Apple's Smart Case

I recently decided to buy an Apple Smart Case for my 3rd generation iPad. To be honest I have no idea why I bought it, I think it was more of an impulse purchase rather than something I needed. Anyway, here is a short review of the Smart Case with my opinions of it and what you can expect out of the Smart Case.

DESIGN

The Smart Case is made of Polyurethane material outside and a microfiber lining on the inside. The Smart Case comes in 6 different colors: light grey, charcoal, sky blue, lime green, light pink, and red. The Smart Case costs $49 and if you buy the Smart Case from the Online Apple Store you can get it laser-engraved with a personalized message. Apple claims the Smart Case will work with both the iPad 2 and the ‘new’ iPad (3rd Generation). The Smart Case reminds me of a hybrid of the 1st generation iPad cases that Apple sold but with the front of a Smart Case. The front cover is magnetic and your iPad will wake from sleep when lifting the cover, it will also put your iPad to “sleep” when closing the cover on the front.

The case will protect the front and back of your iPad from scratches as well as add a vibrant color to your iPad. The case probably will not protect it from drops nor keep the glass from shattering if you were to drop or if your iPad took a hard knock to the screen. This is more of a wear and tear protection cover rather than a keep my iPad safe from rugged usage.

If you fold the Smart Case back the case will double as a stand so if you have an external keyboard you want to use with your iPad or if you want to prop up your iPad so you can watch a movie it will work for that also. Be warned though, using the Smart Case as a stand feels very flimsy to me and the slightest touch to the iPad and it will start rocking back and forth leaving you with the feeling that it is about to crash land! It will also prop up in 2 other directions: Portrait Mode (be very careful) and Landscape Mode with the iPad laying flat but propped up at an angle.

The Smart Case lines up with all the buttons and ports on your iPad. You can easily access the mute switch or rotation lock button on the side of the iPad. The volume buttons are covered but the Smart Case fits over the top of the button and replaces them with rubber like buttons that allow you to adjust the volume the same way as if you didn’t have your iPad in the Smart Case. I did not have any problem plugging my earphones into the earphone jack. The 30-pin cable will fit into the slot perfectly. I did have a problem using my Apple iPad Dock Connector with my iPad while it was in the Smart Case, my iPad would not fit in the slot of the Dock Connector while it was in the Smart Case.

I have noticed that the outside of the case will dirty up fairly easily, if you have owned an Apple Smart Cover then you know what I am talking about. The Smart Case seems very susceptible to smudges and dirt. You can take a damp cloth and wipe it clean though, just remember it is probably a good idea to remove the iPad first.

COMFORT

The iPad will snap into the Smart Case fairly easily and it just wraps around the sides of the iPad. With the iPad in the Smart Case you will not notice any added bulk or weight when carrying your iPad. I have noticed one thing though when carrying the iPad, the edges seem to be “sharp” and if you hold the iPad with the hinge facing up it feels like the edges are digging into your hands. You will also notice this while holding the iPad in your hands while reading a iBook or playing a game.

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PROS

• Protects the front and back from scratches


• Auto-on


• Auto-off


• Lines up with buttons and ports


• Case is magnetic and will wake on opening

CONS

• Flimsy


• Sharp Edges


• It gets dirty easily

FINAL THOUGHTS

The Smart Case is not the cheapest case on the market nor will it keep your iPad the safest. Apple does not claim either of those statements. What it will do is give you piece of mind from the normal wear and tear your iPad will go through on a day to day basis. Kids playing with your iPad, dropping it in a messenger bag or purses, dirty hands, etc. All those things the Smart Case will protect your iPad from. If you were to ask me if I would recommend this case I would give you a resounding YES. It does what Apple intended this case to do and that is protect the outside of the iPad.

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