Choosing among keyboard PCBs, cases & plates gets tricky when two keyboard cases are aimed at completely different devices. The DROP ALT case is a 65% route for an ALT keyboard, while the Slim Aluminum Keyboard Case is built around iPad Air 11 and iPad Pro 11 use. Decide which device you are building around first; the materials and features come second.
Quick verdict
Pick the New DROP ALT Aluminum Keyboard Case if you are customizing an ALT keyboard and want a dedicated case. Pick the Slim Aluminum Keyboard Case for iPad Air 11 & Pro 11 if you need tablet typing with features such as a trackpad and Bluetooth. At USD 63.00 versus USD 184.11, the $121.11 price gap is clear, but device fit is the more important dividing line.
Compact comparison
| Comparison point | DROP ALT case | Slim iPad keyboard case |
|---|---|---|
| Intended setup | 65% ALT keyboard | iPad Air 11 / iPad Pro 11, iPadOS |
| Listed price | USD 63.00 | USD 184.11 |
| Core format | Keyboard case for an ALT setup | Slim keyboard case for iPad |
Where each product wins
DROP ALT case: dedicated keyboard customization
The DROP ALT case wins when the project starts with an ALT keyboard. Its low-profile format, magnetic feet, and rubber pads give the purchase a clear case-customization purpose rather than a tablet-accessory purpose. The included feet hardware also gives you a concrete setup detail to consider if adjustable case positioning matters to your build. This is the more direct choice for someone who already owns an ALT keyboard and wants to change its enclosure.
Slim iPad keyboard case: tablet typing features
The Slim Aluminum Keyboard Case wins for tablet typing. It combines backlit, portable, and quiet attributes with a trackpad and Bluetooth connectivity. Those features point to a self-contained keyboard accessory for an iPad-focused setup, rather than a replacement enclosure for an existing keyboard. Its named platform makes the decision straightforward when your primary device is one of the compatible iPad models.
Product notes
DROP ALT Aluminum Keyboard Case
This case makes sense when the goal is to customize an ALT keyboard rather than add input to a tablet. Its anodized aluminum construction and included angled aluminum feet give it a clearly defined case-focused package. The main limitation is equally concrete: keycaps are not included, so the purchase does not by itself complete a keyboard setup. An LED diffuser is also required for original Massdrop ALT keyboards, which matters for owners of that specific keyboard. If those boundaries match your project, the DROP ALT case offers a direct route to an ALT enclosure; if you need an all-in-one tablet keyboard, its case-only format points elsewhere.
Slim Aluminum iPad Keyboard Case
This slim iPad keyboard case is the better-aligned choice when the target is an iPad rather than an ALT keyboard. A practical reason to choose it is the package, which includes a keyboard with PU case, USB cable, and user manual. Bluetooth connectivity and the iPadOS platform further define how it is intended to be used. Its limitation is that defined platform: the named iPad models and iPadOS, not an ALT keyboard enclosure. An aluminum enclosure does not change that device focus. For tablet typing, the iPad-specific design is the deciding benefit; for a custom keyboard build, that same focus is the reason to pass.
Final choice by use case
- For an ALT owner customizing a keyboard: choose the New DROP ALT Aluminum Keyboard Case. Its ALT-specific case format, magnetic feet, and rubber pads align with that project.
- For an iPad user wanting tablet typing: choose the Slim Aluminum Keyboard Case for iPad Air 11 & Pro 11. The trackpad and Bluetooth features fit that use more directly.
- When price is the deciding factor: the DROP ALT case is the lower-priced choice at USD 63.00, while the iPad keyboard case is USD 184.11. Make that price comparison only after confirming the device match.
