HyperShield: How Good Is The iPad 2 Back Cover Apple Forgot?
May 13, 2011
Earlier this month, we alerted our readers to a new cover, the HyperShield, which we called “The iPad 2 Back Cover Apple Forgot.” Our case has arrived. Did it measure up to the hype?
First, some background.
Apple’s Smart Covers are certainly a great accessory for the company’s latest iPad. Unfortunately, the covers do not protect the backside of the iDevice. With this in mind, China-based Sanho Digital Electronics Co. Ltd saw an opening and created the HyperShield, which is made to protect the iPad 2’s aluminum back.
Made of Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), the HyperShield is available in ten colors to match the Apple Smart Cover. In addition, a clear version is also available.
We ordered a blue cover, priced at $19.95, on Sunday, May 8, directly from the HyperShop website. On Tuesday, May 10, a Stamps.com shipment confirmation arrived via email.
Although the company offers many shipping options (using FedEx, UPS, and the U.S. Postal Service), we found each extremely expensive, given the price of the cover itself. For example, FedEx Priority Overnight is $31.14. Therefore, we selected as our shipping method First-Class Mail Parcel, costing $2.87.
Three days later, our cover arrived in Pennsylvania from the company's U.S. operations in Sunnyvale, California.
Almost immediately, we recognized a discrepancy worth mentioning. In our original article, we presumed the Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) material used for the Hypershield, was the same Polyurethane used by Apple for their Smart Cover.
This was an incorrect assumption, and we apologize. The two materials are slightly different to the touch, although most users probably won’t care about the discrepancy. Think of the HyperShield as a little bit smoother than the Smart Cover.
Beyond this, we found the HyperShield worth every penny, especially if you’re careful about shipping charges. The case fits flawlessly against the iPad 2. Plus, it fits nicely where it meets with the Smart Cover on the front of the iDevice.
Although the cover comes without installation instructions, we didn't find this to be a problem.
Our advice is that the HyperShield will serve you well and at a price that can't be beat. When ordering one match it with your Smart Cover color, or try a different color combination like we did.
For more information, visit http://www.hypershop.com/.
What do you think? Leave your comments below.