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 a lot in common, including a cantilever design, but the Brydge version stands out with much wider viewing angles and a gorgeous aluminum exterior.
Fits the latest 11-inch iPad Pro models. A version for earlier 11-inch iPads is planned for March, as is a version for 13-inch iPads.
The Brydge Max 11.0 offers iPad users a premium laptop-like keyboard
For many iPad users, adding an external keyboard like the Brydge Max 11.0 isn’t just about faster typing — it’s about turning the tablet into a true productivity powerhouse. Writers, students, executives, and remote workers often choose iPad keyboard cases because they provide laptop-style typing with tactile, backlit keys and a built-in trackpad that makes using the tablet much more efficient. And when they’re done, they still have the portability and touch experience that made the iPad so appealing in the first place.
While a number of companies make iPad keyboard cases, the dominant one is the Apple Magic Keyboard for iPad. It has an eye-catching shape that holds the tablet seemingly floating above the keys and trackpad. But the accessory offers the iPad’s minimal viewing angle options and has a plastic exterior that belies its premium price.
The designers of the new Brydge Max 11.0 clearly noticed this. This new offering includes dual hinges that allow the iPad to be visible from a 270-degree angle. It can even rotate so the keyboard is hidden behind the tablet.
In addition, the iPad keyboard case is “made of premium aluminum with a finish that matches your iPad,” according to Brydge.
The accessory maker promises “Instant-On” Bluetooth connectivity, months of use on the built-in battery and backlit keys.
Photo: Bridge
Pre-order now
The Brydge Max 11.0 went up for pre-order on Thursday and will ship by February 25th. Price is $229, but save 10% on your pre-order with code MAX11. By comparison, Apple’s competing product costs $289.
Order from: Bridge
The initial version of the Brydge Max 11.0 fits the 11-inch iPad Pro (M4 and M5).
The upcoming variant fits the older versions of the 11-inch iPad Pro, as well as the iPad Air (4th and 5th generation) and the 11-inch iPad Air (M2 and M3).
And the Brydge Max 13.0 for the larger iPad Pro and iPad Air models is scheduled to launch in March.
Photo: Bridge
Ed Hardy He has been writing about the technique full-time for 25 years and has been using it for much longer. His intro to Apple was a Macintosh Classic II (which he still has), but he now uses a 13-inch iPad Pro as his primary computer. It is written for NotebookReview, TabletPCReview, and Brighthandas well as other sites.