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Alpine Division 2017 McKenzie Backpack review: Quality on a budget

A simple, well-designed backpack can be a thing of beauty. When we reviewed the Alpine Division McKenzie backpack in 2016, we liked it quite a bit. The new 2017 edition is even better, with improvements to the design and materials that enhance the usability and durability of this simple, functional backpack.

There are also ducks. Everything is better with ducks. To the review!

Walkaround and Design

Based in Portland, Oregon, Alpine Division is a company founded by outdoor enthusiasts. Their bags, apparel & accessories are all designed to transition easily from outdoor adventures to city life with an emphasis on simple, functional design and bit of fun. You’ll find all of these qualities on display in the 2017 McKenzie backpack. 

The first thing you’ll notice about the McKenzie is that, for a bigger bag, it has a nice elegant profile. There are no boxy corners or chunky outboard compartments to take away from its streamlined shape. There are design cues that pay homage to classic 70s rucksacks (lash tabs, for example), but they don’t detract from the bag’s clean lines. Measurements of 20” by 12” by 7” (roughly 25 liters in volume) put on the bigger side, but it doesn’t look or feel that big. Color options include black, grey or green with black trim and accents (my test model is all black). It’s a great looking bag that transitions well from casual adventures to the office and presents with a lot more style & sophistication than the typical “office warehouse” computer backpack.

That’s not to say that you won’t find some fun in the styling of the McKenzie. Alpine Division’s duck logo is proudly displayed on a blue patch on the rear face of the bag, and the bag liners are printed with a whimsical duck pattern (grey ducks on a black fabric). It’s a subtle and understated treatment that, in my opinion, adds some fun to the bag without detracting from its sophisticated looks. Ducks make everything better. I like it. Let’s move on.

The form factor of the Alpine Division McKenzie is a top-loading rucksack with one wide, deep main compartment for all of your cargo. It will swallow your arm past the elbow when you go digging in the bag. There’s a lightly-padded laptop sleeve on the interior rear panel that will handle a 15” laptop (plus a notebook or iPad), but the rest is wide open space. You’ll find a top lid that is secured by two clips with adjustable-length straps, which open to reveal a drawstring-style closure that incorporates an extra two inches of the liner fabric. This arrangement not only gives you additional weather protection but also enables you to secure your cargo for both light loads or overpacking.

In addition to the main compartment, there are three additional pockets for organization. The interior laptop divider has a 7” by 7” pocket on its face, access by a vertical zipper. The bag lid has an integrated 10” by 7” zippered pocket, and there’s an additional 6” by 5” zippered stash pocket on the side of the bag. This stash pocket opens to the rear of the bag, facing your back, making it a secure place for your smartphone or wallet. All of these pockets are fairly narrow, sized up to accommodate your little stuff so it’s not floating around in that big cavern.

You’ll find a total of four lash tab locations on the exterior of the bag. There are two classic diamond-shaped tabs on the lid and a rectangular tab on each side that incorporates two pairs of lash slots. The tabs aren’t just for decoration: they’re substantial and functional, providing options for securing additional gear. 

The rigging on the McKenzie makes for a comfortable carry. There are three closed-foam back pads, including a lower lumbar pad, which is nicely spaced for additional breathability to reduce back sweat. The shoulder straps are wide and nicely padded with generous adjustments to find the right fit for your body. Each strap has an attachment ring for additional gear, and there’s a chest strap included for stability. A small vinyl grab handle is affixed between the shoulder straps for off-the-back maneuvers. It’s a comfortable setup that works well for extended periods.

While we liked the 2016 edition of the McKenzie Backpack, we did identify some areas that could use improvement. The 2017 edition addresses many of these. The padded laptop sleeve, while still relatively light on padding, is more refined and is raised from the bottom of the bag (which is also padded) to help protect your computing device. The internal zippered pocket has been moved to the front face of the laptop sleeve, and the side stash pocket to give you some extra externally-accessible storage. The back pads are also new, as is the base material. All in all, these add up to some nice design upgrades that improve the performance of the bag.

