Logitech has made some of our favorite iPad keyboard cases like the Editors' Choice-winning Ultrathin Keyboard Cover and the Ultrathin Keyboard mini ($39.99 at Amazon) . Its latest addition, the Blok Protective Keyboard case for iPad Air 2 ($129.99), comes out under Logitech's new "Logi" brand (pronounced Low-gee), a branch of products that emphasize extra safety, colorful style, and versatility. With a shell made of thick polymer material, a comfortable, detachable keyboard, and an adjustable stand, the Blok fulfills all the criteria that Logi stands for. If you're an iPad Air 2 user looking for a laptop-like experience, this case should work for you, as long you don't mind the added bulk.
Design and Features
Available in black, blue, or red, the Logi Blok basically turns your iPad into a Microsoft Surface Pro 3 ($889.00 at Amazon) , complete with adjustable stand and detachable keyboard. The stand can be adjusted from 20 to 70 degrees, which isn't as much as the Typo Keyboard for iPad Air with its 10-to-90-degree range, but the Blok still retains a nice laptop-like feel. It's made of flexible, rubbery polymer with squared edges—thus the Blok name. The edges are meant to absorb shock upon falls. Logitech promises six feet of drop protection, even on floors as hard as concrete, something that I'm too timid to try with our test-unit Apple iPad Air 2 ($445.00 at eBay) . I can confirm, however, that it protects from drops to carpeted floors from a couple of feet high.
True to its name, the Blok is on the big, heavy side for a keyboard case. It measures 9.9 by 7.26 by 0.87 inches (HWD) and weighs 1.42 pounds. That's even bulkier than the similarly designed Typo keyboard. The extra weight isn't a deal breaker, but it's something to consider if you like to travel light.
Similar Products
Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard mini
Anker TC930 Ultra-Thin Keyboard Cover for iPad Air
Belkin Ultimate Keyboard Case (for iPad)
ClamCase Pro for iPad Air 2
ClamCase Pro for iPad Mini
Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Folio for iPad Air
Zagg Folio Keyboard for iPad Air
Unlike most keyboard cases, you won't find a USB port for recharging the Blok's battery. That's because it uses two CR2032 coin cell batteries, which should last about four years. They are replaceable via a slot on the shell's side. To activate the Blok for the first time, you need to pull a plastic tab out of the slot, then turn it on with the Power switch on the case's left side.
The keyboard attaches and detaches to the shell using magnets in the hinge. It's a nice feature, and one of the best things about the case, since it allows you to type comfortably from a few feet away. Unfortunately, the magnetic connection is pretty weak. I was able to pull the keyboard and shell cover apart easily with just a tiny bit of pressure. But unlike the Typo, if you flip the keyboard portion behind the iPad and hold the tablet like a book, the magnetic connection is strong enough to remain intact. And despite being encased in rugged polymer, the iPad is easily pried out of the case when you want to let it breathe.
Keyboard and Conclusions
The Blok's keyboard is one of the more comfortable QWERTY tablet keyboards I've tested . Unlike the Kensington KeyFolio Thin X3 ( at Amazon) , with its stiff, rigid keys, the Blok features large Chiclet-style keys that register with a mere tap. They could be a little springier for better feedback, but the keys are well-defined, well-sized, and properly spaced, so you can comfortably type without a problem. And all the keys are where you expect them to be—there are no awkward, consolidated combo keys here. You even get nicely sized arrow keys, as well as a dedicated row of iOS shortcut keys that line the top row, including a Magnifying Glass key for search functions, a Battery Indicator key, a key to activate Siri voice assistance, music playback controls, and a key that hides or shows your on-screen keyboard. And of course, there's a Bluetooth key for pairing, which is a simple process: Just press and hold the Bluetooth key for a few seconds, and pair it with your tablet through the Bluetooth menu under Settings in iOS.
For $129.99, the Blok is a little pricier than its aforementioned Logitech cousins, but it could be worth it for the extra durability and the detachable magnetic keyboard. If you want something sleeker and less expensive, you should consider our Editors' Choice, Logitech's own Ultrathin Keyboard Cover, which has a similar magnetic hinge and a well-spaced keyboard, but sheds the extra bulk. There's also the Belkin Ultimate Keyboard Case ($49.99 at Amazon) , which has a svelte, aluminum design, a full QWERTY keyboard, and offers multiple viewing angles, for the same price as the Ultrathin. But if you don't want to invest that much, check out the Anker TC930 Ultra-Thin Keyboard Cover ($29.99 at Amazon) . For just $30, you get a similar design and experience as the Logitech Ultrathin, but with smaller, more cramped keys.
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