The CruxSKUNK is a new case for the iPad, designed to make your device look and feel like a laptop. There are already plenty of iPad cases with keyboards built-in, but most of them look like standard cases, and do little to add style to the iPad itself. With this new case, however, you might actually confuse your iPad for your laptop.
I own one of those fold-up iPad keyboards, and while it is great if I need to write something short, the buttons feel excessively small for my larger fingers. The CruxSKUNK promises a full-sized keyboard with real keys. When I read that, my large fingers most certainly wanted me to take notice.
The developers clearly had versatility in mind when they developed this case. They included a 360-degree hinge, which allows you to put it in almost any position you want. This means you can rotate it flat and use your iPad as you would if it was not connected to a keyboard case of any kind. You can also spin it so it is used as a stand, which makes watching movies easier.
In designing the CruxSKUNK, its creators were trying to keep Apple’s aesthetic, and it looks like they certainly succeeded. They even left the back open, so you can see the Apple logo. The designers claim that “most of the people we've shown the CruxSKUNK to have mistaken it for a MacBook Pro.” Of course, they take this as a compliment, because that's the look they are aiming for.
Another key aspect of the design was overall thickness. The developers did not want the case to bulk up the device and make carrying it unpleasant. The CruxSKUNK comes in at 19 mm thick, with a 6 mm base, so it certainly seems that they succeeded in keeping a low profile design.
The developers are currently seeking funding on Kickstarter, and while they have already met their goal, the project is still eligible for new backers through October 3. The lowest pledge amount to receive a CruxSKUNK is US$155. They expect to ship the cases to backers sometime in November of this year. Once it's on the market, it may face some competition from a similar Kickstarter product, the MacBook Air-like Brydge iPad case.
One of the major drawbacks of most iPad keyboards is that they are flimsy and impossible to use on your lap. This forces you to choose whether you want to use your iPad as a tablet, or use it with a keyboard. The CruxSKUNK was designed with this problem in mind. Because it is built from rigid materials, you can set it on your lap the same way you would a laptop computer and not have to worry about it falling over.
The CruxSKUNK connects via Bluetooth. It has a 350 mAH battery that should only need a charge once a month. It comes with a USB sync cable for charging when the battery does eventually run out. The device also includes a leather sleeve for carrying it around between uses.
Take a look at CruxSKUNK's Kickstarter video below for more information.
Source: Kickstarter
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