Construction and Materials

The main material of the bag has also been upgraded in the 2017 edition from 1000D coated nylon with 600D water resistant ripstop nylon. It’s tougher, water-resistant, and adds some sophistication to the bag with a nice textured surface. And that duck-print liner? Whimsical stylings aside, it’s quite good. Its made from 420D nylon and has a great hand feel as you’re digging around in your bag. The patterned duck print also provides extra visibility in the compartments when you’re hunting for your stuff, which can be a problem with all-black interiors. Closed-foam padding is used on the back panel and shoulder straps, backed by a durable tight-weave mesh backing that improves breathability. I’m not sure if the lash tabs are leather, but they’re certainly beefy and functional. All in all, I’m impressed with the quality and durability of the material choices.

Hardware is also very good throughout the bag. The plastic buckles and bits are substantial and durable, on par with the quality I typically see in other high-quality bags. YKK zippers are used on the pockets and include nicely-executed “monkey fist” style cord pulls on the exterior zips. It’s all good and built to last.

Construction and assembly are also excellent. I tend to get picky about seams and stress points, and everything looks to be nicely finished and reinforced throughout the bag. It’s an excellent build, and I don’t see any potential fail points in the overall construction.

Carrying Stuff

Simplicity has its benefits. If you’re looking for a big, simple, well-made backpack for day-tripping and recreational adventures, the Alpine Division 2017 McKenzie Backpack is a great choice for you. The wide open, single-chamber design makes this a great bag for handling a wide variety of cargo with a couple of extra pockets for your little things. You’ve also got that padded divider if you need to haul your laptop and/or tablet. It’s comfortable to wear for extended periods, and the added water-resistance will keep your stuff dry in a downpour. While it’s not in the same size class as those monster one-bag world traveler packs, it’s absolutely big and versatile enough to handle several days of travel gear or a trip to the grocery store (You’ll get a couple of six-packs in there with room to spare. I checked). It also compacts nicely as a day-trip bag when you reach your destination, and will easily handle several sweatshirts or jackets along with snacks and water bottles for the family out on the trail.

I’d also recommend the McKenzie for work commuters looking for a simple, flexible backpack. I’ve been doing a lot of commuting by train recently, and it’s really comfortable for maneuvering through train stations and city streets. The lack of external pockets is great for security and, despite relatively light padding, I’ve had no concerns about protection for my laptop and iPad (which both fit in the padded pocket). My phone and keys are securely stowed in the stash pocket, leaving the top pocket for pens, headphones and the like. It also looks good enough to take to the office… it may not be ideal for formal work environments, but you’re good to go in business casual and creative offices.

If you live out of your mobile office or are generally tech-heavy in your travels, the McKenzie backpack may not be the best choice for you. Top-loading bags with drawstring closures don’t enable quick and easy access to your gear, which means that you’re fishing for any quick-grab office essentials don’t fit in the external pockets. You won’t find any additional organizer pockets here for chargers, pens, notebooks, and the like. I tend to bring my own pouches for this kind of stuff, but it may be an issue for hyper-organizers. I also find that, despite the deep main compartment, the wide open mouth makes it pretty easy to get to my stuff. I’m still fishing, though, and I’m usually not packed beyond the base office gear and some add-ons (lunch, for example, or a change of clothes for the gym). There’s also no water bottle holster. You could use the lash tabs and find an add-on accessory for this, but it’s something to consider.

Nitpicks and Design Considerations

There are a couple of items that could use improvement in the Alpine Division 2017 McKenzie backpack, and I’ll cover them here to give you the whole picture on this bag.

The grab handle, while functional, is on the small & thin side. It’s basically a ring of doubled-over nylon. This is fine for quick-grabs situations, but a beefier handle would be much easier to manage in regular use, especially if the bag is fully loaded.

The pocket on the top lid opens wide with generous space… but the zipper placement sits towards the bottom of the lid when clipped in place. This means that you run the risk of stuff falling out when you unzip the pocket. I think you’ll be fine with a few items in there, but you won’t want to overpack this pocket with little bits unless you’re careful.

I also find the internal zipped pocket on the laptop divider panel to be a bit odd. It’s not easy to find or access, especially if the bag is fully packed. Honestly, I just discovered this pocket a few days ago after a thorough follow-up inspection of the bag! If I were traveling this would be a great secret stash pocket for cash, passports, or other valuables. For day-to-day use, however, it’s tough to get into unless you’re packed light.

