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Giuly

macrumors 68040
Original poster
I'm wondering who nobody's started one, yet. Well, here you go.

First things first: Apple's Smart Covers and Smart Cases
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Logitech Folio
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Belkin FormFit Case
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Kavaj Berlin (15% off with the code HZB4F8X6)
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Kavaj Hamburg (also 15% off with the code HZB4F8X6)
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Moshi VersaCover
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Poetic KeyBook
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Logitech Ultraslim Keyboard Folio
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Logitech Fabric Keyboard Folio
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Belkin QODE Ultimate Keyboard and Case
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Kensington Executive Folio with and without Backlit Keyboard
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ZAGGkeys Backlit Keyboard Cover
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Speck StyleFolio
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Incipio Watson with removable hard shell
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Thule Slim Gauntlet
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Miniot Wooden Smart Cover
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Pad & Quill Handmade Contega Case
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Belkin FreeStyle Folio
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Devicewear The Ridge
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Hard shells:
Belkin Shield Sheer Matte
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Poetic ThinShell
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Screen Protectors:
ArmorSuit MilitaryShield (also as a full-body kit)
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TechArmor Anti-Glare and HD Crystal
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Spigen Ultra Crystal and Ultra Optics (anti-fingerprint)
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INVELLOP Tempered Glass screen protector
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Spigen GLAS.t (Tempered Glass)
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Looks like 2014 is going to be the year of the Folio. As far as I am concerned:
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Why not Zoidberg instead.

More on this as people actually start developing cases.
 
Last edited:

RolandNights

macrumors 6502a
Aug 8, 2011
549
0
California
Thanks for putting this all together!

Here's a folio cover:

Grove Wood Smart Case

Pricey, but I'm considering this.
 

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The.Dude

macrumors regular
Oct 21, 2013
160
1
That Moshi VersaCover is for the iPad 3/4, and they don't have one for the iPad Air, yet. Moshi doesn't have any iPad Air cases yet, for that matter.

That Kavaj is looking tempting since I am returning my Smart Case... I might have to pick one up through your link.
 

C. Robert

macrumors 65816
Oct 1, 2013
1,338
889
Baltimore
Every single current case is a total letdown. They are all terrible and totally ruin the slimness of the air. I wish apple still made the first apple iPad case.
 

Oppressed

macrumors 65816
Aug 15, 2010
1,265
10
Great thread keep it coming and I would love to see any sleeves that people come across.
 

Photography

macrumors 65816
Apr 10, 2007
1,063
36
Another luxury case available for the iPad Air is the Sport case and stand by Hard Graft. It doubles as a sleeve and a case. It'll set you back around $111.

Sport-iPad-mini-bro-2-feat_1.jpg





Hard Graft also has this more expensive Draw leather iPad Air case and stand available for $183.

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There's also this iPad Air sleeve by Mujjo for $55.69.


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There's also this iPad Air Charcoal Felt Sleeve by Byrd and Belle that will set you back $52, and can accommodate a Smart Cover as well. It comes in a lighter grey felt as well.

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Lastly, I found this sleeve by Pochette Gavotte on Etsy made out of cloth for $33.83.

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Last edited:

RolandNights

macrumors 6502a
Aug 8, 2011
549
0
California
Every single current case is a total letdown. They are all terrible and totally ruin the slimness of the air. I wish apple still made the first apple iPad case.

Yeah I kind of agree with this, to be honest. I never really used cases for my iPad because they usually weigh it down, even some shells. Folio cases are just bulky to me.

The key for the shell, to me, is it to be comfortable to hold and not too plasticky.

