iPad Pro M4 Keyboard Cases: Magic Keyboard vs. Logitech Combo Touch
When Apple unveiled the iPad Pro M4 in May 2024, it didn’t just introduce a new processor—it introduced a device that genuinely challenges the laptop paradigm. The new ultra-thin chassis (5.1mm) and the tandem OLED display are impressive, but the accessory ecosystem is what determines whether this tablet can actually replace your MacBook.
The two dominant contenders for turning your iPad Pro into a productivity machine are Apple’s own Magic Keyboard (now in its second generation for the M4) and Logitech’s Combo Touch. Both cost a significant chunk of change, and both promise to transform your tablet experience. But they take fundamentally different approaches to that transformation.
I spent three weeks alternating between both keyboards on an 11-inch iPad Pro M4, running through everything from 2,000-word writing sessions to late-night Netflix binges. Here’s how they stack up.
Design and Build: Premium vs. Practical
The Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro M4 maintains the floating cantilever design that made the original iconic. The aluminum palm rest feels cool to the touch and incredibly solid. Apple has made the top row of function keys slightly larger this generation, and the entire keyboard deck has a satisfying rigidity—there’s virtually no flex even when typing aggressively.
The hinge mechanism is a marvel of engineering. You can adjust the viewing angle from roughly 90 degrees to about 130 degrees, and the iPad stays suspended in mid-air with zero wobble. It’s the kind of precision that makes you understand why this accessory costs $349 for the 11-inch model and $379 for the 13-inch.
The Logitech Combo Touch takes a completely different approach. It’s a folio-style case with a detachable keyboard. The back cover is made of a rugged polyurethane material with a built-in kickstand that folds out from the back. The keyboard attaches via a smart connector along the bottom edge and magnets, and you can detach it entirely when you want to use the iPad as a pure tablet.
Logitech’s build quality is good—better than most third-party options—but it doesn’t match Apple’s premium feel. The keyboard deck is plastic, and there’s noticeable flex when you type near the center. However, the Combo Touch offers something the Magic Keyboard doesn’t: a fully protective case. The edges are reinforced to meet military drop-test standards (MIL-STD 810G), and it covers the corners and sides of your iPad. The Magic Keyboard leaves the edges and back of the iPad completely exposed.
Winner: Magic Keyboard for build quality; Combo Touch for protection
Typing Experience: The Deciding Factor
This is where the two diverge most dramatically.
Apple’s Magic Keyboard uses a scissor mechanism with 1mm of key travel. The keys are backlit with adaptive brightness, and the keycaps are made of a slightly textured material that feels similar to what you’d find on a MacBook. The typing experience is crisp, with a satisfying tactile bump and a quiet, muted sound. I consistently hit 85-90 words per minute on it, which matches my speed on a MacBook Pro keyboard.
The trackpad is the star here. It’s a glass surface with haptic feedback (no physical click), and it supports all the multi-touch gestures you’d expect from a MacBook—two-finger scroll, three-finger swipe between apps, pinch to zoom. The cursor control feels native to iPadOS, which makes sense because Apple designed both the hardware and the software. It’s the closest you can get to a laptop experience on a tablet.
Logitech’s Combo Touch uses a different key mechanism with 1.3mm of travel. The keys are slightly larger and more widely spaced, which some users prefer. The typing feel is softer and slightly mushier than Apple’s—not bad by any means, but it lacks that crisp snap. The keys are also backlit, but the backlighting is less evenly distributed and slightly dimmer.
The trackpad on the Combo Touch is smaller and uses a physical click mechanism rather than haptics. It works fine, but it’s less precise. The click requires more pressure, and the surface isn’t as smooth for gliding. Multi-touch gestures work, but they feel less responsive—there’s a slight lag that I noticed particularly when doing three-finger swipes.
Winner: Magic Keyboard for typing and trackpad precision
Versatility: The Combo Touch’s Secret Weapon
Here’s where Logitech fights back hard.
