The just-announced Brydge Max 11.0 is a premium iPad keyboard case with the potential to dethrone Apple’s own. The two products have much in common, including a cantilever design, but the Brydge version stands out with much wider viewing angles and a gorgeous aluminum exterior.
It fits recent 11-inch iPad Pro models. A version for earlier 11-inch iPads is scheduled for March, as well as one for 13-inch iPads.
Brydge Max 11.0 offers premium laptop-like keyboard experience for iPad users
For many iPad users, adding an external keyboard like the Brydge Max 11.0 isn’t just about typing faster — it’s about turning a tablet into a real productivity powerhouse. Writers, students, executives and remote workers often choose iPad keyboard cases because they deliver a laptop-style typing experience with tactile, backlit keys and a built-in trackpad that makes using the tablet far more efficient. And when they’re finished, they still have the portability and touch experience that make the iPad so appealing in the first place.
While a variety of companies make iPad keyboard cases, the standout is the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad. It has an eye-catching shape that holds the tablet seemingly floating over the keys and trackpad. But the accessory offers minimal options to adjust the iPad’s viewing angle and has a plastic exterior that belies its premium price.
The designers of the new Brydge Max 11.0 clearly noticed. This new offering includes dual hinges that enable the iPad to be viewable across a 270-degree angle. It can even flip around so the keyboard is hidden behind the tablet.
Plus, the iPad keyboard case is “machined from premium aluminum with a finish that matches your iPad,” according to Brydge.
The accessory maker promises Bluetooth “Instant-On” connectivity, months of use on its built-in battery and backlit keys.
Photo: Brydge
Pre-order now
Brydge Max 11.0 went up for pre-order on Thursday, and ships by February 25. The cost is $229, but save 10% off pre-orders with code MAX11. For reference, Apple’s rival product costs $289.
Order from: Brydge
The initial Brydge Max 11.0 version fits the iPad Pro 11-inch (M4 & M5).
An upcoming variant fits earlier versions of the 11-inch iPad Pro, as well as the iPad Air (4th & 5th Gen) and the iPad Air 11-inch (M2 & M3).
And the Brydge Max 13.0 for larger iPad Pro and iPad Air models is scheduled to launch in March.
Photo: Brydge
Ed Hardy has been writing full-time about tech for 25 years, and using it for much longer than that. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh Classic II (which he still has), but now he uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer. He’s written for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview, and Brighthand, as well as other sites.