If I had to get a folio, the key would be to be comfortable to hold AND easy to remove. I like folios because they usually have a stand that I could use for a better viewing or typing angle. That works great for me at work because I type and write a lot on it. When I'm home, I prefer to keep my iPad nude because I'm usually holding it just to read, watch movies, and browse.
 

gigaguy

macrumors 65816
Apr 19, 2010
1,380
124
USA
Hard to believe people would buy the thinnest ipad ever designed and put it in a case that doubles or triples the thickness. Might as well find a 1/2" thick slab of glass too and stick it over the screen to protect it.
Steve would not be happy.
I know to each his own, but all the technology and work that went into the design, battery tech and other efficiencies... to waste.
might as well find an iPad 1?:D
 

Lucille Carter

Suspended
Jul 3, 2013
1,266
4
Hard to believe people would buy the thinnest ipad ever designed and put it in a case that doubles or triples the thickness. Might as well find a 1/2" thick slab of glass too and stick it over the screen to protect it.
Steve would not be happy.
I know to each his own, but all the technology and work that went into the design, battery tech and other efficiencies... to waste.
might as well find an iPad 1?:D

If you really use you ipad out in the field where it is expected to live with the "knocks of life", a case is required. Not into a fashion statement, need everyday protection. No rose garden here.
 

redman042

macrumors 68040
Jun 13, 2008
3,051
1,629
I'm really having a hard time deciding on my case for the Air. Here's my basic criteria:
  • Complete protection front and back.
  • Reasonably thin and light.
  • Nice quality construction.
  • Subtle look, black color.
  • Very easy to snap the ipad in and remove from back shell. I like to use the device naked some of the time.
  • Potentially an integrated keyboard (more on this below).

I just upgraded from a 3rd gen iPad, and for that one I had a Devicewear Ridge folio case. For heavy typing I use an Apple bluetooth keyboard with an Origami case. I was very happy with the Devicewear (it met all my criteria above, including easy removal and insertion of the iPad), and I love the feel of the full size Apple keyboard.

But I'm thinking that having an integrated keyboard would be really nice. Keyboard cases also allow lap use, which the Origami solution did not.

I tested the Logitech iPad 4 keyboard cases in Best Buy yesterday (to get a feel for what the Air versions will be like). They certainly add weight, and I'd like to get the lightest brand I can. I did not like the FabricSkin. Keys were too mushy and hard to distinguish with my fingers. I'm a touch typist. The Ultrathin was nicer. But this leads to a debate about key layout: Do I want nicely spaced keys but have the A key double as Caps Lock (plus the other compromises they made on that one), or do I want a normal key layout but squished together to fit the iPad? That's a really tough one.

So, based on people's experiences with the iPad 3/4 versions of these cases, can anyone offer advice? Are there fast touch typists out there who have found an iPad keyboard case they could adjust to?
 

shabbadoof

macrumors newbie
Oct 30, 2013
10
3
Hey all

I have had real issues selecting a case

Went to PC world and got a folio for £19 but I HATED it and took it back

It takes one of the biggest benefits if the ipad air and makes it 3x thicker

I then realised that I didn't want a case and wanted a sleeve

I went to the apple store and went with this one

http://store.apple.com/uk/product/HC226ZM/A/acme-made-skinny-sleeve-for-ipad-mini?fnode=3b




HC226




It was £24 but the front is well protected and it's easy to access the ipad

It's a very sung fit for the air
 

Mr.C

macrumors 603
Apr 3, 2011
5,444
1,437
London, UK.
I like the Logitech Folio in red. I might consider getting that and returning my red Smart Cover. I have a red Piel Frama "wallet" case for my white/silver iPhone 5S and that would match it fairly well.
 

kdoug

macrumors 65816
Jun 2, 2010
1,025
195
Iowa City, IA USA

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kdoug

macrumors 65816
Jun 2, 2010
1,025
195
Iowa City, IA USA
Hey all

I have had real issues selecting a case

Went to PC world and got a folio for £19 but I HATED it and took it back

It takes one of the biggest benefits if the ipad air and makes it 3x thicker

I then realised that I didn't want a case and wanted a sleeve

I went to the apple store and went with this one

http://store.apple.com/uk/product/HC226ZM/A/acme-made-skinny-sleeve-for-ipad-mini?fnode=3b




It was £24 but the front is well protected and it's easy to access the ipad

It's a very sung fit for the air

I had that one with my MacBook Air and Pro and loved it.
 
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