Review: Brydge Debuts Smaller 'BrydgeMini' Keyboard for Older iPad Mini Models [Updated]

[MacRumors]

Brydge, a company that sells high-quality keyboards for the iPad, has expanded its keyboard lineup with a new BrydgeMini model designed to work with the iPad mini 1, 2, and 3. With the BrydgeMini, which has been modeled after a MacBook keyboard, the iPad mini turns into a miniature MacBook - albeit with a much more cramped typing surface.

Like all Brydge keyboards, the BrydgeMini is made from aluminum that matches the finish of the iPad. It's available in Silver, Space Gray, and Gold, and the build quality is excellent. Brydge charges a lot for its keyboards, but they're almost always worth the cost. The BrydgeMini isn't a keyboard case - it's just a keyboard, with two silicone-lined tabs that hold the iPad mini in place. The BrydgeMini has a limited number of viewing angles as the tabs can be angled forwards or backwards slightly, but due to the design, it can't be used with the iPad in portrait mode.

The BrydgeMini is identical to the BrydgeAir but has been shrunk down, so if you've used a BrydgeAir keyboard, the BrydgeMini will be familiar.

It doesn't fold backwards to allow the iPad to be used in tablet mode while the keyboard is attached, but it's easy enough to remove the iPad mini from the tabs. It does fold forward into a clamshell-style design for travel, but in this mode, it's going to add a lot of bulk to Apple's littlest tablet. It weighs in at 300 grams or .66 pounds, essentially doubling the weight of the iPad mini. The iPad mini weighs 331 grams or 0.73 pounds.

The BrydgeMini is also quite thick, so when in clamshell mode, it's going to double the thickness of the iPad mini. It'll still fit comfortably in a bag or backpack, but it's definitely negating the slim profile of the iPad.


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Article Link: Review: Brydge Debuts Smaller 'BrydgeMini' Keyboard for Older iPad Mini Models [Updated]

 

[philmore13]

Brydge, a company that sells high-quality keyboards for the iPad, has expanded its keyboard lineup with a new BrydgeMini model designed to work with the iPad mini 1, 2, and 3. With the BrydgeMini, which has been modeled after a MacBook keyboard, the iPad mini turns into a miniature MacBook - albeit with a much more cramped typing surface.

Like all Brydge keyboards, the BrydgeMini is made from aluminum that matches the finish of the iPad. It's available in Silver, Space Gray, and Gold, and the build quality is excellent. Brydge charges a lot for its keyboards, but they're almost always worth the cost. The BrydgeMini isn't a keyboard case - it's just a keyboard, with two silicone-lined tabs that hold the iPad mini in place. The BrydgeMini has a limited number of viewing angles as the tabs can be angled forwards or backwards slightly, but due to the design, it can't be used with the iPad in portrait mode.

The BrydgeMini is identical to the BrydgeAir but has been shrunk down, so if you've used a BrydgeAir keyboard, the BrydgeMini will be familiar.

It doesn't fold backwards to allow the iPad to be used in tablet mode while the keyboard is attached, but it's easy enough to remove the iPad mini from the tabs. It does fold forward into a clamshell-style design for travel, but in this mode, it's going to add a lot of bulk to Apple's littlest tablet. It weighs in at 300 grams or .66 pounds, essentially doubling the weight of the iPad mini. The iPad mini weighs 331 grams or 0.73 pounds.

The BrydgeMini is also quite thick, so when in clamshell mode, it's going to double the thickness of the iPad mini. It'll still fit comfortably in a bag or backpack, but it's definitely negating the slim profile of the iPad.


Click here to read more...

Article Link: Review: Brydge Debuts Smaller 'BrydgeMini' Keyboard for Older iPad Mini Models

 

[philmore13]

Great, now if only Apple had a keyboard for my iPad pro..... That you could, you know, actually find.

 

[Pakaku]

Oh, the hinges.

 

[UnusedLoginID]

Pretty slow coming... Do these guys know Apple will soon have an iPad mini 5? Also there are many options out there already. Not sure theirvMarketing Dept. is doing due diligence to bring these products to market sooner. And if you release products after everybody else, you'd better make sure they're different from the competition, as in "much better". How about a clamshell design with FULL-SIZE keyboard that fits any iPad mini, iPad AND iPad Air and works as a case too.

 

[CatBookPro]

That first pic looks like my first laptop... A 486 IBM Thinkpad ;-)

 

[Jessica Lares]

I'm not a fan of the keyboard layout, or the idea of tab and caps lock being one button.

But those last two problems are a huge red flag on it being a huge waste of time, along with the squeaky keyboard.

If you bought a keyboard in 2012, you're probably looking for a new one. There's nothing wrong with the iPad Mini 1st generation if you just want to write on it.

 

[fallenjt]

Great, now if only Apple had a keyboard for my iPad pro..... That you could, you know, actually find.

Should've waken up at 12am pst to order instead of whining now. I ordered early in the morning and keyboard was still available for in-store pick up an hour later.

 

[teslo]

Great, now if only Apple had a keyboard for my iPad pro..... That you could, you know, actually find.

did you at least get the pencil?

 

[philmore13]

did you at least get the pencil?

Negative, apparently at 12:20 am the 2 stores around me we sold out of their allotment of two, and by two I mean the two that they received for their display....smh.

Should've waken up at 12am pst to order instead of whining now. I ordered early in the morning and keyboard was still available for in-store pick up an hour later.

Not really whining, but I do expect them to have some available, to not even receive any when the accessories were a big selling point of the product is a bit disappointing.