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All iPads What iPad are you currently using, and what case?
- Thread starter MisterBigMack
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I looked at these. Beautiful case! I would be all over buying one of these if they only had it in white.
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I am using a 10.5" with a generic case from eBay. Did the same with the Air 2, I like those cases as they're great value for money, the iPad is fully protected and the cases offer the magnetic cover functionality so I almost never touch any buttons on the iPad, just open and close the cover which wakes up the screen and puts it to sleep.
Along with the iPad, I use the Magic Keyboard (so, not the iPad accessory, but the one for the Mac) and the Magic Trackpad 2. I decided to go that way instead of buying a dedicated iPad Pro 10.5" keyboard case because this way I get a keyboard and trackpad that I can use with any iPad when I upgrade the current one. Besides, I don't like the idea of having a case that always has a keyboard attached to it, as I don't need the keyboard most of the time.
The only downside to this setup is that the Trackpad 2 drains the battery a lot.
Along with the iPad, I use the Magic Keyboard (so, not the iPad accessory, but the one for the Mac) and the Magic Trackpad 2. I decided to go that way instead of buying a dedicated iPad Pro 10.5" keyboard case because this way I get a keyboard and trackpad that I can use with any iPad when I upgrade the current one. Besides, I don't like the idea of having a case that always has a keyboard attached to it, as I don't need the keyboard most of the time.
The only downside to this setup is that the Trackpad 2 drains the battery a lot.
I have the same and I plan on keeping mine for a few more years too. I use mine with the magic keyboard.2018 11” iPad Pro with the Smart Keyboard folio. 4gb ram still seems plenty, so I guess our iPads will continue to work fine for a couple more years at least.
I have a Gen 1, 12.9" iPad Pro (32GB). I have an ACME Made sleeve, which I really like, and an Apple leather one in saddle brown. Both have a slot for Apple Pencil Gen 1. I also have a bulky Logitech keyboard case in red, that works fine (backlit, etc) though I rarely use it. When I bought my M1 Macbook Air I found that both my ACME Made sleeve and the Apple sleeve accommodate it perfectly. Win!
For my new 12.9 Pro M1, I went for a white smart folio and the brand new Magic keyboard (for Mac, yes) with the rounded corners and an old Logitech Ultrathin T631 mouse I had in a drawer. This keyboard happens to fit perfectly with the iPad Pro 12.9 because it’s the same width (technically they differ one or two millimeters, but to the naked eye it looks perfect).
As for the Logi mouse it fits so well it’s ridiculous, if Apple introduced this tomorrow as their own iPad Pro mouse I’d accept it in a heartbeat. The ridiculous part is that this mouse is almost 10 years old and long since discontinued, but looks and feels more modern than their current Mac/iPad offering Anywhere MX 3 for Mac (all current non-Apple mice have physical scroll wheels like it’s 1998). Works flawlessly too, without throwing you the warning you get if you try to connect an AA-powered Magic Mouse 1 to an iPad.
Why this combo over the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro?
- It’s a lot cheaper. The Magic Keyboard for iPad is ludicrously overpriced and gives you less functionality than the combo I’m using. Plus, having owned Apple’s Smart Folio keyboard for my old iPad Pro 10.5, I know there will be quality issues down the line - it got badly worn really fast and stopped working entirely after 18 months.
- It’s modular (only need to drag the physical keyboard around if I really need it, and for awkward positions like lying down typing I can separate them and have the iPad on my nightstand and the keyboard in the bed.
- The keys are obviously much better, plus you get function keys - the latest ones, too, with the lock key, the Siri key etc. And they all work on iPad except the Mission Control one.
For my old (2018) iPad Pro 10.5, I bought a Logitech Combo Touch when the Apple folio keyboard stopped working. It seemed really good at first, in spite of the insane bulkiness (The Pro 10.5 is one of the slimmest, lightest things from Apple you can still hold these days) because of the backlit keys and all that, but it turned out to have a dealbreaker completely out of left field: The fabric on the case turns my pinky and ring fingers flaming red with itchy eczema - i.e. the four fingers I have on the back of the case for support. It’s bizarre since that’s so not me - I have none of all these allergies and hayfevers and whatnot plaguing so many others. Of course it’s possible I’m not actually allergic to the material at all, I dunno - maybe they covered the whole damn thing in microfiber or something and it’s actually slowly chiseling your fingers down to the bone from the friction that comes from intense gameplay. All I know is my fingers went back to normal in about a week after I removed the Combo Touch and tossed it in a drawer.
