A really useable iPad case from ZooGue

I love my iPad, but using it presents some challenges. It's uncomfortable to hold because it's heavy. On a lap, it's too flat. You can stand it up against something, but the iPad is pretty slippery and eventually it will fall over.

I've looked at a lot of cases. Not finding one I liked for use in the home, I bought an InCase for travel, and it has worked really well. Unfortunately, you can't use the iPad when it's in the case.. Using the iPad around the house was a bit of a pain. I tried some little picture frame stands from discount stores, but the iPad is heavy so the stands I found were not very trustworthy.

ZooGue sent me a sample of their Smart Case to try, and I've been very pleased with it. It is a full leather folio case that will protect your iPad, and when it opens up you flip the screen cover around and pull out a kickstand that will let the iPad sit at any angle of elevation you like. There are two Velcro straps that can let you hook the iPad to a car seat headrest (for viewing in the back of the car) and those same straps reverse to secure the iPad when you travel.

There are holes for the home button, power/sleep switch, speakers, charging cable and the volume control and orientation switch.

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Without a doubt this is the most useful iPad case I've seen. It is very nice around the house, and you can move the iPad with the kickstand out and place it anywhere. It's a great solution for reading in bed, or even on your lap. Unlike many cases, when the iPad and case are on a table and you press the home button, the case does not slide back. It's all very solid and businesslike.

Nothing is perfect, and here are a couple of caveats. The leather case should show just a bit more of the screen. When deleting emails the selection buttons are right up against the frame of the case. I can do it, but it's a tight fit. I also noticed some slight curving or warping of the base of the case. It's the same part that flips around to become the cover when you travel. It flattens out fine when you tighten the Velcro straps, but I don't think it should do that.

Finally, the case will double the thickness of your iPad. There is no getting around it, but that thickness is also protection. With the iPad in the case and the lid in place, it's just under 1 inch thick.

I liked the case so much I decided to buy one. If you've been frustrated with iPad cases, I urge you to get a look at the ZooGue. There is a video of the case in action on the ZooGue website. It's been a great solution for me, both around the house and when I travel. In some ways it has unlocked all the potential of the iPad making it easier to use anywhere. It's surely not the only iPad case out there, but it's one of the most useful.

The ZooGue case is US$49.99 with free shipping in the United States. It's $54.99 for Canadian buyers, and $64.99 for everyone else. The case has a 15-day money back guarantee and a one year warranty.