Bridge Keyboard For iPad Pro 12.9

[Fatyank]

I purchased a Apple Smart Keyboard when I purchased my IPP. It works well but I’ve been reading about the Brydge keyboard. It seems like a much better keyboard. I like the backlit idea. Anyone using the Brydge? If so, what case are you using for the iPad when you leave the keyboard behind?
Would like to know pros and cons for the Brydge keyboard. Thanks

 

[eVolcre]

I’m curious too. Also, does the iPad with brydge fit in the official apple leather sleeve case?

 

[SigEp265]

I really wish ClamCase would make one for the new IPP!

 

[va1984]

I purchased a Apple Smart Keyboard when I purchased my IPP. It works well but I’ve been reading about the Brydge keyboard. It seems like a much better keyboard. I like the backlit idea. Anyone using the Brydge? If so, what case are you using for the iPad when you leave the keyboard behind?
Would like to know pros and cons for the Brydge keyboard. Thanks

I used to own a Brydge 12.9; now I’m back with the ASK. The Brydge is very heavy. It makes the whole thing (iPP+Brydge) almost as heavy as carrying a MacBook and a 10.5” iPro, which in some ways is a more flexible setup. It’s also crazily overpriced for what is effectively a cheap bluetooth keyboard with lousy keys and clumsy all over the place backlighting. For real typing, the MB/MBP keyboards are unbeatable — I sail well over 70 wpm on them. Over time I have gotten used to the ASK and get similar speeds on it, even on a lap, as I am doing right now. I wish it was backlit. As a touch typist I obviously don’t need to see where the keys are, but from a purely aesthetic standpoint, a nicely done backlit keyboard looks awesome.

If weight is an issue, these are the figures I got:

iPP 12.9 + ASK= 1059g
MacBook 12” + iPP 10.5” = 1389g
iPP 12.9 + Brydge = 1450g

(For reference: MBP 13” is 1370g)

 

[minicard]

I also had the 12.9 Brydge. Aside from it being heavy, it was not as responsive in typing compared to the ASK.

 

[Eric5273]

I had the Brydge when I had my 12.9, and I did not find the typing experience any worse than my previous MacBook Pro. It was actually very good. However, there is one issue with the Brydge..... Because of the way the iPad Pro fits into the hinge, the bottom bezel of the iPad sits slightly below the edge of the keyboard, making it very hard to swipe up from the bottom. This was not as big of an issue in iOS10, but I would imagine with iOS11 and the dock that this would become very annoying. I can remember having to try a dozen or so times each time I wanted to pull up the bottom options in iOS10. It wasn't often, so it was something I lived with, but I would avoid that keyboard now that we are using iOS11.

Of course another obvious downside of the Brydge is that it offers no rear protection, but that may or may not matter to you. I had a sleeve to transport mine in, and since 99% of my use was at my desk, it was fine.

 

[eyeseeyou]

Based on similar looking alternatives on amazon I really wish the price was umm comparable along with a reasonably priced, keyboard compatible back cover.

QUESTION: Will attaching and re attaching the iPad to this keyboard damage either the iPad or keyboard over time?

 

[Fatyank]

I had the Brydge when I had my 12.9, and I did not find the typing experience any worse than my previous MacBook Pro. It was actually very good. However, there is one issue with the Brydge..... Because of the way the iPad Pro fits into the hinge, the bottom bezel of the iPad sits slightly below the edge of the keyboard, making it very hard to swipe up from the bottom. This was not as big of an issue in iOS10, but I would imagine with iOS11 and the dock that this would become very annoying. I can remember having to try a dozen or so times each time I wanted to pull up the bottom options in iOS10. It wasn't often, so it was something I lived with, but I would avoid that keyboard now that we are using iOS11.

Of course another obvious downside of the Brydge is that it offers no rear protection, but that may or may not matter to you. I had a sleeve to transport mine in, and since 99% of my use was at my desk, it was fine.

Protecting the back is important for me. i did apply a Dbrand wrap cover on the back.
The more I’ve looked at the Brydge, the more I’ve decided to stay with my ASK. It’s more aesthetically pleasing and I don’t like the way the iPad attaches to the Brydge. The ASK folds behind the iPad nicely so I can use it as just an iPad but keyboard available if needed. The swiping is important and I’ve become fond of it so would not want to fight a keyboard case to use it. The lack of backlight is not an issue. I learned typing on a Olivetti electric typewriter in high school back in 1969-70 so I barely look at the keyboard.
Thanks for everyone’s input. I made a few spelling corrections while typing this. Does anyone know how to get whiteout off the screen?????

