Chesona H3 Pro iPad Keyboard Case on Kickstarter Fixes Everything Wrong with iPad Pro Accessories
- Michael G.
- Dec 22
- 6 min read
Your iPad Pro cost $1,000+. Apple's Magic Keyboard cost another $350. You still need dongles for HDMI. More dongles for SD cards. An external SSD dangling from cables. The Chesona H3 Pro iPad Keyboard Case on Kickstarter stops the madness. Six ports built directly into the case: 4K HDMI, M.2 SSD bay holding 2TB, SD card reader, USB-C, USB-A, headphone jack. Plus armor protection, zero-lag wired keyboard, and trackpad that actually works. At 1.3kg total with iPad, you're carrying complete workstation—not laptop plus dongle bag. CHESONA's been refining this since 2019 (third generation now), so it's not vaporware. It's evolution.
Quick Verdict
Who it's for:
Video editors tired of cloud-dependent workflows wanting 2TB local storage
Field photographers needing SD import without carrying laptops
Anyone presenting to clients who's tired of "which dongle do I need today?"
Travelers wanting laptop power in tablet form without dongles everywhere
Main strengths:
Everything's integrated—no more dongle hunting or Bluetooth pairing headaches
M.2 SSD bay means massive storage lives inside case structure
Wired keyboard eliminates "keyboard not connected" panic
Third-generation product (since 2019) means refined design, not first attempt
Detaches magnetically for pure tablet mode when needed
Main limitations:
SSD sold separately (add $150-300 for 2TB drive)
First-time Kickstarter creator despite product history
Heavier than Magic Keyboard (1.3kg vs 470g—trade-off for all those ports)
Multiple add-ons sold separately reduce "all-in-one" promise
Limited to specific iPad Pro models only
Bottom line: If you're happy with Magic Keyboard plus dongles, keep your setup. If you're drowning in adapters, hunting for the right cable before every presentation, or tired of external SSDs dangling from your iPad, Chesona H3 Pro consolidates everything into single package. First-time crowdfunding creator adds risk, but third-generation product design suggests they know what they're doing.
The Dongle Disaster You're Living Right Now
You're at a client meeting. Time to present. Where's your HDMI adapter? In the bag. Somewhere. Found it. Plug in. Now you need power. Different adapter. Also in bag. Somewhere else.
Meanwhile, client's waiting. You're sweating. This is professional?
Back at your desk. Need to edit video from yesterday's shoot. SD card won't fit iPad. Need card reader. Different dongle. Video files too big for iPad storage. Need external SSD. Another cable dangling. Your desk looks like electronics exploded.
Bluetooth keyboard? Sometimes connects. Sometimes doesn't. Always dies at worst moment. "Keyboard not found" right when you're trying to respond to urgent email. Reconnect dance begins. Professional image: destroyed.
This is iPad Pro life. Powerful device. Dongle prison.
What If Everything Just Plugged Into The Case?
Walk into conference room. Plug HDMI cable directly into your iPad case. Done. Presenting. No adapter hunting. No apologizing while you dig through bag.
Camera full of photos? SD card slides into case. Importing. No separate reader. No laptop required.
Need 2TB of video projects? M.2 SSD lives inside case structure permanently. Not dangling. Not forgettable. Just... there. Always. Edit 4K footage directly from it. No cloud uploads. No internet required. No subscription fees.
Type email. Key press. Character appears. Every single time. No lag. No pairing. No "keyboard not connected" ever again. Wired connection through case means reliability you forgot existed.
Six Ports That Actually Matter
Display and Storage Essentials
4K HDMI: Client presentations without adapter roulette. Monitor work without dongles. Just plug in. It works.
M.2 SSD Bay: Install your own 2TB drive (not included, costs $150-300 separately). Entire video library. Complete project files. Massive photo collections. All local. Always accessible.
SD Card Reader: Camera imports happen instantly. Field photographers stop carrying laptops just for this.
Connectivity That Just Works
USB-C 3.2: Fast charging or 10Gbps data transfer. Full-speed port when you need it.
USB-A: That 2.4GHz mouse receiver? Works. Legacy stuff? Still works. Sometimes you need old-school Type-A.
3.5mm Audio Jack: Headphones plug in. External speakers connect. Zero-latency monitoring for video editors. Simple. Reliable.
Everything wired through case. No Bluetooth pairing anxiety. No wireless battery death. Press button, function happens.
The Keyboard That Doesn't Make You Want to Throw Things
Actual Tactile Feedback
Most iPad keyboard cases use mushy membrane switches. Cheap. Thin. Terrible typing feel. Like pushing into pudding.
Chesona uses scissor switches with 1.3mm key travel. Actual tactile feedback. Laptop typing feel. Not compromise tablet typing.
Seven brightness levels handle any lighting. Bright office? Lower it. Dark plane? Bump it up. Keys stay visible without being distracting.
Trackpad That Actually Responds
Trackpad supports full iPadOS gestures. Three-finger app switching. Contextual menus. Everything works like MacBook trackpad. This isn't basic cursor tracking—it's complete navigation without touching screen.
And here's the peace-of-mind feature: wired connection. Press key. Character appears. Always. Forever. No exceptions. No "keyboard not found." No pairing dance. No battery anxiety. Just... works.
