Two weeks into using the iPad Pro, I’m even more convinced of something I believed during week one: the 12.9″ iPad is good on its own, but if an accessory adds enough bulk to make it feel like a poor man’s laptop, it starts to stink. I suspect that’s why Apple let another company release the first iPad Pro keyboard case; once you’ve tried something as big as Logitech’s Create, you’ll start searching for a “smarter” solution.
From where I stand, Urban Armor Gear’s new Composite Case for iPad Pro ($80) is a much better alternative to both Logitech’s and Apple’s solutions — so well thought-out and polished that it’s bound to inspire copycats. It begins by offering a ruggedized case and two highly distinctive features — a three-angle metal kickstand, and an integrated Apple Pencil holder — that would in and of themselves fully justify the price tag. But UAG went further, including optional Apple Smart Keyboard compatibility, and offering MIL-STD-810G anti-drop protection. While there will eventually be slimmer and simpler iPad Pro cases, Composite Case currently offers every feature an iPad Pro owner could want…
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I’ve long favored iPad cases with integrated stands; ZeroChroma’s Folio Slides and earlier Vario-SC cases literally transformed the way my standless iPads get used every day. But even though I love their adjustability, ZeroChroma’s plastic stands tend to wear down over time, requiring replacement. Based on a design previously introduced for Microsoft’s Surface Pro tablets, UAG’s Composite Case instead includes a stand made from silver aluminum, with an internal hard plastic hinge mechanism that supports three different angles. It’s an excellent stand, and the single best feature of the case.
The strongest recline is a deep lean that works well for typing on an external keyboard, akin to Logitech’s Create, while the shallowest angle is around 10 to 15 degrees behind a fully upright 90-degree angle. Between them is a third angle that’s a gentle, Apple-like recline. I love the versatility these angles permit; by comparison with Apple’s iPad Pro Smart Covers, the only thing missing is an angle to support on-screen virtual typing.
The rest of the case is also made from sturdier materials. Like ZeroChroma’s cases, it’s made mostly from a slightly flexible plastic that mostly preserves its shape, but in typical UAG style, it sports rear panels with “Frogskin” accents that give it a “near-future military” look. In the jet black version (called “Scout”), the Frogskin accents merely add textured grips, but blue (“Cobalt”) and red (“Rogue”) Composite Cases pop with spots of color. I’d personally favor the all-black Composite for an iPad Pro, but to each their own.
Between the grips and the MIL-STD-810G anti-drop protection, your chances of accidentally dropping the Pro radically decrease, while the Pro’s chances of safely surviving a drop radically increase. Composite Case’s deliberately (and thankfully) basic front has a 2mm-thick bezel, which can keep your Pro’s screen from touching whatever flat surface the case comes to rest on. The more complex back is the reason Composite roughly doubles the Pro’s natural thickness at some points, most notably at the center and long edges.
My second favorite feature in Composite Case juts out from the front right edge: an Apple Pencil holder. While it’s a risky move for UAG to include a place to hold an optional, $100 accessory, the omission of an Apple Pencil storage solution has been conspicuous in other iPad Pro accessories, so it’s welcome here. Made from the same slightly pliable plastic as the rest of the case, it adds 6mm of width and 3-4mm of thickness to a 30mm box on Composite’s edge. As an Apple Pencil user, I consider it a major selling point of an iPad Pro case; UAG’s design firmly grips the pencil while enabling it to be removed as needed.
Another nice touch is Composite Case’s optional Smart Keyboard compatibility — the first practical solution I’ve seen to address the needs of both Smart Keyboard users and the many people who won’t spend $170 on the optional accessory. If you want to attach a keyboard, a hard plastic bracket detaches from Composite Case’s long edge to permit both magnetic and Smart Connector attachment. Should you prefer not use the feature, five pegs and latches keep the bracket in place. I love that UAG included the bracket, but have no desire to use it.
