Best Case & Keyboard Case for iPad2-ZAGGfolio?

Hey all, ideally my dad would like me to get him the best keyboard case for an iPad2, how is the ZAGGfolio in everyday use, others worth consideration?

ZAGGfolio Bluetooth Keyboard for iPad 2 Review

ZAGGFolio for the iPad 2 Review

zaggfolio ipad 2 review - YouTube

-Thanks

 

There are a few others. Belkin's Keyboard Folio is coming highly recommended, I think it is the highest scored model on Cnet's website. Targus has one as well but it doesn't have as high of a score and it appears that the keyboard keys are crunched together more instead of being more like a full sized keyboard (which you won't find on any keyboard and case combo for an iPad). The Zagg case actually isn't that highly rated on Cnet's website. I suggest you read through their reviews of keyboard and case combos located here.

Out of all of them, the Belkin seems like it is the best since the case is very minimal, the keyboard doesn't always have to be used when accessing the iPad, and it seems like it offers the best protection as a case. On a personal note, I have never understood these products especially since they are breaking the iPad's form factor and essentially turning it into a quasi-netbook. I purchased the Zagg keyboard and case combo (it was the only one out at the time) and it was a lot harder to touch the iPad's display than when using the iPad normally. I returned it a few days later and purchased a stylus along with Xnote instead. That way I can still take detailed notes but they are hand written and sync directly to my Dropbox account as PDF files.

 

Did you get the ZAGGfolio & when?

I always appreciate your replies. I'm pretty sure I'm going to get the ZAGGfolio as the intial complaints have already been corrected & people like the new one..

I actually think the form factor is the best of both worlds & would be getting this for my dad, I plan on getting the Asus Transformer 2 when it is released assuming good reviews as its keyboard dock doubles battery, adds functionality, ports & even a separate multi-touchpad..

 

People do say they like the keyboard more than the case & prefer the case combo when needed, while using another easier to remove case when not needed, could you recommend a good case that is protective, functional but easy to get on & off for around the house (keeping in mind visiting grandkids will go straight for it )? -Thanks

 

I had the Zagg when it first launched for the original iPad. I later returned it since the case itself was subpar and I didn't like that I essentially turned my iPad into a netbook which was the very thing it was replacing. I have Xnote for my iPad 2 and a stylus. All of the notes I take sync to my Dropbox account as PDF files so I really have no need for a keyboard with my iPad 2 now as hand writing the notes, at least for me, is always going to be a lot faster than typing them in (especially since I am often working with mathematical and chemical formulas).

It might not be a bad transition for your Dad to help break him of the traditional keyboard and mouse combo since some people have trouble navigating around a completely touch interface (which means a touch keyboard). I think I would still get the Belkin model as it is a better case than the others and the keyboard doesn't seem too bad. It also has the smallest form factor.

As for standard iPad 2 cases that are easy to remove while being fully protective, there are a few. The easiest solution would be to put a clear (or patterned) skin on the back of the iPad and buy Apple's Smart Cover. They received a lot of flack for the Smart Cover but it really is the best cover out there with a magnetic configuration. It can be installed and removed in 2 seconds and the skin on the back of the iPad would still allow it to be used with other cases without being too thick. This route is a little expensive but it is the solution that provides the easiest installation and removal of protection. Plus the skin on the back would help against scratches. The Marware CEO Hybrid also doesn't require too much fuss to remove the iPad 2 though I have heard that it can be a little difficult actually installing it. The BearMotion leather case also doesn't seem too bad but it lacks the ability to automatically wake and put the iPad to sleep. Those are the only cases I have had some experience with outside of Apple's Smart Cover. Someone I work with went through 4 different cases before finally finding one that they liked (which I don't care for) so I was able to play around with their iPad 2 while they were in the various cases. Of course, if you just want to purchase one case, I still think the Belkin one with the bluetooth keyboard would be the best option especially since the case itself seems pretty good and it doesn't always have to be used with the keyboard. The keyboard is also low profile enough that it can be tucked away when not in use without adding too much bulk to the iPad.

