If you’re giving or getting a new iPad mini with Retina display for the holidays, you’re probably thinking about cases for it, too. Consider the StyleFolio from Speck for a full-body protective case. The StyleFolio has a “vegan leather” exterior, an anti-scratch interior, and a hard shell to cradle the mini. It operates as a multi-angle stand for viewing or typing on the mini. It doesn’t have magnets to operate the mini’s sleep/wake function; instead, it has a plastic buckle to lock the case closed so you don’t have to worry it will pop open in your gear bag. It’s a bit longer than the mini and has speaker scoops built in the bottom to reflect the sound forward; you won’t have to keep your hand cupped around the bottom of the mini to be able to hear it now. The StyleFolio is available in a variety of color combinations, and some models have embossed designs on the exterior. Each case is $34.95, but not all colors are currently in stock. And Speck says the StyleFolio also fits the original iPad mini.
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Which cases would you recommend for the iPad Air?
Hi Steve, I used the same setup on the iPad Air that I’m now using on the mini with Retina. My husband and daughter have the same setup on their Airs. We have the standard Apple Smart Cover, and we pair it with the i-BLASON hard, snap-on back cover in crystal clear. (I like to see the metal back. 🙂 ) I like these i-BLASON back covers because they have a special channel that locks the Smart Cover against the back of the iPad, so you don’t have to worry that it will come loose unexpectedly. This does add some weight, but it offers protection, and I like the look. Here’s a link to the one that fits the iPad Air: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00FBFB0FI/ref=wms_ohs_product_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1
That same link will also let you select the size for the iPad mini with Retina display.
Hi Janet,
In reviewing customer comments about Apples new Smart Cover and Cases for the iPad Air, there are complaints about the cover and cases constantly collapsing because of the new design, 3 foils instead of 4. Are you finding this to be true?
Thanks
@Steve I’ll admit that I rarely use the rolled up Smart Cover as a stand. I have tried it on occasion, and I do think it’s less stable than the old design with four segments. The 3-segment design was apparently introduced with the original iPad mini, and I assumed they switched to 3 segments so the resulting stand wouldn’t be so tiny. A tiny wedge would seem to be less stable to me because it wouldn’t reach as high up the back, if you see what I mean. That extra, fourth segment seems to be very important for increasing the strength of the folded wedge, though. With three segments, there’s only the magnets in the open side to close the wedge, and they just don’t seem to be quite enough. Unfortunately, Apple apparently decided to keep the design consistent and changed the design of the bigger Smart Cover instead of keeping the stronger stand design with the bigger, heavier iPad.
the VERY best case for me is the handyshell by speck… it’s convenient, provides protection, makes any iPad wonderfully portable, and is versatile… i just wish the company had already come out with the versions for the iPad air and the iPad mini retina… if interested, go to speck products.com and search for ‘handyshell’….