Review: Logitech Ultrathin for iPad Air

One of the most important relationships a writer will ever have is with his or her keyboard. A great keyboard can help coax the words from your fingertips, not to mention keep you typing longer. On the flip side, a poorly designed keyboard can be the ultimate form of writer's block.

Not long ago, I had beautiful relationship with a Bluetooth keyboard for my third-gen iPad. It was the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover, and it was amazing. The battery life was ridiculous, the keys were perfectly spaced, and the viewing angle was ideal. Then I switched iPads. Twice.

I now own an iPad Air. And as luck would have it, Logitech recently announced it was releasing the second version of its Ultrathin Keyboard Cover with the same $100 price tag, designed specifically for the table.

This latest iteration brings a few welcome changes: a thinner design, an adjustable viewing angle, and a collapsable hinge. You can adjust the magnetic track you place your iPad in to accommodate a viewing angle ranging from 50 to 70 degrees. Typically when using the keyboard, I've found the 70-degree viewing angle is best, both when sitting and standing at a desk. You just need to remember to close the track by gently pushing down on it before using the keyboard as cover.

The key size and spacing feels close to what you'd find on the Macbook Air keyboard. Granted, it's not quite as spacious, but it does give that impression. For those familiar with typing on an Apple keyboard, the learning curve should be negligible. Each keyboard is different, however, and there's always going to be some sort of adjustment period.

One habit keyboard case manufacturers (Logitech included) have embraced lately is combining random special character keys in order to shrink down their size. This is obviously most apparent in keyboards for the iPad Mini, but full-size iPad keyboards are also guilty. In the Ultrathin's case, Logitech managed to mirror a full-sized keyboard layout without compromise. Special characters are on the keys your muscle memory tells you is correct, which is great.

Instead of a row of F-keys, the Ultrathin has iPad specific action keys. These include a home button key, an iOS multitasking key, as well as keys for Siri, media controls, and taking screenshots. That latter is a particularly nice addition.

As you can guess from its name, the keyboard also doubles as a cover. Using the same mounting technique as Apple's Smart Cover, the Ultrathin covers the screen of your iPad. Small pieces of rubber on the front corners of the keyboard are slightly taller than the keys, providing a place for the iPad to touch when closed. This prevents accidental scratches by ensuring your iPad's screen doesn't actually rest on the keys.

To attach the keyboard as a case, Logitech developed a collapsable hinge that automatically hides when you remove the iPad. This hinge lifts up as you move the edge of the iPad towards it, latching onto the iPad's magnets. At least, that's how it's supposed to work. Initially, I had a hard time getting the hinge to actually attach itself to the iPad. As soon as I would put the keyboard near it, it would raise up. But unless I positioned the iPad in a specific spot it would simply close back up. More often than not, I would end up opening the back hinge by hand when attaching the iPad to it. Then I discovered the secret: You have to lay the iPad at about a 15-degree angle and slowly move it back towards the hinge.

With typical usage of two hours per day, Logitech claims the battery will last up to three months. I haven't had time to test that, but I can tell you the same claim was made for its predecessor. And in my experience, the three month estimate was on the low end.

The keyboard itself measures in at a mere 6.4 mm thick. Compared to the iPad Air, it's about 1 mm thinner. Together, the iPad Air and keyboard weigh just under 2 pounds. At that weight, you can throw it in your bag for a weekend trip and it'd be hard to notice the additional bulk.

Using the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for the iPad Air felt like I had been reunited with a long lost friend. Whether you're a fan of the original, or are just looking for a smooth typing experience on the latest iPad, this is the keyboard you're looking for.