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Buying Guide: iPad cases

by Macworld Staff, Macworld.com  

The sleek design of the iPad makes you want to show it off, but it’s still vulnerable to scratches and scuffs. To minimize the risk of damage, consider using a protective case or carrying bag. While we haven’t tested every case and bag on the market, here’s a rundown of the most common types, along with a few good examples of each.

Shopping Tips

There are hundreds of third-party iPad case and bags on the market, each specifically made for either the original iPad or the iPad 2. Here are a few things to look for when shopping for iPad protection.

First, keep in mind that the original iPad and the iPad 2 have slightly different shapes, so a case or bag made for one may not fit the other. If it's not clear whether a particular product fits your iPad, compare the case or bag's specs with Apple’s iPad specifications, or e-mail the vendor, to confirm.

When shopping for a form-fitting case, make sure it doesn’t block the iPad's bottom-mounted speaker and dock-connector port; top-mounted headphone jack and microphone; front and back cameras (for the iPad 2); and buttons and switches—unless, of course, the case is designed so that you take your iPad out of the case to use it.

If you're shopping for a bag, and you see one that claims to be perfect for both iPads and netbooks, be suspicious. Most of the bags that claim to fit both classes of products end up being a poor fit for the iPad—the iPad is much thinner than the typical netbook and will swim around inside.

Case types and recommendations

Apple Smart Cover
Apple's Smart Cover

Apple Smart Cover: Apple’s in-house protector for the iPad 2 can’t really be called a case—as its name implies, the Smart Cover (polyurethane, $39; leather, $69) is really just a cover, and one that protects only the iPad 2’s screen at that. But oh, what a clever cover it is, containing a slew of neatly arranged magnets that let the Smart cover’s hinge attach, perfectly oriented, to the edge of the iPad; adhere to the iPad’s screen; and automatically sleep and wake the iPad when you close and open the cover, respectively. The Smart cover also rolls up into a triangular shape to act as both a typing stand and a viewing stand. (Note that if you want to use the Smart cover with another case, make sure the latter leaves room for the Smart cover to attach to the left-hand side of the iPad 2.)

Griffin Technology Standle
Griffin Technology's Standle

Shells and skins: Shells and silicone skins generally cover the back and sides of your iPad, but not the screen, offering moderate protection while letting you use the iPad in its case. These cases range from thin, polycarbonate coverings to soft-silicone skins to polycarbonate-and-rubber protection to chunky, molded-grip gaming jackets. A shell or skin made for the original iPad won’t fit the iPad 2, and vice versa. Recommendations:

 

Waterfield Designs Smart Case
Waterfield Designs' Smart Case

Sleeves: Sleeve cases protect your iPad inside another bag, such as a backpack, briefcase, or messenger bag. Some are simple slide-in designs, while others zip closed or sport a flap closure for added security. Most fit both the iPad 2 and the original iPad. Recommendations:

 

Portenzo Notebook Style iPad Case
Portenzo's Notebook Style iPad Case

Folio cases: Folio-style cases offer all-over protection for your iPad, but flip open for easy access to the iPad's screen without requiring you to remove the tablet from the case. If you’re looking for stylish protection, this is it. A folio case made for the original iPad won’t fit the iPad 2, and vice versa. Recommendations:

 

Cocoon Harlem iPad Sling
Cocoon's Harlem iPad Sling

Bags: A bag lets you carry your iPad along with your other gear, and you can use it to tote your daily stuff even when you aren’t carrying your iPad with you. Bags generally fit both generations of iPad. Recommendations:

 

Incase Travel Kit Plus
Incase's Travel Kit Plus

Carrying packs: Sometimes you want to carry more than just your iPad, but you don’t want a bulky bag or backpack. A carrying pack protects your iPad but also accommodates cables, a charger, and even a standalone Bluetooth keyboard. Most carrying packs will accommodate an iPad 2 or the original iPad. Recommendations:

 

BodyGuardz iPad 2 Clear Skins
BodyGuardz's iPad 2 Clear Skins

Body films: Body films protect the sides and backside of your iPad from scratches and scuffs
without adding bulk—they’re simply a
thin layer of super-protective material that
adheres directly to the iPad. Most types can be removed without leaving behind sticky residue. Some also include a screen film (see the next section). Although the models listed here are for the iPad 2, each is also available in a version for the original iPad. Recommendations:

 

Screen films: Screen films are designed to protect the
iPad’s screen from scratches without affecting touchscreen performance; a few also aim to reduce screen glare. Unfortunately, many of these films are difficult to apply, and some actually make glare and fingerprints worse. If you’re patient and have a steady hand, these are the best options. Recommendations:

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