10 iPad Cases Fit For Summer
Taking your iPad along on vacation this year? Then you will want a special case to protect against sand, surf, and other tablet enemies.
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Tablets have become a must-pack item for vacations. You can take your iPad anywhere: to the park or beach; on a camping trip; or even backpacking in the wilderness. You could bring a laptop instead, of course, but a tablet's easier. Think about it: It's hard to find a suitable desk on the beach, and using your laptop on your lap is not always a good idea, particularly for guys.
Don't be surprised this summer to see a lot more iPad-toting vacationers out and about. There's a potential problem with this scenario, however: Apple's pretty tablet isn't cut out for outdoor life, at least not without a protective shield to keep it safe.
Simply put, an iPad headed outside needs a case. But which is best for you? A leather cover might work well in conference rooms and coffee shops, but it's not suitable protection for FaceTime chats by the pool, or for a quick game of Temple Run when afternoon winds fling beach sand across the Retina display.
Many cases in this roundup match the "ruggedized" profile: resistance to water; a hard polycarbonate shell; and a shock-absorbing coating. Some might be tougher than you need. The G-Form Extreme Portfolio, for instance, reportedly can protect an iPad from a 60-foot drop onto pavement. You can back a truck over a tablet inside a Hammerhead Capo Case.
If mere resistance to moisture isn't good enough, a few cases here promise watertight protection. Lifedge, for instance, stays waterproof under 1 meter of water for 30 minutes, and the OverBoard pouch keeps your iPad dry at depths of 19 feet, the vendor says.
Rugged and waterproof tablets are expensive, naturally, with a few priced north of $100. And if you've already paid $500 or more for an iPad, that's a lot to shell out for a shell. There are cheaper alternatives, however, particularly if you simply want a cover that protects your slate against sand, spills, barbeque sauce, and grimy fingers. Chef Sleeve, for example, is a re-sealable plastic pouch--a Ziploc sandwich bag of iPad protectors, if you will.
You could always leave your iPad at home, of course, and focus on the outdoor splendor that summer has to offer. But if you just can't leave your iPad behind when the day ahead includes sand or surf, you should cover it up with one of these cases.
Otterbox cases have a well-deserved reputation for ruggedness, and the Defender series for the new iPad and iPad 2 is no exception. Designed for clumsy people who might drop their iPads on airport tarmacs, or for foolish adults who let juice-guzzling toddlers play with expensive electronics, the Defender has an inner polycarbonate shell that snaps around the slate. It covers the iPad's ports to block dust and lint; however, all buttons, connectors, and cameras are fully functional with the case on. The screen protector shield doubles as an upright stand for portable and landscape viewing, and reclines to a more shallow angle for typing. Priced at $90, the Defender is definitely a high-end protector.
Hey, you want tough? How about a case so rugged your iPad can survive being run over by a truck? As demonstrated in this video by Wired contributor James Floyd Kelly, the Hammerhead Capo Case earns this virile distinction. At first glance, the slim Capo doesn't look so tough, but its hard-shelled polyurethane exterior and reinforced edges guard your iPad against the bumps and bruises of everyday use and apparently a lot more. It automatically wakes your iPad when opened, and puts it to sleep when closed. The Hammerhead is list-priced at $40 but you'll find it online for about $30.
Uh, oh, somebody dropped the iPad in the pool. Or kicked sand on it at the beach. You need the Pelican i1075 HardBack Case, built to withstand the rigors of outdoor living, including water, dust, and inadvertent drops. Its molded liner adds shock protection and won't scratch your iPad. An integrated easel allows hands-free viewing in vertical and horizontal modes, and a keyboard is included. Caveats? The HardBack is a clamshell case that opens like a briefcase, so it isn't the best choice if you want fast access to your iPad. Price: Around $50 online.
Many iPad cases claim to be water resistant, but "resistant" isn't very reassuring if you're headed for the beach or pool. The Lifedge case floats, and is waterproof below three feet of water for 30 minutes, according to the company. It also can withstand 1-meter drops onto concrete without cracking. The front of the case has a transparent, anti-glare coating; the back is a durable, polycarbonate shell. The cameras on the iPad 2 and the new iPad are fully functional when encased in Lifedge. This recently announced UK import wasn't shipping when we last checked. The price is £99.00 (roughly $160 U.S.).
Can an iPad survive a 60-foot drop? According to this video from G-Form, it can if it's inside an Extreme Portfolio case. The $90 Extreme Portfolio might be light and flexible, but it has an internal layer of polycarbonate on one side, as well as a layer of Poron XRD protective foam. The G-Form case absorbs over 90% of the energy from an impact, keeping your iPad safe. The case is water resistant and has an inside pocket for documents, too.
