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Case or no case?

  • Always and forever

    Votes: 78 70.9%
  • Cases are for wimps and pessimists

    Votes: 12 10.9%
  • Sometimes

    Votes: 19 17.3%
  • Don't ever ask me about my business again

    Votes: 1 0.9%
  • Do you know who I am? I"M MOE GREENE

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    110

Ryand123

macrumors regular
Original poster
Nov 12, 2013
191
168
I've always been a case guy.

But now I'm rethinking that after getting my 12.9 inch Pro today. Bought it with the Smart Folio case. LOVE the big screen. And while I was initially wildly underwhelmed by mini LED, I am starting to notice that blacks do indeed look blacker and colors look a bit more vibrant.

Only problem is with the case on......this thing is kind of heavy and bulky to hold. But when I take the case off it makes a somewhat surprisingly noticeable difference. So I might live dangerously and use it without a case much of the time. After all......how much protection do they really offer anyway? Seems most of the time if I drop my iPad or my iPhone it lands smack on the screen anyway. So the case is of absolutely no help. Someone should do a study--if they haven't already---on how often cases even protect devices.
 

neutrino17

macrumors regular
Jun 25, 2022
114
123
Agree with Rui-San. The number one reason to use a case is it supplies some sort of stand, depending on the brand. Beyond that it usually provides a screen protector when closed and stuck in a bag. Finally, I think the iPad with no case is a bit slippery to hold.
 

Shanghaichica

macrumors G5
Apr 8, 2013
14,725
13,245
UK
Yes I use a case for protection and to provide a stand. When I say protection I tend to go for functional/minimal cases so it’s not like an otterbox or anything. For example I use the Magic Keyboard for my iPad Pro. It does provide some protection but obviously the main attraction is the keyboard and stand. For the iPad mini I use the Smart Folio case, it’s not bulky and I can use it as a stand.
 

Nhwhazup

macrumors 68040
Sep 2, 2010
3,474
1,718
New Hampshire
I always have a case on my phone as I’m out and about walking around with it.

My iPad is usually used in a stationary position and less likely to take a tumble. I have a skin on it. When I do take it on a trip, it’s inside the Magic keyboard and in a pouch that has the rest of my accessories.
 

culo77

macrumors regular
Mar 4, 2010
219
221
Chicago
I mainly don’t use a case. I do use it as a stand though but 90% of the time it’s naked. I don’t use cases on my phone either, I don’t like the extra bulk or weight.
 
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sam_dean

Suspended
Sep 9, 2022
1,262
1,091
I had to replace my 2011 iPad 2 before its last Security Update in 2019 because a drop at the corner impacted its wifi reception.

Why that long? Because iPads are used primarily for data consumption like YouTube videos

So since then I use rugged cases with succeeding iPads.

It would have been smart of me to have bought the 32GB or even 64GB model instead of the 16GB one.

If I kept it until 2019 I'd have bought the 2019 iPad. So if I damage it again it's a cheap replace.
 

sracer

macrumors G4
Apr 9, 2010
10,405
13,290
where hip is spoken
I've always been a case guy.

But now I'm rethinking that after getting my 12.9 inch Pro today. Bought it with the Smart Folio case. LOVE the big screen. And while I was initially wildly underwhelmed by mini LED, I am starting to notice that blacks do indeed look blacker and colors look a bit more vibrant.

Only problem is with the case on......this thing is kind of heavy and bulky to hold. But when I take the case off it makes a somewhat surprisingly noticeable difference. So I might live dangerously and use it without a case much of the time. After all......how much protection do they really offer anyway? Seems most of the time if I drop my iPad or my iPhone it lands smack on the screen anyway. So the case is of absolutely no help. Someone should do a study--if they haven't already---on how often cases even protect devices.
The last time I used a case on an iPad on a regular basis was my 1st gen iPad.

After that, I've only used smart covers (and smart keyboards). (smart covers weren't available for the 1st gen) I dislike cases because (as you've discovered) they add a bit of weight and bulk. I find a thin clear skin for the back of the iPad is enough to protect from scratches and allow for a better grip.

Unfortunately for me, my iPad Mini 5 and my iPad 9th gen are the last iPads that support smart covers so I don't know what comes next when I need to replace them.

But in your situation, I'd suggest considering your history with devices... how often have you dropped them or had them damaged? If that is a concern, then the folio is a necessary "evil".
 

VaruLV

macrumors 6502a
Mar 25, 2019
636
561
Recently I have been thinking about this combo:
1)tempered screen protector on front
2)skin sticker/wrap/decal on the back and sides
3)and, maybe magnetic smart cover to use as stand and when carrying it somewhere outside home
 

MarkC426

macrumors 68040
May 14, 2008
3,694
2,096
UK
I wish Apple would stop changing/deleting types of cases, when they release new products.
Still rocking my 1st gen iPad Pro 12.9, with Apple Silicone Cover.

When I was researching upgrades a while back I discovered these options don't exist for the newer iPads.....:(

My iPad is 'home bound' but just like the added rear protection.
 

cthompson94

macrumors 6502a
Jan 10, 2022
812
1,164
SoCal
I have a very then case on my iPad (I will try to update this post with the model/name of it) that has a foldable kickstand that really does well at holding the 12.9" steady and the way it folds I have used it as a hand grip to hold it sometimes also of course the case can still charge the pencil no problem and no screen protector for me
 

Nhwhazup

macrumors 68040
Sep 2, 2010
3,474
1,718
New Hampshire
60E9CCD1-60C9-43AC-A5B6-62FBEE033FE5.jpeg
 

Jackbequickly

macrumors 68040
Aug 6, 2022
3,185
3,277
I have always used Apple‘s folio case. Covers both sides and it folds back to get completely out of the way. Does not restrict use in anyway.
 
Last edited:
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tarsins

macrumors 65816
Sep 15, 2009
1,197
859
Wales
Every iPad I’ve had has been wearing the Apple Smart Cover/Folio because stand.
I have never used a case on any iPhone.
 

spiderman0616

Suspended
Aug 1, 2010
5,670
7,499
I use the Apple folio cover on my mini 6 and used either the Magic Keyboard case or Smart Keyboard case on my iPad Pros before that. Not so much for protection, but like others have said, as a stand.

If I didn't even want to use one of those, I would probably just put a dBrand decal on the back and sides to keep it scratch free.
 

Richard8655

macrumors 68000
Mar 11, 2009
1,925
1,373
Chicago suburbs
Yes, always. For me, many of the less expensive cases (such as MoKo) on Amazon generally do a good job. But I've learned after a few unfortunate slips and drops to buy a case with TPU (flexible) corners to help absorb bumps and shock.
 

Jay-Jacob

macrumors 6502a
Sep 10, 2015
627
379
England
I did try my iPad with and without case. If I am home and iPad stays at home I don't need use case and if I take iPad out and put in my backpack and I need case to protect it so I end up using case for my iPad all time now. Before I did do without it. Case just peace of mind that my iPad is protected in backpack etc.
 

Matsamoto

macrumors 6502a
Oct 31, 2018
990
8,524
Halmstad, Sweden
When I'm at home, I never use a case.
(Don't use screen protector either🙂)
But 2-3 times a week I'm taking it with me and then i put it in a case.
A case that also protects the screen.

I totally get it that some people have to use it like a stand or something when you type on it at home.
For me I borrow my wife's MacBook Pro.
It's so much nicer to type on!🙂

Using a iPad Pro 11 2020 since release, and not a small scratch/crack on it.
 
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