Your iPad Survives Actual Life
iPad Pro's aluminum looks elegant. Also dents if you look at it wrong. Drop it? Expensive repair. Toss it in bag with other stuff? Scratches everywhere.
Chesona wraps it in PC+ABS+TPU armor. That's hard outer shell plus shock absorption plus structural rigidity. This isn't slim "oops protection." This is job-site armor for expensive device.
Apple Pencil goes in retractable metal holder. Slides out when needed. Retracts flush when not. Your $130 stylus stops disappearing into bag chaos. No more "where did I put my Pencil?" panic.
Laptop Mode vs Tablet Mode—Choose Every Time
Magnets connect keyboard to case. Need to type? Leave it attached. Want to sketch, read, or watch video? Pull apart in seconds.
This modularity acknowledges iPad's identity crisis. Sometimes laptop replacement. Sometimes pure tablet. Chesona doesn't force permanent choice. Adapt to whatever you're doing right now.
The Three-Generation Story
CHESONA didn't nail this first try. They've iterated since 2019:
H1 (2019): First hub-case concept. Proved integration possible.
H2 (2023): Added SD card after creator feedback. Refined based on real use.
H3 Pro (2025): Current version. M.2 SSD focus. M4/M5 compatibility. Everything learned from previous generations.
This timeline shows refinement through actual field testing. Not first-draft guesswork. They've been building these for six years. Learning what works. Fixing what doesn't.
What Chesona H3 Pro iPad Keyboard Case on Kickstarter Costs vs What You're Spending Now
Magic Keyboard: $349. Gets you great typing, zero ports. Separate USB hub: $80-150. More cables to carry. External SSD enclosure: $100-200. Dangles from port. Case for protection: $50-100. Adds even more bulk.
Total separate approach: $579-799. Multiple pieces. Cable management nightmare. Something always forgotten.
Chesona consolidates into single package. Base price unclear from campaign yet, but even at premium versus Magic Keyboard, you're eliminating separate hub and SSD enclosure costs while reducing bulk.
Trade-off: flexibility. With separate pieces, mix and match brands. With integrated approach, you're committed to this ecosystem completely.
First Kickstarter But Not First Product
CHESONA has product history (three generations since 2019) and Amazon presence. But Kickstarter account created October 2025—two months ago. Zero previous campaigns.
Product seems legitimate. Company seems established. But crowdfunding is different beast. Do they understand backer communication? International shipping complexities? Support scaling?
These questions lack answers. Track record exists for product development. Doesn't exist for crowdfunding execution.
The Add-On Reality Check
SSD is "add-on." Case has bay. You buy drive separately. Budget extra $150-300 for 2TB M.2 SSD.
They might offer bundled options. Pricing unclear from current campaign info. But core feature (massive storage) requires additional purchase beyond base case.
Also perforated build plate for high-viscosity optimization sold separately. Air filtration sold separately. Add-ons accumulate.
Should You Back Chesona H3 Pro on Kickstarter?
If Magic Keyboard works for you, stick with it. If you're happy carrying dongles, save money. If you present to clients regularly and dongle-hunting embarrasses you, integrated HDMI makes life easier.
If you edit video in field and tired of cloud dependency, 2TB local storage changes everything. If you're drowning in adapters and tired of Bluetooth keyboard lottery, wired reliability brings sanity back.
The Chesona H3 Pro iPad Keyboard Case on Kickstarter solves specific annoyances beautifully. Make sure those annoyances actually bother you before backing.
Frequently Asked Questions about Chesona H3 Pro iPad Keyboard Case on Kickstarter
Will this work with my older iPad Pro model?
For Kickstarter backers, compatibility includes iPad Pro 13" (M5/M4), 11" (M5/M4), and 12.9" (3rd through 6th generation). If your iPad isn't listed, it won't fit—the case is model-specific with precise cutouts. Older 10.5" or 9.7" models are not supported.
Do I need to buy the SSD separately or is it included?
The M.2 SSD bay is built into the case structure, but the actual SSD drive is sold separately as add-on. Budget extra $150-300 for 2TB M.2 SSD depending on brand and speed you choose. Campaign may offer bundled SSD options, but pricing isn't confirmed yet.
How does the weight compare to just using a regular case?
Complete ArmorDock setup with iPad weighs approximately 1.3kg (13" model). For comparison, iPad Pro 13" (579g) + Magic Keyboard (470g) = 1049g. ArmorDock adds ~250g for integrated hub, protection, and storage bay. Heavier than minimal cases but lighter than carrying separate hub + external SSD.
What happens if the keyboard or ports stop working?
First-time Kickstarter creator means warranty and repair support are uncertain. CHESONA has Amazon presence suggesting some customer service infrastructure, but crowdfunding support differs from retail. Check campaign warranty terms carefully. Wired connection reduces failure points versus Bluetooth, but physical port damage remains possible with heavy use.
Can I use this without the keyboard attached?
Yes, ArmorDock is modular. The protective case with all ports remains on iPad when you detach the keyboard base magnetically. You keep full hub functionality, armor protection, and SSD access in pure tablet mode. Keyboard reconnects instantly when needed—no re-pairing required.

















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