Brydge

Read Cult of Mac’s latest posts on Brydge:

Brilliant Brydge iPad keyboard selling for a mere $30

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Brydge-Pro-iPad
Turn your 11-inch iPad Pro into an MacBook Lite with Brydge Pro+, now available at a rock-bottom price.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Clip the Brydge Pro+ keyboard to an 11-inch iPad Pro to make an ultraportable laptop ready for school or work. And the useful add-on is available now for just $29.99.

If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your first, second or third-generation iPad Pro 11-inch with a keyboard and trackpad, there’s never been a better time.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Brydge iPad keyboards return from the grave

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Brydge 11 Max+ keyboard case is built for hardcore iPad Pro users
Brydge Max+ is solid competition for the Apple Magic Keyboard case. And it’s not being discontinued.
Photo: Brydge

The company that made the Brydge line of innovative iPad keyboards collapsed earlier this year, but a deal announced Thursday will return its products to the market.

Uinta Products is a new company with many former Brydge employees — and the rights to make Brydge-branded products.

New vertical MacBook docking station from Brydge includes 11 ports, Thunderbolt 4

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New vertical Macbook docking station from Brydge adds 11 ports and Thunderbolt 4
The Brydge ProDock combines the easy connection of a vertical dock with the expansion capabilities of a multiport hub.
Photo: Brydge

The Brydge ProDock is a newly announced vertical stand for recent MacBooks. It holds the notebook vertically, off the desk, and adds 11 ports. That includes three Thunderbolt 4/USB-C ports.

As a bonus, the stand’s base includes an MagSafe wireless charging mat to power up an iPhone.

Don’t fall for these clever April Fools’ Day jokes

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Don’t fall for these clever April Fools’ Day jokes
You’d surely run out to spend $500 on the tvTV for Apple TV if it weren’t April Fools’ Day.
Photo: Twelve South

Many companies just can’t resist April Fools’ Day jokes. Some people find these exasperating, but others enjoy the lighthearted humor. This year, we got a ridiculous new Apple TV accessory, what’s perhaps the most tasteless way to wear an AirTag, and more.

Read on for our favorite gags to celebrate this unusual holiday.

Brydge’s new keyboard case turns smallest iPad Pro into a laptop with big capabilities

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Brydge 11 Max+ keyboard case is built for hardcore iPad Pro users
Brydge 11 Max+ is a premium keyboard case for the 11-inch iPad Pro with a large trackpad.
Photo: Brydge

The Brydge 11 Max+ is a clip-on keyboard designed to make an 11-inch iPad Pro into a very portable clamshell notebook. It magnetically attaches to the tablet and adds a backlit keyboard and trackpad.

After being announced earlier this year, the product is now available in stores starting Wednesday.

Pharma tech lead runs a fit and oh-so-clean WFH rig [Setups]

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Marc Drucker's WFH setup saves some cable clutter by using the monitor as a USB hub.
Marc Drucker's WFH setup saves some cable clutter by using the monitor as a USB hub.
Photo: Marc Drucker

Marc Drucker serves as an associate director and technical lead for a pharmaceutical company in Menlo Park, California. Having shifted fully to working from home, he found his computer setup — his WFH rig — running so well and looking so clean, he decided to send it in to Cult of Mac.

Among the words he used to describe his WFH rig were ideal and perfect. We talked to him about what works so well for him in his workstation and included his answers, below.

Brydge’s new Stone Pro Thunderbolt 4 hub expands your connectivity

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The new Brydge Stone Pro TB4 Docking Station has 12 ports.
The new Brydge Stone Pro TB4 Docking Station has 12 ports.
Photo: Brydge

Brydge has unveiled what looks to be a formidable, 12-port Thunderbolt 4 hub to expand your laptop’s connectivity. It’s the Stone Pro TB4 docking station. The only catch is you can’t get it just yet.

You may know Brydge more for its iPad keyboards than its docking stations. Recently Cult of Mac‘s Ed Hardy said the Brydge 12.9+ iPad Pro keyboard beats out Apple Magic Keyboard. But the new Stone Pro TB4 is one of several docks the company makes.