Conclusion and Pricing

The Alpine Division 2017 McKenzie Backpack is a simple & well-constructed rucksack. While its roots are in outdoor adventures, its streamlined profile and sophisticated styling make it an excellent (and durable) business commuter as well. Its size is ideal as a daypack or a travel companion when you need some of that extra flexible space. The simple layout and top-loading bag style may not appeal to tech-heavy travelers or organizational obsessives. If you’re not in either of those camps, you’re looking at an excellent all-around backpack that will last you a long time. And at a retail price of $79, I feel that it’s a really good buy for this level of quality. Go check out the 2017 McKenzie Backpack at Alpine Industries’ web site.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Alpine Division. For more info visit their site.

 

Product Information

Price: $54.00 on Amazon
Manufacturer: Alpine Division
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • Great size for a daypack/overnighter/work commuter
  • Clean lines & streamlined profile
  • Simple and easy to live with
  • Great materials and assembly
Cons:
  • Grab handle could be more beefy
  • Lacks organization for tech-heavy carry
  • Top loading, drawstring closures aren't everyone's prefernce

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Alpine Division 2017 McKenzie Backpack review: Quality on a budget originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 11, 2017 at 10:00 am.

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Albert Clock review: Improves your math skills and looks cool

I’ve never been this excited about a clock, probably because normally there isn’t much to get excited about for me personally.  A desk or wall clock is supposed to serve one primary function, displaying the time. The secondary function of a clock, at least the way I see it is also to be decorative.  Until now, I don’t think clocks have really tried to go past these two functions.  The Albert Clock has become a way to keep my mind sharp with quick mental math, a conversation piece in the office and home and a teaching tool for my 4 and 6 year old sons (and my wife too…sorry, dear).  I have spent the last month bringing it back and forth from my office and home multiple times because it is a perfect fit in both settings. 

When I first plugged it in and explained to my wife what it was she wasn’t terribly excited.  Math isn’t her strongest field so require her to perform multiple calculations in her head to simply tell the time wasn’t something that she was nearly as excited as I was about.  After a few days on the shelf in our living room that began to change.  As soon as it was plugged in our kids were drawn to it.  They were constantly looking at the clock and working on the problem it gave to display the time.  Because of their interest, we have left it at level 1 and have been amazed by their desire to perform the simple calculations of addition and subtraction to proudly tell us the time.  Below are just a few examples of a few levels and times.

         

I have had it in my office for about 2 weeks and it has been an attraction for my colleagues and a conversation piece on a daily basis.  I set the difficulty level at the highest setting in the office, which keeps my mind constantly challenged.  In a short amount of time many people have asked where they can get one and have their own ideas of how this could be a fun product to add to their lives.

In itself, the clock is quite simple to operate and set up.  You can customize the brightness of the display and the difficulty of the problems it gives you.  The time between each new problem can be set so multiple problems can be seen every minute or change once a minute when the time changes (there are 6 calculation speed levels: 60 sec – 10 sec).  I have found level 1 or 60 sec (refreshes every minute change) to be preferable for me both at home and the office but occasionally change it to a higher refresh rate.  There is also a sleep function that allows you to set a time when it turns off and wakes up.  I set mine to sleep at 11pm and wake up at 5am but you can customize this or choose not to use the function altogether.  There is also a “hi and lo” mode that can be set to dim the display at a preferred time in the evening and bring it back to full brightness in the daytime.  I have not used that function yet but I am sure I will as I continue to use the clock.  You can also choose between a 12 or 24 hour clock mode.

The Albert Clock can be wall mounted using the wall fixation plate (included) or can be used as a desk clock.  I have not hung it on a wall and don’t expect that I will but knowing that is an option makes the places this can be displayed endless.  A 3 m fabric wrapped power cable with AC adapter is also included.  The length of the cable allows for mounting or setting the clock nearly anywhere you like in your home or office.  I have been disappointed in the past with power cords that are far too short but Albert Clock thought of this.  The fabric wrap on the cord is also a nice and elegant touch.  It looks high end, feels great and helps the cord lay flat and not look crooked when hanging off of a table or running along the edge of my desk to the nearest outlet.

The AC adapter comes with 5 interchangeable power options that easily clip onto the AC adapter so people in the USA, China, EU, UK, Switzerland, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Thailand are all covered with the adapters that are included.  They also include all of the hardware to attach the wall mount to the clock and the whole clock to the wall.  Other than a screwdriver, the Albert Clock comes ready to use.