 

The reviews for the Belkin BTKF at Amazon steered me in a different direction.

Aside from video reviews for the ZAGGfolio the following posts were the most detailed reviews of initial issues with follow-up of corrected product:

Review: ZAGG’s ZAGGfolio for iPad 2 (Updated) | iSource

Follow-Up Review: ZAGG’s ZAGGfolio for iPad 2 | iSource

Older ZAGGfolio reviews at Amazon were likely due to the initial issues of uncorrected product but if I don't like it, I'll send it back to Zagg:

I used this link to get a free pair of ZAGGsmartbuds with the ZAGGfolio.

I'll let you all know what I think of it, the iPad 64GB WiFi+AT&T 3G model should arrive tomorrow which I'll set up for my parents. I'm still more interested in the Asus Transformer 2 for myself but curious how the ZAGGfolio works out for my parents when it arrives next week.

 

So the iPad2 for my parents arrived today & I must admit it's pretty awesome. I held it for ~6 straight hours setting it up before the battery gave up (I didn't charge it when it arrived) I would have bought one for myself at launch if I didn't have so many issues with Apple. It still feels artificially constrained however given its potential.

I look forward to trying it with the ZAGGfolio & comparing it to the Asus Transformer 2 when that arrives, hopefully soon..

 

I didn't expect the ZAGGfolio until next week but it arrived yesterday.

Initial impression: attractive, extra functional (i.e. BT keyboard case) iPad2 stand with some useful function keys.

Personally I have no issues with virtual keyboards but it's nice to have a detachable physical keyboard designed for the iPad 2 that also functions as an attractive stand (both landscape & portrait-when slid out of case).

My parents seem happy with it all & while the case does easily snap closed for me, my dad struggled with it a bit. The free ZAGGsmartbuds are pretty nice too.

I also got them AntiGlare Screen Protectors for Apple iPad 2 but I haven't decided if I still want to go anti-glare matte anymore now that the summer is over (& the display seems beautiful as is).

Does anyone have their screen naked or does everyone use a screen protector? How durable is the iPad2 screen really? Are you seeing any chips or scratches or worse if it's naked? -Thanks

 

If I were to buy an iPad2 for myself I'd also get the ZAGGfolio for the aforementioned added versatility eventhough I actually enjoy virtual keyboards.

I'm still curious to hear from iPad 2 owners on the durability of the screen naked (as I still have not put on a screen protector for my parents-lots of fingerprints on its beautiful IPS display that you don't really notice until it's off )?

 

My experience with screen durability has been good though I know others who have not been so lucky. I purchased my iPad 1 along with Apple's case back on launch day. The first thing I did when I took it home was take the iPad out of the box and immediately put it in Apple's case. I didn't apply a screen protector or anything, I just kept it in their case. I then sold my iPad 1 before the release of the iPad 2. I took it out of the case, wiped it with a clean soft cloth, and the entire thing looked like it was still new. There wasn't anything on the back glossy Apple logo or the front glass. I literally could have put it back in its original box, re-applied some proper tape, and nobody would have known that it was almost a year old at that point.

I put a screen protector on my iPad 2 mainly because I found myself using it more (I started taking classes, I wasn't taking classes when I had my iPad 1) so my display would get smudged up with fingerprints. The screen protector allows me to just use a t-shirt to wipe it off without worrying. On the other hand, I know someone else with an iPad 2 that doesn't use a screen protector. They have kids and there are small little nicks across their iPad's display. They aren't bad and immediately go away when the display is on but they are still there. Their kids use the iPad on almost a daily basis so I think the nicks from from them using their dirty fingers on the naked display. The nicks are mainly concentrated around the bottom for the "slide to unlock" bar and on the left (top when held horizontally) in an arc-like fashion from them playing Angry Birds.