 

[sparksd]

Protecting the back is important for me. i did apply a Dbrand wrap cover on the back.
The more I’ve looked at the Brydge, the more I’ve decided to stay with my ASK. It’s more aesthetically pleasing and I don’t like the way the iPad attaches to the Brydge. The ASK folds behind the iPad nicely so I can use it as just an iPad but keyboard available if needed. The swiping is important and I’ve become fond of it so would not want to fight a keyboard case to use it. The lack of backlight is not an issue. I learned typing on a Olivetti electric typewriter in high school back in 1969-70 so I barely look at the keyboard.
Thanks for everyone’s input. I made a few spelling corrections while typing this. Does anyone know how to get whiteout off the screen?????

For the whiteout, spit on it and rub with your shirtsleeve. You and were learning how to type in HS at the same time.

I personally prefer the ASK on the 10.5.

 

[Eric5273]

Based on similar looking alternatives on amazon I really wish the price was umm comparable along with a reasonably priced, keyboard compatible back cover.

QUESTION: Will attaching and re attaching the iPad to this keyboard damage either the iPad or keyboard over time?

Keep in mind the Brydge is made of aluminum while most of those other Amazon keyboard cases are made of plastic or other cheap materials.

And no, it does not damage anything by attaching and removing the keyboard. The Brydge has rubber strips that cover all places that contact the iPad. I can't imagine those rubber strips ever wearing out since they are pretty thick, but I believe Brydge sells replacements for a few dollars.
[doublepost=1513151114][/doublepost]

Protecting the back is important for me. i did apply a Dbrand wrap cover on the back.
The more I’ve looked at the Brydge, the more I’ve decided to stay with my ASK. It’s more aesthetically pleasing and I don’t like the way the iPad attaches to the Brydge. The ASK folds behind the iPad nicely so I can use it as just an iPad but keyboard available if needed. The swiping is important and I’ve become fond of it so would not want to fight a keyboard case to use it. The lack of backlight is not an issue. I learned typing on a Olivetti electric typewriter in high school back in 1969-70 so I barely look at the keyboard.
Thanks for everyone’s input. I made a few spelling corrections while typing this. Does anyone know how to get whiteout off the screen?????

That's probably the best decision. If you need a rear cover you can always choose from one of the many on Amazon, and if you need one that is of really good quality and have some money to spend, Pad & Quill makes a couple of really nice ones that also work well with the ASK.

I no longer use the Brydge. I sold my iPad Pro 12.9 a few months ago, and sold the Brydge along with it. Now I have the 10.5, and I'm using it with a Zugu Prodigy X case with the Apple Magic Keyboard. I find this combo is the best since the Zugu case has 8 different angles for the stand -- it allows me to adjust the angle better than the fixed angle of the ASK. It also gives me a full size keyboard instead of the slightly smaller ASK for the iPad Pro 10.5. Since I use the keyboard only when at my desk, that works out fine for me. For the occasional times I travel or need to type something while not at my desk, I just use the on screen keyboard. The Zugu case has a very good typing angle with its stand in its lowest angle.

 

[sparksd]

Keep in mind the Brydge is made of aluminum while most of those other Amazon keyboard cases are made of plastic or other cheap materials.

And no, it does not damage anything by attaching and removing the keyboard. The Brydge has rubber strips that cover all places that contact the iPad. I can't imagine those rubber strips ever wearing out since they are pretty thick, but I believe Brydge sells replacements for a few dollars.
[doublepost=1513151114][/doublepost]

That's probably the best decision. If you need a rear cover you can always choose from one of the many on Amazon, and if you need one that is of really good quality and have some money to spend, Pad & Quill makes a couple of really nice ones that also work well with the ASK.

I no longer use the Brydge. I sold my iPad Pro 12.9 a few months ago, and sold the Brydge along with it. Now I have the 10.5, and I'm using it with a Zugu Prodigy X case with the Apple Magic Keyboard. I find this combo is the best since the Zugu case has 8 different angles for the stand -- it allows me to adjust the angle better than the fixed angle of the ASK. It also gives me a full size keyboard instead of the slightly smaller ASK for the iPad Pro 10.5. Since I use the keyboard only when at my desk, that works out fine for me. For the occasional times I travel or need to type something while not at my desk, I just use the on screen keyboard. The Zugu case has a very good typing angle with its stand in its lowest angle.