4 ways Brydge 12.9 Max+ iPad Pro keyboard beats Apple Magic Keyboard

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4 ways Brydge 12.9 Max+ iPad Pro keyboard beats Apple Magic Keyboard
The Brydge 12.9 Max+ is stronger competition for the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro than many might realize.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

While the Apple Magic Keyboard is an outstanding way to transform an iPad Pro into laptop, it’s not necessarily the best option. The Brydge 12.9 Max+ is also a very capable keyboard case for Apple’s premier tablet. I use both and pitted them against each other. And I found definite advantages to Brydge’s offering.

Brydge Max+: The best third-party keyboard for iPad Pro [Review]

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Brydge Max+ for iPad Pro review
A Brydge keyboard greater than any other.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

If you want to use your iPad like a laptop, adding a Brydge keyboard has long been the best way to do it. There are other solutions — a lot of them, in fact — and many are more affordable. But none of them are as good as a Brydge keyboard.

And no Brydge keyboard has been better than the new Max+ for iPad Pro. Like its predecessors, the Max+ is beautifully built from anodized aluminum, with a backlit keyboard that delivers a stellar typing experience. The big difference with the Max+ — which makes it even better than the Pro+ — is a larger, more reliable trackpad and a new, much more seamless magnetic docking system for your iPad.

The Max+ is not only the best Brydge keyboard ever made, but also the best third-party keyboard you can buy for iPad Pro. Here’s our full review.

Brydge 11 Max+ keyboard case is built for hardcore iPad Pro users

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Brydge 11 Max+ keyboard case is built for hardcore iPad Pro users
Brydge 11 Max+ is a premium keyboard case for the 11-inch iPad Pro with a large trackpad.
Photo: Brydge

Slip an 11-inch iPad Pro into the newly announced Brydge 11 Max+ to convert it into a premium laptop. There’s a backlit keyboard, sizable trackpad and a clamshell design. The tablet is protected, but is held in with magnets so it’s easily removable.

The keyboard case is also compatible with the iPad Air 4. This is the second such peripheral Brydge has released for these two devices in recent months.

Don’t miss these Prime Day deals on great iPhone, Mac and iPad accessories

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Don’t miss these Prime Day deals on great iPhone, Mac and iPad accessories
Prime Day can save you money on add-ones for your Apple Gear.
Photo: Amazon

Amazon’s Prime Day brings bargains on a range of accessories for your Apple devices. There are cases, keyboards, chargers, SSDs… lots of options and all below the regular prices.

There are savings on gear for iPhone Mac and iPad, but most of the deals expire on Tuesday. Don’t wait around.

Brydge iTrack offers wireless trackpad just for iPad

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Brydge iTrack is available now.
Brydge iTrack might complete your iPad-centric desktop setup.
Photo: Brydge

Brydge iTrack may be the first trackpad designed specifically for iPad. That allows the desktop accessory to take full advantage of the support for trackpads Apple added to iPadOS.

And while it uses Bluetooth, Brydge promises minimal connection hassles.

Brydge’s latest keyboard case for iPad Air and iPad Pro includes multi-touch trackpad

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The Brydge Air Max+ can be preordered now. Shipping starts in June.
The Brydge Air Max+ is both an iPad Air/Pro case and a clip-on keyboard and trackpad.

The new Brydge Air Max+ wraps the iPad Air 4 or 11-inch iPad Pro in a protective case, and adds a removable keyboard and trackpad.

It’s a larger version of a keyboard case Brydge recently introduced for the basic iPad. And there’s a similar model for the largest iPad Pro.

Retailers slash $100 off 12.9-inch Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro

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iPad-Pro-Magic-Trackpad
This discount won't last long — don't miss out!
Photo: Apple

The biggest ever discount on the outstanding 12.9-inch Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro is back. Order yours from Amazon or Best Buy today for just $249 — down from $349 — before the price returns to normal.

