Professional Pro iPad Pro Keyboard Case

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro being faster than the 13-inch MacBook Pro, the tablet is a serious competition for Apple laptops. Its design offers many advantages over a laptop, but most people require a physical keyboard for their main computer. Of all the possible options, the Brydge Pro comes closest to transforming a 2018 iPad into a convertible touch screen MacBook.

Read our practical exam to see how this high-end keyboard case performs well in the real world.

Brydge Pro: Professional iPad Pro Keyboard Case

For the Brydge Pro to mimic the design of a MacBook, it must convert the iPad Pro 2018 into a shell. It does this with a pair of pliers that hold one edge of the tablet.

These clips are padded so as not to damage the iPad. Nevertheless, they hold it safe. In our time of testing, the two men have never shown any sign of breaking. At the same time, removing the computer from the clipping keyboard requires firm traction.

This is the real benefit of an iPad Pro with a keyboard connected to a MacBook. The tablet can be separated from the keyboard for occasional web browsing, reading eBooks, etc. Do not try to remove the screen from your MacBook, this is not a good idea.

Better yet, the tablet can be placed in the Brydge Pro clamps with the opposite screen to the keyboard, which is not possible with a MacBook. This arrangement is ideal for watching videos or using the iPad Pro as an external display for a Mac.

An iPad Pro keyboard with pliers

The combination of a keyboard with the iPad requires a solid connection, not only holding the two together, but also supporting the display. Brydge Pro clamps are built into hinges that allow the iPad to move 180 degrees. This represents a considerable advantage over its competitors, such as the Apple Smart Keyboard Folio, which offers only one or two angles.

The Brydge Pro holds the tablet firmly at any angle. Typing on the screen will not move it, but it will bounce slightly. That said, the hinges are not so firm that they can support the weight of someone's arm when they draw on the screen of the iPad with an Apple pencil.

The disadvantage of using a clamshell design on any computer is that the keyboard section must be heavy enough to prevent the screen from tipping over when you lean back. As a result, the Brydge Pro version for Apple's latest 12.9-inch slate weighs 1.4 kilos. The 11-inch edition is at 1.14 pounds. This makes them heavier than their respective tablets.

Yet at 0.27 inches, the keyboard remains very thin. Even combined with the iPad, they measure just 0.63 inches in thickness.

Like almost any shell, the iPad Pro with this keyboard case is easy to use on the lap.

The overall look of the Brydge Pro looks very professional. In addition, its aluminum housing perfectly matches the appearance of the iPad Pro. It also comes in gray and silver corresponding to the colors of the Apple tablet.

Magnetic cover for iPad Pro

As with any shell, attaching the iPad Pro to the Brydge Pro provides excellent protection. A plastic lid held by magnets protects the back of the slate.

Darker than the rest of the keyboard to clip, the magnetic cover has the same hue of coal as for iPad models and keyboard colors.

This shell, as well as the entire Brydge Pro, do not prevent placing the new magnetic pencil Apple in loading position on an edge of the tablet. An opening welcomes the camera facing the back of the tablet.

However, the magnetic cover poses two problems. On the one hand, this adds to most of the keyboard. In addition, if the iPad is returned in the clamps and closed on the keyboard, there is more room for the cover. He is stuck between the two.

So just keep in mind that this add-on is optional. Anyone who does not see the need can leave him at home.

Brydge Pro Keyboard

The keyboard area of ​​the Brydge Pro measures 10.8 inches wide and 4.12 inches tall. It's a little smaller than a desktop keyboard. Most of the keys are 0.62 inches on each side. Brydge has even added a set of directional keys.

As a result, typing on the Brydge Pro is very much like typing on a 13-inch laptop. And there seems to be a little more movement of keys than on these problematic MacBook butterfly keyboards.

That said, Brydge's key mechanism can be a little insensitive. This will not affect the keyboard settings, or even those that press the keys with average force. However, those who tend to press the keys lightly, especially during fast typing, may find that the Brydge Pro sometimes does not notice it.

Do not confuse this with blocked or stuck keys. It does not happen. Just press each key completely.

The rear lights make it easy to see the keys in dimly lit areas. There are three levels of brightness and we found this keyboard easy to use even in the most complete darkness.

An additional upper row of half-size function keys is convenient for controlling music in the background, adjusting the backlight of the screen or opening the application switch.

Bluetooth not smart connector

Thanks to the magnetic coverage, the Brydge Pro wraps the entire iPad to reach the intelligent connector created specifically by Apple for keyboard add-ons. So it's a little disappointing that Brydge is using Bluetooth 4.1 instead of using Apple's proprietary connector. This standard short-range wireless network is not very complicated, but it's not as simple as Smart Connector.

Since it uses Bluetooth, this keyboard must use its own battery. It lasts for months on a single charge and is recharged via a USB-C port, the same type as used by the iPad Pro.

This brings an added benefit: not only can the keyboard be loaded directly from the tablet, but the use of a USB-C cable between the two replaces Bluetooth. Obviously, this requires a cable. But it's safer than typing on a wireless connection.

No trackpad

This keyboard clip does not offer a trackpad, although there is enough room for a large keyboard. Do not blame Brydge, though. iOS does not support this type of input device. It is possible that this will change with the iOS version of this fall.

And Brydge seems ready – and even eager – to introduce a keyboard for iPad as quickly as possible with a trackpad.

Brydge Pro final thoughts

Nobody turns an iPad into a MacBook better than Brydge. Take a few steps back and fish, and you may find it hard to tell the difference. But an iPad Pro 2018 can be quickly removed from its Brydge Pro and become a tablet again, something impossible with a Mac.

Of course, even the best-designed keyboard can not compensate for the professional-level software available for Mac and missing for iOS. Nevertheless, many consumers using a MacBook Pro would be happier with an iPad and Brydge Pro if they simply understood what was possible.

In competition with Apple's Smart Keyboard Folio, the Brydge offering offers the flapper design that appeals to many people, with a wide range of viewing angles. And the function keys offer an added bonus. On the other hand, the Apple keyboard is much thinner and lighter.

At $ 169.99 for the 12.9-inch version and $ 149.99 for the 11-inch version, the Brydge Pro is a premium product. But it's also built like that. Apple's rival keyboard costs 199 and 179 dollars for both sizes. It would be difficult to claim that the Brydge models are too expensive. Nevertheless, Logitech Slim Folio Pro only costs $ 129.99 or $ 119.99 depending on the size, if you want a cheaper alternative.

At the time of writing this article, the Brydge Pro has not been released yet. Past pre – orders should reach buyers by the end of the month.

Brydge provided Worship of Mac with a review unit for this article. Check out our reviews policy and discover more things we recommend.