iPad Accessory-iPad Keyboard Case
Ipad 2 Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard Leather Case
It is compatible with the iPad 2 and iPad 3rd and 4th generations. My model came with friction clamps on its hinges that are made to fit the iPad 2, with additional friction clamps included to fit an iPad 3rd or 4th gen properly. I have the iPad 3 so I switched them out and it was a fairly easy process.
One of the Brydge’s big selling points is its hinges, described like so at the Brydge website:
Brydge’s patent-pending hinge holds the iPad secure and allows you to position your iPad at nearly any angle, even allowing you to close it up entirely for easy transportation. Once closed, both your iPad and Brydge go to sleep automatically.
Prices for Brydge are:
Brydge+: $220
Brydge+ Soeakerless (without the built-in stereo speakers): $180
Brydge – the polycarbonate model: $150
Ipad 2 Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard Leather Case
Highlights
– The hinge really does allow for a great range of angles that the iPad can be held in while in the Brydge. You can position it so it’s very straight up, very flat and angled down for a nicer typing view, and anywhere in between. This should make it easy for just about anyone to find their ideal position when using it. Here’s a look at an angled down typing position:
– My iPad 3 feels very safe and secure in the Brydge. This is mostly due to the nice, tight fit within the friction clamps. Rubber feet on the bottom of the Brdyge also help keep it feeling nice and steady on desktop and similar surfaces.
– It has the same top row of function keys as most quality iPad keyboards do. These allow you to go to the iPad home screen, adjust the brightness, control music apps, and more.
– It’s easy to place the iPad into and remove the iPad from the Brydge.
– Bluetooth pairing with the iPad is easy, though you do have to pair the keyboard and the speakers separately.
– The keyboard is very good quality. It has very generous key spacing, and this really makes a difference. I’d say it’s on par with the ZAGGfolio keyboard and that has always been my standard for a great iPad keyboard.
Ipad 2 Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard Leather Case
Lowlights
– Despite all the machined aluminum, I don’t find the Brydge hugely attractive when used as an iPad case. I don’t think it’s horrible looking by any means – but between the rather massive clamps and the four rubber feet on the bottom of it I don’t think it’s very handsome looking.
– It’s heavy. Very noticeably heavy, and considerably heavier than a ZAGG keyboard. In fact, it weighs 1.28 pounds – which is very nearly as much as an iPad 4 WiFi model, that weighs in at 1.44 pounds. This is another factor that makes it much less appealing for use as a keyboard case.
– The right-side Shift key is quite small, and takes a fair bit of getting used to.
– The sound from the built-in speakers is just OK, but far from great I’d say. Then again, it is just a speaker within an iPad keyboard so I’m not sure there should ever be great expectations for it. I mention this mainly to point out that I don’t feel this feature is worth paying $40 extra for.