We’ve seen keyboard style cases before, but rarely with this level of panache: the Aluminum Keyboard Buddy Case is made in a similar material and shape to the iPad 2, turning your Apple tablet into a reasonable simulacrum of the MacBook Air.
If you’re familiar with the ZaggMate case, you’ll know the idea behind the Aluminum Keyboard Buddy. Close the case and it keeps your display protected, but swing it open and the interior of the case reveals a Bluetooth keyboard, perfect for more long form typing. Flip the entire case around so your iPad lies face up inside it for normal use.
Very attractive, and we’re particularly impressed by how the case’s own manufacturer dings the case for only holding the iPad at one fixed angle over on their official blog. They keyboard even has its own lithium-polymer battery, which can be recharged through USB.
Seems like a total steal to us for just $50.
[via Gadget Lab]
John Brownlee is a writer for Fast Company, and a contributing writer here at CoM. He has also written for Wired, Playboy, Boing Boing, Popular Mechanics, VentureBeat, and Gizmodo. He lives in Boston with his wife and two parakeets. You can follow him here on Twitter.
38 responses to “Turn Your iPad 2 Into A MacBook Air With This $50 Case”
Nice case, thanks
I tried to place an order, but ran into problems during the checkout process.
So… I guess Tony Sacconaghi has one on order…
WOW! I’m so happy somebody else got into the game other than Zagg. Hopefully I’ll see these guys at AppleEXPO in a week :) So friggin excited!Â
That’s interesting considering apple just made their beta program http://adf.ly/21TOf open to the public.
could anyone tell me if this is going to work with the original ipad?
so disappointing i want this so badly, its gorgeous.
I’d like to read a review from someone who’s actually used this. Â
whoops. Â looks like that linked review includes just that.
Just ordered one. Even chose speed postage, so keen for it to arrive.
I doubt it would work with the original iPad. By the looks of the videos I watched on it, it looks like it is held in place via the magnetised spots found on the side of the iPad 2. The original iPad doesn’t have this.
I’d really love something with either a built in Swedish keyboard, or the capabilities to use my own bluetooth apple keyboard. I’ve had no luck finding this so far.
pretty cool !!!
So this gadget is selling like hot cakes?
Isn’t it saying something? People actually WANT a physical keyboard!!!
DUH, why then, didn’t they buy the Macbook AIR in the first place???
This just goes to prove the power of marketing and how successful has Apple been at it. (in the case of iPad.)
Even though what consumers really want innately, is something like the Macbook AIR?
Your completly wrong on this one. We the consumers dont want a macbook air. Dont need one. I want the touchscreen, the battery life, IOS only and its apps,built in att/veri wireless, and everything about the ipad that makes it the ipad. However when I travel for 10% of the rest of the year it would be  nice to have a keyboard for heavy work instead of bringin a laptop and my iPad. With that said if you make a macbook air with a dettachable keyboard and a touchscreen based OS then I would by a macbook air like that.  But wait for 50$ I can already have that.
There is also Clamshell and Adonit that are other options that do the same thing.
Yes, just got mine for $39.99 from here : http://www.slickgate.com/_p240…
Got mine very fast (from Hong Kong to the Netherlands). The keyboard is so-so, it works, but not as smooth as an original keyboard. The space-key tends to stick to the board and the enter-key is kind of small. Bluetooth connection is ok, but has to be switched off/on on my iPad after a while of not using it. It’s a nice gadget, but I wouldn’t buy it again.
The perfect companion for your iPad 2. The keyboard dock for the iPad 2
has a thin, eye-catching design, enhances functionality and style.Buy it just $45.99 from http://www.pludeal.com/portabl…
Wouldn’t say it’s ugly, but I just like this one better http://www.slickgate.com/_p255…… just has more style.
mine will not pair…do you know how to reset it?