Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program Oh my goodness, I love this thing! I've used three different regular cases, a mini bluetooth keyboard, and a keyboard/case combo. I did not expect this to be vastly different from the other keyboard case that I tried.First of all, this is a hard case. It does not flex. The other keyboard case that I tried was rigid/stiff, but it could flex a tiny bit. That means that when closed, part of the keyboard could make contact with the iPad screen. Maybe that's nothing, but I don't like anything that isn't soft touching the iPad's screen. This case was built with close tolerances. When closed, the keyboard comes very close to the screen, but does not touch it. If you hold it up to the light, you can see the tiny separation. If you don't believe your eyes, you will find that you can slide a sheet of paper between the keyboard and iPad when the case is closed.
The bluetooth syncing/linking was easy. Also, there is no physical switch to turn the keyboard off and on like there was on my other keyboard case. The keypad is engaged when the keyboard is in one of its three possible reclining positions. The case magnetically "snaps" into one of the three reclining positions. Snap it out and bluetooth goes off. No more worrying that you forgot to turn off the bluetooth switch.
There are two trade-offs. A trade-off is not a flaw. It is a feature whose existence means that something else is necessarily lost or diminished. For some, trade-offs are good, and for others not so good. For me, both trade-offs are good.
Trade-off #1: The sound deflector over the speakers directs sound toward the user. It amplifies it a little and also makes it quieter for those who are not in front of the device. A larger deflector (including your own cupped palm) does the job better, but then it would look ugly and get in the way. I prefer a deflector that does a moderate job but is unobtrusive and looks good. That's better than one that works great but looks like a bullhorn stuck on your case.
Trade-off #2: The case is not hinged. That means it does not open predictably like a book. The two portions of this case are "tethered" together by a strong, wide, and thin material. This makes it easier for butterfingers to fumble with, but it allows the case to do something that a hinged case cannot do. You can flip the keyboard section in back of the iPad section with the keys facing away from you or toward you. In this configuration, the sections are "stacked". It's like folding a magazine so that the rest of the magazine is behind the page you are reading. But a magazine is hinged. The part folded back is always facing away from you. Another way to say it is that you can flip the keyboard directly behind and parallel to the iPad, with the keys facing away from or toward the iPad. I much prefer the keys to be facing toward the iPad. That way, my fingers are contacting the smooth outer case instead of the keys on the keyboard. Bravo. I like this tethering feature, even if it does require one to be a little more careful.
How about the feel of the keyboard? No complaints.
Scratching? I tend to treat my electronic stuff with care. But I'm not a fanatic about it. I do a normal amount of sliding it around (metal side down) on tables and such. There is no scratching that I can see.
While in the library using my iPad to do word processing with Pages 09, I felt like taking a break and browsing a bit. I wondered if I could stand it up in portrait orientation. I expected it to utterly fail as it was not designed to do this. But much to my delight, it can stand up on its side. Sure, it stands vertically (can't tilt the screen), but I tend to slink down in my chair when I relax so it was no problem!
Finally, this case looks good. It looks cool. It's slimmer than even the non-keyboard cases I've used. The smooth finish and the perfect way it mates up with the iPad is something to admire. I have an urge to show it off. OK, it's more than just an urge I show it off whenever the I get the chance :-)
There are three magnetic slots behind the keyboard that lock the iPad frame into one of 3 viewing angles. These slots double as on/off switches for the keyboard. Once you pair the keyboard with your iPad it will automatically connect in seconds when you place the cover in one of the slots and disconnect when removed.
The back of the iPad is completely enclosed and protected while allowing full access to all controls, ports and cameras. The case also has wake/sleep magnets. Because the aluminum side of the case holds the keyboard it is the bottom and placing it on a rough surface can scratch the case.
My iPad 4 in this case weighs 2 pounds 6 1/2 oz., 6 oz. heavier than in a leather folio case without a keyboard. You can fold the iPad over the keyboard to use as a tablet or hold as a reader but you can really feel that extra 6 oz. when holding it so it is not practical to use that way. Unfortunately there is no portrait orientation for this case.
The full qwerty keyboard is small but has a good feel and is easy to use. There are shortcut keys for cut, copy, paste and search. Also keyboard volume, play/pause forward and reverse. There is a home screen key and a microphone key that will bring up Siri.
This case provides great protection and would be a good choice for someone who needs to carry their iPad for school or work. I like the convenience of a keyboard and think this case is the best available. Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program The Belkin Belkin Ultimate Wireless Keyboard and Case for iPad 2, 3rd Gen and 4th Gen iPads performs exactly as advertised. It has a complete wireless QWERTY keyboard, about 10% smaller than the standard keyboard that is surprisingly responsive and comfortable to type on, with a bit of adjustment. It mates with the iPad via standard Bluetooth pairing. Out of the box, it literally takes but a few seconds to have your iPad snapped into the plastic top holder and paired with the keyboard. There is no on-off switch. Simply set the back containing the iPad into one of three small notches in the keyboard/base unit and the keyboard is powers up. Take the iPad out of a slot and the keyboard goes off. Removing the iPad is also a snap.
