Folio for iPad

So you just got yourself an iPad? You’re going to want some protection for that nice little device, and you’ll want something that looks professional (or maybe casual, depending on your situation and preferences). Here’s a brief roundup:

• Griffin’s Elan Passport includes a microsuede interior lining to protect the surface of your iPad from scratches and fingerprints, and a set of card pockets as well. The Passport flips open like a book to show the iPad’s Multi-Touch display, then closes securely with a tab.
• Case-Mate’s Traveler has a handsome gray felt exterior with brown leather surfaces for the edges and “hinge.” Bear in mind that the Traveler doesn’t offer a whole lot of shock protection, so you still might want to keep it inside a backpack or messenger bag.
• NewerTech’s iPad portfolio harkens back to the days of briefcases (remember those?) and DayRunner planners (remember those?). Made out of Brazilian leather, it comes with a collapsible handle or a detachable shoulder strap, and has a zipper for closure. It also has space for such 20th-century relics as paper documents, business cards and ID’s and a pen holder for your favorite pen (or your iPad stylus, depending on how nostalgic you are).
• Quirky’s iPad Cloak Case is one of those devilishly clever things that you wish you’d come up with yourself. Made from non slip rubber, it can protect your iPad like a folio case, but the top flips backwards to serve as an easel for the device (either in portrait or landscape position. It’s also available in four colors; pink, blue, green and black, and at a friendly price too.
• ModulR’s iPad Case is looking ahead to the days of dinged-up and damaged iPads, and moves to head that off. It’s made from high-impact polymer, and has a non-slip grip on the back to make the whole thing easier to hang onto. Accessories include a wall mount and “kickstand” to display the device in either landscape or portrait orientation. Maybe the best better-mousetrap innovation from the ModulR case, though, is the Car Mount that attaches to the back of a headrest—forget about your car DVD player when you’ve got this on board.
• Speck Products has the unusual distinction of actually being carried by Apple in their retail stores. They offer a few different iPad carrying cases, including the neoprene PixelSleeve and PixelSleeve Plus. The Plus version includes an impact-resistant middle layer and a micro-fleece lining. They’re both a snug fit (think of squeezing your iPad into a swimsuit) and short on extra features, but they’re good no-frills protection. The iPad Fitted Case is a hardened two-piece case that still gives you access to the controls, connections and sensors on the iPad. The case comes in more casual colors and patterns such as plaid, Tartain Plaid and grey-and-black houndstooth.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that there’s a wide range of carrying options for the iPad, almost as soon as the product hit the market. It also shouldn’t be surprising that some of them are as innovative as the iPad itself…

August 2, 2010