



The Writer Plus is a keyboard case for iPad made by Adonit, the guys behind the Jot Pro, one of my favorite styli for iPad. Like the Jot Pro, the Writer Plus is very thoughtfully designed and handsome but it can be pretty frustrating to use. First off, it might take you five minutes just to figure out how to turn the thing on. Most keyboards have a clearly marked Bluetooth on / off switch, but the Writer Plus instead has a tiny on / off switch on its bottom that you'll need a pen tip to flip. Then, you must hold down a "+" button in the top right corner of the keyboard to pair using Bluetooth.

Once the Writer Plus was paired, I found its keyboard to be surprisingly good. Its keys are small squares with matte tops that feel slightly rough to your fingers. Unlike with most small keyboards, its keys depress quite a bit (a good thing), and provide pleasantly clicky tactile response. One big bonus to the Writer Plus is that while the keyboard might feel firmly attached to the keyboard case body, a little tug removes it. Yet, the keyboard itself has no grips on the bottom and will often slide around on the table as you type. Still, it's a nice option to have, and gives you more flexibility for how much you can angle the screen. The first few times I used the Writer Plus, I found it pretty confusing to set up, though. Once you pop in an iPad, you actually have to peel the bottom-back of the case away from the iPad, which you use to prop up the case. The keyboard automatically turns off when you aren't using it, so you don't always need to use the on / off switch, but it still adds to the general confusion of using this case.

All of the adjustability in the Writer Plus works via magnets placed all around the case, and at the point where the keyboard attaches to the case. The magnets work, but don't feel strong. The Writer Plus clearly wants to stick in one position — where the keyboard rests directly on top of the bottom flap. If you want to angle the screen at a less vertical angle, the keyboard hangs off the edge of the flap and is uncomfortable to use. In this kind of situation, you'd want to remove the keyboard, but then it's sliding around! Once you're finished with the Writer Plus, you can fold it up flat, and the case's magnets turn off the iPad's screen. But, the keyboard is always in the way of using your iPad while it's flat on the table or on your lap. Even if you remove the keyboard, the rest of the case clumsily flaps around and is cumbersome. When closed, the Writer Plus also looks odd, lumpy, and asymmetrical.

The Writer Plus is a great keyboard, but isn't a great case for your iPad. On the whole it feels flimsy, especially in comparison with competitors from ZAGG and Logitech.

7.6/10