As for the Logi mouse it fits so well it’s ridiculous, if Apple introduced this tomorrow as their own iPad Pro mouse I’d accept it in a heartbeat. The ridiculous part is that this mouse is almost 10 years old and long since discontinued, but looks and feels more modern than their current Mac/iPad offering Anywhere MX 3 for Mac (all current non-Apple mice have physical scroll wheels like it’s 1998). Works flawlessly too, without throwing you the warning you get if you try to connect an AA-powered Magic Mouse 1 to an iPad.
Why this combo over the Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro?
- It’s a lot cheaper. The Magic Keyboard for iPad is ludicrously overpriced and gives you less functionality than the combo I’m using. Plus, having owned Apple’s Smart Folio keyboard for my old iPad Pro 10.5, I know there will be quality issues down the line - it got badly worn really fast and stopped working entirely after 18 months.
- It’s modular (only need to drag the physical keyboard around if I really need it, and for awkward positions like lying down typing I can separate them and have the iPad on my nightstand and the keyboard in the bed.
- The keys are obviously much better, plus you get function keys - the latest ones, too, with the lock key, the Siri key etc. And they all work on iPad except the Mission Control one.
For my old (2018) iPad Pro 10.5, I bought a Logitech Combo Touch when the Apple folio keyboard stopped working. It seemed really good at first, in spite of the insane bulkiness (The Pro 10.5 is one of the slimmest, lightest things from Apple you can still hold these days) because of the backlit keys and all that, but it turned out to have a dealbreaker completely out of left field: The fabric on the case turns my pinky and ring fingers flaming red with itchy eczema - i.e. the four fingers I have on the back of the case for support. It’s bizarre since that’s so not me - I have none of all these allergies and hayfevers and whatnot plaguing so many others. Of course it’s possible I’m not actually allergic to the material at all, I dunno - maybe they covered the whole damn thing in microfiber or something and it’s actually slowly chiseling your fingers down to the bone from the friction that comes from intense gameplay. All I know is my fingers went back to normal in about a week after I removed the Combo Touch and tossed it in a drawer.
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Just got the ‘21 IPP 12.9 with a Logitech Combo Touch, previously ‘16 IPP 9.7 also with a Logitech keyboard case. Aside from saving money on the Logitech Combo Touch case, I really like the extra row of keys compared to the Apple keyboard and also how easy you can detach the keyboard from the case. Minor point is that with the pencil on top, the case is a bit harder to open.
11 inch M1 and use it with the magic keyboard and folio cover so use both for different situations.
Air 4. Was using Magic Keyboard but moved to the Combo Touch yesterday for better protection and more flexibilty when I’m drawing/reading etc. Impressed with it so far, will likely sell the mkb.
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Right now, Sky Blue iPad Air 4 in blue ESR case. It gets alternated with a Pro 10.5 512GB in gray Khomo case 
I also have a 2021 12.9 in Apple Smart Folio that mostly functions as a 3rd screen at the office. It's docked on a Logitech K780 keyboard and used for chat, instant messaging, video calls, PDF markup, etc.
I also have a 2021 12.9 in Apple Smart Folio that mostly functions as a 3rd screen at the office. It's docked on a Logitech K780 keyboard and used for chat, instant messaging, video calls, PDF markup, etc.
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We have 2 iPad 2…now sunsetted. iPad 10.2 7 gen and iPad Pro m1 with magic keyboard for significant other. S/o loves it.
2018 11” iPad Pro with no case, cover, or keyboard. I don’t like cases on my devices, and I type perfectly fine with the on-screen keyboard.
I also have the 2017 iPad Pro, which still runs great, but the battery life is awful now. When I checked a few months ago, coconut said it had about 63% of its original capacity, but it only lasts for a couple of hours. Main use for it is when I’m charging my 11”.
I also have the 2017 iPad Pro, which still runs great, but the battery life is awful now. When I checked a few months ago, coconut said it had about 63% of its original capacity, but it only lasts for a couple of hours. Main use for it is when I’m charging my 11”.
