Expert’s Rating
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It seems the biggest debate surrounding the iPad is whether or not it can replace a laptop computer . The answer , of form , calculate on what you demand to do . But one thing most hoi polloi agree on is that if you plan to do a caboodle of typing , you ’ll desire a physical keyboard for your tablet .
Apple volunteer two answer , the iPad Keyboard Dock and the Bluetooth Wireless Keyboard , but the marketplace is now awash with third - political party offerings that take aim to provide good portability or more convenience . Most of these alternatives take the form of “ keyboard cases ” that combine a keyboard with a protective case , and one of the most interesting so far is Zagg ’s $ 100Zaggmate iPad Case with Keyboard .
Slim design
The Zaggmate with Keyboard is basically an aluminum hardshell casing that check onto thefrontof the iPad for traveling , leaving the tablet ’s back bring out . But inside the Zaggmate is a sparse , Bluetooth keyboard and a single - position stand . When you ’re quick to type , you remove your iPad from the Zaggmate , prop it up on the tie-up , and get to employment . ( Zagg also sell a non - keyboard translation of the Zaggmate , which is fundamentally the aluminium shell with just the built - in stall for iPad viewing , for $ 70 . ) The inside edge of the Zaggmate are cross in a thin layer of foam that holds the iPad firmly in place — it ingest some sweat to pry off the case .
The big appeal of the Zaggmate ’s innovation is that it does n’t add much majority to your iPad . When put together for travel , the iPad / Zaggmate combo is just a few millimetre longer and wider than the iPad on its own — for a total of 9.8 column inch by 7.6 inch — and only about 6 mm thickheaded . Still , at 12.8 ounce [ 0.8 pounds ] , the Zaggmate adds about 50 percentage to the iPad ’s weight , for a total of approximately 2.4 pounds .
The biggest downside to the Zaggmate as a pillowcase is that , unlike with most keyboard suit , the back of your iPad is provide no protection during transport . Those upset about scratch can opt for Zagg’sbackside unseeable Shield for the iPad($30 ) or NLU Products ’ similarBodyGuardz back protector($25 ) , each of which still allows the iPad to fit in the Zaggmate .
The Zaggmate’s plastic stand. The tiny pegs on each end slide into the slots in the front.
The Zaggmate ’s plastic stand . The tiny pegs on each end slide into the slot in the front .
The Zaggmate ’s viewpoint consists of a V - shaped piece of charge card that ’s permanently attach to a hinge at the hindquarters of the type , along with a narrow-minded groove that runs the width of the case . With your iPad removed , you twitch up the stand piece and blossom it until two pegs at the front of the pentad tantrum into slots just behind the narrow-minded channel . You then place the bottom sharpness of your iPad into the vallecula and lean the iPad against the freshly erected support . It ’s a difficult process to delineate , and it ’s a bit confusing to set up the first time , but it ’s well-to-do enough once you ’ve done it a few times .
This intent allow you to place your iPad in the Zaggmate either vertically or horizontally , making the Zaggmate one of the few keyboard cases that allows for either orientation — most keyboard cases contain your iPad only horizontally , which is a pregnant drawback if you ’re working on a traditional portraiture - orient document .
On the other manus , the stand offers only a single angle , though one that ’s just about right field for viewing a written document when the Zaggmate is sit on a desk . you may also place your iPad partly in the sheath , rear - down but resting on the plastic standpoint , to position the tab at a roughly-20 - degree slant for onscreen typewriting — for example , when you do n’t have a stable - enough surface for using the Zaggmate ’s own keyboard . Unfortunately , you ca n’t fold down the standpoint and put the iPad all the way of life into the display case back end - down — the iPad ’s back is too convex to suit into the Zaggmate this way . And that mean when you require to utilize the iPad as a tablet , you have two big piece ( the iPad and the Zaggmate ) to keep track of .
That V - shaped slice of charge card seems flimsy , but once secured , it ’s actually reasonably uncompromising . If you tap your iPad ’s screen — specially near the top — you do get some bounce , but nothing that seriously affects your ability to now and again use onscreen controls and clit . I do inquire , however , how this lilliputian charge card support will hold up over hundred or thousands of fold and unfoldings .
Because of its small footprint , the Zaggmate is n’t quite stable enough for secure circuit use , especially if your iPad is place in portrayal predilection — the setup ’s center of graveness is in high spirits enough that when I sample some laptop computer typing , a wiretap near the top of the screen usually terminate up tipping the whole affair over . You ’ll want to keep the Zaggmate on a flat , grade airfoil .
One other case caveat : The edge of the type adjacent to the front of the keyboard is recessed in an attempt to keep the alloy from pressing against your hands during typewrite . However , so as to adjudge your iPad securely during transport , this adjourn expanse end at the case ’s corners . Unless you ’ve got first-class finger - curl - and - palms - evoke typing form , the corner of the case will likely dig into your palms or wrists , at least a little chip . I ’m a pretty unspoiled touch - typist with decent form , and it still bothered me on a regular basis .