You can also save $100 on the 11-inch model for iPad Pro and the newest iPad Air, which is now just $199.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Brydge 10.2 Max+ rugged keyboard case adds large trackpad to budget iPad

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Brydge 10.2 Max+ is available for preorder now.
The Brydge 10.2 Max+ turns an iPad 8 into a detachable laptop/tablet.
Photo: Brydge

Brydge has a new feature-laden keyboard case for the low-cost 10.2-inch iPad. It brings a large trackpad to this tablet. And the Brydge 10.2 Max+ offers 4-foot MIL-STD drop protection thanks to a built-in Otterbox case.

This company’s keyboards for the iPad Pro are aimed at professionals. The newest one for the low-cost iPad seems to be for younger users.

Save $30 on the brilliant Brydge keyboard for 10.2-inch iPad

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Brydge keyboard for iPad
The best way to turn your iPad into a laptop.
Photo: Brydge

When it comes to iPad keyboards, Brydge makes some of the best money can buy. And right now you can pick up its 10.2-inch model for the newest iPad for under $100, thanks to a $29.96 discount.

Bag yours on Amazon today before the price returns to normal.

This post contains affiliate links. Cult of Mac may earn a commission when you use our links to buy items.

Brydge Pro+ firmware update a good start, but trackpad issues remain

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Other improvements are on the way.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

Brydge on Wednesday rolled out the first firmware update for its Pro+ keyboard for iPad Pro. It’s designed to fix some of the issues users and reviewers have been experiencing with the built-in trackpad — and it’s certainly a good start.

But there are some things you should be aware of before you rush off to buy a Pro+ for your iPad Pro.

Brydge Pro+ keyboard with trackpad misses the most important mark [Review]

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Brydge-Pro-iPad
Almost perfect.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

One of the best keyboards money can buy for iPad Pro now comes with a built-in trackpad. The Brydge Pro+ is one of the first to truly embrace mouse support in iPadOS. And it costs a lot less than Apple’s official Magic Keyboard, which won’t debut until May.

Like almost every other Brydge keyboard I’ve used, this one delivers a terrific typing experience that you can rely on every day. It feels superbly comfortable, and it’s brilliantly designed. It makes your iPad feel like a MacBook in the most elegant way possible.

Despite all that — and my appreciation for Brydge as a company — it’s really hard for me to recommend the Pro+. It gets so many things right, but completely misses the mark where it really matters. Here’s my full Brydge Pro+ review after several weeks of use.

UPDATE: February 25, 2021: Brydge is currently preparing a big firmware update for the Pro+ that promises to eliminate its trackpad issues for good by adding native multitouch gestures. That means the Pro+ will soon offer exactly the same functionality as Apple’s own Magic Keyboard.

We have yet been able to test that firmware update, but we have heard that it lives up to Brydge’s promises. Bear that in mind before reading the rest of our original review below.

Forget the MacBook Air. Roll your own Apple ‘laptop’ for less than $600.

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The Brydge Keyboard on the 10.2 iPad
An iPad with a Brydge keyboard is a pretty good replacement for a Mac!
Photo: Ian Fuchs/Cult of Mac

A year ago, when Apple introduced the latest iPad Pro models, I called the tablet the computer for everywhere. To this day, I still think the 2018 iPad Pro, complete with Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard Folio, is an incredible setup for tons of situations. At the same time, it’s anything but cheap, starting at $1,107 for an 11-inch model with keyboard and Pencil.

Then there’s the Mac laptop lineup. Apple’s current cheapest offering is the MacBook Air, also starting at $1,100. Fortunately, you don’t have to drop over a grand to get an incredibly versatile, powerful, and portable budget laptop made by Apple.

You might never get to buy this amazing iPad keyboard [Review]

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Sentis Libra iPad keyboard with trackpad
An iPad Pro with Sentis Libra attached could be mistaken for a MacBook.
Photo: Ed Hardy/Cult of Mac

The Sentis Libra gives an iPad Pro a keyboard and trackpad, allowing it to act as both a tablet and a laptop — something no MacBook can do.

However, rival keyboard maker Brydge accuses Sentis of using its patented design. Cult of Mac has both a Libra prototype and the most recent Brydge Pro, and we compare the two and let everyone judge whether the accusations made against this device stand up.

The Libra is undoubtedly great, including a highly-functional trackpad. So the real question is, who deserves credit for the design?