Keyboard cases by ZAGG are some of the best available, and this rugged model is par for the course. It provides a decent level of protection for the iPad Air 2 without being too bulky or heavy. It has the versatility of thinner cases as it can be used in four modes.
Much like the Rugged Folio for the iPad mini, the Rugged Book for the iPad Air 2 uses layered material reinforced with rubber coating to make the case rugged while keeping it light. It's about an inch thick, but that's not an issue when using it as a laptop.
The Rugged Book has cutouts for the Lightning and audio jacks, but not for the power nor volume up/down buttons. You have to push in on the marked spots on the rubber case, requiring a lot of force to engage the iPad buttons underneath. There are two cutouts for the tablet's stereo speakers.
The four configurations the Rugged Book supports are tablet, laptop, viewing, and book modes. The iPad in the lid detaches from the keyboard unit for use as a tablet. Turn the iPad around and insert it into the magnetic hinge and you have viewing mode, with the keyboard base as a stand. Laptop mode is the default when opened with the iPad and keyboard forming a clamshell format. Last and in my view least, placing the iPad facing backwards in the hinge and closing it is book mode. It makes little sense to do the latter configuration when you can simply detach the iPad to minimize the weight.
The keyboard unit is charged with an included microUSB cable. You won't need to do that often as ZAGG claims a battery life of two years. Using backlighting on the keyboard, toggled by the Fn-right arrow key combo, will impact battery life.
ZAGG has leveraged its experience making keyboards and the one in the Rugged Book shows it. The keys provide a great typing experience with low profile yet good key travel. The top row has the expected iOS control keys, e.g. volume controls, home key, and unlock keys among others. While a little smaller, the keyboard feels like those on good laptops.