Why? Composite Case frees iPad Pro users to adopt what will — in the absence of a better Apple solution — become the dominant “large tablet” paradigm going forward: as-needed access to a wireless keyboard such as Logitech’s K811 or Apple’s Magic Keyboard rather than a bulky, always-connected wired keyboard. Up until now, the key missing piece to enable this for the iPad Pro was an integrated stand, but Composite Case fixes that while adding drop protection and an Apple Pencil holder to the tablet. Apple’s $140 alternative — pairing an $80 iPad Pro Silicone Case with a $60 iPad Pro Smart Cover — is more expensive, less drop-safe, and has no Apple Pencil solution.
Having actually used Composite Case with my iPad Pro, I can tell you that it’s impressive enough to keep on the tablet at all times: polished, sturdy, and practical. It adds only a little weight and size to the already large tablet, while radically expanding its utility. The only way the iPad Pro fits into my life is when it has an ever-present stand to support it on flat surfaces, preferably with both protection and easy access to the Apple Pencil. I’m genuinely thankful that Composite Case is here already to deliver on all these fronts; it’s worthy of my highest recommendation.
| Manufacturer: Urban Armor Gear |
Price: $80 |
Compatibility: iPad Pro, Apple Pencil, Smart Keyboard |
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How exactly is this compatible with the Smart Keyboard? I’m curious
As mentioned in the review, a large piece of the frame can be removed, exposing the edge of the iPad Pro for use with the Smart Keyboard.
It really does need a cover for the front, ie the apple smart keyboard (I need to carry around a keyboard as well), Unless there is another option? It looks as though the smart cover and keyboard would get in the way when used, though I’ve never seen it in use nor can find a picture of how exactly these two products would work together. Any demos or links on how these two work together?
So this case is 0.65 inches thick without a keyboard or screen protection. Apples silicone case and Smart keyboard combo comes in at 0.69 inches thick at the thickest part.
If you really want to carry less Apple’s solution gives you all round protection and a keyboard within the smallest space and lightest mass.
First, it’s $250 for the Silicone Case and Smart Keyboard combo. Second, no, I don’t want to carry around a mediocre keyboard everywhere. I want to have a great keyboard available as needed. This and a K811 are a lot “smarter” than Apple’s solution.
Actually I think I would like a case like this and just use a separate keyboard. I’m concerned about keeping the iPro safe. My 1st use case would be for graphic design and illustration. My 2nd use case is for showing my customers proofs, price list and samples of our work. So using a keyboard is an afterthought. The Apple keyboard, although nice, does not give me the feeling of security. I think even a small drop with the Apple case would be damaging. This case would give me more hope.
Bewildering to me is Apples smart keyboard for iPadPro… Why did Apple even bother… Its the ugliest piece of technology from Apple yet !
The design objective appears to be to integrate a keyboard into the smallest possible space with the lightest possible mass.
This required making some compromises but they certainly succeeded with their objective.
I agree with the objectives you mentioned as being in the list of priorities… But i dont consider that to be an excuse for the ugly design.
They are not mutually exclusive.. And its not consitant with Apple philosophy… I expect a lot more from Apple in design department.. Defeinitly more than i do from Microsoft…
In that light i think its not one of Apples best works…actually its at the bottom .
Same can be said about the new Apple TV… Ugly and chunky… As if no one bothered to make it look elegant and nice. They just made the old puck thicker… … No one cared for proporttions.
Some of these half backed products from Apple lately kind of concern me !
Killing a fourth bird with a rotating stand, would have been good. Maybe the copycats can pick up on that.
Again another loser case because it doesn’t allow someone to rotate the Ipad in portrait mode. Just does landscape, I use my Ipad about 40% in portrait mode. The best thing to do is either get a Targus case when rotates both direction, but the case is heavy, or just get a stand for the Ipad Pro and have no case, no weight.