If your summer activities include boot camp, consider the Gumdrop Drop Tech Military Edition, a ruggedized case dressed in classic Army Green-44. An easy-to-grip silicon exterior encases a polycarbonate shell, a durable combo that makes this $70 case a good choice for outdoor adventurers. A built-in screen protector and microfilm dust filters provide extra protection from dirt and grime. Better not plan on paratrooping into enemy swamps, though--the Gumdrop isn't waterproof.
Why limit yourself to using an iPad by the pool when you can use it in the pool? The OverBoard Waterproof iPad Case is a protective pouch that floats if dropped in water and stays watertight to a depth of 19 feet, the vendor says. Think of it as a giant Baggie for your iPad. It has a back window for an iPad's rear-facing camera, and comes with a shoulder strap for hands-free carrying. A padded back protects against minor bumps, and a hand strap allows easy holding in either portrait or landscape mode. Price: £35 ($56.50 U.S.).
This clever case uses light to power its built-in Bluetooth keyboard.
Logitech's Solar Keyboard Folio can't power your iPad, but its keyboard can pull in energy from multiple light sources, including the sun and indoor lamps. Once the keyboard is fully charged, you can type on it for two years, Logitech claims--even in complete darkness, assuming you use it two hours a day.
Priced at $130, the Solar Keyboard Folio includes a multi-view stand with two options for typing or viewing. The Folio might not be as rugged as the other cases in this roundup, but it's a good choice for keyboard users who want the convenience of a solar-powered peripheral.
Sometimes you don't need a heavy-duty case for your iPad, just something simple (and cheap) to keep it clean and dry--like when you're grilling brats (the sausages, not kids) on the beach. Chef Sleeve, a resealable plastic bag designed to fit the iPad, might be for the kitchen, but it's a worthy iPad protector for outside, too. Chef Sleeve's thin, protective material is touch-sensitive, allowing you to use the tablet in the messiest of environments. Priced at $20 for a package of 25, Chef Sleeve sleeves are recyclable, and the packaging doubles as an iPad stand.
Yes, it's pink. Got a problem with that? The Griffin Survivor Case, also available in a darker color, is so tough it meets U.S. and UK Department of Defense environmental engineering standards. That means you can drop your iPad six feet onto a concrete floor, and protect it against rain, sand, dust, wind, and vibration.
The case's shatter-resistant polycarbonate frame is wrapped in protective silicone. A built-in screen protector guards the display, and hinged plugs seal the ports and controls. Price: $80.
Yes, it's pink. Got a problem with that? The Griffin Survivor Case, also available in a darker color, is so tough it meets U.S. and UK Department of Defense environmental engineering standards. That means you can drop your iPad six feet onto a concrete floor, and protect it against rain, sand, dust, wind, and vibration.
The case's shatter-resistant polycarbonate frame is wrapped in protective silicone. A built-in screen protector guards the display, and hinged plugs seal the ports and controls. Price: $80.
Tablets have become a must-pack item for vacations. You can take your iPad anywhere: to the park or beach; on a camping trip; or even backpacking in the wilderness. You could bring a laptop instead, of course, but a tablet's easier. Think about it: It's hard to find a suitable desk on the beach, and using your laptop on your lap is not always a good idea, particularly for guys.
Don't be surprised this summer to see a lot more iPad-toting vacationers out and about. There's a potential problem with this scenario, however: Apple's pretty tablet isn't cut out for outdoor life, at least not without a protective shield to keep it safe.
Simply put, an iPad headed outside needs a case. But which is best for you? A leather cover might work well in conference rooms and coffee shops, but it's not suitable protection for FaceTime chats by the pool, or for a quick game of Temple Run when afternoon winds fling beach sand across the Retina display.
Many cases in this roundup match the "ruggedized" profile: resistance to water; a hard polycarbonate shell; and a shock-absorbing coating. Some might be tougher than you need. The G-Form Extreme Portfolio, for instance, reportedly can protect an iPad from a 60-foot drop onto pavement. You can back a truck over a tablet inside a Hammerhead Capo Case.
If mere resistance to moisture isn't good enough, a few cases here promise watertight protection. Lifedge, for instance, stays waterproof under 1 meter of water for 30 minutes, and the OverBoard pouch keeps your iPad dry at depths of 19 feet, the vendor says.
Rugged and waterproof tablets are expensive, naturally, with a few priced north of $100. And if you've already paid $500 or more for an iPad, that's a lot to shell out for a shell. There are cheaper alternatives, however, particularly if you simply want a cover that protects your slate against sand, spills, barbeque sauce, and grimy fingers. Chef Sleeve, for example, is a re-sealable plastic pouch--a Ziploc sandwich bag of iPad protectors, if you will.
You could always leave your iPad at home, of course, and focus on the outdoor splendor that summer has to offer. But if you just can't leave your iPad behind when the day ahead includes sand or surf, you should cover it up with one of these cases.
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