Zaggmate bluetooth keyboard Review

Ricardo Trejo Mar 1, 2011 Follow Me Follow Me Follow Me Follow Me Follow Me Follow Me Follow Me Follow Us Accessories, Apple, Exclusive, Gadgets, Hardware, Okay Geek Review, Reviews, iPad

While the iPad is by far the best tablet out there, sometimes there are instances when a keyboard just flat out kicks the touchscreen’s onboard keys. Not to mention when you have half of the virtual keys covering up your work it’s a bit hard to get things done. Luckily, there are bluetooth keyboards like the tyPad we reviewed yesterday, and the Zaggmate, which we’ll take a look at right now.

Zaggmate bluetooth keyboard

Features

• Bluetooth qwerty keyboard
• Multiple working function keys
• Protective stainless steel exterior

Review

The original Zaggmate was nothing but an iPad case and stand, nothing more or less. But this new model, while still featuring the case and stand, it also plays host to an integrated bluetooth keyboard on the inside of the case itself. Pairing the keyboard is as easy as any other bluetooth device — settings, bluetooth, look for discoverable devices, turn on the Zaggmate, and then enable. So how does it stack up and does it make the iPad experience everything it was ever meant to be?

Bluetooth keyboards are a dime a dozen nowadays, but what makes the Zaggmate keyboard such a comodity is its functionality made specifically for the iPad. What that means is that the entire build was meant and intended soley for Apple’s fan favorite tablet. Encased in a snug stainless steel case, the Zaggmate hosts a full qwerty keyboard, although a bit altered to fit in everything. Not only that, but there are quite a few F-keys so that you don’t have to go back and forth between the keyboard and touch keys on the iPad itself. A few of these quick executables are pause, play, rewind and fast forward for locally saved videos and songs; volume control and even a mute button for media; and finally, some utilities such as toggling on and off slideshow mode, printing, throwing up the on-screen keyboard, and an escape key, which acts like the iPad’s onboard home button.

In terms of its usability, the keys are nice and clicky making for an experience in which you never question whether or not you hit a key. That being said however, since the keyboard is quite small it can take some getting used to, although it is about the same size some keyboards are on current netbooks. On another note, when first placing the iPad on the stand you question whether or not its sturdy enough to hold your half a grand, apple investment. I’m happy to say that in both portrait and landscape the Zaggmate never feels as if it’s going to topple backward due to the weight of the iPad. It should be noted that the optimal location for the Zaggmate should be on a desk or a flat surface, not in your lap like notebooks since then it might fall over.

The Zaggmate was designed with portability in mind, since as first mentioned on the outset of this review, the Zaggmate was initially just a case and stand without the keyboard. The steel case is built in a way for the iPad to face inward, not outward. What this ends up meaning is that you you’re not going to be able to use the iPad while it’s within the Zaggmate’s case. But since you’re lugging it around in the Zaggmate, it’s obvious that you’d only take it out when you want to use it with your keyboard, probably to take notes at work, or finish that novel you’ve been working on all these years. The case itself is no joke, made out of strong stuff that snuggly fits the iPad from wall to wall, and in the case of a drop, since the iPad faces inward there’s no damage done to the tablet’s glass touchscreen, making for the ultimate screen protector and mobility case.

The Zaggmate charges via a mini-USB cable that’s included in the packaging. It’s somewhat difficulty to guage just how long the battery on the keyboard can last since Zagg claims it can stay on Standby for months. But in our trials the keyboard lasted for longer than a week whenever we needed to get some writing done on our iPad’s and we never looked back. There’s an on/off switch to save battery whenever not in use just in case you’re worried, but one charge should be more than enough to keep your hands busy on the keys. Also included in the packaging are 4 rubber stops to help stabilize the case if use on a slippery flat surface. 

Overall

The Zaggmate with bluetooth keyboard for what it does is excellent; it’s a keyboard and protective case all in one. However, its price is a bit steep at $99 considering you can buy a wireless bluetooth or iPad keyboard dock each at $69 from Apple. In the end it feels like you’re spending an extra $30 bucks just for the ease of moving both products together as one in your bag without fear of them scratching each other. On the otherhand, the Zaggmate is an awesome concept that transforms a tablet into a full blown desktop with word processing capabilties which is just what some have been craving since the iPad’s release.

Pro’s

• Works fantastically
• Doubles as a protective case
• Easy to transport

Con’s

• Keyboard is a bit small
• Price is a little much when compared to official product

Price: $79 - $99
Where to buy: Amazon, Zagg

Photos

This review was done by Ricardo Trejo, who was provided the Zaggmate by Zagg.