I have been using this case for the past week and the stand works in landscape and portrait modes quite well……
I can’t find any example of this. How does that work? Thanks, Daniel
Okay, I just got this and I would like a definitive solution (one or more) to covering the wide open glass surface with this installed.. I keep hearing it’s compatible with the Apple smart keyboard, does this mean I can have both the smart keyboard and this case installed together? I feel very leery whenever I take my Pro somewhere with the glass screen hanging in the wind… if nothing else is there a slipcase type thing that I can put the Pro in with this installed?
Thanks..
Yes the Smart Keyboard can be used in combination with this case. you remove a small portion of the case to reveal the smart connection and connect the smart keyboard to the connection on your IPad Pro. This also works with the apple smart cover. I felt the same way about my IPad Pro in this case with out the cover over the glass. Although I new if I dropped it on the side or back that it would be protected I was concerned about the glass. I purchased the Apple Smart Keyboard and I am much more comfortable carrying my iPad Pro around with me. If you don’t want the apple keyboard look at the Apple smart cover and it will protect your devices glass. you can then use your other key board when you need to. I feel that with any case including this one that the size of the screen of the IPad Pro will need a cover for full protection. The primary problem with most cases is that you are not able to utilize the smart cover or keyboard with them to cover the glass on you 12.9 in IPad Pro, unless they have an integrated cover into the case. Most of those options are cheap and chintzy and don’t have the same protection as this case.
Can a glass screen protector be used with the case? Say Zagg for an example.
It looks like the edges around the screen come in quite far, so it’s hard to tell if the screen protector would fit or not.
‘…but if an accessory adds enough bulk to make it feel like a poor man’s laptop, it starts to stink’
The case weighs almost much as the iPad. As for your testy reply to another comment, the smart keyboard is better than mediocre, it’s great for the size and weight…and even a mediocre keyboard is better than an non when you need one, .a writer should know that. Carrying numerous separate pieces is hardly elegant either.
If you don’t want bulk Here’s an answer, spend $20 more on AppleCare than this case and use it as a tablet, no more bulk, more than enough protection. Hell most people can have it covered under insurance policies for home or rental.
You didn’t mention price as the main issue, otherwise the comment you made regarding it may have been obvious in the article. A as it goes this thing is let a good answer for most people. Mount then I fail to see why anyone buys a thin tablet and bulks it out, or adds glass screen protectors which aren’t anywhere near as strong as the glass on the device and send reflectivity through the roof.
Apple devices hold up to wear and tear very well, if you’re not completely irresponsible. I’ve never broken an iPad screen or iPhone screen, and I’ve barely put scratches on them,. Though am$10 skin prevents that , is inexpensive and adheres to design principles
I tried the uag case on a sp3 and it was just massive. Certainly when pushing the boundaries of comfort naked the I pad pro doesn’t need a case which weighs almost the same and offers no typing solution.
Obviously we disagree and its ok for that to happen. For what it is this case is ridiculously expensive. Just like apples. Why not look at the zag slim book, the. You protect and don’t have to keep the keyboard attached when not writing large quantities.
The Smart Keyboard can be used in combination with this case. you remove a small portion of the case to reveal the smart connection and connect the smart keyboard to the connection on your IPad Pro. This also works with the apple smart cover. I felt uncomfortable carrying arround my IPad Pro in this case with out the cover over the glass. Although I new if I dropped it on the side or back that it would be protected I was concerned about the glass. I purchased the Apple Smart Keyboard and I am much more comfortable carrying my iPad Pro around with me. If you don’t want the apple keyboard look at the Apple smart cover and it will protect your devices glass. you can then use your other key board when you need to. I feel that with any case including this one that the size of the screen of the IPad Pro will need a cover for full protection. The primary problem with most cases is that you are not able to utilize the smart cover or keyboard with them to cover the glass on you 12.9 in IPad Pro, unless they have an integrated cover into the case. Most of those options are cheap and chintzy and don’t have the same protection as this case.