There are lots of iPad keyboard cases to choose from–so do we really need another? CruxCase thinks so, because it’s flaunting its new CruxEncore keyboard case for the iPad Air on Kickstarter (link below). But what sets the CruxEncore apart from the rest of the tablet keyboard crowd is its MacBook-like design and a patented swiveling hinge that rotates a full 360 degrees.
The case itself looks sturdy and striking, with an anodized aluminum coat to match your iPad Air, and design lines that resemble those on a MacBook Pro. The case also has the weight and feel of a MacBook Air at just two centimeters thick and 1.45 lbs, but of course it’s a bit heavier with your iPad inside. Foam padding aims to keep your iPad Air from moving around or getting scratched.
The case features a raised full-sized QWERTY keyboard with special function keys on top, Bluetooth connectivity, and a built-in 360 mAH battery that CruxCase says you’ll only need to recharge once a month, depending on usage. Like many other cases, the CruxEncore turns on your iPad when you open it up, and turns the tablet off when you close the lid.
The CruxEncore is currently available for pre-order via a Kickstarter campaign, and the company plans a May 2014 shipping date if it sees enough buyers. Prices currently range from US $39 to $500–so if you can snag one for $39, consider that a steal, because the company hopes to sell the case for about $90 to $100 after the May launch. As of right now, the company is only at about half of its $90,000 goal, and the project will only be funded if the company reaches that goal by Sunday morning on March 23.
