But there are some accessories that are truly smart and useful, things that extend the iPad beyond its lot as a luxury item, or turn it from a niche product into something with a broader purpose. Here are some of our favorites.
Above:
Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Cover
When I started researching external keyboards, everyone online was raving about this $100 Ultrathin. And when Logitech sent me a review unit, I understood why — it’s far nicer than every other Bluetooth keyboard out there.
Paired with your favorite productivity apps, it immediately transforms your iPad into a suitable laptop replacement. The keys are very comfortable, with just the right amount of travel. All the common keyboard shortcuts work as expected, and at the top, there are special keys for controlling media playback and for cutting and pasting. Where the Esc key would normally be, there’s an iOS home button. It’s a little weird using a keyboard without a trackpad or a mouse, but the interaction language of iOS bridges that mental gap for you at least a little bit — when you’re using an iPad, it’s already natural to reach up and touch the screen.
The iPad mounts into a little slot just above the keys (it fits both the iPad 2 and 3) where it’s held in place with a magnet. To tote it, you slap the plastic magnetic hinge against the iPad and close the whole assembly like a notebook. The keyboard really is thin — it’s about the same thickness as your iPad, so it looks like you have two iPads sandwiched together, face to face. — Michael Calore
WIRED Comfortable, fast typing — the best of the keyboards we’ve tested. Charges over USB, and the battery lasts forever between charges. Hinge mounts and releases effortlessly. Thin and neat.
TIRED Can’t use it with other cases like a Smart Cover. The plastic hinge feels flimsy, and it rattles. Smooth bottom slides around on desks and tables. Made for landscape mode, and a little iffy in portrait mode.
All Photos: Alex Washburn / Wired 