I took advantage of our recent liquidation purchase and bought myself an iPad Pro 10.5 inch unit. My plan was to use this many of the times that I would normally use my Mac but do not need the specialized features of my MacBook Pro, like accessing Small Dog’s custom database.
Aside from that database, my initial impressions after extensive use of the iPad Pro is that it could easily replace my MacBook Pro for much of what I do and provide me with some advantages, too. I am not giving up my Mac but I am also not carrying it around when I do not need. So, on my recent trip to San Francisco, where I would normally pack my MacBook Pro and my iPad mini, I left them both behind and took my iPad Pro. I was nervous about this since I normally travel with all my devices but it worked out great!
While I can type okay on the on-screen keyboard, it just is not the same as having a real keyboard so over the past couple weeks I have been testing both the Apple Smart Keyboard for the iPad Pro and the Brydge Aluminum Keyboard for the iPad Pro that was generously provided to me by the good folks over at Brydge.
The Apple Smart Keyboard for the iPad Pro is a lightweight keyboard that connects via the Apple Smart Connector on the iPad Pro so it does not require its own power source and you never have to charge it up. The Smart Keyboard has an integrated stand that folds both for typing and viewing and provides a cover for the iPad Pro when not in use. It is “splash-resistant” and the keyboard is easy to connect and use.
Pros:
Lightweight keyboard with good key action. The keyboard case folds to protect the screen and also into both a typing and a viewing mode. It is easy to set up and because it connects via the Apple Smart Connector there is no Bluetooth pairing to deal with. Did I mention that it is lightweight?
Cons:
I am not usually so negative about an Apple product but I have to say the Smart Keyboard does have some drawbacks. First among those is that it is not backlit. I am so used to using backlight on keyboards that this really was obvious to me as I was trying to answer an email with the iPad Pro on my lap on a darkened airplane.
It is a regular keyboard – i.e. it has all the normal keys but no function keys and no special keys that would make working with the iPad Pro easier. I think the keys are a bit noisy but not that bad. It only comes in one sorta boring, ugly gray color and while I am not using a pencil it would be nice if it had a slot for that.
At $159, the Apple Smart Keyboard is not a bad choice, especially if you want to maintain the sleek low weight feel of the iPad Pro.
The Brydge Aluminum Keyboard for the iPad Pro 10.5 inch is a much heavier device and at first that put me off on this choice. But then I started using it and I came around to love it. The Brydge keyboard is made of aluminum and comes in 4 colors that match the iPad Pro colors. Maybe it is just me but the Brydge keyboard made me think I had just come up with the perfect combination of MacBook and iPad Pro in one device.
The keyboard is easy to set up and pair. Once you have inserted the iPad Pro into the hinge, you hit the power button which responds with a green light. Hold down the Bluetooth button for 3 seconds to pair the keyboard and your power button will turn blue, indicating it is in pairing mode. Once it is paired the light on the power key goes off and you are good to go.
The keyboard connects via Bluetooth and must be charged from time to time, although the battery is good for up to a year in normal use. The iPad Pro slips easily into the patented hinge, just make sure the camera is on top and not in the hinge. The hinge allows the iPad Pro to be used at 0° to 180° angle for typing viewing or slouching on the couch. And if you want to switch to iPad mode you just pull it out of the hinge!
Backlighting is one thing but 3-levels of backlighting take it to another level. You can adjust to your ambient lighting and still be able to type away in the dark. I liked the feel of this keyboard and its natural tactile feel. The keys are a bit smaller than on my MacBook Pro but even my fat fingers had no problem getting productive on this board.
Unlike the Apple Smart keyboard, the Brydge has a row of special keys that are made for iOS operation. This may be the single reason that the Brydge has won this keyboard shoot-out. I find myself utilizing this top row of keys frequently to enhance my productivity. It has keys to toggle between the on-screen and physical keyboard, it has a Home and Control Center button that I learned to use all the time. It has a quick lock key, keys to control your music and volume and of course, an on/off button. In the lower left corner, it also has a Siri button which Apple oddly omitted from their offering.
Pros:
Backlit keyboard, specialty iOS keys, great typing action, great screen protection, matches your iPad Pro color, 1-year battery life. At $139 it is less expensive than the Apple Smart Keyboard. Feels substantial and highly protective of the iPad Pro.
Cons:
It is heavy but you are essentially making your iPad Pro into a laptop and the combination of your iPad Pro and the keyboard is about the same weight as a MacBook and less than a 13-inch MacBook Pro. It also does not have anywhere to stash a pencil if you are using an Apple Pencil. It is Bluetooth so it must be paired but that was super easy to do and once paired is stays paired.
Conclusion
Having used both of these keyboards extensively, I have decided that I will be using the Brydge keyboard for my iPad Pro. Whether I am on an airplane or just being a couch potato the iPad Pro 10.5 with my Brydge keyboard is my device of choice. The Brydge keyboard offers the protection I want for my expensive iPad Pro screen and the keyboard connects easily and is great to work on. The backlighting and iOS specific keys make this a productive combination that simply cannot be matched by the Apple Smart Keyboard. The winner is Brydge by a span.