Choosing an iPad 2 case can be a bit difficult at this point in time. The iPad 2 has been available for only a few weeks and the manufacturers are scrambling to get their products modified and out to the consumers. Many of the accessory manufacturers received early mock ups for the iPad 2 and so their engineering teams have had some extra time to prepare for the iPad 2 release and provide the marketplace with an iPad 2 case that is ready for use.

The iPad 2 has been slimmed down from the first generation iPads. It is almost a third thinner than the original unit. This has been achieved with a thinner glass, an LED array that is thinner and various other components such as the batteries being selected for thickness properties. The case has been redesigned to be more rigid but the thickness reductions may make the iPad 2 a more fragile device than the original. This makes choosing an iPad 2 case all the more important. Around the house I'm sure there will be no problems but take it on the road and it will need to be protected from the harsh realities of the working world.

There are several things you need to look at when choosing an iPad 2 case. The most important is does it hold the iPad 2 securely in place. Many of the original iPad cases are being marketed as an alternative to purchasing a new case but the added thickness of the original iPad does not lend itself well to a secure fit for the iPad 2. It has been suggested in several of the iPad forums that flipping the Smart Cover over to the back of the iPad and inserting it into the original cases will provide a nice tight fit. This defeats the purpose of the Smart cover though. On the back of the iPad 2, the Smart cover will not provide the Sleep mode that is such a nice feature of the Smart cover. The ports and controls don't line up well between the 2 generations. If you are looking for a short term solution this is adequate.

Another important item to look at when choosing an iPad 2 case is the location of the port access holes. Are they of sufficient size and are they located correctly? As more time passes after the initial release of the iPad 2 this will get better but there are many covers that are being delivered with poorly located port holes and occasionally the covers interfere with the iPad 2 controls. Check closely when your iPad 2 case arrives and return any iPad 2 case or cover that does not fit well. There are alternatives that are well designed and have all the right holes in the right places.

Choosing an iPad 2 case is getting easier as the selections are increasing almost daily. The iPad 2 will need to be protected when out and about. A good case is certainly cheaper than replacing your iPad 2. I don't want to be without mine for any length of time now that I have it in my grubby little hands. Check over the case when it arrives and make sure all of the criteria are met, a poorly fitting iPad 2 case or a port hole in the wrong place is just frustrating . Read my reviews on the iPad cases and covers available at this time. As new cases become available I am adding more reviews so check back often. IPad 2 Case Review