Ever since I sold off my ASUS Transformer TF101 and bought the Galaxy Note 10.1, I'd figured that I had gained the ability to precision input (like write, draw or crop) but lost the ability to perform fast and course inputs like typing.
Feeling the missing piece as I like to express and write documentations, my hunt for a keyboard enseus. Something that is supposed to be practical, reliable, trustable and most importantly - does not burden in terms of battery life and erganomics. I had browsed through quite a bit of different keyboards (China unbranded, branded ones, official from Samsung ones) but ultimately I had come to rest onto this selection of Keyboard for my tablet - Logitech Tablet Keyboard for Android 3.0+
Not all bluetooth keyboards are the same
Why Logitech named it "for Android" ? It's basically there are some buttons on the keyboard which would only makes sense when it's being used on the Android operating system (For example: The HOME and BACK button). Given on an iOS or Windows Mobile device, these buttons may had been deemed useless and would need to be remap to something else as not to waste it being there on the layout
A case and a stand
The keyboard case is meant to stow the keyboard away when not being used but it can also double up as a stand for the tablet. This smart design works for those who does not have a proper standing case which allows their smart device to be rested on a landscape or portrait orientation. Moreover, if you ever have a device with a large thick case, the bottom hinge can be also be adjusted to support it. SMART !
Keyboard weight and size
The keyboard weight is very important for owners as it need to be light enough for owners to carry around yet heavy enough as to stay firm on the table for typing purpose. For me, it leans towards the heavy side of the story. It's almost 400grams (with the case) and if lug along with your tablet, it would had been more than 1kg in total weight. Luckily we wont be using this keyboard without a base supporting at the bottom of it (or would you ?)
Battery life
The keyboard runs on 4 Standard AAA batteries - comes installed within. I heard that these 4 little guys would last you 5 to 6 months on an average use but I can't really vouch for that at the moment. Then again, I have another Logitech keyboard at home which uses the wireless techology and the battery life seems like forever - based on my use
Price
I got mine at RM165, If you go to the shops in Low Yat, you'll probably set back to around RM190 or more. My advise, go lelong.com.my and check it out but be warned about the warranty though
Cons
What I don't like about this keyboard is that it needs to work along with your default Android keyboard. If you're like me using a Samsung Tablet, your default keyboard would be the Samsung one, some of the key mappings aren't accurate when it's maps back to Samsung soft keyboard. Furthermore, if Logitech would be so kind as to release one keyboard software to remap the keys - I believe this would make this keyboard perfect (At least in my context)
Conclusion
Now for a price tag of RM165 (for me), I would say this is worth the investment, moreover, this keyboard is not necessary being used for tablets - you can even use it for your smartphones. Admittedly I am never a virtual keyboard guy and swyping through the large 10 inch screen had not been futile for me, therefore this keyboard would had helped quite a lot. Oh and one final thing, since I'm using it on my Galaxy Note 10.1, it means that it works for Android 4.1.2 !
http://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/tablet-keyboard-android-win8-rt?crid=1242
Tablet, Accessories, Keyboard,
