Accessories
ZAGG Slim Book Review
The Zagg Slim Book keyboard case is an all-in-one iPad keyboard case that removes the typical limitations of an iPad keyboard case so that you can buy one case that fits all of your iPad needs.
This specific Zagg Slim Book review focuses on the iPad Air 2 model, but the iPad keyboard and case solution delivers the same great experience for the iPad Air and iPad mini.
Most iPad keyboards add a lot of bulk and aren’t great to use when you aren’t typing on the iPad. In the past this meant dealing with a heavier or bulkier iPad all the time or switching between cases when you needed productivity and when you wanted entertainment.
The Zagg Slim Book earns a Gotta Be Mobile Editor’s Choice Award for solving every problem I’ve had with iPad keyboards to deliver the best iPad keyboard case solution you can buy.
Instead of slipping the iPad right into the keyboard, it fits inside a small case. This adds magnets that lock to the keyboard when you are using it and offers just the right amount of protection when you don’t need the keyboard. For most of my web browsing, reading and other use I carry the iPad Air 2 in this thin case.
When I need a keyboard or a stand, the case locks into the iPad Air 2 keyboard with a satisfying snap and click. The magnets on both of these pieces are strong enough that in keyboard mode the Zagg Slim Book feels like a laptop, not just an iPad clinging to a keyboard. It is easy to pick up the iPad and carry the tablet and keyboard around, and then snap the iPad Air 2 out when you don’t need the keyboard.
The typing experience on the Zagg Slim Book is solid and the backlit keys make working in dimly lit conditions easy. The keys are a little smaller than on an Apple Bluetooth Keyboard, but big enough to find and hit with muscle memory. There are no odd size keys for punctuation or numbers, and there is even a function row that lets you control music, Siri and other functions.
With the Command, Option keys and arrow keys it is possible to use the same shortcuts to jump around the document, highlight, delete, cut, copy and paste without reaching out to the iPad screen.
The key travel is good, though it’s shorter than on a laptop and on some third-party keyboards. This is an easy trade-off to make because the iPad Air 2 in a Zagg Slim Book is lighter and easier to carry anywhere than even a slim laptop.
When you are carrying the iPad and Zagg Slim Book the keyboard protects the screen and the case takes care of the back of the iPad Air 2. The Zagg Slim Book is available in a variety of colors, including gold, to match the color of the new iPad Air 2.
The small size of this combination is handy for working from a cramped areas, where a traditional laptop might not open all the way up. One complaint is that the Zagg Slim Book should open up a little more so the display tilts back more.
For entertainment tasks pull the iPad Air out of the Zagg Slim Book and spin it around to use the keyboard as stand. This is great for watching movies or other activities where you want the iPad closer to you, than a keyboard. I use this while watching Netflix and other movies. The iPad screen moves a little when you tap on it in this mode, so I don’t use it for games.
When closed with the iPad screen facing out the Zagg Slim Book is in book mode. I don’t use this mod often, because I would rather take it out of the keyboard case and hold the iPad on its own.
The Zagg Slim Book for iPad Air 2 delivers everything I need in an iPad keyboard. Unlike most of the competition this solution includes a case that I can use to protect the iPad Air 2 when there is no need for a keyboard. With a great typing experience, the case and multiple modes, this is the best iPad keyboard case available and an essential tool for anyone who wants to use the iPad as a laptop. The Zagg Slim Book for iPad Air 2 is $129 at Amazon,
sfbayva (@sfbayva)
07/13/2015 at 5:21 pm
This is my favorite of all the Zagg keyboards I’ve had. I have this in the silver/black color but I much prefer that gold one! Where can I buy this one?