The Combo Touch’s detachable keyboard is a game-changer for anyone who uses the iPad in multiple modes. When you detach the keyboard, you’re left with just the protective back case and kickstand. You can prop the iPad up at any angle from 10 to 160 degrees—perfect for watching videos, drawing with the Apple Pencil, or reading.
The kickstand is also more flexible than the Magic Keyboard’s hinge. You can lay the iPad nearly flat for drawing or writing with the Pencil, which is impossible with the Magic Keyboard because the floating design only works within a limited angle range.
There’s also a dedicated row of iPadOS shortcut keys on the Combo Touch—home, brightness, volume, play/pause, and a lock button. The Magic Keyboard has a function row too, but it’s less comprehensive.
For drawing, the Combo Touch wins decisively. You can fold the keyboard completely behind the tablet or detach it, and the kickstand lets you position the screen at whatever angle works best for your hand. With the Magic Keyboard, you’re stuck with the fixed hinge angles, and the floating design makes drawing at a comfortable angle awkward.
Winner: Combo Touch for flexibility and drawing
Weight and Portability
The Magic Keyboard is surprisingly heavy for what it is. The 11-inch version weighs 589 grams (1.3 pounds), which brings the total weight of your iPad Pro setup to over 1.4 kilograms (3.1 pounds). That’s heavier than a 13-inch MacBook Air.
The Combo Touch is lighter—the keyboard portion weighs 320 grams, and the back case adds another 150 grams or so. Total weight is around 470 grams, bringing the whole setup to roughly 1.2 kilograms. It’s not a massive difference, but you’ll feel it in a backpack.
However, the Magic Keyboard is more compact when closed. The Combo Touch adds bulk around the edges and corners, making it harder to slide into a tight sleeve or bag compartment.
Winner: Combo Touch for weight; Magic Keyboard for compactness
Durability and Protection
This isn’t even close. The Logitech Combo Touch is a full protective case. It covers the corners, edges, and back of your iPad. The screen is protected when the keyboard is closed over it. It meets military drop-test standards.
The Magic Keyboard leaves your iPad’s edges and back exposed. The front is protected only when the keyboard is closed, but the back is always vulnerable. If you drop your iPad while it’s in the Magic Keyboard, the aluminum frame will likely sustain damage.
For anyone who uses their iPad outside a home office—students, field workers, frequent travelers—the Combo Touch’s protection is a significant advantage.
Winner: Combo Touch
The Price Question
The Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro M4 costs $349 (11-inch) or $379 (13-inch). The Logitech Combo Touch costs $249 (11-inch) or $299 (13-inch). That’s a $100 price difference.
Is the Magic Keyboard worth the premium? If you prioritize typing feel and trackpad precision, yes. If you need protection and versatility, the Combo Touch is the better value.
The Verdict: Which Should You Buy?
There’s no universal winner here because the right choice depends entirely on how you use your iPad.
Buy the Magic Keyboard if:
- You type for hours daily and demand the best keyboard feel
- You use your iPad primarily as a laptop replacement
- You value the premium build and floating design aesthetic
- You don’t need drop protection or a drawing-friendly setup
Buy the Logitech Combo Touch if:
- You use your iPad for drawing or note-taking with the Apple Pencil
- You need a case that protects your investment
- You switch between laptop and tablet modes frequently
- You want to save $100
For most users, I’d lean toward the Combo Touch. The versatility it offers—particularly the detachable keyboard and kickstand—makes it the more practical daily companion. The Magic Keyboard is a beautiful piece of hardware, but it’s a one-trick pony: it does laptop mode exceptionally well and everything else poorly.
The iPad Pro M4 is a device that can genuinely replace a laptop for many people. But it’s also a powerful tablet for drawing, reading, and consuming content. The Combo Touch acknowledges that duality. The Magic Keyboard, for all its elegance, pretends the tablet part doesn’t exist.
Choose accordingly.