I decided to go with something a bit different.
My preferred choice of case for previous iPads was always a Smart Cover with some form of protection for the back.
The Smart Folio looked good but it didn’t offer the level of protection that I wanted. I really needed something that offered good coverage of the sides of the device to protect against bumps and scratches. It also had to be lightweight.
I found a few cases which offered good side protection. They were hard shells with covers attached, but I realised that most of the time I detached the Smart Cover when I was using my previous iPads as it just got in the way.
There's a case on this thread with a detachable cover, but it wasn’t exactly what I was looking for.
I ended up buying the following -
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It’s branded as designed by Xundd and it actually came in a proper box. The label says it's part of their Beetle series. There seem to be numerous sellers on eBay, Amazon, and Aliexpress, if you’re prepared to wait for delivery. The branding and prices vary, but they all look like the same case.
It’s very light. I don’t perceive any difference with the case on or off. The cut-outs all line up perfectly and the quality is excellent. The clear plastic back is like glass so it does pick up fingerprints. A textured finish would feel nicer. The TPU bumper means I don’t have any issues holding the iPad. Apparently, the Pencil 2 will attach despite the side being covered.
There's a video of it here although it's under a different name -
I then needed something to protect the screen when the iPad wasn’t in use. I did a lot of research, cross-referencing the dimensions of the iPad against other devices, and I found the following moulded EVA bag which fits the iPad perfectly when it’s in the Xundd case. Without the case, it will slide about because the iPad is so thin -
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I would imagine it will fit the iPad with Apple’s Smart Folio or Smart Keyboard attached and there may be room for the Pencil 2.
The bag is available here -
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Falcon-1...010659?hash=item287c8879a3:g:crMAAOSwGhxbtic3
https://www.falconbags.com/10-6-falcon-moulded-eva-laptop-case-fi2722-silver-fi2722.html
Both the bag and case cost me a total of £16 or £10 after discounts and promotional vouchers.
Note - The zips on the Falcon bags are weak. The first bag I received was already broken, but I dismissed this, however, the replacement broke after a few weeks. You can still zip the bags up, but the metal hooks which the pullers attach to snapped off on both of them.