Review of 9.7 Pro Zagg version; based on how good it is, I've just ordered another two - one for my iPad Air 2, and the other for my kid's 9.7 Pro.
What a world of difference it makes when the right accessory keyboard is attached! This Zagg has it all, and at a close-out price under $20 for the 9.7 Pro version (grab it while you can) there's no sticker shock holding me back.
+ Like the Brydge (I have one), this turns an iPad into a fully functioning Macbook Air replacement at a fraction of the cost. I have everything except a touchpad now!
+UNlike the Bridge, this doesn't use "prongs" to clamp onto the lower edge of the iPad and cover the non-"live" portion of the screen, and UNlike the Brydge it comes with a rear cover for the iPad. On my Brydge, the prongs reach up and onto the glass screen. I don't like that intrusion even though it doesn't intrude into the actual viewing area (and I don't like the pressure it puts on the glass itself when opening and closing). The Zagg, in contrast, mounts it's full length slot onto the lower edge of the included rear plastic cover meaning the torque from opening and closing the cover is both distributed over a much wider area, AND operates on the plastic rear case not on the iPad's screen itself.
+ Connection is by Bluetooth, not via edge connector built-into the Pro. In this regard it is no better or worse than the Logitech and Belkin accessory keyboard cases I have for the 9.7 Pro. Unlike the Logitech and Belkin, the screen tilts back naturally just like a laptop due to the rotating hinge along the edge where screen and accessory keyboard snap together. On Logitech and Belkin basic keyboard cover cases, there isn't a hinge area, instead the bottom edge of the iPad slides forward onto the top of the keyboard deck and is held in place magnetically.
+ The ends of the Zagg iPad Pro 9.7 case have channels to direct the twin stereos speakers forward on the Pro 9.7 instead of uselessly firing towards the sides. The net result is a louder audio at lower settings.
+ Belkin implements some weird locations for some punctuation keys and symbol keys I use frequently, which is a pain on their otherwise fine feeling keyboard. This Zagg, like the Logitech, has better punctuation and special symbol placements.
+ The Zagg is BACKLIGHTED for use in dim or nonexistent room lighting. In multiple colors no less.
+ Handsome case with incredible, Apple-like attention to cosmetics - the case has extended coverage along the edges to keep the iPad secured in the rear cover, BUT reveals enough portions of the edges to show off the bright metal edge polish.
+ This Zagg has a deep recess for the Apple Lightning recharging cable, but unlike some makers who flub it by making the recess narrow, Zagg keeps it wide so even my "fat" non-Apple Lightning cables will fit in.
+ This Zagg permits reversing the screen so the keyboard is BEHIND the screen, which allows some good viewing-only angles And of course the screen portion can be pulled out of the mounting slot for pure handheld viewing.
Counterpoints and comments:
* This is more of a semi-permanent conversion to a laptop, than an easy on, easy off, setup (BUT, it is sure a lot more easily detached into screen and keyboard components than Brydge). Compared to Logitech's upgraded combo, the keyboard can't be rapidly and easily tugged off (Logitech uses magnets; the Zagg uses a full-length pressure/friction clamp). Even the basic Belkin and Logitech combos are easier to quick conversion to tablet use by simply folding the keyboard behind the case due to the fabric "hinge" area; with this Zagg, the more authentic rotating hinge area is limited to tilting, not wrapping behind.
Of course Zagg is an excellent, fully effective laptop conversion, while Logitech and Belkin are good, not great, compromises. (Think of Zagg as a semi-permanent conversion, Logitech and Belkin as accessories that allow easier on what's mainly a tablet.)
- No amount of fancy conversion hardware - this Zagg - is ever going to convert a 9.7" screen iPad into an 11.6" or 13" Macbook screen. (On the other hand there ARE Zagg's for 11" and 12.9" iPad screens). The flip side is Amazon Renewed 9.7" iPad Pro's are a good value now, still with most likely long-remaining iOS version upgrades from Apple, a real bargain for what they can do.
* However, there's only mediocre touchpad and mouse support on iPads running iOS 13.3 right now. If you can touch type and like touchpad control of text scrolling and cursor placement, nothing beats a tradkpad or mouse. But iPad still lags on trackpad and mouse support - trackpad implementation is buried in assistive settings. at present.
* The use of a built-in lithium battery means no batteries to purchase, BUT also means it can't be stowed in checked luggage on my flights, and I have to carry a micro USB charging cable (which I do anyway for other devices). I've only encountered two Logitechs than use watch batteries to power themselves. (My favorite alternative is a AA powered Apple Bluetooth keyboard - the one without Num pad - it can be stowed in checked luggage.)
- The curse of the laptop - any laptop - is the extra weight, and Zagg can 't pull a rabbit out of the hat to fix this problem. It looks like a laptop and quacks like a laptop and is heavy like a laptop, no escaping it.
I've now experienced with iPads in different configurations:
1. Naked with just the removable Apple clip-on Smart Cover (no rear case);
2. Slim cover/cases (no keyboards) from Moko and Fintie for the lightest, slimmest-possible protection;
3. A Logitech education-market rugged case with snap on direct-connecting keyboard (heaviest, thickest option, rear mounted kickstand great);
4. Belkin combo keyboard cases, not too thin or light, but with a few annoying punctuation key re-locations;
5. Logitech combo keyboard cases, with all the Belkin virtues and minus the weird punctuation key locations (the best of these use rear kickstands with snap-off backlight keyboards);
6. Brydge; don't like the keyoard layout, or the prongs that slide up onto the glass screen - Zagg's approach is much better IMHO (rear case with extension lip to fit into the wide hinge slot);
7. Zagg - the best so far AS A LAPTOP but only middling as a detachable keyboard since the keyboard doesn't easily slide off. I THINK I MIGHT LEAVE MY LAPTOP BEHIND NEXT TRIP, this combination is THAT good.
And the winner is - Zagg, for LAPTOP conversion (with an especially satisfactory deeper tilt for regular laptop viewing angle). With the caveat that for current model iPads, they are priced like they are gold-plated.
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