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:apple:Pencil, 10.5 inch 256GB, :apple: Smart Cover; 3 down 1 to go . The Smart Cover & Sleeve were not part of the ensemble , however all the cases & covers i 've seen so far ( Moko case returned) were just too tacky for such an expensive device.
 
:apple:Pencil, 10.5 inch 256GB, :apple: Smart Cover; 3 down 1 to go . The Smart Cover & Sleeve were not part of the ensemble , however all the cases & covers i 've seen so far ( Moko case returned) were just too tacky for such an expensive device.
Same exact purchase here.

I'm hesitating on the sleeve though, it's just so expensive. But it's quality, as is the device, so maybe I should just stump up.
 
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Same exact purchase here.

I'm hesitating on the sleeve though, it's just so expensive. But it's quality, as is the device, so maybe I should just stump up.

i have searched high & low for at least a decent back cover or a similar sleeve...there 're simply no alternatives!
 
This is why I'll never buy an iPad again when it first comes out. I went through all this crap with my first gen 12.9 back in late 2015. It takes the third party companies a while to come out with decent cases. This time I will wait until I find a case I like before buying the new iPad.
 
So I have had the Black Leather Sleeve & Pencil combo for my 10.5" since Tuesday and having been using both extensively. As a current student I frequently use the Apple Pencil for notes, annotations, etc. That being said the $129 for just some leather was tough to justify but after using it I have to say I am really enjoying it. It just does what it is supposed to. Keeps things neat and tidy, I'm never searching for my pencil, and it does not compromise the beautiful aesthetic of the iPad. Also I don't keep the iPad itself in anything, so on desks I set it on top of the sleeve and I really like having it there to protect the back. I thought I was going to wind up returning it after a week but it looks like this will be all I carry to classes next semester!
 
So I have had the Black Leather Sleeve & Pencil combo for my 10.5" since Tuesday and having been using both extensively. As a current student I frequently use the Apple Pencil for notes, annotations, etc. That being said the $129 for just some leather was tough to justify but after using it I have to say I am really enjoying it. It just does what it is supposed to. Keeps things neat and tidy, I'm never searching for my pencil, and it does not compromise the beautiful aesthetic of the iPad. Also I don't keep the iPad itself in anything, so on desks I set it on top of the sleeve and I really like having it there to protect the back. I thought I was going to wind up returning it after a week but it looks like this will be all I carry to classes next semester!

Interesting. Don’t use the Smart Keyboard as well? It’s a heck of a tool for school. I ask only because I’ve used it for the last 4 semesters and am considering foregoing it on my 10.5.
 
I have ordered the leather sleeve, but I think I'll get this instead. In size 22, holds iPad with ASK. Zip pocket to hold the pencil. It's not cheap, but does save $40 off the leather sleeve. And I've always heard sfbags are great.

https://www.sfbags.com/collections/ipad-pro-sleeves-and-bags/products/dash-sleeve-for-ipad-pro

I have two of their products, a leather backpack and a leather laptop tote. They make wonderful products. However, after looking at product you linked, I believe they really serve a different purpose. I think I prefer the simplicity of the apple leather sleeve, but I don't know because mine hasn't come yet. It should be arriving tomorrow (5 days early) and then I'll have a good idea if I like it or not.

I'll be putting the sleeve (if I keep it) and my ipad and accessories into my SF bags, but I don't think I'd get a sleeve from them.
 
Taupe is really nice. If I keep it, I may end up going with that. I think I went with black right now though.

So I realized why I went with black. There's no taupe in 12.9" :(
 
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I have two of their products, a leather backpack and a leather laptop tote. They make wonderful products. However, after looking at product you linked, I believe they really serve a different purpose. I think I prefer the simplicity of the apple leather sleeve, but I don't know because mine hasn't come yet. It should be arriving tomorrow (5 days early) and then I'll have a good idea if I like it or not.

I'll be putting the sleeve (if I keep it) and my ipad and accessories into my SF bags, but I don't think I'd get a sleeve from them.

What purpose do you think it serves? I just wanted something to protect the iPad with its ASK, that would hold the pencil. Then I'll store the whole thing in my purse, or backpack when traveling. Just curious what your thinking is as I figure out which of these I want. This is all so 1st world problem.
 
What purpose do you think it serves? I just wanted something to protect the iPad with its ASK, that would hold the pencil. Then I'll store the whole thing in my purse, or backpack when traveling. Just curious what your thinking is as I figure out which of these I want. This is all so 1st world problem.

I'm not 100% sure as I have yet to use my sleeve, but my thought on the apple sleeve is that I take it out of my bag in the morning and take it with me to meetings. I slide the ipad out when I want, flip up the keyboard on top of it and start typing. I then can quickly access the stylus because it's in a designated, easy-to-extract pocket to write things down when I need to. Then I put it right back in its place, since the pencil seems prone to rolling around.

The SF bags one, to me, seems more like the bag with which I bring something to work, but not something that I'd want to take to a meeting and then have to pull things out of the bag and lay it on a table.

I might be having a hard time explaining the way I'm envisioning this, but hopefully that gives you some idea as to what I'm going for.
 
