UPDATE, on 16Jan2011
Unfortunately, the lack of a shift key on the right side of this MenoTek keyboard has made typing a bit lame. I will continue to use this MenoTek case and keyboard, since it protects my iPad and helps me type much faster than the iPad's on screen "glass" keyboard. This MenoTek case is a good compromise. Typed copy will not be presentation quality, but it will get notes jotted down, and uploaded to MobileMe. I'm afraid that I will be typing like Don Marquis' fictional character, Archy the cockroach, who could not operate any shift key. (LOL!) If you can wait, keyboards with both shift keys will probably soon be available, in similar iPad cases, such as the ClamCase and the ZAGGmate. I haven't tried those.
ORIGINAL REVIEW:
In December 2010, I purchased one of these MenoTek cases from Amazon.com. I like the appearance of this case. In "touch and feel" appearance, this case is very attractive, IMHO, in the aesthetic of steampunk or neo-Victorian retro, with chrome plated hardware on black imitation leather. Some tell me, to the contrary, it looks Art-Deco.
The only question remaining is long term durability. An open question is the battery life and recharge cycle for the battery in the MenoTek keyboard. The keyboard battery is not replaceable, as far as I can determine.
With iPad inside, the case folds up into a very compact package, about 7.75 by 9.75 by 1.25 inches, protecting the iPad's screen. The iPad is held securely, and controls are very easy to access, when the case is opened.
There are some imperfections in this MenoTek case, but for $80, it is a good value, IMHO. This case does have a faint chemical odor of plastic, but that odor is fading away. One issue, not mentioned by other reviewers, is that the kickstand has rather sharp edges at the foot that rests on a table. This kickstand will scratch table tops. Another minor annoyance is that although the kickstand stays closed on a catch on the case, it is not spring loaded to stay open. However, the weight of the iPad will hold the kickstand extended, after setting it down on a table. Another nuisance is the need to carry yet another non-standard, miniature USB cable, to recharge the keyboard, separately from the iPad recharge, which is done with yet another, different USB cable.
When this MenoTek case is stored inside another bag, the iPad's "on & off" switch is exposed to accidental presses, but this has not been a problem, yet. When traveling, I find it necessary to put this MenoTek case in a "man-bag", in order to keep all the chargers, cables, and adaptors together, for the MenoTek keyboard, the iPad, and an iPhone; for 110 volt and 12 volt power sources; along with the camera connection kit and iPad to MacBook data sync cable. Despite the emergence of cloud computing through cellular data service, there still are a bunch of cables and adaptors that must be kept on hand.
The MenoTek bluetooth keyboard seems to charge up OK, with my iPad charger. No charger is provided, only a non-standard USB cable. I haven't tried charging this MenoTek keyboard with an iPhone charger, because that might possibly give less that optimal results. It has been my experience that a the lower wattage iPhone charger cannot charge an iPad, at all. Conversely, it's a mystery to me, as to why the higher wattage iPad charger cannot charge the lower wattage iPhone, although the cables interchange. Possibly this has something to do with differences between the capacity and optimal charging rates of the different batteries. Nowadays, it seems that batteries and chargers need to be paired up, correctly. I don't know if this MenoTek bluetooth keyboard needs to be charged up only with an iPad charger. Anyone know more about these new batteries? Possibly, the MenoTek battery might be damaged by using a charger not specifically tailored to charge it.
The MenoTek bluetooth keyboard connected (or paired) immediately to my iPad, and is working fine. Keys are on a pitch of about 5/8 inch, instead of the standard 3/4 inch pitch. This smaller than standard keyboard is comfortable for me; however, I prefer a smaller net-book style keyboard. But the missing shift key on the right hand side is a disappointment. I have both an Apple bluetooth keyboard, and a Matias full size, folding bluetooth keyboard with numeric keypad. These work well with my iPad; but again, these keyboards are somewhat larger than the iPad, and yet more stuff to carry in that expanding "man-bag". This MenoTek case with keyboard is a more practical and compact approach to carrying an iPad with keyboard, ready for use.
This MenoTek case has transformed my cellular iPad into a netbook, compact and lightweight, but with the option to remove the iPad from the case, for use as a stand-alone e-book or tablet computer. With cloud computing and SaaS, my iPad and iPhone finally have capabilities that surpass my old Windows 98 net-book and Palm Pilot. IMHO, this MenoTek case is, overall, a very versatile and satisfying design compromise, for the current iPad. Menotek iPad Bluetooth Keyboard Plus Snap On Case For Apple iPad 3G and Wifi models 16GB, 32GB, 64GB - Case - 3g - Bluetooth Keyboard - Ipad'
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