Brydge iPad Keyboard Accessory

I've been holding off buying a tablet because I need the tactile familiarity of keyboards and I have not found laptops/netbooks that incorporated the touchscreen UI at a satisfactory price point. I was thinking about and close to buying the upcoming Transformer Infinity from Asus given the specs and design but I've heard that the interface in viewing and interacting with Web sites is a tad below that of the iPad's, not because of the device itself but due to the lack of quality development by app makers.

I recognize that Apple has been a revolutionary pioneer in industrial design as well as user-interface, however, it continues to grind at me that they insist on telling people what they think we should want rather than listen to what we actually do...but I digress. Tim Cook's toaster/freezer comment notwithstanding, a tablet/laptop hybrid that incorporates the touchscreen function of a tablet with the keyboard utility of laptops has been overdue.

Well, I just came across this start-up design called Brydge and broke down to pledge $210 in order to get their Brydge product delivered to me so that I can pair it with my future iPad. I just wanted to see what people think. Did I make a good move or a boneheaded one? Anyone with experience with either the Transformer, iPad, or both?

Here are the presentation video of the Brydge with the one for Transformer to follow in the next post:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lSARwTqzcG4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpwgFD1DY7E

Here's my honest opinion: if you need something to act and work like a laptop, just get a laptop. You'll be much happier. When I need to do work, I don't go looking for my iPad and my keyboard, I go looking for my laptop. With the MacBook air as small and light as it is, and the same size as an iPad with the brydge accessory, it would just seem like a better idea to just use a laptop. Of course, that's just my opinion.

I appreciate your opinion StoneGK and it's actually sound advice, but here's the thing: I've held off getting a laptop because I hate having the bottom keyboard panel heat up, which has been a prevalent issue for most laptops. I also want the touchscreen functionality incorporated into a laptop but I have not seen anything that has impressed me at a reasonable price point.

With all my hang-ups, I figured a tablet hybrid will suit my preferences the most since I don't need to be that productive as I'm primarily concerned with just having something that will allow me to surf the Web. I was initially leaning towards the Transformer but I like the responsiveness of the interface of the iPad better. However, the one major concern I have is that the iPad does not allow for Flash. Anybody have any effective workarounds for this?

My g/f is a writer and did some research about tablets and writing. The consensus is get a laptop, MacAir or netbook. Your cost will be the same or less.


As for flash you can use mobile browses such as skyfire.

The MS Surface enters the fray with what looks like something that could satisfy my needs yet I'm not excited by it. Maybe I have fears of the Zune Part II.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpzu3HM2CIo

http://www.microsoft.com/surface/en/us/default.aspx