Review: NEWTrent IMP65W iPad 2 Screen Protector

IMP65W*NOTE* NEWTrent sent me this product free of charge.

Most of you may remember my previous review of the keyboard case I got from NEWTrent.  That case gave me solid structaral setup for my iPad 2 that offered protection for the back.  Well NEWTrent has done it again with the IMP65W which protects my screen from all sorts of marks and scratches.

 

As you can see from the picture, this screen cover has an integrated boarder around the edge to help retain the iconic design that apple had put in place.  It’s also good if you wanted to try and change the color of your iPad from Black to White (or vice versa).

 

PROS:

  • This really protects your screen.  The screen protector is at least double the thickness of most other screen protectors. This will keep your iPad from suffering deep scratches.
  • Easy to install.  The thickness of this protector keeps it from bending during install.  This allows for a bubble free application as well as proper alignment.
  • Smudge resistant finish.  The material that the screen is made of does not show fingerprints and smudges as easily as the factor screen.
  • No loss of sensitivity.  The iPad responds just as well as if there was no protector in place (even with light touches).

 

CONS:

  • Matte finish.  This may be a subject of some debate, but to me, I liked the clear glossy finish that other screen protectors have.  This finish does change the display properties of the screen because it does cause some speckling and uneven color fill.

 

All in all this is a very durable screen protector.  Combining this with an OtterBox case will get you a highly durable iPad that will stand up to most anything you can throw at it!

New version of VMware View Client for iPad released!

VMwareFor those of you who don’t have update notifications enabled on your iPad, VMware released a new version of their View client for the iPad.  Version 1.2 brings a number of changes (as well as a new look and feel) to the client.  Click here to download the new client and read below for a list of changes.

  • Embedded RSA soft token simplifies login to desktop <=== My favorite!
  • Optimized for VMware View 5 with improved performance
  • Support for iOS 5 including AirPlay
  • Presentation Mode for use with external display and AirPlay
  • Background tasking to move between Windows and iOS apps
  • Updated look and feel
  • Integrated online help
  • Buffered text input for multibyte text entry
  • Now in French, German, Japanese, Korean, Simplified Chinese
  • Bug Fixes

Review: NEWTrent IMP38B iPad 2 case with keyboard

*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.