[mide765]

Are the speakers really that bad as the reviews say?

I've read that the covers can be on the back of the tablet, while holding it like a magazine. Are the input keys disabled if you do that?

[ConstantineXVI]

No better or worse than most other tablets, I've found.

Yes, keys are disabled when the cover's folded back. I haven't done any scientific testing on a threshold, but the on-screen keyboard will pop in/out as you flip the cover in and out of position. It also engages the rotate lock when the keyboard is out, for obvious reasons.