01 Jun
Blog

Logitech Combo Touch Review: An Awesome Keyboard Case

Logitech Combo Touch

"The Logitech Combo Touch is certainly the best keyboard case for mid-range iPad models."

  • Excellent protection

  • The keyboard feels great

  • Good touchpad

  • Affordable price

The iPad is now a laptop. Whether it's a good alternative is up for debate, but with the right accessories, it's now possible to drop an old school clamshell for the best tablet in the world. Apple's own Magic Keyboard is a good choice if you have a recent iPad Pro. However, if you need a full keyboard and touchpad for another iPad model, you'll need to look elsewhere.

Logitech's Combo Touch is at the top of your list. It is the only keyboard case with a touchpad that supports the iPad Pro 10.5-inch, the iPad Air and the iPad of the 7th generation. The price is also around $ 150. This undercuts most third-party iPad keyboards with a touchpad, such as For example, the $ 200 Brydge Pro +.

As a result, the Logitech Combo Touch becomes the standard choice for some iPad owners. It's a good thing he's excellent.

Function over form

The Logitech combo touch doesn't fit the shape you'd expect from an Apple accessory. Third parties who develop products that work with Apple's popular devices often try to mimic Apple's appearance. Not here. Instead, Logitech offers a chunky, playful shell that focuses on ease of use. This corresponds to other current Apple accessories from Logitech, such as the Crayon pen and the Pebble i345 mouse.

I tested the Logitech Combo Touch with my iPad Pro 10.5 inch. This model also fits the 3rd generation iPad Air (owners of a 7th generation iPad have to buy a version that is specific to their device, but only slightly different in thickness).

You would have to push the thing straight up to do damage.

Although I didn't flip my iPad around to see if it survived, I'm confident with the Combo Touch on my iPad. This thing is a Thicc Boi, which has a lot of padding on each side and a clearly raised lip around the iPad display. With the keyboard cover that protects the display closed, you must push the object straight up to cause damage.

It has a non-slip fabric surface on the front and back of the iPad that prevents the tablet from jumping out of your hand.

Logitech Combo Touch outsideMatthew S. Smith / Digital Trends

The disadvantage of this protection is that it increases the weight. The Logitech Combo Touch weighs a total of 21 ounces. That's over a pound! The device connected to my iPad Pro 10.5-inch brought the total weight of the device to 29 ounces without the keyboard cover attached. This makes the full unit a whopping 40 ounces. That's 2.5 pounds.

I don't think weight is a problem for the trip. My iPad is still light with the Combo Touch attached and still fits in any backpack or shoulder bag. The real problem is using tablets, as this case almost doubles the weight of my iPad and makes it more tiring to use when holding it.

The Combo Touch didn't bother buttons or connections – a surprise given its size. I had no problems accessing the flash or headphone jack on my iPad and the volume buttons kept working. You might have problems if you have a device with a particularly large connector – I've seen some powerful 3.5mm jacks on high-end headphones – but none of my devices had a problem.

In this case the combo touch is mixed. The mass can be annoying, but is not without advantages. That's why I only removed my iPad Pro from the case once (and returned it soon). The combo touch case offers excellent protection and makes it easier to hold the iPad Pro with one or both hands.

The keyboard is much better than you think

I wasn't sure what to expect from the combo touch keyboard. I've been checking laptops long enough to remember the netbook era, and these tiny PCs left a distinctly sour impression on my cramped hands. While the Combo Touch offers more volume, the overall package is slightly smaller than most netbooks I've used.

Surprisingly, the combo touch is comfortable. Logitech only has one hair that more than 10 inches of iPad can work with, but the company uses every inch with a borderless button layout. No space is wasted here. The keyboard is backlit and is powered by the iPad via the Smart Connector.

Logitech combo touch keyboardMatthew S. Smith / Digital Trends

A spacious layout is supported by clicking buttons that feel great. I prefer to use the combo touch than the butterfly switch keyboard of older MacBooks. In short, don't worry about the keyboard. You will have no problem with that.

The touchpad is not that impressive, although it is known whether you own an inexpensive laptop or have ever used it. There is enough space for comfortable use and the surface responds. However, it's made of plastic, so it lacks the silky smooth feel you find on Apple's Magic Keyboard and Apple's MacBook laptops.

A stand is integrated in the housing part of the Combo Touch and is available even when the keyboard is not connected. The wide and sturdy stand made an admirable contribution to keeping my iPad on my lap. I was never afraid that the iPad could slide off or fold backwards.

It is worth noting that iPadOS supports the keyboard and the touchpad. You will find a number of function keys that provide easy access to various iPad functions. The touchpad allows you to perform multi-touch gestures that you would otherwise do on the iPad's touchscreen. Logitech's Combo Touch is a third-party accessory, but the integration between it and the iPad feels top-notch.

