Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

After a short time to evaluate Logitech’s Slim Combo for my iPad Pro 10.5 (next to Apple Smart Keyboard) it became clear that wasn’t an option for me and decided on the KuGi case (with IVSO keyboard). After over 3 months with the latter, a few shortcomings made me look for a replacement. (Limited protection of the iPad edge, ineffective pen holder, flimsy keyboard, not backlit ...) Pro: - Rugged Design, good protection - iPad cover separable from keyboard - Integrated Pencil holder - Back-lit keyboard - Effective sound redirection - Relatively low $$$ - Magnetic wake/sleep for iPad Con - Thick and heavy - Large footprint (in notebook mode) - Doesn't use smart connector - Keyboard back-lighting leakage distracting - No portrait mode So the ZAGG seemed like a good choice for the complete protection and a backlit sturdy keyboard. The first contact reminded me of old laptops, as the massive 0.9 inch make this a thick cover with heft to match. That’s significantly more than the 0.5 inch KuGi/IVSO. I typically don’t care if the keyboard is removable, but with this hefty keyboard it’s a great idea. Even if it’s thinner than the Logitech Slim Combo, the ZAGG Messenger is neither light weight nor slim. In fact, comparing it to an Ultrabook (I.e. see picture w/ Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro) it’s significantly thicker and heavier despite the Ultrabook being arguably more functional. Of course, you wouldn’t want to drop the naked Ultrabook from the rated 6.6 ft the ZAGG claims to survive. With the keyboard sporting the usual wrist area it’s located toward the far edge and footprint larger than a similar Logitech Create. I really wish someone would rediscover the design idea behind the Logitech Type+ and simply add a useful pen holder and backlight the keyboard. The ZAGG has the magnets to wake up the iPad upon opening, but the Bluetooth keyboard needs to be turned on manually unless you keep it in standby mode from which it takes a a second or tow to wake up from. That seems like a cumbersome oversight but the bright side could be that this way you don’t have the keyboard active when not needed (i.e. when using the iPad with the keyboard folded back, and activating the keys could interfere). The backlighting is a much desired feature for me and while the 7 different colors are gimmicks, the three brightness levels are not. It’s generally good visibility, although the glare from the light leaking out from the edges is a bit distracting. The pen holder is molded in and keeps the Pencil snug and safe, although it also can block access to the volume buttons. It’s nice that it’s attached to the iPad cover even when removed from the keyboard. Another nice feature of the iPad cover is the redirected sound. Instead of simply providing openings near the speakers, the case provides 4 slots towards the user and the sound is effectively directed that way. There is no buckle of sorts to keep the cover closed and it relies fully on the magnets. It’s reasonably effective keeping it closed. So overall it’s very functional. It’s designed to convey ruggedness and “pretty” does not apply. It’s also a bit on the hefty side to get a glowing recommendation. Otherwise it’s one of the better covers I used so far.