Logitech's school-only iPad keyboard and Crayon stylus are here

The iPad on its own is a sheet of glass and metal. Logitech's educator-only school tools turn it into a more-durable device.

The Rugged Combo 2 keyboard case ($99) and Crayon stylus ($49) are made to work with the recent 6th-gen 2018 iPad. We gave them a test drive at our office.

Next to the Apple Pencil, which costs $100 (less for educators), the thicker, but less likely to roll away Logitech Crayon is far more comfortable and half the price.

The Rugged Combo 2 keyboard has a loop to hold the Crayon (or Apple Pencil).

The Crayon doesn't pair via Bluetooth; it just automatically works as long as iOS 11.4 is installed. It can be charged via Lightning.

The Rugged Combo 2 case also has an adjustable stand that tilts back.

The keyboard doesn't need charging or pairing either. The rubberized keys aren't backlit but are spill-resistant.

Like a Microsoft Surface, the iPad can be used with keyboard attached or detached.

The keyboard attaches magnetically, powering via the iPad as if it had its own Smart Connector like the iPad Pros do.

The case is thick, but it feels durable.

Inserting the iPad in a plastic sleeve that then goes into the second rubber bumper covering adds shock protection for falls of up to four feet.

It's a task to set up, but you can keep the iPad in the case for charging and never take it out again.

The Crayon is fast and responsive, but lacks Apple Pencil pressure sensitivity. However, it does have angle sensitivity -- tilt it and it can add thickness to your sketch lines.

The folio case adds a lot of weight, but the case also seems ideal for protecting one's investment in iPads.

If only the Crayon worked on other iPads, or was available for purchase for everyone.

More iPad cases for kids should be this rugged.

A Lightning plug-in on the case powers the snap-on keyboard, while a passthrough port on the other side works for charging or connecting an Apple Pencil.

Schools can order these now, but they lack one thing Chromebooks have: a trackpad.