There's even a loop for storing your Apple Pencil or Logitech Crayon pen, although I don't have one either.

An affordable laptop alternative?

The Logitech Combo Touch keyboard and touchpad last up to hours. With the recently added full cursor support for iPadOS, you can perform many tasks that were once reserved for laptops. Does that mean you can buy this case for your current iPad and throw your laptop completely overboard?

Could be. It is certainly possible, but the answer is personal and depends on your willingness to change your workflow.

Can you buy this case for your current iPad and get rid of your laptop completely? Could be.

The Combo Touch offers advantages for the iPad. The display is smaller than most laptops, but it's bright, attractive, and you can touch it. Depending on the task, you can easily switch between using the iPad as a tablet or laptop. Traveling is a snap, whether you run 5 miles or fly 500.

The iOS ecosystem also doesn't have a big disadvantage – on the contrary, many apps now feel faster and more fluid than their PC or Mac counterparts. Thanks to its display and the reasonably powerful GPU, the iPad is undoubtedly better in terms of entertainment than any inexpensive notebook.

Logitech Combo Touch caseMatthew S. Smith / Digital Trends

It is not all good news. Despite its advantages and new multitasking functions, iPadOS is not suitable for situations in which you open several apps and work side by side or have to switch frequently between them. Since iPad apps are touch-first apps, they cannot make optimal use of the iPad's limited display area.

There are even some persistent issues with web-based apps that can be picky on iPad, although Safari doesn't provide mobile versions of websites by default. Web-based WordPress is still a sore point. The app is fine, but it doesn't work with every WordPress implementation.

I can say the following with certainty: An iPad, iPad Air or iPad Pro 10.5 inch in combination with the Combo Touch becomes a perfectly usable laptop replacement. Whether you prefer is a more personal decision, but it can absolutely work.

Our opinion

The Logitech Combo Touch is a great accessory and a bargain price of $ 150. If you have an iPad that is compatible with this case, stop your search. This is the iPad keyboard case to buy.

Is there a better alternative?

The Apple Magic Keyboard is better overall, has a more professional and sophisticated design, but is only available for the latest iPad Pro models (which are not supported by the Combo Touch) and is significantly more expensive.

The Apple Smart Keyboard costs $ 160 and offers a very slim keyboard that takes up less space. However, it was developed before the iPadOS mouse was supported, so there is no touchpad. The Logitech combo touch flips him.

Brydge offers a variety of alternatives, but does not have a keyboard cover with a touchpad for iPad (7th generation), iPad Air or iPad Pro 10.5 inches. This also makes the Combo Touch a better choice.

Do you want more options? Check out our favorite iPad keyboard cases.

How long it will take?

The Logitech Combo Touch lasts for many years. There is no built-in battery that could deteriorate over time, and its durable construction is suitable for rough use. The only threat is water, as the Combo Touch is not designed for water resistance.

Should you buy it

Yes. The Logitech Combo Touch is an excellent keyboard case that you should choose for the supported iPad models.

Editor's recommendations




19 Apr
Blog

Dyson V11 Outsize review: In This Case, Bigger is Better

Dyson V11 oversized cleaning

"A full-size cleaning foot and 18 cyclones of air make this cordless vacuum cleaner clean like no other."

  • Super suction power

  • Self-cleaning trash can

  • LCD screen

  • Large trash can

  • Large cleaning foot

  • Expensive

  • No self-cleaning filters

The Dyson V11 outsize is exactly what it sounds like. It's bigger than any other Dyson wireless vacuum on the market and, at $ 800, more expensive than the other leaders in the wireless vacuum category. Do its size and capabilities justify the price?

Here's what we liked about this powerful cordless device and what we didn't like.

Bigger and better

Think of the outsize as the older brother of the Dyson V11 torque drive. The outsize has almost the same functions as the torque, it is only bigger. The container is 150 percent larger and is the same size as a container that you would find in a corded vacuum cleaner. This is great because you don't have to empty it as often. The cleaning head is also 25 percent larger, which is the same size as most upright vacuum cleaners.

Dyson V11 oversized cleaningAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

Somehow, Dyson was able to add these additional features and make the outsize less than a pound heavier than the V11 Torque Drive. This means that it weighs 7.85 Pounds overall, slightly heavier than its biggest competitor, the Tineco Pure One S12that weighs 6.61 lbs.

A clean swing

The Outsize is a monster when it comes to sucking up clutter. The motor rotates the brush bar up to 60 times per second at 125,000 rpm and generates 18 cyclones to generate centrifugal forces of up to 79,000 Gs to suck up lint and dust. The six-layer filter system traps 99.99 percent of the particles, which are only 0.3 micrometers in size, to ensure that these little guys don't escape.

