Zagg ZAGGkeys PROplus (for iPad)

Though remarkably similar to the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover , the Zagg ZAGGkeys PROplus ($129.99 direct) is an excellent iPad keyboard in its own right. You get a nearly identical premium aluminum build and comfortable typing experience in a svelte package, but the PROplus brings a fresh new trick to the table?backlit keys. It also offers a slightly more secure fit, though I prefer the nifty magnetic hinge design on Logitech's Ultrathin. If you find yourself struggling to peck away at keyboards in the dark, the Zagg ZAGGkeys PROplus is easily the best iPad keyboard accessory you can buy. The Logitech Ultrathin is $30 less expensive, though, and not everyone wants or needs backlighting, so it retains our Editors' Choice award for iPad keyboard accessories.?

Design, Setup, and Keyboard
Much like the Logitech Ultrathin, the Zagg PROplus is an exceptionally well-designed iPad accessory, with a sleek aluminum build that blends seamlessly with the iPad's aluminum back. It's designed for the newest fourth-generation iPad , but since the iPad 2?and third-gen iPad?are identical in size, it should work fine for all three.?At 9.6 by 7.4 by 0.24 inches (HWD), the PROplus is actually thinner than the Logitech Ultrathin (0.39 inches), but at 15.3 ounces, it's a bit heavier than the Ultrathin's 12.5 ounces.

Instead of a magnetic hinge, the PROplus has a gray plastic lip and magnetized edge to hold the iPad in place. The design offers a more secure hold on the iPad, as the Ultrathin had a problem with sliding off the iPad's screen, especially when thrown into a bag. Aesthetically, I prefer the Ultrathin's hinge, and the secure lip also makes the PROplus somewhat difficult to disengage from the iPad for use?you'll have to dig your finger tip into a small space in the lip and pry the two apart. Much like the Ultrathin, the PROplus has a slim ridge above the keyboard to prop the iPad up, but it only supports a single viewing angle. Neither of these cases protects the iPad's back, though, so if you're looking for more substantial protection I'd recommend the ClamCase?or ZaggFolio .

Along the right edge is a micro USB port for charging the non-removable battery. Zagg claims that the 1,500mAh battery in the?PROplus can last from 10 to 55 hours of continuous use, depending on brightness settings. Mileage will vary, but if you use the Zagg at moderate brightness for about an hour a day, you should see up to a few weeks of battery life on a single charge.

On the bottom row, next to the spacebar, is the backlight control key. Press once and a pleasant glow appears under the keys. There are three brightness levels, which are cycled by pressing the backlight key, and while there was some light bleed around the edges of each key, I never found it too offensive. The backlighting will also turn off automatically after a few minutes, helping to preserve battery life. If you're a night owl or work in darker areas, the backlit keys will be a boon.?

Above the keyboard is an On/Off switch and a Pair button to initiate pairing over Bluetooth. Setup is as quick and easy as any other Bluetooth accessory, and you'll be typing away in seconds. You'll only need to pair one time, as the PROplus automatically reconnects when in range. You can also wake the iPad up from sleep by pressing the Home key.

You get a full QWERTY keyboard with chiclet-style keys, as well as a dedicated row for functions like cut, copy, paste, and media playback. The dedicated row is a nice touch, as the Logitech Ultrathin wasn't able to fit one in on its keyboard. Typing on the chiclet keys is comfortable, if a bit cramped, but as far as iPad keyboards go, Zagg makes some of the best. Keys have good travel despite the PROplus's thin profile, and feedback was solid. The Delete key is a bit small for my taste, but it was easy to acclimate to the setup and type as quickly as I can on normal keyboards.

Conclusions
The Zagg ZAGGkeys PROplus delivers an excellent typing experience in a svelte, well-built aluminum package. Much like the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover, the PROplus looks like it could have been designed by Apple itself. The PROplus is $30 more expensive than the equally excellent Logitech Ultrathin, but for that extra cash you get a backlit keyboard. Both the Ultrathin and PROplus will deliver an excellent and ultra portable typing experience on the iPad, so it really just comes down to whether or not you think you need the backlit keys. If so, then by all means get the PROplus. But if not, you'd be equally served with the less expensive Ultrathin, which remains our Editors' Choice. If you'd rather have full protection for your iPad along with a keyboard, the ClamCase and ZaggFolio are both solid options, although both are more difficult to remove if you just want to use the iPad by itself at times.

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