New logitech keyboard case!

[nuprotocol]

Keyboard is off preorder and now avail to Add to Cart. Still can't get the code to work. But I placed my order anyway.. lol

 

[nalpakj]

When did you place your order? When did you notice it went to shipped? I just placed mine, and did 2day shipping. Hoping to get it this friday. lol

I preordered it as soon as they announced the product...a few weeks ago. I got an email notification that it was shipping on Spetember 8th.

 

[millemots]

Wonder how long before Worst Purchase has it in stock. I'd like to check it out in person before plunking down the coin.

Sent from my SCH-I510 using Tapatalk

 

[nalpakj]

So there will be no fancy unboxing video here...in fact no video at all. But I do have some pictures and first impressions after using it briefly.

Keyboard Build Quality/Physical Features
The build itself seems to be very solid. The outer casing is more than enough to protect the tab from any impact on the screen. It's got a nice long cutout along the bottom of the keyboard so your fingers/hands aren't resting uncomfortably over the ridge of the case. It's got cutouts for each speaker and the Sammy port. The cutouts will make it easy to charge or keep audio going while you have the tab stored in the case.

Keyboard Layout/Keys/Buttons
As far as the keyboard, it's not bad. It's a little cramped but that's to be expected since it just covers the footprint of the tab. This sort of product will be difficult to make for a 7 inch tab...I can't see it getting any smaller than this. Power button and connect button are on the top right of the keyboard, positioned behind the tab when using the keyboard.

There are 14 convenience/shortcut keys above the numeric row for Cut, Copy, Paste, Email, Web, Voice Search, Contacts, Previous (Audio), Play/Pause (Audio), Next (Audio), Vol Up, Vol Down and Lock (which locks and powers off when the tab is on...and conversely powers on when the tab is off). Additionally there are dedicated Menu, Search, Home and Back keys. All the other keys are run of the mill keyboard buttons.

Pairing and Use
The keyboard paired up with no problems at all and the responsiveness was very nice for both typing and when using the shortcut/navigation buttons. As mentioned above, the keyboard is understandably a little cramped but unless you've got big sausage fingers it's definitely usable.

Tablet Storage and Positioning
This is the one area where I have a couple issues and where others might also.

First, there is no protection for the back of the tablet when it's stored in the keyboard. I knew this going in and to be honest it doesn't bother me much. More than no back protection, I'm [slightly] bothered by the gap between the tab and the keyboard when looking at it from the front. It's a necessary thing based on the design of the product but is an area where the screen does have some sort of exposure when stored.

Second, storing the tablet in the keyboard and removing it is a little awkward. If you look at the closeup picture showing the corner of the keyboard you can see that you have the metal portion of the case which is a sturdy 16" inch thick but then there is a 16" inch heavy foam rubber type padding that goes around the inner perimeter of the case. It's the tight fit of the tab within this rubber padding that holds it in the case. Because the fit needs to be tight enough to hold the tab in place (within reason..I gave it a few good shakes and it didn't move at all but wouldn't go too far with it) it's also a little difficult to get the tab into it all the way. I found after I stored and removed it several times it got a little easier and the overfit didn't seem to suffer. But it's not a simple 'lay the tab in and click to secure' process.

Third, when the keyboard is in use and the table is upright there is nothing firmly holding the tab in place. It rests in a well that runs the width of the keyboard (just between the keys and the 'Logitech' logo) but the slight angle of the tab towards the back is what holds it in place but there is nothing stopping it from falling forwards towards you (asuming it got knocked, or you lifted it up while in this position). Because of this I think it'll be fine for use on a table top but holding it on your lap could have mixed results depending on how much you move around.

