Logitech Ultrathin: it's an iPad keyboard, it's an iPad cover
TweetFollow Us on Twitter

Logitech Ultrathin: it's an iPad keyboard, it's an iPad cover

Logitech (http://www.logitech.com)'s new US$99.99 Ultrathin Keyboard Cover is a keyboard for the new iPad, as well as the iPad 2. No, wait, it's a cover/screen protector. Actually, it's all of these in a compact, practical package.

If you frequently use a keyboard with your iPad, but find the cases that sport integrated keyboards too bulky, the new Logitech solution is for you. It's lighter and slimmer than those solutions, but has a keyboard that's easier to stow and take with you than a stand-alone Bluetooth keyboard.

The Ultrathin Keyboard Cover -- which looks stylish and sleek with its piano-black finish -- protects the iPad screen with a slim aluminum cover that adds minimal weight to your tablet. The cover packs a built-in keyboard that pairs through Bluetooth. The keyboard’s built-in stand holds the Apple tablet at a 60 degree angle for typing when you set up the keyboard.

The Ultrathin also works as a replacement for Apple's Smart Cover -- which is good, since you can't use both products together. Similar to a Smart Cover, the Logitech solution attaches to your iPad with a magnetic clip. It has an instant on/off feature, so the tablet automatically wakes up when you open the cover, and switches to standby when you close it. The cover/keyboard combo sports iPad-specific function keys for enhanced navigation.

Logitech says the Ultrathin has a six-month battery life (based on two hours-per-day usage). Since I've had it for less than two weeks, I can't attest to that, so we'll have to take Logitech's word. My Ultrathin came partially charged, but I'd recommend doing a full charge before using it. To do so, you plug one end of the micro-USB charging cable into the keyboard cover and the other into an USB port on your Mac. Charge the batteries when the status light turns green.

To pair the Ultrathin with your iPad:

° Make sure the Keyboard Cover is turned on.

° Check that your iPad’s Bluetooth feature is on. Select Settings > General > Bluetooth > On.

° Press the Bluetooth Connect Button. The Keyboard Cover is discoverable for 3 min.

° Select Logitech Ultrathin KB cover on the iPad’s Devices menu.

° If your iPad requests a PIN, enter the code using the Keyboard Cover and not your iPad’s virtual keyboard. After the Bluetooth connection is made, the Status light briefly turns blue, and then it turns off.

° Place the new iPad on the Keyboard Cover.

To remove the Ultrathin and prepare it and your iPad for travel:

° Lift the iPad from the Keyboard Cover.

° Rotate the iPad, with the screen side down, so the Home button is on the right.

° Place the iPad on to the Keyboard Cover. A magnetic clip holds the iPad in position.

The keyboard has a firm tactile feedback when you type, though the keys are a bit cramped and could pose a problem for big hands -- at least the delete, return, tab, and function keys that are off to the side. Thankfully, the QWERTY keys seem less "squeezed together."

You should note that the Ultrathin is a cover, not a full-fledged case, and it doesn't protect the back of the tablet. You'll need a separate protective case for this.

I also worried that the keyboard cover would scratch my iPad's screen. This hasn't happened. Logitech says that's because rubber bumpers at the keyboard's corners prevent contact with the screen when the Ultrathin is used as a cover.

Finally, I wish you could fold the keyboard around to the back when you don't need it instead of having to remove it completely. For this you need something like the ZaGGFolio (see our review at http://macte.ch/DpmrD ).

That said, for a compact keyboard solution that offers at least some iPad protection, the Ultrathin is worth considering.

Rating: 8 out of 10

-- Dennis Sellers

 

Community Search:
MacTech Search:

