When I first got My iPad, it was gift which unfortunately arrived without a cover from the US. As I was in India at that time, and while I could buy a ton of iPad's on the Grey Market there was not an iPad case to be found (well at least nothing that could actually protect, but did not cost a fortune).
Desperate to get some protection, especially before flying out so that I could use it on the way, I stumbled upon a Caselogic 7"-10" Netbook sleeve / Case, whose Padded Compartment provided good protection till I could Find a proper iPad Case.
Heading to Egypt, I was unable to find a case in Abu Dhabi nor in Egypt. So The Netbook case had to soldier on for a couple of more weeks until I was able to get a case. Finally my local Apple reseller in Egypt had a case, in fact the official Apple Folio Case, but who was it over priced. Think I paid more then twice the European price, forget the US price.
Still I figured it was worth paying that much to protect such an expensive device that was going to get carried around a lot. And considering how clumsy I can be, that was probably a wise decision.
So the folio soldiered on, for the next few months , serving reasonably well, except for a couple of problems that were infuriating. First, the Case does not work with Apples own dock, requiring you to remove the iPad from the case before you can put in on the dock, meaning that the dock largely gathers dust.
Another Issue I've run into is that the case gathers dust and stains like nobody's business, kind of spoiling the sleek look. Finally, the case can be a bit awkward to hold when you use it around the the way I do.
So Last week I went back to the same reseller, an lo and behold, they had quiet quiet a few cases, and while they were expensive, they was not a complete rip-off as they were last time.
After a lot of thought and looking around I decided to go for the
Marware Sportshell Convertible (Black) for a couple of reasons. Its a shell case but with a few extra touches.
First it has a Removable hand strap which make it much easier for me to walk around with the iPad around the house and office, without worrying about dropping it.
Secondly, it has 4 hinged feet that swing out, either to act as a stand to allow you to place the iPad in the slight incline that helps with typing or as a viewing stand which nicely hold the iPad in Landscape mode, which is ideal for video watching. As such It fill part of the need that got me to the original dock.
I've been using this case for a week, and so far have been preety happy with it. Having said that, I've not take it out of the house much so will have to see how well it holds out in that use.