deskthority

I just stumbled upon a review of Razer's iPad pro case with a built in mechanical keyboard. Knowing that Razer's "own" mechanical switches are infact manufactured by Kailh and having seen Matt3o's announcement and preview of Kailh's new low profile, ML-like, switches; chances are that these are the switches they're using. Though, given that we're talking about Razer, they'll probably claim it's 100% their own design and the switches will be green.

While I'm not a fan of Razer's products in general (though, I used a Diamondback way back when and it was awesome), this keyboard actually looks rather promising. At least if it is actually built using the Kailh ML-like switches that Matt3o praised.

Some copy pasta'd specifications and images follow below:
• Razer™ Low-Profile Mechanical Switches with a 70 g actuation force
• Optimized actuation and reset points
• Slim chiclet keycaps
• Designed for Apple iPad Pro
• Metal kickstand
• Detachable polycarbonate protective case
• Connectivity: Bluetooth
• Battery life:
- Approx. 10 hours on a single charge at maximum brightness
- Approx. 600 hours on a single charge with backlighting turned off






Touching a screen with a keyboard in front of you; the usage scenario which bugs me about touch screens on regular computers. Now available on the iPad pro!

Yeah, that is a very intriguing product. The only thing I don't like about it is that it is bluetooth rather than smart connector. Oh well, maybe they'll get it right with v02.

Honestly, I really don't get these kind of ipad keyboard things. At this point, why not get a laptop instead? You could probably get a more powerful one for the price of an Ipad and keyboard accessory thing. Regardless, it seems like an interesting product, but I really don't know how good the keyboard would feel considering the extra short travel distance and surprisingly heavy(er than usual) actuation force. Better off using a surface with a poker/hhkb imo.

I don't use laptops. I've never liked them. Battery life is (still) too short, upgradeability is too limited, and if I am buying into a full desktop OS experience, then I want full desktop performance, which is just too expensive in laptop form.

For the kind of "mobile computing" that I do, an iPad is ideal. It is small, light, and well designed. Great battery life (compared to a laptop), and the apps are way cheaper. Some of them are mind-blowingly good for the price. And updates are always free. Since I only use a mobile device for communication (email, forums, instant messaging), and occasionally online shopping, an iPad is all I need or want.

The one thing I don't love about tablets is typing on a glass surface. Anything is better than that, including the shallow key travel of third-party bluetooth keyboards. Of course, when I am using my iPad in a fixed location (at work or at home), I attach my Pok3r and get a superior mechanical keyboard typing experience. But if I do have to take my iPad somewhere that I wouldn't want to take my Pok3r (like on vacation), then something, anything, other than the glass surface of the iPad is preferred.

That's where bluetooth keyboard cases come in really handy. I have a nifty Targa case for my current iPad and it makes the iPad operate like a laptop without all the drawbacks of a laptop. The Razer is, to my mind, a nice evolutionary step forward for this concept.