Logitech’s Combo Touch keyboard case for the new M4 iPad Pro offers nearly everything Apple’s beloved Magic Keyboard case does. And the Logitech version includes features Apple’s does not.
I put both peripherals through hands-on testing. Here’s where the Combo Touch comes out ahead … and where it doesn’t.
Logitech Combo Touch for M4 iPad Pro review
The Apple Magic Keyboard is brilliant. Third-party vendors like Logitech have to work hard to stand out. Either there must be features not in the Magic Keyboard or a price advantage.
With its new keyboard case for the M4 iPad Pro, Logitech used both strategies. It includes several features Apple’s offering doesn’t. And it comes at a significantly lower cost. Though it’s hardly cheap.
Here are, in no particular order, four ways the Logitech Combo Touch for Apple’s latest tablet is better than the Magic Keyboard.
Table of contents:
- 1. It’s a case with a detachable keyboard
- 2. It has a kickstand
- 3. And a much larger trackpad
- 4. Logitech charges a lot less than Apple
- Where Apple Magic Keyboard beats Logitech Combo Touch
- Where the iPad keyboard cases tie
- Logitech Combo Touch for the 13-inch M4 iPad Pro vs. Apple Magic Keyboard: Final thoughts
- Make a purchase
1. It’s a case with a detachable keyboard
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Logitech Combo Touch is made up of two parts. There’s a case that protects the iPad Pro and there’s a removable keyboard/trackpad. With this design, you have the option to hold and use your tablet without extra bulk of the keyboard. And it’s always in its protective case, even when the keyboard has been left behind.
In contrast, Apple’s keyboard case for M4 iPad Pro is a single unit. Remove the keyboard/trackpad and the iPad is “naked.”
To get the extra protection, the tablet needs to stay in the case, of course. But Apple made the 2024 iPad Pro so slim and lightweight that it’s not too bulky even in the case.
To get specific, the case by itself (without iPad and keyboard) is 0.9 pounds. Add the tablet and the weight rises 1.9 pounds. The case is definitely a noticeable extra weight, but you can’t overlook the benefits, including a kickstand.
The keyboard adds 0.8 lbs, so the total with iPad is 2.7 pounds. That’s the same weight as the Apple Magic Keyboard and iPad together.
The Logitech Combo Touch wraps the iPad on all sides, front and back. Corners too. Even with the keyboard flap removed, the screen is protected by a raised lip. Just note that Logitech makes no specific claim about drop protection. And because there are openings for the ports, speakers and Apple Pencil charger, there’s no protection from liquids.
A slight extra challenge is that I found the opening around the USB-C port too small for Thunderbolt cables. Apple’s own simpler power/data cable worked fine, though.
Carrying your very expensive M4 iPad Pro around without some kind of protection is foolish. With the Logitech Combo Touch, you get a case that also comes with a keyboard.
2. It has a kickstand
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
The iPad case could have been lighter but Logitech built in a kickstand. Fold this out when you’re ready to type, but the kickstand is always available, even when the keyboard is detached.
Whether you’re watching a movie or playing a game, you can prop up the beautiful OLED display in the M4 iPad Pro for easy viewing. And you don’t have to look over an unnecessary keyboard while you’re doing so.
That’s not true for the Apple Magic Keyboard. If it’s holding the iPad’s display up, there has to be a keyboard attached.
Logitech’s kickstand offers viewing options from nearly straight up to almost all the way flat. And offers solid support — I can tap on the screen and there’s no movement at all. That said, the kickstand isn’t strong enough to be used as a drawing support with the screen nearly horizontal. Not if you want to rest your hand on the screen.
The downside of a kickstand is that typing on the Logitech Combo Touch requires a lot of space. With the screen at my preferred angle, the back of the kickstand is 14 inches from the front of the keyboard flap. And it’s nearly impossible to type with the Logitech Combo Touch in my lap — I don’t have that much lap.
3. And a much larger trackpad
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Despite their different designs, the basics of these iPad keyboard cases are similar. Each has the traditional keyboard above a trackpad.
But they diverge, too: Logitech’s trackpad is both wider and taller. It works out to be 16.9 square inches compared to 11.5 square inches of the Apple version. That’s almost 50% bigger. If you like a lot of trackpad space, this is the way to go.
On the other hand, Apple put in a glass trackpad that doesn’t move when pressed — it uses haptic feedback instead. Logitech uses a more traditional one. I prefer the Apple version but I can easily see someone making the other choice.
4. Logitech charges a lot less than Apple
The version of Logitech Combo Touch for the 13-inch M4 iPad Pro is $259.99 while the one for the 11-inch model is $229.99.
That’s hardly cheap, but consider that the new 13-inch version of the Apple Magic Keyboard is $349 — about $90 more. And the 11-inch version is $299 — about $70 more.
Where Apple Magic Keyboard beats Logitech Combo Touch
Logitech doesn’t have all the advantages. Apple built a feature into Magic Keyboard that its rival does not have: a USB-C port. This is limited to charging the M4 iPad Pro, but it’s still very useful. With it, I can keep my iPad juiced up while leaving the tablet’s own USB-C port for accessories like SSDs.
Combo Touch can’t match this.
Where the iPad keyboard cases tie
In many ways, Logitech Combo Touch and Apple Magic Keyboard for the M4 iPad Pro are quite similar.
They both use the tablet’s Smart Connector rather than Bluetooth. (That’s the three metal dots on the back of the iPad.) Because of this, Bluetooth is unnecessary. Nor is there a battery in either accessory — they run off the tablet’s power.
As for the built-in keyboards, I tested the versions of these add-ons for the new 13-much iPad Pro, which means there’s room for a nearly full-size keyboard in the case. Both are 10.5 inches wide, and the typical key size for each is 0.6 inches. Both have a row of half-size function keys across the top. In short, the keyboard in the Logitech Combo Touch and the Apple Magic Keyboard come in essentially equal.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac
Speaking of equal, the exteriors of both are equally problematic. Logitech makes its case in black, and this looks every bit as unattractive as the black plastic exterior of Apple’s product. There’s also a white plastic version of the Magic Keyboard, and while that’s not an option for the Combo Touch, that’s probably because the white cover gets dirty so easily.
Logitech Combo Touch for the 13-inch M4 iPad Pro vs. Apple Magic Keyboard: Final thoughts
I hope you came away from this comparison realizing that while these two iPad keyboard cases have many similarities that are aimed at two different markets.
Combo Touch is for those who want to keep their iPad in a protective case at all times, and don’t want that case to interfere with attaching a keyboard and trackpad.
Magic Keyboard is for those who want their iPad to be as light as possible except when they are carrying it around or when typing on the keyboard.
★★★★☆
I like so much about Logitech’s keyboard I want to give it a higher score but the fact that it’s nearly impossible to use in a lap is a significant drawback. (I gave the Magic Keyboard 4.5 stars, by the way.)
Make a purchase
Combo Touch for the 13-inch M4 iPad Pro ($259.99):
Buy it from: Logitech
Magic Keyboard for the 13-inch M4 iPad Pro ($349):
Buy it from: Apple
Logitech provided Cult of Mac with a review unit for this article. See our reviews policy, and check out more in-depth reviews of Apple-related items.
