-ordered from the Logitech website for $160.

Bottom Line.

$ 160 rate point ($ 140 less expensive than Magic Keyboard).
Just offered for 11-inch iPad Pro.
Stand with multiple viewing angles and usage modes, consisting of an option to fold case back.
Does not work well in the lap.
Soft material cover material is less susceptible to revealing dirt.
Thicker and heavier than Magic Keyboard.
Rubber case safeguards iPad Pro.
Cutout for charging Apple Pencil plus flap to hold it in location when case is closed.
Complete row of function keys.
Backlit secrets.
Solid crucial feel with good travel, but not rather as nice as Magic Keyboard keys.
Trackpad takes more force for a click.
USB-C port is available, however does not provide an additional port.
USB-C port cutout is little and doesnt accommodate all accessories.
Gets In Touch With Smart Connector.

Those who have used a Logitech iPad keyboard before will probably recognize with the feel of the keys. Theyre clicky, satisfying to press, and use a good amount of travel so theres no major compromise utilizing the keyboard case over a basic keyboard. The feel is comparable to the feel of the keys on the Magic Keyboard, however with a touch less travel and a touch more softness.

Theres a little trackpad at the bottom of the keyboard on the Folio Touch, which is what puts the case on par with Apples Magic Keyboard. The trackpad has a smooth, plastic like feel thats difficult to distinguish from the trackpad of the Magic Keyboard. Use is close similar too, but you do need to push harder on the Folio Touch for it to sign up a click. With Tap to Click turned on, a feature I constantly use, it doesnt matter.

View Mode for enjoying videos works by folding the keyboard and kickstand backwards, Sketch Mode resembles View Mode but with the stand pressed down to make a somewhat angled surface ideal for drawing, and Read Mode is where the stand and the keyboard are both collapsed and the keyboard can be folded back so the iPad can be utilized in a basic tablet mode without the need to get rid of the case.

The stand and case have several seeing and usage modes. Theres Type Mode where the keyboard is extended and the iPad Pro is propped up with the stand, which is the most apparent method of using the Folio Touch, in addition to 3 modes where the keyboard is folded back.

Keep in mind: Logitech provided MacRumors with a Folio Touch for iPad Pro for the purpose of this evaluation. No other payment was gotten.

Even as a person that makes an effort to keep the Magic Keyboard tidy, my iPad Pro Magic Keyboards cover still has some areas from water drips and scuffs from day to day use, and while its not too difficult to clean, those areas and marks dont always come off. The Folio Touch isnt going to reveal areas like these and the color and pattern will mask gunk, too.

If youve been holding back from acquiring a Magic Keyboard since of its price point, the Folio Touch is a solid option. Logitech just makes the Folio Touch for the 11-inch iPad Pro designs at this time, so 12.9-inch iPad Pro owners are stuck with Apples Magic Keyboard.

Since its a cover and a case, the Folio Touch is a little bit thicker than the Magic Keyboard, which is not perfect due to the fact that the Magic Keyboard is already bulky. The Folio Touch is a bit longer and larger than the Magic Keyboard, but theyre ultimately similar enough in size that theres not much distinction using one over the other.

Design sensible, the Folio Touch includes a case that connects to the iPad Pro together with an attached keyboard, all of which is covered with a soft gray fabric-like material. It feels enjoyable to the touch, and isnt too far off from the fabric material that Microsoft uses for its Surface Pro accessories. I prefer the fabric feel of this case to the more rubbery feel of the material that Apple uses for the Magic Keyboard, and it is less prone to areas, dust, and scuffs.

The Folio Touch is more budget friendly than the Magic Keyboard while offering much of the exact same performance, and in many cases, style options that are more convenient, making it a deserving option to Apples own keyboard alternative. Theres one caution– at the current time, the Folio Touch is only offered for the 11-inch iPad Pro, without any 12.9-inch model.

Logitech Folio Touch Cons and pros.

The case feels protective, especially when the keyboard portion is closed, and there is a strong magnetic flap that keeps it shut and holds an Apple Pencil in place. Theres a slit in the flap where you can save it so it never ever gets lost or lost if you have a Logitech Crayon rather of an Apple Pencil.

Costs $300+.
Offered for 11 and 12.9-inch models.
Adjustable viewing angles, however case should come off for tablet mode.
Works well in the lap.
Silicone product gets dust, gunk, and fingerprints however feels more premium.
Thinner than Folio Touch, however not by too much.
No complete iPad Pro coverage.
Area for charging Apple Pencil.
No function keys.
Backlit keys.
Keys have great travel and feel durable under the fingers.
Trackpad is easy and responsive to use.
Has extra USB-C port constructed into hinge for devices.
Connects with Smart Connector.

Both trackpads support the exact same gestures and features that are baked into.
iPadOS, so theres not much distinction in between them. Listed below, Ive listed the pros and cons of each keyboard to make it simpler to see the distinction at a glimpse and to detail why you might want to choose one over the other.
Magic Keyboard Pros and Cons.

If required to select, I would state I prefer the feel of the secrets on the Magic Keyboard, however the Folio Touch isnt too away, and its easy to get used to a different crucial feel. The Logitech keyboard offers a function row of keys for adjusting screen brightness, accessing the.
House Screen, searching, and controlling noise and media playback, which is something Apples keyboard does not have and a function Ive missed with day to day use.

With the Smart Connector, the Folio Touch is powered by the iPad Pro and does not need to be recharged nor does it require Bluetooth to link. The Magic Keyboard has a passthrough charging function that lets the iPad Pro be charged through the case through an extra USB-C port – this is not present on the Folio Touch and the basic USB-C port on the iPad should be used. Theres a cutout for the USB-C port, but its little, so if youre using a dock or dongle thats wider than a USB-C port, youre going to encounter trouble.