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Crux Loaded Case Turns iPad 2 Into Asus Transformer, But Is It Worth the Price?

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For iPad 2 owners looking on at the Asus Eee Pad Transformer‘s clever laptop dock in envy, Crux is bringing its Crux Loaded case to the second-generation iOS tablet to enable the same functionality. Like the keyboard accessory for the Android Honeycomb Transformer, the Crux Loaded case adds a keyboard, touchpad, and battery to give your iPad an additional 7.5 hours to the already long 10-hour computing time on the tablet itself.

The upside is that the case differentiates itself from other keyboard accessories for the iPad/iPad 2 by integrating the touchpad, which makes it easier to navigate the tablet UI when using the keyboard as you won’t need to extend your arm every time you need to select something or tap on something. Now, like a traditional netbook, notebook, or smartbook, you can reach your thumb down from the keyboard position and maneuver the touchpad.

The downside is that the case is expensive, and comes at a $100 premium over the Asus-made Eee Pad Transformer dock. While the Eee Pad Transformer’s keyboard dock, which offers similar functionality, costs $150, the Crux case is priced at $250 when it launches this Fall.

As shown: Eee Pad Transformer with Keyboard Dock

Another difference between the Crux case and the Eee Pad transformer keyboard is that the Crux case provides protection for the iPad 2’s rear side as it slides into a compartment which houses the tablet to convert the iPad 2 into the netbook screen when docked. The iPad 2 connects to the 30-pin dock connector inside that housing. On the Eee Pad Transformer, the way the tablet docks is through a hinge, so the tablet screen is the lid to the laptop. When you carry the docked Eee Pad Transformer around, the backside will be exposed and there is no protection there.

Connectivity may be another different, in addition to pricing, for those eying tablets with hybrid form factor utility as the iPad comes with 3G connectivity as an option while the Asus-made tablet is a WiFi-only model. That said, the Asus dock can be used to add a memory card and comes with USB ports. Moreover, Android supports Flash whereas iOS doesn’t.

Via: UberGizmo

6 Comments

6 Comments

  1. Rusched

    06/02/2011 at 2:22 pm

    Does the iPad support a touchpad? How does this work? Short of jailbreaking I haven’t heard of any kind of native mouse support.

  2. leon he

    06/05/2011 at 10:36 pm

    The Asus Transformer does not need its backside to be protected. It has a very solid build.

  3. Forte1plus1

    07/26/2011 at 11:15 pm

    Like it or not, the IPad 2 has some limitations. I see the Crux Ultimate as being just that, the ultimate way of having our cake & eating it too. While not cheap, this is an add-on that really turns one machine into two and all for less than $1,100 out the door. My only concern is the ease in taking my IPad in and out of the Cruz, but if I’m sold it’s pretty easy yet a solid latch, this is a goodie I can’t wait to blow a little loose couch change on. Comparing a netbook price with a Cruz just doesn’t make sense. The IPad 2 is a remarkable device and a whole lot more than any netbook so why compare the two? While far from a necessity, I see this as being an indulgence that boys with great toys is going to find hard to pass up.

  4. meegoftw

    03/16/2012 at 1:06 pm

    Did you really have to add the bit about Flash in there at the end? That was completely irrelevant, and just sounded like a poor excuse to bash the iPad.

  5. William-Robert Kent Cousert

    03/20/2012 at 5:29 pm

    Will this work with the “New” iPad? Where can I buy one for less than MSRP? 

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