Review: Belkin QODE "Thin Type" keyboard case for the iPad Air

The last time I reviewed a Bluetooth keyboard for the iPad was the Logitech Ultra-thin keyboard case. It was -- and is -- a great option for those like me who are on the go constantly, and rely on the convenience of their iPad to get a lot of work done. Issue is, every time something good is released, chances are there is someone in the woodwork readying something that much better.

Such is the case with the QODE thin type keyboard from Belkin.

Taking cues from its competition and rectifying the subtle inconsistencies, I feel like Belkin worked as close as they could with Apple to make a product so good, it could (should) be considered OEM.

Let’s take a deeper look at why this keyboard is worth every penny of the investment.

Specifications

• Materials: Aluminum and polycarbonate
• Estimated battery life: 79 hours active, 3100 hours standby
• Charging cable: USB to micro-USB (included)

Design:

The battle to make the thinnest keyboard for the iPad Air has reached fever pitch, but Belkin has now taken the lead. This is the closest way, by far, to making the iPad Air a full-fledged laptop. Akin to its competitor in the previously mentioned Ultra-thin, the QODE has a horizontal indentation above the top row of keys to place your iPad onto while in use. It also has a similar magnetic latch that locks onto the edges of the iPad for convenient and secure storing when not in use.

The only feature that hasn’t sat well with me, per say, is the bulk added to the back where the battery is on the keyboard; I feel like Belkin should have tried a bit more to make it more flush.

Usability:

Quite honestly, the most convenient keyboard to get setup and acquainted with. Gone are the days of the physical “power” button, and I give Belkin a solid knuckle-tap for that one. Rather than giving their users’ another button to worry about and once the keyboard is fully charged, press pair at the top right of the keyboard and bond it with your ever-searching iPad Air. Once connected, you never need to worry about it again; it auto-connects and disconnects when your iPad is docked in the aforementioned indentation above the keys. As an added bonus, there's even a row of dedicated iOS-related keys on top. Some are essential, like the home button, volume keys, and a shortcut to see all open apps

The best part of the experience: 

Ironically, the best part of using this keyboard happens to be the reason you should buy it: the physical keys themselves. Unlike the Ultra thin, and despite the thinness of the keyboard itself, the physical buttons on the keyboard are spaced enough to comfortably type on! What a thought! I actually wrote half this review on the iPad itself.

Overall:

The QODE, by far, is the current leader in the Bluetooth iPad keyboard category and worth every dollar of the hundred that you’re going to drop getting it. Learn more from Belkin here

Contest: 

Here's a chance to win one of these impressive iPad Air keyboards.

1. Follow us on Twitter and retweet this contest, "I'd love to win the Belkin QODE from @Creviewer and@Belkin."

2. Like Us on Facebook

We will be picking one lucky winner by June 2, 2014. Contest open to residents of Canada. Best of luck to everyone who joins!!

Comments

[Steve Ko]

Great review, and I mostly agree with your assessment. The one thing that I just could not get used to with this keyboard, however, is the odd placement of the colon/semi-colon key. This is probably not a big deal for most users, but I just could not deal with it. Eventually ended up returning it, which was sad, because everything else about the keyboard is great.

One funny thing is that the pictures of the Qode Thin Type on Belkin's website show the colon/semi-colon key in the place where I would like it to be!