Dyson V11 outsize displayAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

The overall performance is controlled by three different modes. Eco mode has less suction power and offers a longer battery life. The auto mode automatically adjusts the suction power to the needs of your floor and the boost mode is basically a super suction mode. The elegant LCD display on the handle of the outsize shows which mode you are in and when there is a blockage.

I wonder if the pull is too strong.

It all sounds good, but how well does it really suck? As I tested, my huskies accidentally took egg shells from the trash can and crumbled them all over the carpet. The outsize soaked them up in one pass in auto mode, no problem, and even soaked up any piece of husky hair without clogging it up. In fact, I wonder if the pull is too strong. There were times when I had big problems pushing the cleaning foot across the floor, especially in boost mode.

Dyson V11 oversized canister and handleAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

The cleaning foot consists of two bristle lines that are wrapped around the roller. It does a really good job of clearing up clutter, although it seems to have some problems throwing small pieces around. I tried cleaning up some nerd candy that I dropped on the floor, for example, and the brush tossed the tiny candy all over the place. On the top, hair and pieces of thread don't seem to be wrapped around the brush. This is a big win for people with long hair.

Clean the cleaner

I really like how easy it is to empty the 0.5 gallon container. You simply lower it into the trash can, press the release button and all the dust falls directly into the trash can. Most other vacuum cleaners, both cordless and not, have a filter in the container that can trap dog hair, lint, and other debris and prevent them from falling out of the canister. This means that you have to put your hand inside to free everything that's up there. Outsize has solved the hand-in-bin problem. When you press the canister release button, the entire canister moves down from the filter. This frees everything that is trapped.

Dyson V11 outsize canister openedAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

One thing the outsize lacks is a self-cleaning tool for its filters, like the one included in the Tineco Pure One S12. This is only a small point of criticism when you consider how well this wireless vacuum cleaner cleans. By regularly cleaning the filter, the vacuum cleaner sucks better and extends the life of the vacuum. To clean a filter, you need to dust it in a trash can, rinse it with clean water, and air dry it, which doesn't take much work.

Battery life

The outsize has a running time that is comparable to other first-class cordless vacuum cleaners. For example, the Tineco Pure One S12 runs for 100 minutes and the Roborock H6 can clean for about 90 minutes, while the outsize can run for up to 120 minutes. The runtime of course depends on the energy mode used, the soil type and the type of attachments used.

While I was doing outsize on auto on a low pile carpet, the display on the handle showed me that the run time was a little over 40 minutes. Under the same conditions in Eco mode, the display indicated that I had about 65 minutes of cleaning time and Boost had about 10 minutes of cleaning time. This is not bad for a vacuum cleaner. I was hoping to see the 120 minutes appear on the screen, but no matter what I did, I couldn't make it. That was a little disappointment.

The outsize also has replaceable batteries and two chargers. So if you have a really big job, you can keep going as long as you want. However, each pack takes 4.5 hours to charge.

Not so loud

Dyson V11 oversized cleaning footAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

The outsize is quieter than many vacuum cleaners, but don't expect to be able to watch TV while vacuuming. It won't blow your ears, though there are moments when you wonder if you have hearing loss. When the outsize switches to boost mode, it is understandably very loud. Fortunately, you don't need it very often.

Our opinion

If you want a cordless vacuum that works like a wired post, the Dyson V11 Outsize ($ 800) is a good choice. It has a large container, a large brush and a lot of power for most cleaning tasks. The suction power is strong and very difficult to beat and the battery life is pretty good. Overall, it's an excellent vacuum.

Is there a better alternative?

It is quite a bit more expensive than the top of the line Tineco Pure One S12 ($ 430) and a little heavier. There are no self-cleaning filters like the S12, but if you want a cordless vacuum that cleans like a post, you can't beat the outsize.

How long it will take?

Dyson doesn't have a great track record with longevity in its cordless vacuum cleaners. In fact, consumer reports found that almost half of Dyson's vacuum cleaners develop problems within the first five years. This includes V-rated vacuum cleaners. I hope the outsize breaks away from this trend, but it seems to be very similar to its predecessors.

Fortunately, there is a 2-year warranty on parts and labor. When I turned to Dyson, they disproved the reliability of the results of the consumer report, and a representative said: “We conduct stringent battery life tests, including thousands of battery life cycles, when we develop our products. We also run very intensive reliability tests where we subject our machines to the worst conditions to ensure that they can withstand the long term use our owners expect. "

Should you buy it

Yes. I would definitely recommend it.

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