Software Updates via MacUpdate

Latest Forum Discussions

See All

Six fantastic ways to spend National Vid...
As if anyone needed an excuse to play games today, I am about to give you one: it is National Video Games Day. A day for us to play games, like we no doubt do every day. Let’s not look a gift horse in the mouth. Instead, feast your eyes on this... | Read more »
Old School RuneScape players turn out in...
The sheer leap in technological advancements in our lifetime has been mind-blowing. We went from Commodore 64s to VR glasses in what feels like a heartbeat, but more importantly, the internet. It can be a dark mess, but it also brought hundreds of... | Read more »
Today's Best Mobile Game Discounts...
Every day, we pick out a curated list of the best mobile discounts on the App Store and post them here. This list won't be comprehensive, but it every game on it is recommended. Feel free to check out the coverage we did on them in the links below... | Read more »
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's...
Unless you have been living under a rock, you know that Nintendo has been locked in an epic battle with Pocketpair, creator of the obvious Pokémon rip-off Palworld. Nintendo often resorts to legal retaliation at the drop of a hat, but it seems this... | Read more »
Apple exclusive mobile games don’t make...
If you are a gamer on phones, no doubt you have been as distressed as I am on one huge sticking point: exclusivity. For years, Xbox and PlayStation have done battle, and before this was the Sega Genesis and the Nintendo NES. On console, it makes... | Read more »
Regionally exclusive events make no sens...
Last week, over on our sister site AppSpy, I babbled excitedly about the Pokémon GO Safari Days event. You can get nine Eevees with an explorer hat per day. Or, can you? Specifically, you, reader. Do you have the time or funds to possibly fly for... | Read more »
As Jon Bellamy defends his choice to can...
Back in March, Jagex announced the appointment of a new CEO, Jon Bellamy. Mr Bellamy then decided to almost immediately paint a huge target on his back by cancelling the Runescapes Pride event. This led to widespread condemnation about his perceived... | Read more »
Marvel Contest of Champions adds two mor...
When I saw the latest two Marvel Contest of Champions characters, I scoffed. Mr Knight and Silver Samurai, thought I, they are running out of good choices. Then I realised no, I was being far too cynical. This is one of the things that games do best... | Read more »
Grass is green, and water is wet: Pokémo...
It must be a day that ends in Y, because Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket has kicked off its Zoroark Drop Event. Here you can get a promo version of another card, and look forward to the next Wonder Pick Event and the next Mass Outbreak that will be... | Read more »
Enter the Gungeon review
It took me a minute to get around to reviewing this game for a couple of very good reasons. The first is that Enter the Gungeon's style of roguelike bullet-hell action is teetering on the edge of being straight-up malicious, which made getting... | Read more »

Price Scanner via MacPrices.net

Take $150 off every Apple 11-inch M3 iPad Air
Amazon is offering a $150 discount on 11-inch M3 WiFi iPad Airs right now. Shipping is free: – 11″ 128GB M3 WiFi iPad Air: $449, $150 off – 11″ 256GB M3 WiFi iPad Air: $549, $150 off – 11″ 512GB M3... Read more
Apple iPad minis back on sale for $100 off MS...
Amazon is offering $100 discounts (up to 20% off) on Apple’s newest 2024 WiFi iPad minis, each with free shipping. These are the lowest prices available for new minis among the Apple retailers we... Read more
Apple’s 16-inch M4 Max MacBook Pros are on sa...
Amazon has 16-inch M4 Max MacBook Pros (Silver and Black colors) on sale for up to $410 off Apple’s MSRP right now. Shipping is free. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather than a third-party... Read more
Red Pocket Mobile is offering a $150 rebate o...
Red Pocket Mobile has new Apple iPhone 17’s on sale for $150 off MSRP when you switch and open up a new line of service. Red Pocket Mobile is a nationwide MVNO using all the major wireless carrier... Read more
Switch to Verizon, and get any iPhone 16 for...
With yesterday’s introduction of the new iPhone 17 models, Verizon responded by running “on us” promos across much of the iPhone 16 lineup: iPhone 16 and 16 Plus show as $0/mo for 36 months with bill... Read more
Here is a summary of the new features in Appl...
Apple’s September 2025 event introduced major updates across its most popular product lines, focusing on health, performance, and design breakthroughs. The AirPods Pro 3 now feature best-in-class... Read more
Apple’s Smartphone Lineup Could Use A Touch o...
COMMENTARY – Whatever happened to the old adage, “less is more”? Apple’s smartphone lineup. — which is due for its annual refresh either this month or next (possibly at an Apple Event on September 9... Read more
Take $50 off every 11th-generation A16 WiFi i...
Amazon has Apple’s 11th-generation A16 WiFi iPads in stock on sale for $50 off MSRP right now. Shipping is free: – 11″ 11th-generation 128GB WiFi iPads: $299 $50 off MSRP – 11″ 11th-generation 256GB... Read more
Sunday Sale: 14-inch M4 MacBook Pros for up t...
Don’t pay full price! Amazon has Apple’s 14-inch M4 MacBook Pros (Silver and Black colors) on sale for up to $220 off MSRP right now. Shipping is free. Be sure to select Amazon as the seller, rather... Read more
Mac mini with M4 Pro CPU back on sale for $12...
B&H Photo has Apple’s Mac mini with the M4 Pro CPU back on sale for $1259, $140 off MSRP. B&H offers free 1-2 day shipping to most US addresses: – Mac mini M4 Pro CPU (24GB/512GB): $1259, $... Read more

Jobs Board

All contents are Copyright 1984-2011 by Xplain Corporation. All rights reserved. Theme designed by Icreon.