Last week I picked up a new iPaid Air 5 to replace my 2017 iPad Pro 10.5. So far I’m enjoying the new device, but the experience is tempered by the case I picked up for it.
My 10.5 Pro had a Targus case that served well enough even as it aged. And it suited how I use my iPad. It was just a regular case with no holder for the Apple Pencil or any stylus, which was fine given I don’t use an Apple Pencil or stylus. It also wasn’t a keyboard case because I don’t use my iPad that way as a work station. As designed the case allowed easy access to charging port, volume controls and power button. The 10.5 Pro had a home button so access to that and the Touch ID was very easy and straightforward. I also very much like how that case folded to prop up the iPad for tabletop display or angled more shallowly for casual use.
The new Targus case shares some of the features of my older case—such as propping the iPad more upright for tabletop viewing or at a more shallow angle for more casual use. The charging port is easily accessible and the all-around fit easily allows for swiping gestures. But while the power button is easily accessible it doesn‘t work so well for Touch ID. Also because the case allows for storage of Apple Pencil, something I have zero interest in using, that interferes badly with using the volume controls which are on the same side. The cases’ “buttons” to depress the iPad‘s volume buttons require you to push (with your fingernail) with more than a little pressure to make them work.
Sadly every case I look at seems to be designed the same way—with storage for an Apple Pencil I will never use situation right beside the volume controls thus making them more difficult to use. The other design feature I dislike of many available cases is the requirement to fold the cover into a small triangle to prop up the iPad. I don’t find that at all stable and much prefer the simpler and more intuitive folding so the iPad’s bottom edge rests on the inside of the front cover to hold it up. Targus has that part right at least.
I’m feeling discouraged with the available cases I’m seeing out there so far.
Suggestions?
My 10.5 Pro had a Targus case that served well enough even as it aged. And it suited how I use my iPad. It was just a regular case with no holder for the Apple Pencil or any stylus, which was fine given I don’t use an Apple Pencil or stylus. It also wasn’t a keyboard case because I don’t use my iPad that way as a work station. As designed the case allowed easy access to charging port, volume controls and power button. The 10.5 Pro had a home button so access to that and the Touch ID was very easy and straightforward. I also very much like how that case folded to prop up the iPad for tabletop display or angled more shallowly for casual use.
The new Targus case shares some of the features of my older case—such as propping the iPad more upright for tabletop viewing or at a more shallow angle for more casual use. The charging port is easily accessible and the all-around fit easily allows for swiping gestures. But while the power button is easily accessible it doesn‘t work so well for Touch ID. Also because the case allows for storage of Apple Pencil, something I have zero interest in using, that interferes badly with using the volume controls which are on the same side. The cases’ “buttons” to depress the iPad‘s volume buttons require you to push (with your fingernail) with more than a little pressure to make them work.
Sadly every case I look at seems to be designed the same way—with storage for an Apple Pencil I will never use situation right beside the volume controls thus making them more difficult to use. The other design feature I dislike of many available cases is the requirement to fold the cover into a small triangle to prop up the iPad. I don’t find that at all stable and much prefer the simpler and more intuitive folding so the iPad’s bottom edge rests on the inside of the front cover to hold it up. Targus has that part right at least.
I’m feeling discouraged with the available cases I’m seeing out there so far.
Suggestions?