A smaller pass along the iPad ’s bottom sharpness lets you connect Apple ’s USB - to - dock - connective cable to synchronise and lodge the iPad without remove it from the case . The Zaggmate itself charge via the admit USB - to - MicroUSB cable , which plug into a MicroUSB port wine next to the dock - connector opening . The Zaggmate ’s 510 mAh battery charges in a few hours and gives you several workweek of normal habit per charge . ( The keyboard mechanically kip after a period of inactiveness to preserve power . ) There are no other openings around the edge , which mean that if you require to plug in your headphones to listen to medicine while on the move , you ’re out of luck .
Compact keyboard, good and bad
Like every other keyboard compositor’s case currently out there , the Zaggmate ’s keyboard connect to your iPad wirelessly using Bluetooth . The pairing process is quick and easy , and once copulate , the keyboard mechanically reconnects whenever you sprain it on . ( An On / Off switch lets you move around off the keyboard when you ’re not using it . ) In case you ’re curious , yes , you may pair the keyboard with an iPhone , which sits nicely in the Zaggmate ’s work up - in stand ; however , you may pair the keyboard with only one gimmick at a sentence .
They keyboard itself uses laptop - style scissor keys that have about the same amount of travel — the aloofness you have to push a Francis Scott Key to enroll a part — as those on Apple ’s current keyboard . The Zaggmate keyboard ’s keys feel a tad soft when pressed , compared to those on Apple ’s keyboards , but not nearly as drippy as the caoutchouc / silicone keyboard used in many of the folio - dash keyboard cases we ’re currently examine . For on - the - go typing , the feel of the keys is okay .
The biggest drawback to the Zaggmate ’s keyboard is that the key are small than most laptop - keyboard keys — they’re more netbook - sized — and crowded more closely together , so if you ’re used to touch - typing on a full - sizing keyboard , you ’ll chance yourself defecate quite a few mistakes until you get used to the smaller overall size .
gratefully , the Zaggmate offer a full slate of received key , and most key are in their proper locating . This include Fn , Control , Option , and Command keys to the left of Spacebar ; and Command , Option , and Fn to the right . The presence of these modifier keys in their correct localization make it easy to use stock Mac OS X keyboard shortcuts for editing functions such as copying and pasting text .
The only standard keys that cause me problems were the directing - pointer keys . or else of being put in the traditional invert - thyroxine layout , the left over and correct arrow keys are site directly under the right - mitt faulting key , with the up and down arrow keys to therightof the Shift samara . Even after a couple weeks of use , I regularly ended up incite the cursor to the awry locating . How heavy of an chafe this will be depends on how often you use the pointer keys .
As with most iPad keyboard cases , many samara in the Zaggmate ’s top row deed as particular - function button by nonremittal . From left to rightfulness , Escape serves as Home ; then you get Spotlight , Slideshow , Show / Hide Onscreen Keyboard , Screen Sleep , F5 , F6 , F7 , F8 , F9 , Previous Track , Play / Pause , Next Track , Mute , Volume Down , Volume Up , and International . ( The external key lets you chop-chop cycle through multiple keyboard if you ’ve enabled that feature in International options . ) To use these keys as standard Escape and F - keys , you hold down the Fn headstone .
My only charge here is that by crowding this top row so nigh to the row below it — and because the key are already smaller than normal — I oftentimes hit one of the special - single-valued function keys accidentally . For some of these keys , an accidental tap is n’t too offensive ; with others , such as the Home samara , it means a jarring suspension of your work .
last , it ’s worth note that as with all other outside keyboard , you ’ll likely find yourself disappointed by what you ca n’t do when paired with an iPad . For example , you ca n’t use the pointer keys to navigate messages in Mail , or to move between photos in the Photos app . But this is a limitation of iOS itself , rather than the Zaggmate ’s keyboard .
Macworld’s buying advice
Some people will channelize out , correctly , that when you add the weight and size of a keyboard case to the iPad , you end up with something that ’s a lot faithful in size and weight to an actual laptop . So why not just get a laptop computer ? For many hoi polloi , the answer is that they enjoy the iPad for the thing that it does that a MacBook or MacBook Air ca n’t , but they also need the option to lug along a keyboard sometimes . A keyboard typesetter’s case pass on you that tractableness along with a stand and some protection in a exclusive software program . On the other handwriting , if you ’ve already let a favorite iPad vitrine , Apple ’s own travel - well-disposed Wireless Keyboard offers a better typewriting experience than does any keyboard case we ’ve thus far tested — albeit with fewer limited - function key — for only $ 69 ; you just ask an inexpensive travel outdoor stage .
If you ’re considering the keyboard - case route , the Zaggmate iPad Case with Keyboard is a unequaled option that volunteer a much better experience than the iPad ’s onscreen keyboard when you need to do serious typewriting , and it rent you put your iPad in either portrait or landscape painting mode . We liked the Zaggmate enough to give it aMacworld Best of Show awardat January ’s Macworld 2011 trade show . However , the Zaggmate is n’t pure — its keys are humble and cramped , it does n’t offer the all - over protection of most other keyboard cases , and its alloy sharpness require good typing form . If you require an iPad keyboard case right now , the Zaggmate is worth a serious flavor ; however , there are other hopeful models on the mode fromAdonit , Clamcase , andRocketfish , just to name a few . We ’ll be reviewing those and more in the come weeks .
[ Dan Frakes is a senior editor in chief for Macworld . ]
