Apple iPad Case Review
by J.J. on May.15, 2010, under iPad Accessories, iPad Unboxed
“Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.” –Mark Twain
I’ve been using the Apple iPad case ($39.99) for almost a week now and I’m ready to talk about it.
Short version: The case is highly functional, acceptable looking and priced right. I am happy enough with my purchase but will be on the look out for something better and I’m confident it won’t be too long before there is a much better option on the market.
Long version:
There’s much to like here and yet it still falls short. Let’s start with what I like. The very first thing I noticed once my iPad was in the case was how slim it was. The iPad itself is an impressively slim device so I don’t want a case that adds any bulk beyond what is necessary to protect it. I like (but I do not love) the look of the case both when it’s in use and when it sits closed. The case has all the necessary openings so that you can access the buttons and ports on the device. The case provides protection from scuffs, scratches etc. Most importantly of all the case holds the iPad in two important positions; propped up for viewing videos and propped up for typing.
Immediately after unboxing my iPad it became clear that any extended typing or video viewing was going to require a case or stand designed for such. It is not realistic to do any extended typing with the iPad on a table or on your lap or in your hands. When I attempted that, I found myself doing a hybrid of two finger typing and actual typing. It was awkward, slow, and not comfortable on my wrists.
Now let’s talk about what I don’t like. The case is acceptable in it’s aesthetics, but is that really good enough? One of the best things about Apple products is they’re hot. So the iPad Case just doesn’t live up to the iPad itself. Surprising considered this case is made by Apple. Also the nature of the material used, means it gets dirty very, very easily. And that makes my very, very unhappy. Now it does clean easily as well. A damp cloth will return it to it’s natural state, but I find myself wanting to clean it every day. The edges of the case form a ridge that wraps all the way around the three sides that are not part of the binding. Not only is this ridge not attractive, especially as it ends at all the cutouts, but it doesn’t feel good in one’s hands. And finally once the iPad is in the case it’s a bit of work to get it back out, in fact I fear taking it in and out too many times would stretch the material. This fear was confirmed by an Apple store employee.
For now, I’m happy with my purchase. A visit to the Apple store and Best Buy shows a limited number of options on the shelves at this time and of those options I believe the Apple case to be the best. I will continue to keep my eye on the new cases coming to market and I know that third party manufacturers will continue to explore new designs. And some point in the near future I hope someone will take what Apple has started and improve upon it. Hopefully, it will ultimately be stocked in the Apple store, but if not I’ll watch for online reviews and popularity to point me in the right direction and I’ll eventually order one on line.
1 Comment for this entry
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March 28th, 2011 on 3:15 pm
Great Post bud