Introduction
Macworld 2011 featured tons of different iPad cases and stands. We brought back a bunch of them to try. Here are some of the cool ones we found!
Sleeve 360
There were several iPad cases with hand straps. Our favorite was the Sleeve 360. The reason this case tops our list is the ease of use, high build quality, and going the extra mile.
The hand strap goes on and off with ease. The strap also doubles as a portrait/landscape iPad stand. The Sleeve 360 also comes with two little legs that let you type with ease. The case feels great in the hand. The case feels like a plastic/soft rubber combination. The case looks great. The Sleeve 360 also comes with a nice pouch to hold your iPad.
The only problem we have found so far is the case comes a little over the bezel and encroaches onto the screen. It is a minor problem that we did not notice too much while in use.
The Sleeve 360 is available today for $49.99 at
www.sleeve360.com.
Hand E Holder
Hand E Holder lets you retrofit iPad cases and a naked iPad with a hand strap. The installation process is very simple. It does require you stick something onto your iPad or case, which many may not want to do. The hand strap connects to the iPad very securely. It may look like velcro, but it is something much stronger that will last. The hand strap can also be attached to several stands and accessories available from the manufacturer. The Hand E Holder is available at
www.handeholder.com. The price is a little high; for $10 more you could purchase the Sleeve 360, which includes a case!
ZooGue Smart Kase
The ZooGue Smart Kase lets you position your iPad at a variety of different angles. The case features a headrest mount for use in a car. The implementation of these features is poor. The functionality is great. We would love to see a more thought out end user experience for this case. The ZooGue has some fantastic features, but many of those are hidden by a bad design. The case is available today from www.zoogue.com for $49.99.
RingO
RingO lets you mount your iPad in a variety of places. The case itself is fantastic. The case comes with a single wall mount. The mounting process is very simple and stable. The case also hooks up with a table stand, car mount, flip stand, flex mount, and an adhesive mount. The RingO is a fantastic mounting solution and more information is available at
www.ipadonthewall.com. Pricing and availability information is not currently available.
Revena ELEMENTS AXIS Softshell Case
The Revena ELEMENTS AXIS Softshell Case is a great low cost option. The case provides extra protection on the corners of your iPad and comes with a nifty little stand. The stand attaches to the back. The case also works great without the stand. A great option for those wanting a low cost case. The case is available for $29.99 from
www.revenastyle.com.
Revena ELEMENTS Executive Folio
The Revena ELEMENTS Executive Folio is one of the first paper pad holder/iPad combo cases we have seen. The case has great build quality. It is a bit bigger than a typical iPad case, which can be a good thing for some. The case fits a 8.5” x 11” notepad and your iPad. The Executive Folio also has a slot for a pen. Revena includes a strap for those on the go. The case includes a document holder and slots for business cards. A great option for those needing to tote around paper and an iPad. The case is available for $129.99 from
www.revenastyle.com.
ZAGGmate
The ZAGGmate has been out for a few months now. We were able to pick one up at Macworld. The case features a Bluetooth keyboard, which acts as both a stand and a clamshell for protection. The keyboard in our testing was a bit too small. It would be great to see a keyboard case that was a bit bigger. The ZAGGmate uses the back of your iPad as part of the case. It is a great solution for many, but not a true case solution. The ZAGGmate is available from
www.zagg.com for $99.99.
TabGrip
The TabGrip is a pretty cool case/stand for the iPad. The case features four bulky grips you can hold onto. The grips also work great for protection during a fall. The case allows you to appreciate the beauty of the iPad, while still allowing for protection. The stands work great and functions in both landscape and portrait mode. Stands are also built into the case, which is a huge plus. The case is great for those that don't mind a little extra bulk. The TabGrip normally sells for $49.99, but at the time of writing is available for $39.99 from
www.tabgrip.com.
Extopad
The Extopad is the go to case for parents and gamers. The case lets you have something more to hold onto when gaming. The Extopad can be literally thrown at the ground. We would not recommend doing this, but there is a ton of protection in this case. The case feels like there are bubbles inside and it feels really good in the hand. Parents and gamers should check this case out over at
www.uzibull.com for an introductory price of $29.99.
Stump Stand
The Stump stand is a multipurpose tablet stand. The stand is made of a fairly solid rubber material. The Stump allows you to use it in a typing, landscape, or portrait mode. The stump can also work with iPhones. The Stump can be customized with logos for an additional cost. The Stump stand can be found at
www.stumpstore.com for $29.99.
UG-H1020 KEYDEX® Ergonomic Stand with Speaker for iPad Keyboard Dock
The UG-H1020 KEYDEX® Ergonomic Stand with Speaker for iPad Keyboard Dock is a very unique product. The stand allows you to slide in your Apple iPad Keyboard Dock. The goal is to create a nice little workstation with speakers and a stand. The overall build quality is not the best. The stand does provide a stand mode when you do not want to use the keyboard. The speakers have no volume controls when connected to the dock port. The dock connection provides a simple line out. The product is intriguing, but is flawed with minor annoyances. We would love for a company to take the Apple Keyboard dock and create a USB keyboard based case. The stand can be purchased from www.imateweb.com for $45.00.
KB Covers
KB Covers now sells a cover for your iPad keyboard dock. The cover fits perfectly. The cover is made of a thin plastic, which helps you keep your keyboard dock clean. The cover is available at
www.kbcovers.com for $24.95.
Conclusion
We hope you have enjoyed our quick overview on some cases and stands we picked up at Macworld 2011. Please use the comments to let us know what your favorite iPad case or stand is!