Picked up my 11” iPad Pro 2021 (space grey) last weekend and finally got my case today. It’s been a tense week going naked ?. Anyway, I went for the mallard green apple smart folio case which I found on eBay and I could not be happier with it. The case is stunning and changes in different lighting but I’d say it’s a bluey green.
Pics below… (sorry, dog wanted in in the action too ?)
Pics below… (sorry, dog wanted in in the action too ?)
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5G iPad mini 6 with Apple Smart Folio and Pencil 2. I've become mighty attached to my M1 MacBook Air, and the mini 6 feels like the perfect iPadOS companion to that device. I also have a DecalGirl skin on the folio that makes it look like an old school composition book just for fun.
I have only ever owned one other mini model, and that was the mini 3. It was fine, but I didn't stick with it too long. It just wasn't a very usable screen size for me back then. The current form factor is what I've been wanting for years out of a mini, and I have been effectively using it for the following:
-e-Reader
-digital markup tool
-web browser
-email triage
-media consumption (of course)
-sketch pad
-notebook
-photo/video/audio editor
-second screen for my Mac with SideCar and Universal Control
-generally a more fun version of my iPhone for when I'm going to be sitting around killing time somewhere
-remote control for IoT devices around my house
-Apple Arcade games
-as a desktop computer by way of a Thunderbolt connection to my monitor and peripherals
To me, the iPad mini 6 is more of a modular PC than any other device I own. It's not the most portable or the most versatile or the most powerful, but it is a REALLY good jack-of-all-trades device, even more so than the iPhone due to differences between iOS and iPadOS.
I have only ever owned one other mini model, and that was the mini 3. It was fine, but I didn't stick with it too long. It just wasn't a very usable screen size for me back then. The current form factor is what I've been wanting for years out of a mini, and I have been effectively using it for the following:
-e-Reader
-digital markup tool
-web browser
-email triage
-media consumption (of course)
-sketch pad
-notebook
-photo/video/audio editor
-second screen for my Mac with SideCar and Universal Control
-generally a more fun version of my iPhone for when I'm going to be sitting around killing time somewhere
-remote control for IoT devices around my house
-Apple Arcade games
-as a desktop computer by way of a Thunderbolt connection to my monitor and peripherals
To me, the iPad mini 6 is more of a modular PC than any other device I own. It's not the most portable or the most versatile or the most powerful, but it is a REALLY good jack-of-all-trades device, even more so than the iPhone due to differences between iOS and iPadOS.
HobeSoundDarryl
macrumors G5
Mini 6 in a simple, Zotop-brand, folio case (with wake/sleep function on open/close). I use it for double-duty as both iPad AND Phone with buds (no Phone at all) on the Tmobile $10/5 months/5GB 5G Ultra plan for no more than $60 PER YEAR continuous cell service.
VOIP app for pretty full phone functionality and texting to/from non-Apple people. Messages app for texting to/from Apple people. Obihai device at home to make the same number ring land-line phones, work with the alarm system and even work with an old FAX machine. That makes home phone service cost $0 additional per year after buying the Obihai.
I used the Mini 2 in this same way for YEARS before the 6. I've never felt like I'm missing much and enjoy the much lower cost of ownership. Since my greater uses of mobile devices is non-phone functionality anyway, a bigger-than-phone screen generally makes all of the rest work better for me.
VOIP app for pretty full phone functionality and texting to/from non-Apple people. Messages app for texting to/from Apple people. Obihai device at home to make the same number ring land-line phones, work with the alarm system and even work with an old FAX machine. That makes home phone service cost $0 additional per year after buying the Obihai.
I used the Mini 2 in this same way for YEARS before the 6. I've never felt like I'm missing much and enjoy the much lower cost of ownership. Since my greater uses of mobile devices is non-phone functionality anyway, a bigger-than-phone screen generally makes all of the rest work better for me.
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The iPad Mini 5 (L) and Mini 4 (R) are both inside Otterbox Defender cases. I’ve had the 4 since 2015 on release and the 5 since early 2020 and both are going strong.
They’re both used for general computing such as web-browsing, emails, Skype and streaming apps like YouTube, Disney+ and Netflix.
They’re both used for general computing such as web-browsing, emails, Skype and streaming apps like YouTube, Disney+ and Netflix.
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