Adonit Writer Plus Keyboard Case for New iPad Review : Turn Your iPad Into a Notebook or Something Like It!

TechPinas Reviews
Adonit Writer Plus Keyboard Case

Overview: Available in Red, Blue and Black, Adonit Writer Plus for the new iPad features a unique combination of smudge-and-scratch-resistant case and slim detachable Bluetooth keyboard helping protect the iDevice's metal body and glass touchscreen while allowing the user to type with the tablet as he or she would on a notebook like the Macbook Air.

In a few words: "I've seen other keyboard cases for the iPad but the ingenious design of the Adonit Writer Plus makes it a true stand-out. To adjust the angle of the screen, you just need to move the keyboard forward or backward. How cool is that? Also, I love the slim and detachable keyboard -- it has island-style keys and the shell is made of elegant and durable aluminum." - Mark of TP

What's in the box?

I got my Adonit Writer Plus from Digital Walker for Php 4,990. I believe the case is also available at Beyond the Box, Digital Hub, Power Mac Center, and iCenter for the same amount.

So we have the case itself. Mine's in Red; It's a TP color and it just stands out. I love it.

The case has a plastic frame and the cover is made of this slightly rubbery faux-leather-like material, which resists scratches and grime. Oh, and there's the Adonit logo heat-pressed onto the case.

Lifting the cover reveals the detachable keyboard and the USB to microUSB connector cable.

Make the case stand by lifting the keyboard and moving it forward. Yep, simple as that! Magnets keep the keyboard in place.

Design

My #newTattooiPad fits the groove perfectly. A small protruding piece of plastic with the Adonit logo at the bottom and another one with two prongs on top clip the iDevice in place. At first, I was kind of hesitant to snap my iPad in as I was afraid the plastic on top might scratch the metal case but I went ahead and thankfully, no marks or dents at all.

Check out the side view. Placing the keyboard at the very edge of the case gives you that ideal angle for typing while moving it inward pushes the screen to a steeper angle. Just the same, pulling it beyond the edge - with enough space for the magnet to still work - reclines the display.

As you can see, there are grooves on this side of the frame for the speaker and the charging port. On the other side, you'll also see grooves for the power button, and the 3.5mm audio jack.

The whole thing - iPad, Keyboard, and Case - is only around an inch thick! I think this makes Adonit Writer Plus one of the thinnest keyboard cases you can get for the tablet.

The keyboard has small rubber stoppers near the sides that keep it - keys and all - from touching and scratching the iPad's glass touchscreen. I know the new iPad flaunts a scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass display but I think it's nice that Adonit added this detail; shows they care, really.

Also, if you look at the photo, there's a magnetic seal on the suede cover extending beyond the keyboard, which puts the device to sleep as soon as it touches the screen. When you lift the cover, the display automatically turns on.

Adonit Writer Plus makes it easy for you to take your iPad out of the case with just a snap. At the rear, there's a hole for your finger which you can use to push or jolt the slate out of the frame. Here's how it works:

Of course, at the back, there's a hole for the camera, allowing you to shoot photos and videos even with the case on.

TP Design Verdict: Adonit Writer Plus offers a notable departure from the usual clunky and heavy clam-shell design that you get with other keyboard cases for the iPad. The materials used allowed the case to be thin and light while still having the durability and attractiveness that you'd expect from accessories made for Apple products.

Keyboard

There are five things I like about Adonit Writer Plus' keyboard.

1. It just looks great. Again, the combination of island-style keys and the anodized aluminum case makes the keyboard look sleek and elegant. I mean, just look at it.

2. The keys are a joy to use. Although you don't get a full-sized keyboard, the size of the most used keys as well as their tactile feedback are comparable to what you get from a notebook. Adonit made a few compromises including a smaller delete key and right shift key but they don't really bother me that much.

Not a full-sized keyboard but leaps and bounds better than a virtual one. If you want to create content on your iPad, this is the kind of keyboard you'd want to use.

3. It's detachable. There are other keyboard cases for the iPad that use Bluetooth to connect to the tablet but what's amazing about Adonit is that the keyboard is totally detachable. This means that you can take it out to recline the screen even further; if the iPad's screen strains your eyes while typing, you can detach the keyboard, and move the screen back; or even use the keyboard with other devices!

Magnets hold it in place. Just pull it out to detach.

To connect the keyboard to your iPad, just turn it on using the small switch at the back (You'd have to use a pin or a pen to move the switch, which is a bit inconvenient, but you only need to do this once since the device automatically sleeps when you're not using it.), then press and hold the 'plus' button located at upper right corner of the keyboard for around 5 seconds to make it detectable. Now, go to your iPad's settings, turn on Bluetooth and connect to the Adonit Keyboard. Note that you'd have to type in a password on the keyboard to activate the connection for the first time.

4. It's slim and light. Measuring less than 10 millimeters at its thickest point and weighing just around 8 ounces, Adonit Writer Plus' keyboard makes you wonder how something so thin and light work so great.

5. No need to change batteries! You can charge the keyboard using any regular USB charger like the one that ships with your iPad. One full charge can last around 2 weeks with the device constantly turned on.

TP Verdict: If you're a student or a young professional and you want your new iPad to be more efficient for taking notes or for creating content, then check out Adonit Writer Plus. I've been using it to blog and to send emails and so far, the experience has been great; I can really say that I've been more productive with my iPad with this very stylish keyboard case. All things considered, I'm giving it 9.8 out of 10 TP Stars.