The unit is charged via a USB cable and claims to be good for 160 hours. I have no idea if that is true or not, but I have not had to charge it since the first time, and I've had it for couple of weeks (but I often use the iPad for reading with the keyboard folded with keys facing the the back of the iPad and therefore "off" ).
With the iPad set at one's desired angle (there are 3), the keyboard and iPad so resembles my MacBook Air that I keep looking for the track pad. There isn't one however, and it takes a bit of getting used to the thing to know when to touch the screen and when to use the keyboard. There are a number of function keys that are similar to those on a regular Mac keyboard for controlling sound (which is actually better with the case's little baffle that directs the sound forward than it is with a naked iPad), video and a home key that takes the place of the home button on the iPad. The arrow keys make editing text MUCH easier than the touch-drag and release that one must use on the touch screen itself. There is no manual (at least none that I could find, but there probably ought to be) to explain what some of the other function keys do. I am still discovering little surprises (e.g.., space bar returns you to the last open app when the iPad goes to sleep) and I expect to discover a few more.
The keyboard/case is reasonably light for the strength and protection afforded by its aluminum base, and the self contained keyboard, but it is heavier than the heavy duty Snuggs leather case that was the iPad's previous home. The keyboard folds out of the way in back of the iPad for reading, but the resulting sandwich is less comfortable for reading than with the iPad in my Snuggs case or caseless.
The biggest drawback is that the keyboard is 10% smaller than a regular keyboard so for (rather lame) touch typists like me, switching back and forth between the Belkin keyboard and one of my regular computers is (at least with my rather limited experience) troublesome. Maybe that will go away with more use.
Bottom line: The Belkin adds a considerably amount of functionality to the iPad for e-mail and text-based apps like Pages. Without it, one is basically reduced to typing with one or two fingers. With it, one can begin to approach the texting ability of a laptop or desktop computer for many applications with the much smaller and lighter iPad. On one of my next trips, I think I'll leave the laptop at home and try just the iPad with the Belkin.
Recommended.
J.M. Tepper Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program The Belkin Ulitmate Wireless keyboard connects via bluetooth to your iPad (2nd generation or later) and allows you to use it more like a traditional laptop. With more companies issuing tablets to their mobile workforce, this sort of accessory is extremely beneficial just ask anyone who has spent a day attempting to write emails or take meeting minutes via the on-screen keyboard.
The Belkin connected very easily to both my iPad 2 and 3, with each recognizing it almost instantly and mating to the keyboard with just a single press of a button. The keyboard itself is understandably smallish, but the keys themselves have good feel and action. The presses are perfectly responsive on the tablet's display as well. In short, it works very well as a keyboard for your iPad.
Where the Belkin really shines is in its weight it literally weighs almost nothing. It is also much thinner than other keyboard cases that I've used, e.g. the Zagg. My wife instantly swapped out her Zagg for this one based on this difference and hasn't looked back since. I was concerned about durability due to this light weight, but the Belkin has made several trips so far with no issues.
Your iPad slips into the case to cover and protect the back of the tablet. It has all of the necessary holes to uncover the camera, speakers, port, etc. It was easy to swap the tablet into and out of the cover, but the fit while in place was snug. The exterior of the case is silver aluminum, similar to the back of an iPad itself. This was the only problem with the keyboard case this aluminum cover scratches and scuffs easily. In fact, my case already had some buffing (looked like light sanding marks) on its exterior just from shipping. I can imagine that with heavy use, this effect will only get worse.
The case charges via an included USB cable. Battery life is good vs. other keyboard cases I've used.
Overall, the Belkin functions very well as a keyboard and also as a case provided you value lightweight portability over eternally shiny good looks. Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program There are times when the iPad's on-screen keyboard just is not sufficient and a "real" keyboard is necessary. This device is well thought out and works great in that regard. The case does a good job protecting the iPad which snaps snugly into one side. The unit took a minute or two (and being opened / closed a couple times, there is no "on" switch) to activate but from then on pairs automatically. The design is very clever in that the cover can be opened completely and folded behind the iPad to use it normally or can magnetically attach at 3 points to adjust viewing angle when used like a laptop with the keyboard.
I compare directly to the Zagg keyboard which I have for an iPad1 which was not bad but this is far superior I had been searching for a keyboard for my iPad3 and this fits the bill perfectly. The Zagg unit clips over the old iPad1 and the lip of that makes it difficult to type on like typing in a bowl. This unit lays flat and also by attaching to the iPad is much more stable. It allows the iPad to be used just like a laptop.
Overall, I am very happy with this unit and would highly recommend it.
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