Updated Jan 22, 2015. Please follow my Amazon review here. I've downgraded the product recommendation to 3 stars (from 4) after extended use (Amazon is yet to display my downgraded review)

Updated Dec 23: Amazon sent me another unit - I wanted to make sure if the cover gaps and badly aligned microusb port was a design issue or a QC issue. As it turns out, the new unit has its microUSB port properly aligned, and the iPad mini snaps well into the lid cover - the only gaps I see are the ones around the cut-outs which is fine. So if you have a unit where you mini is popping out or is very wobbly inside the cover, ask for a replacement.

(Not quite sure where this review goes - T. Products or T. Technology, so I closed my eyes and chose one. It was easier to do this compared to reading the forum guidelines :-p )

Zagg recently introduced their slim book iPad/iPad mini cases. I've been a satisfied logitech keyboard folio user, but I was looking for a replacement because the logitech case had cracked on the side - I did not drop it - its likely because I was using an iPad mini retina with a case that was not ratified to be used with a retina -- logitech hadn't yet introduced the retina certified cases (retinas are a little thicker than non retina versions). Plus, I am a chronic and compulsive buyer and likely align with the "ideal customer criteria" for most consumer electronics companies.

I am power user for tablets on travel - I make presentations, write notes, run MS office and not just emails. I also like stuffing them in densely packed carry ons - so these folio (i.e front and back protection) keyboards are a boon.

So anyway, here is my review of their brand new case. (Also posted on Amazon where I snagged it for $104)

I've been tracking this product for a few months now, since I saw it announced on the Zagg website. I've been using the Logitech Ultrathin Keyboard Folio for iPad mini 3/ mini 2/ mini - Carbon Black for around a year, and used it extensively for travel and productivity work (including watching videos while lying down), so I have a very good basis to compare.

Larger sized images here

Summary
Good with reservations. Functional, useful but lacking on the elegance front. I would have liked more attention to details on the little things - they got the keyboard look right.

Here is how it looks opened up: just like mini me, is it not? I mean, mini mac.



Here is it closed:


And here is the product in "video mode" - basically reverse mounted and you can lay it flat on the keyboard in this mode for 'book mode' too



The Good, which are unique the slim book model
a) The book case and video mode are critical for me --> previous zagg keyboards could never bend back completely making it unusable (well, not totally, but lets say inconvenient) for watching movies while on the bed. This is a great addition
b) It is smaller than the logitech keyboard folio - both in width and height. Logitech insists on including a largish 'flap boundary' beyond the keyboard, what takes up additional space (in terms of thickness, they both are similar - or so it seems to be - just a visual test)

Here is the logitech keyboard folio and the zagg slim book next to each other:


c) The new slim book keyboard is made of aluminum, which probably makes it more resilient and it looks like a mac keyboard
d) I never did like the old style textured backs of zagg - this one is plain matte black (or white depending on what you order) and looks more professional to me


The other Zagg 'Good's, not unique to this model, but compared to Logitech keyboard folios
a) The backlight function is useful. Oddly, when I used the logitech, the light of the iPad was enough for me to see the keyboard even in dark rooms, but I can understand this can be a problem for folks with poorer vision. As far as I can see, this product does not have multi-colored backlights like some other zaggs apparently do
b) Its good to see that zagg has a functionality to check battery life status (via blinking lights) - red == low, yellow == average, green == good
c) Unlike the logitech keyboard folio, you can tilt this at any angle and it holds. This is a huge benefit especially for power users and people who like to watch videos on the bed at various sleeping positions. I've been inconvenienced by the logitech angle during flights depending on how far back the guy in front reclines.
e) I like the fact that it does not overlay the power button with its own cover button - the logitech product does this and its somewhat irritating to find in a dark room

Design
a) The overall outside logitech design is just more elegant to look at - even though zagg is smaller and more matte looking now, it still reminds me of comparing a Buick to a Tesla from the outside. I don't know how else to describe it. the curves and lines of the logitech are more appealing to me, not that the zag slim book looks bad at all
b) The actual keyboard design, well, the slim book mimics the look of a macbook, so it obviously looks good.
c) The slim book includes both an iPad back cover and the keyboard, so when snap shut, your iPad mini is fully protected. Unlike the logitech product, you can actually snap off the top - its held together by strong magnets

here are the magnets with the top detached:


d) I am a little concerned looking at "gaps" between the cover and the iPad mini when snapped into the frame. You really need to see the photos to know what I mean - but you can see through some parts of the side. I am not sure if this is a design or a fault. This causes a tad bit of jiggle too, but the iPad mini does feel strongly attached to a point where I don't think it will fall out

Here is what I mean by the gaps:



Usability
a) I can say for sure that logitech's keyboard is superior for touch typers. The zagg keyboard is good. When I tried typing stuff, I occasionally missed characters (I type very fast) and then when I nailed it down to why, I realized zagg keys need a harder tap than the logitech. I know there is a learning curve for any new keyboard, but there was zero learning curve for me for the logitech (pressure wise, there was learning to get used to the layout, as is the case for zagg)

b) The black matte of the zagg seems to be attracting much more finger prints than the black matte of the logitech - but I've observed over time that in other products, these surfaces attract less of dirt/prints - so we'll see (either that or I get used to it more :-)



c) For the book and video mode, you actually need to detach the top and snap it back on the opposite way. The attachment part is easy, the detachment part need more pressure and is somewhat inconvenient. I suspect it will be something you need to get used to. The magnets are very strong, which BTW is good because I don't fear for my iPad mini to fall off (not that I plan to do a shake test anytime soon...), but if you are constantly flipping it, then well, YMMV as they say

d) This is HEAVY! It is significantly heavier than the logitech to a point where I was surprised at first. I guess metal vs. plastic? I have read books on flights with my logitech keyboard folded back without resting it on my lap for around 20-30 mins - I don't think I can do that with the zagg slim book. Definitely not with the keyboard snapped on the back and likely not even with just the iPad mini cover (I suspect just the mini cover is heavier or equal to the logitech product - my guess)

e) It is simply NOT possible to detach the top from the bottom with one hand, or by folding it back - you need to hold the keyboard down and pull the top up with your other hand.

Final conclusions
Its a good productivity tool. I really do think these products are useful if you need to create content more than read. If its the other way around, I don't see why you'd add bulk to your iPad mini. I am a power user, need to travel with it a lot, and need to create content a lot. So for me, these are super useful.

My current key peeves :
a) The odd gaps around the areas where it hold the iPad
b) The fact that the keyboard is not as touch sensitive as the logitech
c) its significantly heavier weight
d) The fact that I can't bend it all the way back for book mode without using two hands to take it off first
e) The keyboard can easily turn on back by touching the power key - not good for inadvertent leg touches when couching and reading books