Logitech Combo Touch vs. Logitech Folio Touch: What’s the Difference?
Reading Time: 4 minutesStruggling to decide on the best third-party keyboard for your iPad Pro? Here’s a comparison of Logitech’s two offerings.
A keyboard is a must-have accessory for an iPad, especially if you plan to replace your laptop. However, Apple’s own keyboards for the iPad Pro are pretty expensive. For instance, the Magic Keyboard costs nearly $300.
Hence, most people who are price conscious to look at third-party options to save money. And Logitech is one of the best third-party keyboard manufacturers for the iPad. The company offers two keyboards for the iPad Pro at different price points—the Combo Touch and the Folio Touch.
Here, we’ll compare the two models to help you decide which one’s best for you.
1. Logitech Combo vs. Folio Touch: Price
Let’s start with the price, which may be the deciding factor for most people. Of the two models, the Logitech Combo Touch is the pricier one, costing you $200 for the 11-inch iPad Pro and $230 for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro. It’s a whole hundred dollars cheaper than Apple’s Magic Keyboard, though. However, Logitech’s Combo Touch doesn’t make your iPad float like the Magic Keyboard does.
If you want to save more money, the Folio Touch may be the ideal choice, setting you back just $160 for the 11-inch iPad Pro. Unfortunately, Logitech’s Folio Touch isn’t available for the 12.9-inch model, so if you have the bigger iPad, you have no choice but to go with the more expensive Combo Touch.
2. Logitech Combo vs. Folio Touch: Design
Design-wise, both of these keyboards are more similar than you might think. Both the Combo Touch and the Folio Touch feature a fabric case that offers a nice look and feel.
And they both have a kickstand, which can be adjusted anywhere between 20 degrees and 60 degrees for that perfect viewing angle. Both models are flexible enough to offer four different modes for typing, viewing, sketching, and reading. They have a case lip to protect your iPad Pro’s display as well.
Neither of these keyboards relies on Bluetooth for connectivity. Instead, they use Apple’s Smart Connector, meaning you don’t have to pair it or charge the keyboard separately.
Where these two keyboards differ is the weight. The Folio Touch is heavier, weighing 642 grams, compared to the more premium yet lighter Combo Touch at 574 grams. The Folio Touch is also thicker than the Combo Touch.
One significant difference between these two models is that the keyboard on the Combo Touch is fully detachable, whereas it’s physically attached to the case on the Folio Touch.
3. Logitech Combo vs. Folio Touch: Keys and Trackpad
The typing experience is nearly identical as both the keyboards offer 1mm key travel and have an 18mm key pitch (distance between each key). Whether you go with the Combo Touch or the Folio Touch, you’ll get backlit keys for typing in the dark. Plus, you can also adjust its brightness if necessary.
The arrow keys are where these two models differ, though, with the Combo Touch adopting an inverted T layout, whereas the Folio Touch gives you larger Left/Right arrow keys.
Moving on to the trackpads, the one on the Logitech Combo Touch is slightly larger in terms of width, sitting at 4.5 inches. On the other hand, the Folio Touch’s trackpad is 3.5 inches wide. Although the trackpads have the same height, the top edge of the Folio Touch’s trackpad is not clickable, meaning the actual usable area is even less.
Fortunately, the Combo Touch doesn’t have this issue. So, if you’re someone who relies on trackpad gestures to use your iPad a lot, the Combo Touch may be the better buy.
4. Logitech Combo vs. Folio Touch: Apple Pencil Storage
The Logitech Folio Touch has a magnetic flap to lock your Apple Pencil in place on top of the iPad’s built-in magnets. This flap also has a slit to store your Apple Pencil securely. This means you don’t have to worry about losing it when you’re carrying your iPad around.
On the other hand, the Logitech Combo Touch relies on the magnets in your iPad Pro to hold your Apple Pencil in place, just like the Magic Keyboard. Although these magnets are strong, this option isn’t as reliable as the flap on the Folio Touch. Therefore, the cheaper keyboard takes the cake here.
5. Logitech Combo vs. Folio Touch: Protection
Fortunately, both these keyboard cases offer similar levels of protection from drops and bumps, meaning you don’t sacrifice anything if you go for the cheaper option. Since Logitech’s keyboard cases have rubberized edges that wrap around the iPad Pro, they offer much better drop protection than Apple’s pricey Magic Keyboard, which exposes the iPad on all four sides.
That said, you should be wary of the Apple Pencil cutout on both these cases, as it exposes the iPad Pro’s metal surface just a little bit. The best part about the Logitech Combo Touch keyboard case is that you can detach the keyboard itself and use it purely as a protective case for the iPad Pro when you need to.
If we have to pick a winner in the protection department, we’d say the more affordable Logitech Folio Touch has a slight edge due to the magnetic flap that secures your Apple Pencil in place. And don’t forget the hidden sleeve you can use to avoid losing your expensive accessory. The Combo Touch, on the other hand, is best suited for a hybrid use case.
Pick the Right iPad Pro Keyboard for You
You can’t go wrong with either of these keyboards from a purely typing perspective. Mostly, it comes down to the price. For $199, you get a keyboard that’s sleeker and detachable. However, for $40 less, the Folio Touch is still an excellent buy for many, offering slightly better drop protection and extra security for your Apple Pencil.
That said, if you have the 12.9-inch iPad Pro, you have no choice but to go for the more premium Logitech Combo Touch, as a larger version of the Folio Touch isn’t available for sale. Thankfully, you still have similar offerings from many other third-party manufacturers.
Reference: https://www.makeuseof.com/logitech-combo-touch-vs-folio-touch-differences/
Ref: makeuseof