They offer the clock in three attractive colors that are hand painted onto the wood (medium density fiberboard) housing: lucid white, scholar red and concrete grey.  The elegance and simplicity of the design paired with classic and tasteful colors make this a timeless design that will not look out of place in any room.  The display is powered by LED lights, making me think that I need never worry about the lights going out on this clock or it burning a lot of power.  One of my favorite features of the display is the soft edges of the numbers and symbols in the display.  Even on the highest setting, there seems to be a very thin halo around the characters that allows the light to fade to the black background rather than being an extremely sharp contrast at the black/white interface.  I don’t know if this is by design or simply a function of this kind of display but it is very easy on the eye and has an added appearance of elegance and quality that I have not seen in an LED display before.

On the side of the clock, there are three unmarked buttons, adding to the minimalist appearance of the clock that acts as the set, up and down buttons to customize your Albert Clock to your own needs.  If you want to change the 12/24 hour mode, brightness, sleep time or current time, you much go through the settings to find the one you want to change.  If you want to change the difficulty level, you can simply press the up or down buttons to quickly get to the level you want.  This has been a very handy function for when we want to adjust the difficulty but not the other display settings.

Overall this clock did not disappoint.  I was extremely excited when I first saw this product and was drawn to it by both its form and function.  The elegant case and display made it easy to find places in our home to put this and with the brightness settings I was able to adjust it so that it was noticeable but not too bright or dark for where it was displayed.  Its funny to say but I enjoy coming into my living room or office and telling the time.  I am unquestionably drawn to this clock and have liked the way it has sharpened my wife’s mental math skills, relates problem solving and math to something as simple and important as telling time for my children and when I have a change to crank it up to level four, keeps me sharp with order of operations and multiplication tables.  The only problem I have now is that I only have one of these.

I am in love with this clock.  The beauty of the design instantly drew me in and now that I see that I am not the only one in my house/office who loves this clock, I am hooked.  When something as simple as asking my children “what time is it?” gets them even more excited about math or when a VP of my company drops by my office to stick his head in just to look at the clock to see what time it is when he has a watch on his wrist, I cannot help but notice that there is something special about the Albert Clock.  I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this clock and hope that if you buy it you enjoy it as much as we have.  Please let me know if you already own one or bought one after reading this review.  I would love to know what others think about it.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by MNTNT.  For more info please visit their site, www.albertclock.com.

 

Product Information

Price: €279 ($329.35)
Manufacturer: https://www.albertclock.com/
Pros:
  • Elegant design; ingeniously combines problem solving with telling time; multiple difficulty levels to fit any user's needs; table or wall mounting; long power cord; beautiful LED display; user friendly controls to adjust the many settings to make it your own.
Cons:
  • The price of €279 may deter some potential buyers; no setting for it to just tell time without a math problem (this is not a con for me, I wanted this clock for the fact that it didn't simply tell me that it was 8:54 PM but some people might want that function).

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Albert Clock review: Improves your math skills and looks cool originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 10, 2017 at 10:15 am.

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Phiaton BT 460 Headphones, Colonel Littleton No. 18 Leather Hunt Bag, and more – Review updates

You love our reviews and we love writing them. To provide even more value, we like to update our past reviews on a regular basis so you will know how the products stand the test of time. Today we have a new batch of review updates from Kathleen and Howard. Click through to see the list of their updated reviews and find the new info at the bottom of each linked review.

Chipolo Plus Bluetooth tracker review by Howard Sneider

Colonel Littleton No. 18 Leather Hunt Bag review by Kathleen Chapman

House of Marley Liberate XLBT Bluetooth Over-Ear Headphones review by Kathleen Chapman

High on Leather Leather Hiking Backpack review by Kathleen Chapman

Phiaton BT 460 Headphones review by Kathleen Chapman

 

Product Information

Price:

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Phiaton BT 460 Headphones, Colonel Littleton No. 18 Leather Hunt Bag, and more – Review updates originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 10, 2017 at 8:00 am.

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Samsung Wisenet SmartCam A1 home security system review

There are several considerations to keep in mind when shopping for a home security camera. Do you want a cloud-based camera or a camera that saves footage locally? Do you want to be able to live stream via a mobile device? Do you need an expandable system? Do you need a camera that can pan and tilt? Is pricing a major factor in your choice? These are all factors that I keep in mind when shopping and reviewing security cameras like the latest camera that I’ve been testing – the Samsung Wisenet SmartCam A1.

What is it?