Interesting. Don’t use the Smart Keyboard as well? It’s a heck of a tool for school. I ask only because I’ve used it for the last 4 semesters and am considering foregoing it on my 10.5.
I don't like typing and when I am forced to for papers etc, I will be using the 2016 15" MBP, just seems more efficient to me this way and I absolutely love the keyboard on that thing. But my daily driver for running and gunning will most definitely be this iPad.
 
too expensive and no protection when using the ipad. not getting it

To be Fair, it does offer protection...against scratches for sure. It’ll also protect from knocks and bumps it could receive while transporting it somewhere. Drop protection is obviously a little bit of a different story. I have one, but it’s still on the chopping block. $129 is just too much.
 
i have searched high & low for at least a decent back cover or a similar sleeve...there 're simply no alternatives!

I disagree with this. I happened to pre-order the one that has been shown not to fit from Amazon. I did a minor adjustment and it is now happy on the back of my 10.5 within my Apple sleeve with my Apple Keyboard. Everything fits nicely. I understand I will be getting a replacement that does fit sometime in the next month.

Observations: I really like the ASK and how I can type on it. The sleeve (blue) has a great feel to it with everything in it. The pencil has a real integration with the iPad, really nice. The clear smooth plastic back cover makes the unit more grippy on a smooth surface when used with the keyboard. It also has some tooling on the edges to make it easier to hold without slipping.
 
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I got my leather sleeve yesterday. At first it smelled a bit chemically but it's already smelling better. I love it but am worried that if I use it with the Smart Keyboard it'll stretch the leather and then should I decide to use it without the Keyboard it'll be too loose?
 
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Am leaning towards blue , as my Smart Cover is blue . Taupe being my 2nd choice but I think the color would go dark with time. I am accustomed to :apple:'s midnight blue leather ; my Air 2 leather case stayed true blue from launch till I sold it with the iPad over a wk ago! I am hoping the Sleeve leather fabric holds up
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I disagree with this. I happened to pre-order the one that has been shown not to fit from Amazon. I did a minor adjustment and it is now happy on the back of my 10.5 within my Apple sleeve with my Apple Keyboard. Everything fits nicely. I understand I will be getting a replacement that does fit sometime in the next month.

Observations: I really like the ASK and how I can type on it. The sleeve (blue) has a great feel to it with everything in it. The pencil has a real integration with the iPad, really nice. The clear smooth plastic back cover makes the unit more grippy on a smooth surface when used with the keyboard. It also has some tooling on the edges to make it easier to hold without slipping.

Glad you found a solution that works for you....I only buy what fits out of the box; 'am not a fan of hard case nor plastics either
 
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I'm not 100% sure as I have yet to use my sleeve, but my thought on the apple sleeve is that I take it out of my bag in the morning and take it with me to meetings. I slide the ipad out when I want, flip up the keyboard on top of it and start typing. I then can quickly access the stylus because it's in a designated, easy-to-extract pocket to write things down when I need to. Then I put it right back in its place, since the pencil seems prone to rolling around.

The SF bags one, to me, seems more like the bag with which I bring something to work, but not something that I'd want to take to a meeting and then have to pull things out of the bag and lay it on a table.

I might be having a hard time explaining the way I'm envisioning this, but hopefully that gives you some idea as to what I'm going for.

Yes, that does help me understand. Especially when I picture your iPad with ASK sitting on the bag during the meeting.
 
Any others get their sleeve and plan on keeping it? I still think the price was highway robbery, but I’m now starting to think I’ll keep my ASK, the sleeve, and rock the back of the iPad “nekkit”. I do want the midnight blue sleeve instead of the black one I have if I keep it though.
 
Any others get their sleeve and plan on keeping it? I still think the price was highway robbery, but I’m now starting to think I’ll keep my ASK, the sleeve, and rock the back of the iPad “nekkit”. I do want the midnight blue sleeve instead of the black one I have if I keep it though.

Ordered black Apple sleeve at same time as 10.5 (64gb) from Apple Store. Sleeve arrived first. What's not to like? It's thin, well-made, exudes quality, cool. Just like most things Apple. Keeping mine. If anything, may pick up a second one of different color.
 
The Apple sleeve is desirable, but you can get really nice $15 synthetic sleeves that are actually very nice. They will have the flap for added protection. I like the Apple ones, but the price/quality ratio doesn't add up that well.

here are links for the two sizes I have. I bought another one for the 12.9, but it wasn't as nice as the linked one, so be careful. Spend a little more for the Snug I think (at least mine was good).

12.9:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0168I81NK/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

9.7 (fits the 10.5 with room)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D9LJ0IO/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

very positive reviews for these, BTW.

Of course the esthetics of the Apple sleeve are second to none. But with minimal protection, and very high cost. I may go there myself, but I would also need the ones I have linked above, for simply the extra protection.

Another thing to note. Over the years, I've found it's not always the Apple cases I end up using. Cases are not their strongest suit, IMO. Elegant, but minimal.
 
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Any others get their sleeve and plan on keeping it? I still think the price was highway robbery, but I’m now starting to think I’ll keep my ASK, the sleeve, and rock the back of the iPad “nekkit”. I do want the midnight blue sleeve instead of the black one I have if I keep it though.

That's what I'm planning to do. Have you any concerns that the ASK might stretch the sleeve too much?
 
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