iPad mini retina cases covers and accessories

[ralliart12]

Btw, anybody has any quality 3rd-party Smart Cover (not case) to recommend? The one I bought costs ~SGD$7, but the quality is also literally around $7, ha! Specifically, what I dislike is:

1) the dimensions of mine is imprecise, i.e. larger than the mini. When the cover is closed, there's a margin of excess when the entire unit is viewed from the rear. I'd bought an original Smart Cover for a full-sized iPad before: IIRC, the actual dimensions of the cover is in fact, just a tiny bit smaller than the device so that the cover's edges are guaranteed not to extend beyond the perimeter of the device.

2) the inner surface of mine doesn't have the nice micro-fibre finish of the original.

3) the seams of mine is much stiffer than the original. This translates into the fact that it doesn't fold into a triangular support as readily as the original, & it also tends to spring back into its flat configuration extremely easily (this isn't a good thing, for me at least). When I was using the original (for full-sized iPad), I can feel that the "seams" dividing the flaps are intentionally weakened to make the entire cover change folding configuration properly.

So, if anybody has used any decently-made 3rd-party covers that doesn't have the faults I mentioned above, I will like your recommendations. Otherwise I'll probably shell out the full $38 for the original one eventually.

Holy Crap: I just realized the original one is $58, & not $38.

 

[ralliart12]

...yes the grip is strong enough to withstand its weight on the glass panel

Does it also get a lot of lint & dust trapped on it when taken in/out of bags? I'm impressed by that video, but got me wondering what kind of material that back is made of. I'd seen similar concepts used to line the bottom of iPhone docks so that the docks don't get swiped off the table easily.

 

[familyguy]

Does it also get a lot of lint & dust trapped on it when taken in/out of bags? I'm impressed by that video, but got me wondering what kind of material that back is made of. I'd seen similar concepts used to line the bottom of iPhone docks so that the docks don't get swiped off the table easily.

It is created from a polyurethane resin with soft gel finish and the surface is actually smooth to the touch, and does not feel sticky at all. You'll have no problem with lint & dust sticking on it after taking it out from your bag. However, the specially treated gel resin adds grip when you hold it in your hand, and has fantastic anti-slip properties against table tops.

 

[jaymessofly]

Finally got around to applying the screen protectors from Benks. For the front, I'm using the Magic AKR glass protector:

Comes in a fairly good-looking packaging with tons of application accessories inside.

It is slightly thicker (0.3mm) than the SGP GLAS.tR NANO SLIM for the iPhone 5 (0.23mm). I suppose it's possibly because Benks is not as experienced as SGP when it comes to glass protectors, or maybe Benks have to make the glass thicker to be sturdier because it is after all, a larger piece of glass. Nonetheless, similar to the SGP, this model is supposed to have a hardness rating of 9H.

What it looks like after application.

For the rear, I'm using the Magic CR film protector:

(also bought a cheapo & poor-quality smart cover)

The Magic CR film protector doesn't have a hole for the rear mic, so I have to punch 1 myself. Nonetheless, I was taken aback when my application resulted in a lot of bubbles. It turns out that this model is literally a "floppy soft" film & not the usual slightly-stiff screen protector one may encounter. Hence, when I apply it as per normal, I encountered a lot a lot a lot of trapped bubbles. In the end, I have to lift up the film one half at a time, pull it taut, & use the provided squeegee to slowly edge the film onto the back of my iPad so that the adhesion is even & uniform. Repeat the same for the other half when the first half is properly "ironed out". Not the nicest screen protector overall, but it does make the rear surface quite grippy.

Any review on the front SP? And how much does it cost?
Thinking of hooting a glass SP, but there's so many out there to choose from.

 

[porcu]

issue about using a glass protector is that the home button. It's "sunk" in due to the thickness of glass SP.
I solved this issue by buying a button sticker and fit it in.

 

[porcu]

My mini with tunewear, smart cover and Glass protector from Adix.
Added the silver home button which I bought from SLS.

My iPad Air has similar setup but transparent back from Tunewear.

 

[jaymessofly]

issue about using a glass protector is that the home button. It's "sunk" in due to the thickness of glass SP.
I solved this issue by buying a button sticker and fit it in.

Yeap. Aware of this. But how's the Adix Glass SP? Have only tried Bodyguardz Glass SP for iPhone 5.

 

[Laneige]

issue about using a glass protector is that the home button. It's "sunk" in due to the thickness of glass SP.
I solved this issue by buying a button sticker and fit it in.

expected one
i ordered sgp glass one liao... also ordered aluminium button

my smart case? frm apple... the leather seasoned like within a wk... much softer now. i like i like

 

[lighter]

any nice ipad mini 2 leather casing to recommend?

 

[jaymessofly]

any nice ipad mini 2 leather casing to recommend?

Apple Smart Case.

 

[greenbeam1980]

Anyone using Belk trifold hybrid? Gd?

 

[porcu]

Yeap. Aware of this. But how's the Adix Glass SP? Have only tried Bodyguardz Glass SP for iPhone 5.

Not bad. I have the same one on my Air and G2.

 

[ralliart12]

Any review on the front SP? And how much does it cost?
Thinking of hooting a glass SP, but there's so many out there to choose from.

I bought mine for ~SGD$24 excluding shipping. Quality (in terms of texture & optical clarity) is similar to the SGP one for iPhone 5s.

Actually I think it's a bit hard to evaluate glass sp's qualities against once another; unlike film protectors, where texture & optical clarity varies along a large spectrum.

 

[ssssh76]

how much is the home button?

 

[Vadher]

Buy AppleCare+ and use your iPad naked.

lol. Anyway, anyone use the $98 Apple smart case?

 

[jaymessofly]

I bought mine for ~SGD$24 excluding shipping. Quality (in terms of texture & optical clarity) is similar to the SGP one for iPhone 5s.

Actually I think it's a bit hard to evaluate glass sp's qualities against once another; unlike film protectors, where texture & optical clarity varies along a large spectrum.

I guess a good way to evaluate glass SPs would be their fingerprint attraction. The previous BodyGuardz one I used was excellent. It was extremely clear and wasn't a fingerprint magnet.

 

[jaymessofly]

Buy AppleCare+ and use your iPad naked.

lol. Anyway, anyone use the $98 Apple smart case?

Bought the case. Waiting for my iPad to come.

 

[ralliart12]

I guess a good way to evaluate glass SPs would be their fingerprint attraction...

In this aspect, I will say the Benks "Magic AKR" model is at the same level as the SGP one, i.e. which means it isn't very good at concealing smudges.

...The previous BodyGuardz one I used was excellent. It was extremely clear and wasn't a fingerprint magnet.

That's good to know, though I didn't even realise BodyGuardz made glass sp (I'd always thought they make the wet application film shield thingy only).

Update: woah, the BodyGuardz version for the iPad mini is USD$59.95?!

 

[hLsY]

Just ordered a piece of this and ship via vpost looks awesome no bulk!
What does you guys think?

can do a review when u get it? kinda interested..

 

[evershineoptical]

anything comparable to smart case but cheaper?