Brydge 10.5 Keyboard for iPad Air (2019) | Aluminum Bluetooth 4.2 Keyboard with Backlit Keys (Space Gray)

I love this keyboard. this is my second one. I bought a new iPad and purchased another Brydge to use with it. Solid keyboard and perfect in every way. I have used them for the past 3-4 years and couldn’t imagine using an iPad without one.

After reading all the negative reviews about this keyboard I feel like I had to write a review.First of all I have the iPad Pro 10.5 . Maybe that makes a difference, I don’t know. People are complaining about missing keystrokes— that was obviously a concern of mine as well, I have used Bluetooth keyboards before where that happened and it made the keyboard worthless.I have not experienced anything like that on my Brydge. I have been typing on this thing for a week and it hasn’t missed a single keystroke. Not one. I type really fast as well.As everyone else has pointed out, the build quality is fantastic. The typing experience is really good. Nice tactile feel. Decent key travel. It is very heavy, and makes the entire ‘unit’ (ipad+keyboard) at least 3x heavier than the iPad alone. It is actually necessary though, if it wasn’t heavy, it would tip over very easily. This thing is very sturdy and the hinges are really strong, they hold the iPad at whatever angle you set it , no problem. But, there is one concern. These things really grip the ipad, they are really damn strong. My concern is that the ipad is not designed for this and closing the ipad down like a laptop lid repeatedly puts strain on the display and might damage it. I have used a screwdriver to loosen them a little bit but that doesn’t really help much — when you push the ipad down to close it, you can see the lcd display “ripple” like you are pressing really hard on it. Which is not good. If they had made the hinges just a little further out toward the edge maybe it wouldve been better , as they are , they end flush with the edge of the display.Another thing, and this isn’t a negative strike for the keyboard, but not having a touchpad is weird. I just want to let people know that, obviously I understood it didn’t have a touchpad, but when you actually are using it, I found myself reaching for a touchpad repeatedly and realizing there isn’t one.Other people complained that the keyboard takes too long to connect ... I don’t have this issue either. It takes 3 key presses and the keyboard is connected and working. That’s really not an issue to me, just tap it three times it wakes up and connects. It’s not as good as instantly connecting but it’s really not a hassle either.The top row of command keys are actually super useful. You can just press play from any app and your iTunes will start playing. People also complained about not being able to access the dock ... i can still access the dock, I guess my fingers aren’t that fat. Also there’s a command key specifically for the dock so you can just press that and it minimizes your app. Press it twice and it shows all the apps you had open just like if you were to press the home key twice. But then you have to use the touch screen to navigate and select stuff. It would be amazing if this thing had a touchpad, you’d essentially have a tiny MacBook , but it’s pretty darn close.The backlit keyboard is nice, it’s a necessity for me.I am not sure if it’s a quality control problem, maybe some people are getting bad units, but mine is flawless. I was ready to ship it back if it had any of the issues people described but I haven’t experienced any of them. Perhaps they have some radio interference messing with their Bluetooth connection.Oh i forgot to add, it makes watching movies and stuff in bed/on the couch wayyyy better because it sits up like a laptop.You also can’t use a standard case on this, and Brydge wants you to buy one from them that’s $40 which is ridiculous to me. I am just going to cut my case so that it fits.All in all I am really happy with it.

The Brydge 10.5 Keyboard for iPad Air is a game-changer for anyone seeking enhanced productivity and versatility on their iPad. With its sleek aluminum design and premium build quality, this keyboard seamlessly integrates with the iPad Air, transforming it into a sleek and stylish laptop-like device. The backlit keys offer a responsive and comfortable typing experience, whether you're typing emails, documents, or chatting with friends. The adjustable viewing angles and sturdy hinge design provide flexibility and stability, allowing you to find the perfect angle for typing or viewing content. Additionally, the keyboard connects effortlessly via Bluetooth, eliminating the hassle of wires and cords. Whether you're a student, professional, or casual user, the Brydge 10.5 Keyboard enhances your iPad Air experience, making it easier and more enjoyable to work, create, and communicate on the go.

I had a Brydge keyboard for my iPad Air 2 that I'd been using for the last couple of years and I consider it absolutely essential for my iPad. It really did turn my iPad into a small laptop and I found myself reaching for it as often as I did my regular laptop and I couldn't be more pleased with the Brydge's responsiveness considering it connects via bluetooth. This Fall, I upgraded to a 10.5" iPad Pro and immediately bought a Series I Brydge keyboard for it along with an Apple Keyboard. I was a little disappointed in both. The Apple Keyboard doesn't have the functionality of the Brydge which really suprised me and the Brydge 10.5" Series I didn't have the responsiveness that I'd become accustomed to with my previous keyboard. There was a perceptible lag, I felt it missed keystrokes (maybe keys didn't get fully pressed or maybe it didn't register, I don't know, but characters were missed), and when I "closed" the keyboard, it was hit or miss as to whether the iPad was placed in "sleep" mode with that satisfying audible "click". While the physically connected Apple Keyboard was obviously more responsive, I elected to keep the Brydge because of the enhanced functionality. However, after that, I found myself rarely using the iPad because of my frustration with the Brydge Series I keyboard. So... When Brydge put the 10.5" Series II on sale for the Christmas Season, I reluctantly bought one. All I can say is, "Wow. What a world of difference." It seems all the issues I was frustrated with were addressed in this version. If there's a lag, it's virtually imperceptible, I've yet to miss a character that can't be accounted for that wasn't me fat-fingering a keystroke, and closing the keyboard and iPad, no matter how slightly out of alignment they may be, produces that audible click, assuring me that my iPad has been put to sleep. I couldn't be more happy with the Series II. I feel like I have my old iPad back and I'm back to using it more. So... If you're not happy with your Series I or you were holding off on buying a Brydge Keyboard for your 10.5" iPad Pro because of the negative reviews for the Series I, wait no longer. You'll be glad you picked this one up.