Best iPad Cases and Sleeves

The Apple iPad is a hands-on device, and although it has been designed with a great outer case of its own, like all heavily-used items, it will start to pick up little scratches and dings over time. To make sure you get the longest life and quality of use out of your iPad, you may wish to invest in some further protection for it.

I pre-ordered one of the first WiFi model iPads and had it sent to my home, so I've been using one since April 3, 2010. I don't think a single day has gone by since then where I haven't used it for something. It's not glued to my hands, but some days it does seem close to that. In addition to in-home use, I carry my iPad around town with me, and I take it on the road when I travel.

Here is a user's own guide to the different degrees of iPad protection you might consider. We'll start with the lightweight issue of scratch-guarding and work our way up to hardcore cases for iPad owners on the go.

Okay, now they have my attention! Here's a basic iPad case made extremely useful: this one incorporates a working keyboard. Although I have mastered the ability to type on the iPad near-full-size keyboard screen, it does reduce the viewing size for what you are writing at the moment. And when I get going on a larger writing project, I like to scan back over what I've been writing and ponder my next words...

By melding the iPad case and the keyboard (which can flip back entirely out of the way for conventional iPad use) users can now get the best of both worlds.

The first level of iPad protection to consider is the surface of the device itself.  iPads work by touch, so they are going to get handled in every which way:  poked, prodded, rubbed, wiped and jabbed.  The first thing I invested in for my iPad was a packet of microfiber cloths so that I could wipe the touch screen clean of fingerprints.  This happens a few times a day, and is essential before you watch a movie.

To cover the metal case, you can get vinyl wraps or skins.  These not only offer a degree of protection from scratches and other minor contact, but they allow you to art up or customize the look of your iPad.  There are some really cool ones on the market that come with coordinating wallpapers, so the design you pick flows seamlessly over the entire surface of the iPad.  How cool is that?

You might also want to add a screen guard to the touch screen of your iPad.  This protects the actual working surface from getting damaged, while still allowing the fabulous fingertip contact that makes it work. 

The next level of iPad protection would be a thin case, sometimes called a sleeve. These can be neoprene or silicone, and in addition to offering protection against scratches, the soft casings also offer some cushioning against the minor bumps and dings that go along with daily use.

If you are someone who carries your iPad inside a larger backpack or bag, this might be the solution you are looking for. While protecting the outside surface, these styles of cases and sleeves don't add much weight or bulk for people on the go.

Some of the leather or neoprene sleeves also turn into stands for the iPad. The covers often fold back to allow you to angle the iPad while it's in your lap, or even form a more rigid stand that lets you stand up the screen for picture or movie viewing. This is a great option for you home cooks, as there are lots of great apps for recipes and being able to stand the iPad up on the kitchen counter is fantastic.

At the top end of iPad protection, there are hard cases and specific iPad bags. With a hard case, you are seeking a solid shell to go around the entire iPad. The premium options in this category involve high-tech materials such as military-grade nylon and titanium. These will cost you, but if you really want to make sure you have the ultimate in electronic device protection, that's how far it goes. However, there are also options such as aluminum and even bamboo for those who would like a more natural material.

If you are looking to streamline your carrying case, you will probably want to get a bag sized down for your iPad and not use a regular laptop bag.  Features to look for include padding on the sizes and a hard bottom.  The more structured the bag, the more easily it will organize the contents and the more protection it will offer the contents.  I like to have a few extra pockets so that it works as a great around town bag which holds my keys, wallet, etc. and then for travel, it holds the iPad and any extra accessories and cords.