If you were on the fence about purchasing Apple‘s new Smart Keyboard for your iPad Pro, then perhaps Logitech can help you with that. Designed in collaboration with Apple under Logitech’s CREATE banner, comes the Logi CREATE Backlit Keyboard Case with Smart Connector.
Another little perk is that it makes your iPad Pro look like a MacBook.
As the name suggests, the Logitech CREATE Keyboard utilises the iPad Pro’s Smart Connector, like Apple’s own Smart Keyboard, to connect to the iPad Pro, hence removing all the fuss associated with pairing accessories. It also draws power from the iPad Pro so there will be no need to charge the keyboard.
The outer shell of the Logitech CREATE Keyboard is made of a woven fabric while the inside is constructed out of aluminium, which keeps it in the same design theme as Apple’s other products. The keyboard features a fairly standard layout, similar to that of the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, only it has an array of iPad Pro specific shortcut keys.
Apple’s Smart Keyboard utilises a seamless key system where there is no gap between the keys, preventing dust and other small particles from falling between them. The keys on the Smart Keyboard also do not have any conventional mechanisms in them, opting instead to use the keyboard fabric’s natural “spring-like tension”. On the other hand, Logitech employs a much more traditional keyboard layout with individual chiclet keys similar to those on the MacBook Pro and Macbook Air. The most painfully obvious difference is that unlike Apple’s Smart Keyboard, Logitech’s keyboard is fully backlit, which may end up being the deciding factor for many.
Available in three different colours, the Logitech CREATE Keyboard has a colour to match each one that the iPad Pro is available in, blue for the silver version, black for Space Grey and red for the gold iPad Pro.
The Verge reports that Logitech’s alternative is a little bulkier when compared with Apple’s own keyboard but has added functionality with an entire row of iPad shortcut keys while also being able to double as a full case. A trade off they were willing to make.
Coming in at US$149 (around RM 649) the Logitech CREATE Keyboard is also cheaper than the Smart Keyboard which is priced at RM799. However, both of them are still pricier than Microsoft’s Surface Pro 4 Type Cover which is priced at RM529. To learn more about the pricing options for the iPad Pro and its accessories, head on over here.
Providing more functionality for a lower price, the Logitech CREATE Keyboard does seem to be a good deal, assuming you are comfortable dealing with the extra bulk. Unfortunately, the Logitech CREATE Keyboard is currently not available for purchase in the Apple Malaysia store for the time being, but we will keep you updated if it does become available.
