iPad case roundup: Ten intriguing yet imperfect cases for your tablet

Specialty Cases

Specialty cases offer something different or unique compared to the everyday stock. They limit some of the iPad’s functions to make the case better for very specific uses. They’re not for day-to-day use if you’re liberal about how you use your iPad, but if you just use it for one or two things, then these cases may be just what you’re looking for.

BooqBags Booqpad

The BooqBags Booqpad is one of two tested cases isn’t a smart case, meaning they don’t magnetically activate the iPad from standby by opening the cover. It’s also the only case with a notepad and pen holder built right in. As a very thick case, the Booqpad is designed more for students and/or notetakers who understand that the value of the iPad isn’t in typing. Because, you know, nothing competes with writing.

The hard leather covers are a bit cheap but decent enough quality, though slippery for carrying around. The clip to keep it all together is excessive, and the newer iPad doesn’t fit perfectly in the enclosure (but the iPad 2 does), which looks ugly. Overall a fair case, the Booqpad really only for people who want to write something down and have an iPad right there, presumably because laptops are too big and bulky. There’s no special pen or software, nor does the case offer anything special to the iPad like a stand. It disregards the rear camera entirely. All it offers is protection and a better way to hold the iPad.

Twelve South BookBook for iPad

Definitely the most creative of the bunch, the BookBook from Twelve South is the only case designed to fit your iPad in a bookshelf as much as in your hands. The BookBook both looks and feels like a book, from the hardcover leather-bound shell, complete with old-fashioned binding that looks worn and, well, personal. Like it’s your favorite book that you’ve read a million times over the years.

Unzip the case, however, and the inside is a grippy felt surface and a pop-out iPad holder. Snapped into place by two buttons, the iPad fits uncomfortably into the BookBook. The leather surrounding the iPad sticks out a bit and isn’t perfectly taut, and looks a little cheap. But if you’re a reader and use the iPad as your digital library, the BookBook is brilliantly comfortable in one hand or two, portrait or landscape. It’s easy to hold for hours on end. You’ll get tired from the iPad’s weight long before the BookBook.

And if you need to pop it out for a picture or anything else, no problem. Just snap off the buttons and slide the iPad out. Zipper it up when on the road and get excellent protection to boot. A definite winner, and one that picks up a lot of questions in public settings. From the back it looks like a real book, and from the front an iPad holster. Expect to share this one aplenty.

Ipevo Typi Folio Case

As the thickest case of the bunch, the Typi Folio is the only one that actually offers a physical keyboard along with a full case. This is only half of the thickness — the other half is from the thick, hard felt case, cheap leather strap and kickstand, and the fully-enclosed iPad holder. Except for the Booqpad, the Typi is the thickest case even without the keyboard.

Then again, having a keyboard built right into the case is pretty brilliant, and the keyboard itself is almost well designed. The whole thing is encased in leather and feels great, especially with the superbly thick wrist rests, and actually stays in place magnetically, so it can pop in and out with ease. The keys are a little too small, and the entire keyboard is made to work with an Apple computer as much as an iPad, but it’s death note is the awful spacebar. It’s flat, it’s mushy, and the wrist rest gets in the way of key presses. Within five minutes I gave up typing on the thing because sentences need spaces, dammit!

To add insult to injury, as a smart case the Typi will accidentally drain your iPad’s battery. The cover is too heavy and slides around easily, so walking will move the cover and constantly activate and deactivate the screen. Worse yet, you’ll be none the wiser. The iPad will go from lasting a week to lasting a day. Top it all off with being that guy, who types with a real keyboard in public on a giant iPad case and keyboard, and all you’ll need are really thick glasses and a frock sweater-vest.

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