*NOTE* This review was done of my own and I was not compensated in any way by the manufacturer or any other parties involved with this product.
If you follow my twitter stream, you know that I recently acquired and iPad 2 for a good price. I am really enjoying the device and I am starting to look at this as a lightweight travel option instead of bringing my large 18” laptop with me on planes. With that goal in mind, I set out to find a case that would basically convert the iPad into a netbook.
There are several options out there each with their pros and cons. Most of the units that have a keyboard are north of $100 and seem rather bulky. It wasn’t until I had spent a week of searching, that a follower on twitter had mentioned the IMP38B and sent me a link to a YouTube video. At first glance, this case seemed to have everything I wanted, but you can judge for yourself below.
Ordering from New Trent was a pleasant experience. I had my doubts since I had never heard of the website, but my order went through without a hassle. Since this was a preorder product, I had received a personal email from the staff indicating when my item would ship, and they held to that date exactly.
The IMP38B is a hard shell case with a built in keyboard. It has a rubberized plastic finish on the outside as well as a reinforced swivel stand. This allows the iPad to easily tilt into both portrait and landscape modes. The hard shell case protects the back from scratches and has cutouts for every button and connector as well as the speaker and camera. The enclosed Bluetooth keyboard slides out to reveal 3 sets of grooves to lock the screen at different angles. Underneath the stand (and behind the keyboard) is a small compartment to store the charging cable for the keyboard (included) as well as an iPad usb cable (not included). When you are finished, the unit has a slide lock to hold it together and a smart magnet will turn off the iPad when closed.
PROS:
• Case is solid and screen is locked in place and won’t fall out
• Sturdy stand that does not change angles when iPad is pressed hard
• Unit locks together for easy travel
• Keyboard is rechargeable
• Self-contained pocket for cables and stylus
• Keyboard has special keys for IOS functions
• Price! Only $50 shipped
CONS:
• Very hard to detach iPad when needed
• Keyboard keys are slightly too small
• Doesn’t fold flat for holding in hands
The keyboard takes a little getting used to, but this unit acts as a very good adjustable stand for watching movies or playing games. On top of all that, you can’t beat the price they are offering this case for as it’s half the price of its competitors. All in all I think it is a great case for travel and use at home and I urge everyone looking for an all-in-one solution to consider this as an option. Let me know if you have any questions in the comments section.