Image Source: https://www.brydge.com
Disclaimer: As most of my followers know I am not one for doing reviews. Usually I have only a few minor issues with products and very little good to say about it so rather than come off as a Negative Nancy I just don't do many reviews. This product, however, stirred so many emotions and thoughts I felt I had to do a review and also add in my suggestions on what would/could have made it better!
Pro's:
- Has its own battery so doesn't drain your iPad
- Very sturdy construction - for the most part
- Keys are reasonable size and have descent key travel (Not MBP Butterfly keys)
- Is bluetooth so works as keyboard even when iPad is not attached
Con's:
- Hinge is poorly designed, only 180 degrees and tends to fall to 180 degrees after reaching about 120 degrees
- No alignment tabs on hinge inserts to make sure iPad and keyboard are aligned straight
- Rubber pieces in hinges wear out really really quickly if you are like me and want to use it frequently as a tablet (removed from keyboard since hinge won't fold all the way around 360 degrees)
- Power led only comes on for about 1/2 second and there is no way to tell if it is ON or OFF as a result
- No battery level indicator or app to check it and Settings>Bluetooth>Brydge Keyboard doesn't show the battery level either
- Doesn't connect to iPad in any way other than Bluetooth so to charge iPad and Keyboard requires 2 USB-C Chargers
- Ridiculously overpriced for what you get in return! MSRP is $150 to $170 USD + Tax and Shipping depending on whether you have the 11" iPad Pro or 12.9" iPad Pro!
What they Could/Should have done:
- Make a solid backplate the ipad inserts into that is attached to the hinges
- Make the hinges 360 degrees w/ sensor to Power Off Keyboard when rotated more than 180 degrees (Tent or Tablet Mode)
- Put 4000 mah battery in keyboard with integrated USB-C Thunderbolt connection to iPad when inserted into backplate (This would drastically increase battery life of iPad and Keyboard, allow single USB-C charger to charge both and allow for:
- Put I/O into keyboard on left/right sides including: Two USB-C Thunderbolt ports, USB-A 3.0 port, HDMI Port, SD/TF Card reader, 3.5mm Combo Headphone/Microphone Jack
- Put a battery level indicator just above the keyboard that shows current battery level whenever keyboard is Powered On
- Allow internal keyboard battery to power iPad and I/O devices even when Keyboard is Powered Off
- Include a pair of M.2 ports in the keyboard with easy remove doors to insert SSD's from bottom side (this would be especially handy now that iPadOS supports External Drives)
- Include a finger mouse similar to what Thinkpad Laptops have (this would be especially handy now that iPadOS supports Mice and other External Pointing Devices)