It’s Sunday, it must be time for another iPad accessory review. Today’s item du jour is the Speck CandyShell for iPad. Those who own iPhones and iPod Touches may be familiar with this style of Speck case as they have taken this model and embiggened it for the iPad.
It features a hard shell exterior with a rubbery interior lining similar to it little brothers. It is low profile helping keep the iPad streamlined appearance. It is an open face case and weighs a little over 10 ounces.
Info:
-One-of-a-kind design; seamless hard shell case with soft, rubberized interior lining
-Flip-back panel for use with iPad dock and iPad keyboard dock (not included)
-Rubberized interior, front bezel and button covers offer shock absorption and protection
-Hard Shell. Soft Center. Sweet Looks… The ultimate in protection for iPad
-Length: 0.71 inches
-Width: 7.88 inches
-Height: 9.85 inches
-Weight: 10.88 oz.
-Colors: BatWing Black, NightShade Purple
-SKUS: IPAD-CNDY-A02A03, IPAD-CNDY-A15A13
What’s in the Box?:
The Speck CandyShell for iPad comes packaged in a clear plastic box with the case easily seen through a plastic window. Inside the package is the Candyshell and nothing else. Unlike the cases we looked at from iLuv there is no stand found with the Speck case. This is slightly disappointing but not a dealbreaker.
The Candyshell is available in BatWing Black or NightShade Purple. We received the Black version for review. On the inside of the Candyshell there is a grey rubber lining with numerous holes interspaced which I assume helps reduce the weight of the case while keeping the shock absorption capacity of the rubber. The lower portion we find the Speck logo on the flip back panel which allows the iPad to sit in a dock or to a connector without removing the Candyshell.
The outer portion of the case is a piano black and composed of a hard plastic shell. We see another Speck logo in the upper center of the back. The black color is broken up with gray coloring on the lines in the corners, on the Speck logo and at the flip back panel joint. The Candyshell measures 0.71 x 7.88 x 9.85 inches and weighs 10.88 oz.
Along the perimeter of the Candyshell we find openings for the headphone jack, screen orientation lock, and speakers. The power and volume buttons are protected by the gray inner rubber lining to keep liquids and other hazards away.
Unlike the iPod Touch and iPhone Candyshell versions, the iPad one does not come with an included screen film.
Usage:
To install the iPad into the Candyshell slide the right side of the tablet into the case then snap the rest of the edges around the perimeter. Removing the Candyshell is performed by pulling the flip back panel up and the pulling off the case from the bottom corners. Install ion and removal is relatively easy and simple.
Here is the iPad resting in the Speck Candyshell. It adds some bulk to the iPad but not a significant amount. The bezel edges are elevated to keep the screen from resting on a flat surface. Of course the entire face is exposed as the Candyshell lacks a cover.
The back the flip back panel is used to dock the iPad with either the regular or keyboard dock. Speck warns not to use the flip back panel as a stand or “foot”, so for the sake of your iPad, don’t try it. When the iPad’s dock connector is not being used the back panel keeps it covered and away from harm.
The Speck Candyshell is a nice looking case that provides protection for the back and sides of the iPad. Like most open face cases, the screen is still exposed to direct trauma but that is the nature of these touch screen interfaces. One complaint about the piano black surface is that it is a worse fingerprint magnet than the iPad screen itself. I didn’t think any surface could pick up more fingerprints that the iPad’s display screen but this one does. Unfortunately piano black is a great looking finish unless it is being touch by human hands.
Accessing all the iPad’s inputs and buttons was easy. The flip back panel made it unnecessary to remove the case to dock the iPad. Overall the Speck iPad case like their iPhone/iPod Touch products is well constructed and easy to use.
Conclusion:
If you are looking for a good protective case for the iPad then the Speck Candyshell is not a bad choice. It looks good while offering protection for the sides and back of your iPad. The elevated front bezel should help keep the screen from resting directly on any flat surface decreasing the risk of scratches.
However the glossy black piano finish on the BatWing Black model is a fingerprint magnet which may turn some people off. Unlike their Candyshell for iPod Touch and iPhone this version does not include a screen skin. I think if Speck raised the price a little bit and added the skin it would make this product more enticing.
I personally prefer the book style cases for the iPad over the open face versions, but overall I did like the look and feel of the Speck Candyshell.
| PROS | CONS |
| +Simple to insert and remove iPad +iPad buttons are protected and insulated from the outside world +Well built +Does not need to be removed for dock access |
- Fingerprint magnet - Screen film not included |
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