Summary: The keyboard cover that Logitech has produced for the iPad Air is even thinner than the svelte tablet.
Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for iPad Air (Image: James Kendrick/ZDNet) 
iPad Air and Ultrathin Keyboard Cover (Image: James Kendrick/ZDNet) The iPad Air is the best tablet from Apple produced so far. The company trimmed it down compared to the previous generation iPad, and made it the lightest ~10-inch tablet. That weight loss means that most keyboard accessories no longer fit, so a new one is in order. Enter the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover for the iPad Air, an accessory that lives up to its name.
Specs:
- Dimensions: (L x W x H): 240mm x 169.5mm x 7.3mm, 9.44in x 6.67in x 0.29in
- Weight: 330g, 0.73lb
iPad Air and Ultrathin Keyboard Cover (Image: James Kendrick/ZDNet)
The Ultrathin Keyboard Cover is a keyboard that attaches to the iPad Air via a magnetic hinge. Just bring the edge of the Air near the hinge and it snaps onto the tablet securely. Once attached the duo can be closed like a book for transport. Opening/closing the two uses Smart Cover technology to wake/sleep the iPad Air.
The tablet can be separated from the cover with a gentle twisting motion while holding both the iPad Air and the Ultrathin Keyboard Cover. It’s thus easier to use the iPad Air alone than with some other cases. This makes the tradeoff of only providing protection to the screen of the iPad Air worthwhile.
The opposite side of the keyboard is brushed aluminum and is very similar to the finish on the iPad Air. It might be prone to scratches but two little rubber feet look to minimize that while providing non-slip footing for using the keyboard.
The iPad Air fits into a slot above the keyboard, and is held securely via magnets in the slot. The whole assembly can be lifted by the iPad, although the keyboard could possibly detach when doing so.
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The keyboard is the shining jewel of the Ultrathin Keyboard Cover. The chiclet keys are nicely spaced on the undersized keyboard, and give good tactile feedback when keys are pressed. Even with big hands, touch typing is not only possible but can be done at a good speed. This review was written using the Ultrathin Keyboard Cover and iPad Air with no issues nor complaints.
The top row of keys doubles as a number row and also some special iPad control keys when pressed with the Fn key. These keys include a Home, Siri, Screen Lock, and media player controls. In an interesting move Logitech has moved the Cut, Copy, and Paste keys, often found on this row, to the X,C, and V keys. Those functions are performed by holding the Fn key while hitting one of the three keys noted. This makes performing these functions on the Ultrathin more like the familiar action on Windows PCs and Macs.
Like most keyboards for the iPad, the Ultrathin Keyboard Cover connects to the tablet via Bluetooth. The pairing process only takes a few seconds and is started by a dedicated button on the keyboard.
microUSB, power, pairing (Image: James Kendrick/ZDNet)
A standard microUSB cable (included) is used to charge the keyboard. A charge should last three months with typical usage.
The Ultrathin Keyboard Cover is available in major retail outlets, and from Logitech for $ 99.99. It is the thinnest, lightest keyboard option currently available for the iPad Air. The Logitech Ultrathin Folio previously reviewed by ZDNet is thicker and heavier.
Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover (Image: James Kendrick/ZDNet)
See related:
- iPad Air: One week in
- iPad Air: Best tablet ever made
- ZAGGkeys Folio: Perfect keyboard companion for the iPad Air (hands on)
- Lure of the iPad Air
- iPad Air: Color me surprised
- iPad Air: No Apple keyboard needed
- 2 keyboards for iPad Air: ZAGGkeys Folio and ZAGGkeys Cover
- 5 good office apps for the iPad
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