The most recent round of iPad Pros make decent laptop replacements, but Apple’s gorgeous keyboard cases are really expensive. Into the breach steps Logitech, with a range of reasonably priced replacements that are both more protective and more affordable than Apple's cases, although they fall a little short on the quality of the keyboard itself. I tested the Bluetooth-based Logitech Slim Folio Pro keyboard-only case ($119.99 for the 11-inch iPad Pro, $129.99 for the 12.9-inch model), but there are a number of iterations.

A Safe Case

The Slim Folio Pro uses Bluetooth. To use the iPad Pro's Smart Connector instead, you need to get the Slim Combo ($129.99 to $149.99). Logitech doesn’t have a trackpad-enabled case for the latest iPad Pros, but its $149.99 Combo Touch With Trackpad works with the less-expensive iPad and iPad Air.

Your iPad Pro is a major investment, and Logitech’s case is noticeably thicker and more protective than Apple’s. The iPad snaps into rubber bumpers around each corner, so that if you drop the encased tablet on its edge, the bumper takes the immediate shock. That’s a good protective move. A chunky latch flips over the outside of the case to keep it closed in transit.

Like Apple’s cases, the primary material here is a soft-touch, dark gray plastic. The case only has one available angle, which should work for most people, but it’s worth noting that Apple’s Smart Keyboard has two angle options.

The case connects via Bluetooth, which isn’t quite as convenient as Apple’s Smart Connector. I occasionally got double letters in testing, a common issue with Bluetooth keyboard cases in my experience. It didn’t happen very often, but it reminded me that I was using a wireless connection rather than a more reliable wired one.

The case charges separately from your iPad using USB-C, and Logitech estimates a total of about 180 hours of use per charge.

The 78-key keyboard uses scissor switches and is on the small end of full-sized, with an 18mm key pitch. That’s the same as Apple’s Smart Keyboard, but each key is slightly smaller than the ones on the more expensive Magic Keyboard. You get more keys, though. There’s a full row of function keys lacking on Apple’s keyboard, including media control, a dedicated home key, and a dedicated search key.

The keys have a considerable amount of travel—they feel a little deeper than either of Apple's keyboards. They're backlit, with two brightness levels, but compared with Apple’s backlight, Logitech’s feels cheap. The light leaks out around the edges of the keys; the keys are visible in the dark and the light comes through the key caps, but it also comes through at the bottoms of the keys.

The sturdy body makes your iPad lap-ready. Because the flat part of the keyboard extends behind the iPad, it’s relatively stable, but a slightly loose fold of material behind the tablet when it’s open means that the whole assembly wobbles a little if you pound on the keys.

When you aren't using the keyboard, you can flip it back out of the way. The keys disable, but this is where the case being bulkier than Apple's Smart Keyboard becomes a bit of an issue; it feels like it gets in the way in this mode, whereas the Smart Keyboard's slim top case is less of a bother.

Conclusions

All in all, the Logitech Slim Folio Pro is a good iPad keyboard case, just not the perfect one. I’d like tighter keys, and for the case to use the Smart Connector rather than Bluetooth. But when it comes to durability and price, it might be the right choice for you. The Slim Folio Pro costs $60 less than Apple’s Smart Keyboard for the 11-inch iPad Pro, and $80 less for the 12.9-inch model. It’s clunkier for sure, but also more protective. If you have the money to spend, however, Apple's keyboard feels notably better to use. Ultimately, your decision should come down to what you want in terms of price and protection.