Adding Some Dazzle and Protection to Your iPad 2

by Lori Cunningham

If you bought a new iPad 2, don’t be foolish like me and not get a protective case for it.  I didn’t buy the Apple case for my iPad 2.  I thought the cover was clever but since I ordered my iPad online, I couldn’t tell how protective the case was from the picture.  Well I learned, any protection is better than no protection!

Within a month, my iPad  dropped on its corner and it dented.  Fortunately, no glass was shattered and it still kept working.  Nonetheless, every time I saw the dent, it bummed me out a little.

When the Joy Factory sent me their brand new SmartSuit2 iPad 2 cover, I was thrilled.  I had the choice of silver or black.  When I bought my iPad online, my husband talked me into the black iPad over the white.  So you can guess I jumped at the silver to add some more pizzaz to it.  The funny thing was when the SmartSuit2 arrived my husband saw it and said, “too bad they don’t have it in black.”  LOL!  I’m loving my silver case and it matches well with the Joy Factory Arpeggio silver keyboard I reviewed from the Joy Factory as well.

Features:

• synthetic leather case

• available in black or silver

• hard shell on the back to prevent scratches and protect corners

• think flexible cover on the front

• wakes up the iPad 2 once you open the cover and puts it to sleep once you close it

• ultra slim – only 9.5mm

• cover can be folded to help prop up the iPad or laid flat for easier touchscreen typing

Pros:

• the silver case has a shimmer to it, looks very cool

• the hardshell covers my bent up corner, so I don’t see it anymore!

• the foldable cover is very handy to prop your iPad 2 upright either vertically or horizontally

• the case is very lightweight and does not add bulk

• the inside of the case is a soft suede which protects the touchscreen from scratches

Cons:

• the inside of the silver SmartSuit2 is white and gets dirty

• propping up the iPad 2 horizontally is nice, but it would be easier to use if it could prop up another inch higher

The Joy Factory SmartSuit2 sells for $59.95  and  can be purchased online from The Joy Factory .  See our review on the Joy Factory’s Arpeggio keyboard and case as well.

A Mom’s Perspective

I know it’s hard to stomach another $30-$60 to buy an iPad 2 case after you just spent all the money on the iPad 2 itself, but I’m telling you, it’s worth it.  Tablets by nature are not as durable as their netbook and laptop counterparts.

Because the glass touchscreen is exposed, you need to protect it.  Also, the metal used in most touchscreens is soft compared to the plastic found on laptops.  The metal can scratch and dent easily, take it from me, I know!

I’m glad I waited instead of buying the Apple Smart Cover though.  The Apple polyurethane Smart Cover costs $39.00 and the leather one costs $69.00, HOWEVER, neither one of these covers provides protection against the corners or the back from scratches and bumps.  And as I’ve already learned, you need this protection for your iPad.  Thankfully, the SmartSuit 2 has back and corner protection.  I am really enjoying the sparkly silver cover and the flexibility of the case to prop my Ipad 2 up.

*  The Joy Factory provided me with the SmartSuit2 cover in return for my honest opinion.