The announcement of the iPad
Pro signified a new age for the iPad in which the tablet becomes a major
productivity device that could potentially replace your laptop. While the
top-of-the-line Apple slate is quite expensive for the average tablet user and
could easily cost as much as a full-featured laptop, the Cupertino company’s iPad
Air 2 offers a more affordable alternative without compromising on
productivity.
The iPad
Air 2 has been in the market for over a year now, which means that third
party manufacturers have ample amount of time to create accessories for the
device. These include keyboards of all types that allow the iPad Air to become
a productivity device for creating documents, presentations and spreadsheets.
However, while the selection of Bluetooth keyboards for the
iPad Air 2 might be extensive, a lot of them are also quite expensive or
underwhelming. So, is there a BT keyboard out there that offers great value for
money?
We take a look at Seenda’s Bluetooth Keyboard case for the
iPad Air 2 to see if it can be the perfect productivity partner to get more
work done on the iPad.
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
The Seenda Bluetooth keyboard is composed of two parts: the
folio part with the snap on case that holds the iPad and the removable
keyboard.
The folio case has four folds that allow the case to
transform from a notebook style case for the tablet into a stand that props up
the iPad to be used either for viewing content or working with the Bluetooth
keyboard.
By the looks of it, a form of textured faux leather was used
in the construction of the Seenda case. There are two diagonal silver accents
that run across the outside of the case as well as a chrome-plated Seenda
branding at the back of the cover that give it a minimalist yet tasteful
feature.
The inner lining of the case is covered with the same
textured faux leather material but this time, it’s treated with a matte gray
finish, possibly to give it more grip for the keyboard and the tablet. The
plastic snap on case is very thin, which allows your iPad Air 2 to keep its
thin profile. The case also has a small rubber strip at the bottom that
prevents slippage when you prop up the tablet.
The Seenda BT Keyboard case has specific cut-outs for the
rear camera, the volume buttons, the power/sleep button, the bottom speakers
and the lightning port, which should give users easy access to users even when
using third party accessories.
THE KEYBOARD
Of course, the star of this device is the keyboard. Just
like the cover, the keyboard is covered in the same textured faux leather
material and is bound by a small strip of black plastic
The board uses island-style keys that are made from plastic.
Although the amount of space in the keyboard isn’t as generous as those from
full-size devices, there is enough space between keys for a comfortable typing
experience.
The keyboard works fine with different types of devices
including Android phones and tablets as well as Windows smartphones and
computers. This adds flexibility to the Bluetooth keyboard although you can
only connect one device at a time and there’s no way for you to switch between
devices compared to other keyboards.
The keys have enough travel that provide ample tactile
feedback. However, there were times that the device failed to register our
keystrokes that lead to us misspelling words several times during our tests.
Also, unlike other keyboard cases in the market, the Seenda
BT keyboard is detachable allowing for more flexibility when it comes to the
tablet’s viewing angles. There are small magnets at the back of the keyboard,
which keeps it in place when it’s not in use.
However, even these magnets are not enough to keep the
keyboard in place if you try to use the case on your lap. Having said this, the
Seenda BT keyboard is only meant to be used on a flat and stable surface, which
limits its usability as a productive device.
SPECIAL FEATURES
In contrast to Bluetooth keyboards from more popular brands
like Logitech or Belkin, Seenda has decided to use a different layout by
placing the keys at the top of the board and giving room for a small palm rest
at the bottom.
The palm rest adds a bit of comfort to the typing
experience. In fact, the typing experience on the Seenda keyboard can at times
be as close to that of a laptop keyboard that there were times that we were
trying to touch the area where a touchpad was supposed to be located.
Pairing the device is an easy affair. After switching on the
keyboard, users simply need press the pairing button at the right and input the
four-digit code that will be displayed on the tablet into the keyboard and press
enter.
The Seenda keyboard also has dedicated number keys at the
top making it very convenient to input numbers in spreadsheets or documents. On
top of that, the numeric keys have a secondary function that can be activated
when the key is pressed with the Fn key.
A manual switch is also located at the right portion of the
keyboard which you flick back and forth to turn the keyboard on and off. A few
millimeters from the power switch is a small strip with indicator lights for
the caps lock, the battery status indicator and the Bluetooth pairing
indicator.
Final Words
When it comes to being productive using a tablet, a keyboard
is the best way to get more work done. There are a lot of options in this
category including those from more established brands like Logitech, Kensington
and Belkin. However, products from these brands rarely go below $50. This is
where the Seenda Bluetooth keyboard comes in with its sub $40 price tag.
Overall, the Seenda Bluetooth keyboard offers quite a nice
package with a minimalist yet feature-packed design. We liked that keys are
placed with enough space to make for a comfortable typing experience and that
there’s a dedicated number row with a special function. Battery life was also
commendable, which in our case took several weeks before needing a recharge.
However, the device is not without any shortcomings. Our
biggest issue with the Seenda BT keyboard is that you can’t really use it on your
lap when typing, which greatly limits the amount of work that can be done on
the iPad. There were also times that the keys were not as responsive as we’d
like. Lastly, we didn’t like that the Bluetooth connection automatically shuts
down after a certain amount of time and we have no control over it.
With all things said, the Seenda Bluetooth keyboard case
remains an excellent choice for iPad Air 2 owners who want to get a case/keyboard
combo that does what it’s supposed to do without costing too much.
