What iPad cover do you use? [View all]
There are many choices. A dizzying array, really. I have several different ones including the standards from Apple when you buy the iPad. My favorite is the Marware CEO Hybrid. I first got one for my iPad 2 (it was never available for the original iPad). I tried it on my new iPad 3 but it didn't work. The new iPad is a bit thicker and the sleep magnets need to be a special polarity. The original case didn't have the right magnets. Marware updated the case to work with the iPad 3. It still works with the 2 also, so it is backward compatible.
This is the case:
It is solid and holds the iPad securely without hiding the screen at all. All ports
and controls are accessible. It has four open positions - folded back on itself and three viewing/typing positions. It is the only case with a hand strap that has a way to secure the case in the open/folded back position. Having tried some alternatives, with the hold-open, I can tell you this is really a big deal. The whole thing becomes awkward without this feature. One salesperson told me people use big rubber bands to lock some of the other cases open. In fact, a rubber band is what Marware uses too. The difference is it is designed into the case and seems more durable.
Mostly, I like it for the hand strap. This allows you to use the iPad one handed. I use mine for field data collection, among other things. My hand used to get really tired from holding the iPad. The strap completely relieves that fatigue. True enough, you have to type one handed, but since I use mostly Filemaker Go with customized checklists and drop-downs, it is really easy to record what I need to record with just single finger touches and gestures.
When closed, the edges of the iPad are mostly protected, but still visible. The cover adds some bulk to the iPad, but not enough to make it feel clunky. It looks like some kind of carbon fiber, but in fact is some sort of nylon (feeling) cloth material.
I just got my second one from an Amazon seller for $40.40, including shipping. A cart at the local mall was selling the very same things for $90!!!!
= new reply since forum marked as read