Apple Case Mod for Keyboard Dock

Excitement at the arrival of my keyboard dock turned to disappointment when I discovered that the official Apple iPad fitted with the official Apple iPad case could not be used with the official Apple iPad keyboard dock. To make matters worse, inserting and removing the iPad from the case is not an easy process. (and THAT is a good thing, IMO).

After examining the case and dock, it seemed that by trimming away a section of the case that comes into contact with the dock's backplate should allow the iPad to dock with the keyboard while keeping the case on.

I removed the iPad from the case. Using a sharpie marker, marked the outline where the cuts were to be made. I took a cutting mat, xacto knife, and steel ruler and carefully cut along the line using the ruler as a guide, making sure to ease up on the pressure when the blade crossed the rigid frame.

Figure 1. View of the section removed while retaining the rigid frame.



The composition of the case is a rubberized vinyl type material, resulting in a very clean cut edge with no danger of fraying.

Figure 2. view of the back.



The material was carefully cut away, ensuring not do disturb the rigid frame. I then inserted the iPad into the case.

Figure 3. iPad in the case.



Figure 4. iPad in the case docked in the keyboard


The case cover can fold back behind the dock backplate and the angle of the iPad holds the cover in place. Of course I'd rather not have a rectangular hole in the back of the case, but I'm not going to risk a hand slipping as I attempt to remove the iPad from the case flinging the iPad across the room.

So until there is a comparable case that will work with the dock, this will have to do. I like the keyboard too much to reduce its usage because of the hassle of removing it from the case.

Hope this helps somebody.

Thanks for posting back and with pictures. If I decide to get the keyboard dock I'll follow your method. Since it's Apple's case and dock you think they would have thought of this!

Haven't gotten my iPad, waiting on the 3gs. Gee the wait. When I saw most of the cases I wondered about this problem. I did ordered a Hardcandy hard sleeve http://www.hardcandycases.com/ipad-hardsleeve.html guessing the iPad would have to come out to use it in a dock. Given the way the rubber bumpers hold it in, I am hoping, it is easy, or easier, to deal with, i.e. remove. Also, hoping I can fold that lid back, throw a pair of dirty socks in between the top and bottom lids and create a tilted typing surface. Not sure it would stand up, but, I don't see why not. Will see.

You know, Apple should have made a hatch with a hinge for that port.

Apple claims it's illegal to jailbreak their cases, you know...

LMFAO! Oh my anyways I really like the mod of this case to make the correct fit for the keyboard dock.

Ok so I too brought the blade to the case.....

but i did it a little bit different. i noticed that the keyboard dock gives a bit of leeway in case the iPad falls forward.

This is pushing it forward just a little bit (note: it does in fact go all the way forward. i accidentally tipped it toward myself and it went all the way. and yes i freaked out when that happened, lol)



As you can see from the above picture, the only clearance needed is below and slightly in back (not the entire height of the backrest). Using this knowledge and sracer's mod info, i proceeded to purposefully harm my case. I knew that space exists if created, i just had to tinker with the amount. I, too did not want a huge window in my case, so i started to experiment by shaving off a little at a time and sticking it on the dock to see if it was enough. Ultimately, it only required what you see here:

Thanks for posting all the pics and advice. I'm going to give it shot when mine gets here in Late April.

Thanks pioneers! Y'all get all the bugs worked out and that's great!

thanks a bunch Forkee for this MOD. Just followed your instructions and was able to get my case and keyboard to play nice now!!!! You saved my money, I was ready to order another case that would fit the dock. Again, thank you so much!!

no problem! glad i could be of assistance. don't forget sracer was the inspiration behind the innovation, hehe.

It looks like you could just cut the two side slits and hold the flap back with velcro. That way if you decided to go somewhere it would be closable, and fully protected.

It was a team effort.

That's actually a good idea. I don't think that velcro would be necessary, the flap would just rest on the outside of the backplate. If someone is planning to use my more drastic mod, they should try your suggestion first to see how it goes before fully committing to removing that section.

Sracer- thanks to you also for coming up with this idea. I thought about the flap idea, but decided against it since over time a rip could start. The small cut seams to be the best option that forkee came up with. I'm just so glad I found this site. Will be checking back more often for more ideas/hints/advice- you guys rock!

Just did the same thing myself. I followed what "forkee" did and it worked GREAT. Took the dock and marked how far out it had to go and just cut a bit into the back...now the front looks great and the back is hardly effected. AWESOME! I was really getting tired of taking the iPad out of the case all the time to dock it in the office. Now I may have to get another dock for the house!

Thanks for the feedback. I'm beginning to think that maybe I am a bit overly sensitive regarding the altered entry angle caused by the thickness of the case that comes into contact with the dock's backplate.

am I the only one that thinks that modifying the dock instead of the case would of given you a better result?

By what I can tell from the pictures, it's only a couple of mm.

Better results? No. The backplate of the dock is hollow. Remove too much of that plastic and you'll end up with a hole. Besides, forkee's method is not intrusive and seems to work well. Much easier to get a clean cut on the case than a clean trimming of the backplate.

"Noticed that the keyboard dock gives a bit of leeway in case the iPad falls forward.
This is pushing it forward just a little bit (note: it does in fact go all the way forward. i accidentally tipped it toward myself and it went all the way."

Hmm, what gives to allow the forward, tipped motion, the dock, or the iPad? Is it just the connector giving /bending a bit? Is the dock with the keyboard, the same as the standalone charging dock? I have it, i.e. charging dock. Don't see by eyeballing it, how it would allow the ipad to flop forward, and it is a tight fit. When you say all the way, you mean it tipped and hit the keyboard? ouch.