The keyboard isn't a case, it's a cover. I ordered it because I'm going to have to get some kind of back protection anyway, might as well spend the extra to get the keyboard.
So they used to sell a back cover to go along with the front covers and keyboard cover? I skipped the first Pro so I didn't pay attention. I remember for older iPads that third parties used to sell rear cases to go along with smart covers. I freaking love the Apple leather case on my Air 2 so much. It's really disappointing that it's not even an option. I work at a university so I'm always toting my iPad all around campus, and that case as saved me a few times. I know so many people who have cracked their iPads around campus because they didn't have adequate protection.
yeah, for the ipad airs, if i remember right, there were two options: the silicone smart cover, or the leather full case (i agree, i had the leather case for my 1st gen ipad air, and it was lovely). the smart cover paired perfectly with the bare ipad, and of course the leather case was form fitting, so that fit perfectly as well. when i upgraded to the thinner, lighter ipad air 2, i just got the front smart cover and kept the back bare, and boy was that nice. so light and thin and beautiful to hold!
then came the ipad pro (9.7). there was a silicone back cover, and a front smart cover that was designed to pair with the back cover, and the keyboard cover (also designed to pair with the back cover. however, the front cover, on its own, didn't fit. there was this slight but really annoying overhang that made the magnets not catch the cover, so it just kind of flopped around. it was really quite useless. if you look at the review of that smart cover on their website, it gets an average of 1.5 stars, with countless complaints about its poor fit. it's a small thing, granted, but it was surprising that apple, with all its attention to detail, would let that out the door.