The Wisenet SmartCam A1 from Samsung is a low to mid-range priced home security camera that has basic and advanced features.

What’s in the box?

Station Hub
SmartCam A1 camera
Power adapter
Ethernet cable
Quick start guide

Design and features

The SmartCam A1 has a unique design that includes the Station Hub unit with a removable 350° panning wireless camera that contains its own rechargeable battery.

A set of spring loaded pins on the top of the hub provide power and connectivity to the camera when it is docked on top of the hub.

On the back of the Station Hub, you’ll find a microSD card slot which is used to save continuous camera footage. Below the card slot is a WiFi direct button, a pairing button, an Ethernet port and a power port.

The camera is shaped like a hockey puck. It has a 130° Ultra-Wide Angle lens with a status LED and microphone on the right side and a motion sensor on the left side. 

On the bottom of the camera is a pairing button, on / off switch, a set of electrical contacts for the Station Hub, and a threaded tripod socket.

The bottom front edge of the Station Hub has two status LEDs. The LED on the left provides booting status and the LED on the right provides WiFi connectivity status.

The camera attaches to the top of the Station Hub with magnets but can be removed and placed anywhere inside your home for up to 3 hours of wireless surveillance.

The top of the hub can rotate which gives the SmartCam A1 the ability to pan 350 degrees. You can do this manually, or the app can automatically track subjects when it detects motion.

Setup

Setting up and configuring the SmartCam A1 using the iOS and Android SmartCam app is an easy step-by-step process.

After installing the app and creating an account, you have to power on the Station Hub and the connected camera by making sure the power switch on the bottom of the camera is in the on position. You can then connect the Station Hub to your wireless router using the included Ethernet cable, or you can finish the setup using WiFi.




After the camera is working, you can customise the settings for motion, audio detection, and auto tracking. You can create a schedule for the times and days when you want the camera to automatically monitor for motion.

You can also set specific trigger areas to monitor for motion only in those areas. For example, in the image above, you can see that I have set trigger zones for the doorway and the chair.



Buttons in the app will allow you to arm and disarm all or individual cameras.

Other features include two-way audio and playing alarm sounds through the camera. You can also use the app to view past events and any past point in time that has been recorded on a microSD card (not included).

The picture quality of this home security camera is clear and sharp, but there is some fisheye warp on the edges as you can see from the image above.

The SmartCam A1 also has decent night vision.

When the SmartCam A1 detects motion or audio, it will send a notification to your mobile device or an email if you have configured that option. Be aware that the SmartCam A1 is almost too sensitive when it comes to detecting motion. Even when set to the lowest sensitivity setting, it will detect the smallest movement which caused my phone to constantly ping with a new notification. It got so annoying that I disarmed the camera.

As mentioned above, the SmartCam A1 records continuous video footage to a microSD card. You can view that footage through the SmartCam app or you can remove the microSD card and view the footage on your Mac or PC.

I did run into a problem trying to view the footage on my MacBook. The video files are saved as .AVI files on the microSD card. These files should be viewable using QuickTime, but I received an error each time I tried to view them so I tried VLC media player. The videos play using that app, but they have informational text that is overlayed over the video for the entire clip. Note that you don’t see this textual overlay when you view the same footage through the SmartCam mobile app.

I think the best feature of the SmartCam is the auto tracking feature which will follow the subject in the viewable area when motion is detected. See an example below.

It is a little creepy when you notice that the camera is following you around the room, but it’s a pretty handy feature.

Final thoughts

I’ve been using the Samsung Wisenet SmartCam A1 Home Security camera system for several weeks. I really like the auto tracking feature and the ability to pan the camera manually. I also like that there are no cloud storage fees involved because the footage is stored locally. If (hopefully when) Samsung can fix the motion detection sensitivity issue, the SmartCam A1 security camera system could easily become my new favorite.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Samsung. Please visit their site for more info and Amazon to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $179.00
Manufacturer: Samsung
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • Local storage of video footage
  • 350° auto tracking and panning
  • Expandable with more cameras
  • Wireless camera
  • No monthly or yearly cloud storage fees
Cons:
  • Motion detection is too sensitive even at the lowest sensitivity level

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Samsung Wisenet SmartCam A1 home security system review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 9, 2017 at 10:00 am.

