This is the product that Apple’s been peer pressuring it’s customers when they buy their iPad 2. This isn’t your ordinary case, it’s a cover. It only protects the front, not the back. This is a very unique approach to the case industry because third party case companies (and even first party’s) goal is to create a protective case for that expensive product. What’s interesting that Apple has designed the Smart Cover along with the iPad 2. Because of that, Apple is making the Smart Cover a big deal. Starting at $39 for the polyurethane and $69 for leather, is it a good buy? Read on to find out.

Unboxing

Design

Most of Apple’s cases blends in well with their products; the Smart Cover is no different. On the front side of the Smart Cover, there are these separators and on the back is a nice microfiber lining, which Apple claims will clean your screen when you have it on (more on that later). With the Smart Cover, you have two choices of materials: polyurethane or leather. With the polyurethane model, you have a choice of gray, baby blue, green, orange, or pink. With the leather Smart Cover, you have a choice of tan, navy blue, black, cream, or the PRODUCT (RED) Smart Cover, which will donate some of money to the Africa AIDS Foundation.

I have the black leather Smart Cover and I’ve been using this cover for about a week now. I can tell you right now that I do like the cover, but there are some big concerns with the exterior. On the back of the packaging, it warns you that the dye on the leather Smart Cover may rub off during use. I never thought that would be a big deal, but when some of the color rubs off, it gives the Smart Cover a shiny effect. Another way of the color coming off is when you wipe the cover with a damp cloth. One of the minor issues is the microfiber lining. Apple claims that it cleans your screen, but it turns out that it makes it worse. The microfiber lining will attract lots of dust and grease; when you put the cover down your screen, it leaves crease marks on the glass and lots of dust.

As I said before, Apple designed the Smart Cover along side with the iPad 2. Because of that, Apple was able to make the Smart Cover interact with the iPad’s sleep/wake function. For example, when you lift the Smart Cover, the iPad wakes up and when you put the cover down, it sleeps the iPad. Apple was able to do this by using magnets. Apple also uses magnets to perfectly align the Smart Cover, when installing it. Obviously, this sleep/wake function isn’t unique to the Apple Smart Cover. Other companies are building in magnets to their folio cases to take advantage of that feature. If you’re worried about it falling off, you shouldn’t be because the magnets are fairly strong. It’s so strong, it can lift the iPad up when you’re holding the cover in the air.

Functionality

The iPad Smart Cover does work well as a video or typing stand, using a folding mechanism seen in Speck’s and Incase’s earlier designs. The Smart Cover provides two angles for typing, a reclined angle for video viewing in landscape orientation, and a straight up angle for portrait orientation FaceTime calling. Both of the typing angles felt sturdy and comfortable; the landscape angle was also sturdy.

Conclusion

With no doubt, the Smart Cover is a very interesting approach to the case industry. The magnets that interact with the iPad is something that no company have really thought about. But with such a hefty price tag and the lack of back protection, it’s probably not the case for you. If you really do want to protect the back while using the Smart Cover, you’ll have to fork over another $29 for a hard shell or a film.