“Logitech’s Rugged Combo 2 keyboard case for the iPad is not likely to be something you’ll want to buy. It’s just too big for most. It’s very, very rugged, surrounding the device in a huge plastic block that feels like it could protect the glass inside from nearly anything,” Dieter Bohn reports for The Verge. “(Logitech says it’s good for up to a four-foot drop, but I bet it could handle more.) You won’t really be able to buy it anyway; it’s designed for the education market.”
“But I am here to tell you that it is fascinating,” Bohn reports. “The spill-proof keyboard doesn’t connect via Bluetooth, but instead via a custom smart connector Logitech developed, which passes through to the Lightning port inside the case. The keyboard is therefore removable (it attaches by a strong magnet) and can be replaced with a simple cover.”
Bohn reports, “Schools will be able to buy the Rugged Combo 2 case this summer.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: So, at education pricing, it’ll be $299 for the iPad, $99.99 for the keyboard case, and $49 for the Apple Pencil for a grand total of $447.99 per unit (before bulk discounts).
Good luck to educators who’d rather have Apple’s full-featured solution but are going up against Chromebook test-taking machines that start around $150. Obtuse decision-makers are going to look that those two price tags and make the wrong choice for students and teachers pretty much every single time. We commiserate.
SEE ALSO:
Apple’s new 9.7-inch iPad offers 2GB of RAM, 2.2 GHz A10 processor – March 28, 2018
How Apple lost its place in the classroom – March 28, 2018
Apple bids for education market with new software, new iPad – March 27, 2018
Apple takes aim at Google Chromebook with $299 iPad with Apple Pencil support for schools – March 27, 2018
Did Apple do enough to grab back education market share? – March 27, 2018
Apple unveils new 9.7-inch iPad with Apple Pencil support starting at $329 – March 27, 2018
Apple unveils ‘Everyone Can Create’ curriculum – March 27, 2018
Apple’s iWork update brings drawing, book creation and more to Pages, Numbers and Keynote – March 27, 2018
MacDailyNews presents live coverage of Apple’s March 27th ‘Field Trip’ event – March 27, 2018
Google’s Chromebooks are still spying on grade school students – April 21, 2017
you don’t have to get the pencil. Also in a year keeping kids data secure might just push Google out of the education market.
What a mess.
What kids data do you think is available to lose in a device that has been issued by a competent school IT department? I’m sure homework is of big interest to the NSA.
Apple have lost this one already. In the UK they only had the (laughable efforts of the ) BBC to contend with. Microsoft have never been focused. But this is Google who have a track record of success (translation, books etc.) and will pursue the education market with a very aggressive pricing policy and cheaper quality machinery. Security is important here, hacking by fellow students, and retaining work done over a term for assesment and marking is key. Apple has lost its way in this market.
This looks suspiciously like a surface pro. LOL.