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If you think weight is a sign of reliability, you may be drawn to one of the sturdiest and heaviest of iPad keyboard covers you can get: the Belkin Qode Thin Type. While extra heft isn’t always appreciated, everyone likes a good keyboard, and the Qode’s is as good as they come, save for a couple keys that are not in their usual places. In terms of keyboard comfort and feel, it even beats our Editors’ Choice Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover. But for the same $99.99 price tag, the Logitech keyboard weighs less and has a more secure hinge design. Still, the Belkin is a solid bet that won’t disappoint even the most finicky of typists.
Design, Features
With an anodized aluminum unibody construction, Belkin’s Qode Thin Type is positively solid and feels premium; there is no flex at all anywhere on the case. The only plastic you’ll find is on the groove stand, the battery housing, and on the keyboard itself. However, such sturdy construction comes at a weighty 13.1- ounce price, which is about 1.5 ounces heavier than the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover($49.99 at Amazon)(Opens in a new window) and the budget-friendly Anker TC930($29.99 at Amazon)(Opens in a new window). At 9.4 by 6.6 inches (HW), with a depth of 0.16 inch at its thinnest point and 0.39 inch at its thickest (for an average depth of 0.27 inch), it’s technically thinner than the aforementioned competitors, but part of it is still thicker.
Whereas Logitech’s and Anker’s keyboard covers look like they could have been designed by Apple itself, thanks to their sleek, ultra-simple designs, the Qode’s front and profile is sharply interrupted by the groove stand and a somewhat clunky battery housing. However, these details add an element of grip when carrying the iPad/case combo, which is helpful when you consider the Qode’s weight. Additionally, the bulky battery housing at the top and the thin bottom presents the keyboard at a slight angle, which makes for more comfortable typing.
The magnetic hinge easily snaps onto the left side of the iPad. But the Qode’s heaviness allows the cover to detach itself too easily compared with lighter covers, such as the Logitech, which means it could be less effective at protecting your screen. Instead of a magnet in the groove stand, Belkin implemented a pressure sensitive Power and Bluetooth connection button, and simply relies on the iPad’s weight to turn the keyboard on and off. This eliminates the need to manually power the keyboard, and it automatically wakes the iPad from Sleep mode, too. On the flip side, this means you won’t be able to use the keyboard without the iPad in the groove stand. Removing the iPad from the groove stand won’t put it to sleep, but the Wake/Sleep function is very reliable when you open and close the cover.
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Belkin claims battery life of up to 79 hours of typing time, or up to six months on standby mode, which is long enough to let you forget when you last charged it. The included charging cable (or any other micro USB cable) plugs into the micro USB port on the keyboard’s rear left, and it’ll let you know when battery life is running low with a tiny LED directly above the keyboard on the top right. Bluetooth pairing is simple; just hold the dedicated Pairing button on the top right of the keyboard, pair it with your iPad in iOS’ Settings, and you’re good to go.
Keyboard, Conclusion
Out of the keyboard covers we’ve tested thus far, Belkin’s Qode Thin Type offers the most comfortable typing experience. The keys are solid, large, well spaced, and have excellent travel and feedback. Switching between compact and full-size keyboards means you’ll likely make mistakes, so a large Delete key is important, and Belkin delivers. However, Logitech has shown us that there is no need to relocate keys for the sake of spacing, which is what Belkin has done with the Colon/Semi-Colon key.
If it wasn’t for the weight and keys gone astray, the Qode would have snatched our Editors’ Choice recommendation from the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover. If keeping weight at a minimum while adding keyboard functionality is what you’re after, check out the Logitech or $30 Anker TC930. Despite its heft, the Qode is a solid bet due to the superior typing experience and solid construction. Alternatively, and if weight isn’t an issue at all, check out the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Folio($59.99 at Amazon)(Opens in a new window) or the Zagg Folio Keyboard; both add more protection for you iPad than any keyboard cover can.
4.0
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Belkin’s Qode Thin Type Keyboard Cover has the best-feeling keyboard on any iPad Air cover we’ve tested so far. It’s also extremely sturdy, which makes it a little heavier than many might like.
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Source link : https://www.pcmag.com/reviews/belkin-qode-thin-type-keyboard-cover-for-ipad-air
