Roger Fingas
Hot on the heels of Apple revealing a new budget iPad, Logitech on Tuesday debuted a matching case and keyboard combo intended exclusively for Canadian and American schools.
The Rugged Case is designed to protect against drops up to 6 feet, using polymer "ribs" surrounding the edges. Luggage-style fabric protects against wear and liquids, while a detachable cover can be used to guard the screen.
A kickstand with mechanical hinges supports angles between 20 and 60 degrees. The back also features a transparent window, meant to show tagging and/or barcodes schools typically put on electronics.
The cover can be replaced with a optional add-on keyboard, which uses a proprietary Logitech connector and draws power from the iPad so it doesn't have to be recharged on its own. It also offers a wide, laptop-like layout, and a row of function and shortcut keys.
While schools will be able to buy the two accessories separately, a Rugged Combo pack pairs the two together.
Pricing has yet to be announced. Schools will be able to buy the gear later this week through Apple's specialized shopping portal.
The new iPad starts at $329 for the average buyer, and goes on sale this Friday. It comes with an A9 processor, and 32 or 128 gigabytes of storage.
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12 Comments
This is a brilliant design. I wouldn't be surprised if Apple had a lot to do with it (while not wanting to put their brand on it). It's perfectly functional for it's purpose, and is also aesthetically pleasing, while at the same time not looking "fancy," and thus decreasing the perception/criticism that schools are being frivolous with their money by buying iPads (which invariably occurs, despite the iPad's clear value over a clumsy, spyware-ridden chromebooks or androids).
Nice move here. Offering a fairly powerful iPad (more capable than a chromebook) with near current specs at a discount (likely further discounts for schools) in a rugged PC form factor. Apple isn't content with seceding education.
Okay this makes up for the lack of these updated iPads not having the smart connector. No word on price though...
Could also be ideal for a panoply of business site applications, where a tough exterior would be helpful. The Pro line would be served well with a similar armor.
I know it is all about the iPad but when you add the case and the keyboard you got one helluva chunky piece of kit. Very rugged, to be sure but from the pictures (renderings) it all looks too much, to me. Specially the keyboard. - I notice these cases and keyboards are only sold in units of ten.