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Logitech Slim Combo 10.5 inch iPad Pro keyboard case review

Both Julie and I have longed for Apple to produce a Surface Pro like product, a hybrid tablet running macOS. Apple argues that the iPad Pro fills that niche and is more than powerful and capable enough to get the job done. And I might agree that the iPad Pro has the horsepower but so far iOS has fallen a bit short for me. With iOS 11 and a portable keyboard, I have renewed hope that I can make the iPad Pro my main productivity travel companion. The Logitech Slim Combo is one of the most feature-rich smart connector enabled keyboards available. For this review, Logitech sent me their 10.5″ version in classical blue to check out.

The Logitech Slim Combo is a well made, plastic two-piece solution for adding productivity and protection to the iPad Pro. The back panel encases your iPad Pro and securely holds it in place with a snap. The front cover or base of the Combo is a nicely engineered keyboard that magnetically attaches to the iPad Pro’s smart connector.

The casing is made from rigid plastic and high-performance technical fabric with PU coating for spill-resistance. The case has cutouts and push-thru buttons taking nothing away from the functionality and features of the iPad Pro.

The back panel is very form fitted and takes a bit of force to get the iPad perfectly seated…but once inside there is little chance of it accidentally falling out.

The Slim Combo has an integrated loop built into the keyboard portion the case to transport the Apple Pen.

The top of the back hard case has a push-thru for the power button and cutouts for both speakers, mic, and audio plug.

The Slim Combo’s keyboard attaches on the left side of the case magnetically to the iPad’s Apple Smart Connector. The magnetic hold is adequate but the keyboard did fall off every now and then.

The base of the case has a large cutout allowing access to the iPad’s lighting port and speakers.

The backlit keyboard has no battery and is powered by your iPad via its smart connector. Connectivity is thru the connector as well, (versus Bluetooth) meaning little to no lag while typing.  According to Logitech, the keyboard uses between 0.4 to 2.3 percent of iPad battery for an hour of typing depending on backlighting brightness. There are three levels of backlighting that automatically turns off 8 seconds after the last keystroke. Interestingly the keyboard’s firmware is automatically updated when connected to the iPad Pro via Smart Connector.

The keyboard has 19 mm key pitch and 1.5 mm key travel. The palm rest is comfortable and enables good hand/finger positioning for typing. The keyboard feels a bit cramped compared to my 12″ MacBook but is more than functional and way better than typing on the iPad’s virtual keyboard. That said, I keep reaching for an imaginary trackpad that would make the setup perfect/ideal.

The bottom of the keyboard is textured as you can see below so that it does not slide around and is easy to hold onto when on the go.

Alright, let’s discuss the elephant in the room. The Logitech Slim Combo is ANYTHING but slim/tiny/petite/etc… It transforms the sleek, tech-sexy 10.5″ iPad Pro into a clunky, though admittedly productive, behemoth. The case alone weighs more than the iPad Pro.

Together they weigh more than the 12″ MacBook.

Specifications:

  • Height x Width x Depth: 10.16 in x 7.24 in x 1.06 in
  • Weight: 1.16 lbs

Logitech engineered a built-in stand into the back of the back cover. In landscape mode, the stand holds iPad Pro at any angle in within 50 degrees range: from 20 to 70 degrees. In portrait mode, the stand holds iPad Pro at 73 degrees. The iPad Pro auto turns on/off when the keyboard is opened or closed.

In true Gadgeteer style, this review was written on the Slim Combo keyboard with no hassle whatsoever. The typing was best on a flat surface because the case was not very lap-friendly at all.

While not as compact, sleek, or pretty as a naked iPad, the Logitech Slim Combo adds excellent protection in addition to significantly increasing productivity. The case is perfectly form fitted for the 10.5″ iPad Pro, completely encasing it. The keyboard is feature rich besting Apple’s keyboard in everything but size and weight. Overall the Logitech Slim Combo is an excellent choice if you want to transform your iPad Pro into more of a hybrid computing device.

Source:  The samples for this review were provided by Logitech. Please visit their site for more information and Best Buy to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $129.99
Manufacturer: Logitech
Retailer: Best Buy
Pros:
  • Perfectly fitted for the 10.5" iPad Pro
  • Excellent protection
  • Backlit keyboard
  • Extra function keys
  • Holds Apple Pencil
Cons:
  • Not lap-friendly
  • Adds significant weight & bulk

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Logitech Slim Combo 10.5 inch iPad Pro keyboard case review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 8, 2017 at 8:45 am.

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