Pros/Cons/Summary
Pro: Solidly made
Pro: Pairs Easily
Pro: Highly responsive keyboard with some useful shortcut keys
Pro: Cutouts for charing port and speakers allow easy access while tab is stored
Pro: Good combo of keyboard and protection for the screen without the need for two separate accessories

Con: A little difficult to store in the case
Con: Slightly unstable when in use for anything other than on a table/solid surface

Overall I think I'm happy with it and will give it a good try for a couple weeks. A nice addition to the design would have been a back cover to the case that 'locked' to the existing component which would have resulted in easier storage and removal AND solid 360 degree protection. Also, if designed right that back cover could have doubled as some sort of more stable support for the keyboard while it was in use so it wasn't relying solely on the well that it sits in when typing.

 

[nalpakj]

A couple more images with the tab in use...

 

[Need A Beach]

Looks good. Is there a micro-usb port on the side? Also, can the tab be inserted in portrait orientation? Is the groove in the keyboard deep enough to keep it stable in that position?

Thanks for the review!

 

[werkx]

@nalpakj, thanks for the detail pics and info. what is the micro-USB port (or is that mini? i keep getting them mixed up) on the side of the keyboard for? looks like my concern with stability of the tablet wedging in the well of the keyboard is true. too bad.

 

[tdosthp]

Just to add to what has already been said.

I received mine the other day. I agree with what Nalpakj said, but also want to add...THIS CASE IS NOT MADE FOR THE 4G VERSION. This case covers the volume and, partially, the power button. It will also press the power button, through contact with the padding, when face down in the case. The side cutouts for the speakers also don't align with the speakers on the 4G version.

Other than that, I am pleased. Typing on this keyboard is not bad, and my table reacts (pairing) to this keyboard better than it does with the Logitech tablet keyboard.

 

[nalpakj]

It can hold it in portrait. it's not as stable but holds it well enough.

 

[nalpakj]

That micro port is to charge the keyboard.

 

[dsullinger]

Just to add to what has already been said.

I received mine the other day. I agree with what Nalpakj said, but also want to add...THIS CASE IS NOT MADE FOR THE 4G VERSION. This case covers the volume and, partially, the power button. It will also press the power button, through contact with the padding, when face down in the case. The side cutouts for the speakers also don't align with the speakers on the 4G version.

Other than that, I am pleased. Typing on this keyboard is not bad, and my table reacts (pairing) to this keyboard better than it does with the Logitech tablet keyboard.

I took an Exacto knife and trimmed the rubber padding where it contacts the buttons. Should be fine.

 

[tdosthp]

Thought about doing the same thing last night.

 

[Mr_Christopher]

I have the Samsung keyboard dock which works perfectly for me but I have to remove the tablet from the leather case thingy to put it in the dock, I also have to carry them both in a bag when I travel. Less than ideal but very functional. I saw an iPad user who's tablet slid into a leather case that had a bluetooth keyboard built in, and a thing that allowed you to fold it so the tablet was upright. I had hoped the Logitech was going to be the same but it appears, like the Samsung keyboard, it is two separate devices that you have to attach each time.

Am I getting this correctly?

 

[nuprotocol]

Not sure what your asking but there are youtube video reviews. Maybe that'll answer your question.

 

[millemots]

I have the Samsung keyboard dock which works perfectly for me but I have to remove the tablet from the leather case thingy to put it in the dock, I also have to carry them both in a bag when I travel. Less than ideal but very functional. I saw an iPad user who's tablet slid into a leather case that had a bluetooth keyboard built in, and a thing that allowed you to fold it so the tablet was upright. I had hoped the Logitech was going to be the same but it appears, like the Samsung keyboard, it is two separate devices that you have to attach each time.

Am I getting this correctly?

Yes, the aluminum keyboard is a separate piece. They do, however, also make a folio-style keyboard case like you are describing for the iPod.

Sent from my GT-P7510 using Tapatalk

 

[Mr_Christopher]

I saw one last night at Best Buy, yeah it's a two piece gig. Had I not bought the Samsung keyboard docking station I might be interested in it, but it's still a two piece gizmo like what I have now, only more convenient in that it doubles as a case. It's cooler than what I'm doing now but not cool enough to make me want to buy it.

If it were like the one for the iPad I'd make the switch, but it's just not compelling enough for me to do so. But heck yeah get this instead of the keyboard that I bought.