That Zugu case for the 10.5 looks good and I like the multiple stand angles. Is it bulky or heavy?

 

[Eric5273]

That Zugu case for the 10.5 looks good and I like the multiple stand angles. Is it bulky or heavy?

No more so than any of the usual Folio type cases like the popular UAG case. I'd say it's relatively thin for the features it has, plus it does have good drop protection as well. It's not as thin as the old Apple leather smart cases, but not super thick either -- around a half an inch thick. It's certainly not heavy at all, probably lighter than most leather cases. The part that hugs the iPad is a stiff and light type of TPU, not the very rubbery TPU that tends to be a bit heavy.

The fit and finish is really awesome. Even though it doesn't use real leather like some of the high end cases like Pad & Quill makes, the materials look and feel high quality, and the design is perfect -- all the ports line up really well, and there is attention to detail in every way. For example, the front cover fits in a slight recess between the surrounding bumper when folded closed, yet there is a small tab on the right side to help you open it back up so you don't struggle trying to peel it up from the screen.

The magnetic stand is super strong. You can lift the iPad up on the air and the stand will still hold the angle you set it at. You have to actually pull the magnets apart to collapse the stand. It doesn't matter how hard you tap the screen, it's not going to collapse.

I don't own the pencil, but the design of the pencil holder is perfect since when not in use it doesn't get in the way. It's just an elastic pocket on the back which stays flat when nothing is in it. I prefer this to the other cases that have an exposed loop or plastic part of the case that sticks out and gets in the way, especially for me since I don't own the pencil.

If you look on Amazon, there are about 60 reviews and I think all but one are 5-star reviews, and the other one is 4-stars. That seemed like it was too good to be possible, but I think it really is a great case. The only thing I can even think of that would be an improvement is to add a magnet around back so when the front cover is folded around back when you are using the iPad in your hands, then the cover would hold in place on the back. It doesn't do that, so you have to hold it there with your hand or else it will flop around. The only case I have seen that has this feature is the Moshi Versacover. That's another case I considered, which is also the same price and also has what looks like a very sturdy stand. But in the end I chose the Zugu case because of the multi-angle stand, plus it looks much more classy, while the Moshi case to me looks very much like a cheap $15 Amazon case.

 

[sparksd]

No more so than any of the usual Folio type cases like the popular UAG case. I'd say it's relatively thin for the features it has, plus it does have good drop protection as well. It's not as thin as the old Apple leather smart cases, but not super thick either -- around a half an inch thick. It's certainly not heavy at all, probably lighter than most leather cases. The part that hugs the iPad is a stiff and light type of TPU, not the very rubbery TPU that tends to be a bit heavy.

The fit and finish is really awesome. Even though it doesn't use real leather like some of the high end cases like Pad & Quill makes, the materials look and feel high quality, and the design is perfect -- all the ports line up really well, and there is attention to detail in every way. For example, the front cover fits in a slight recess between the surrounding bumper when folded closed, yet there is a small tab on the right side to help you open it back up so you don't struggle trying to peel it up from the screen.

The magnetic stand is super strong. You can lift the iPad up on the air and the stand will still hold the angle you set it at. You have to actually pull the magnets apart to collapse the stand. It doesn't matter how hard you tap the screen, it's not going to collapse.

I don't own the pencil, but the design of the pencil holder is perfect since when not in use it doesn't get in the way. It's just an elastic pocket on the back which stays flat when nothing is in it. I prefer this to the other cases that have an exposed loop or plastic part of the case that sticks out and gets in the way, especially for me since I don't own the pencil.

If you look on Amazon, there are about 60 reviews and I think all but one are 5-star reviews, and the other one is 4-stars. That seemed like it was too good to be possible, but I think it really is a great case. The only thing I can even think of that would be an improvement is to add a magnet around back so when the front cover is folded around back when you are using the iPad in your hands, then the cover would hold in place on the back. It doesn't do that, so you have to hold it there with your hand or else it will flop around. The only case I have seen that has this feature is the Moshi Versacover. That's another case I considered, which is also the same price and also has what looks like a very sturdy stand. But in the end I chose the Zugu case because of the multi-angle stand, plus it looks much more classy, while the Moshi case to me looks very much like a cheap $15 Amazon case.

Excellent review - thanks! I just ordered one.