Father's Office: CandyShell Wrap for iPad by Speck

Speck CandyShell Wrap for iPad

I've gone through plenty of cases for my iPhone since I first acquired one (by the way - still kickin' it oldschool with the original 2G) and Lady Rad's 3GS.  Once the iPad was released, a whole new bevy of cases needed to be auditioned to find the optimal one providing both protection and style.

In both cases (pun deliberately intended), I've come to love the CandyShell line provided by Speck Products.  Not only does the CandyShell look really good (a nice variety of color combinations for the iPhone/iPod Touch line) and feel really solid in-hand, the rubberized honeycombed interior really provides protection for the easily-scratched backs of iProducts and a level of shock-absorbtion for the the occasional low-height drop that generally only comes with ugly, wholly rubberized cases.  


I have rocked a CandyShell case for the iPad ever since I determined that the official Apple iPad case just wasn't enjoyable to handle.  The official Apple case, though streamlined, felt more like a Trapper Keeper than a high-quality accessory to hug your expensive tablet.  The CandyShell provided a secure level of scratch and bump protection that the official case couldn't - plus it was designed, geniusly, with a flap that can be snapped open to dock the iPad without taking it out of its case.  Take a lesson on that one Apple.  The additional grip of the plastic backing made handling the iPad a cinch.  In short - I was a big fan.

Now the CandyShell Wrap for iPad has been released.  The Wrap incorporates a detachable cover made with the same rubberized honeycomb protection on the inside with the shiny plastic outside that the CandyShell is known for.  The cover is also tri-sectioned which allows it to be folded back into a pyramid and used as a stand for viewing or typing.  Though this is similar to the official case, the stand has additional heft and uses the rubberized interior as additional grip to whatever flat surface you place the iPad onto.  This dramatically increases the stability of the iPad as in whatever mode you choose to use it.  The cover provides the additional screen protection when not in use, so you can feel confident throwing the iPad into a bag or carrying it solo and know that the screen isn't going to get scuffed or scratched by a wayward pen or key in your bag.

The downside to using the Wrap is the additional weight that it adds to the svelt iPad, not a deal breaker - but using the iPad with the cover on vs. off really does make a difference in how light the tablet feels.  Additionally, folding the cover back and using the iPad in-hand to navigate, surf, of type a quick email becomes more cumbersome than necessary.  When holding the iPad vertically, you have to hold the iPad and cover between your fingers and thumb in one hand, while either doing the same thing in the other hand or choosing to just hold the iPad and let the cover flap around behind the tablet - it's just not an elegant solution, especially since the cover doesn't clip behind the iPad unless using it as a stand.  Thankfully though, as stated earlier, the cover is removable and easily slides off the unit, leaving you, effectively, with a standard CandyShell case with a small plastic edge running down one side that the cover slides over.

After using the Wrap for about a week, I've come to the conclusion that the cover is good for transportation and a quick impromptu stand, but nothing that I enjoy keeping on for a regular basis.  When commuting, I slide the cover on before shoving the iPad into my bag, then once at the office or at home, I slide the cover off and use the iPad as I always have.  This solution works pretty well for an extra $10 over the standard CandyShell and like the option of using the cover as a stand when I'm in need of one, but am thankful that Speck thought ahead to make the cover removable for all the times that you don't need screen protection or a stand, otherwise I couldn't see recommending the Wrap over the standard CandyShell.

As it is, though, if you're in the market for an iPad case, the CandyShell Wrap provides everything you might need in a case/cover; but I wouldn't recommend going out and replacing whatever protection you've got on your iPad right now with one.

Disclaimer: Review copy provided by Speck Products