Customer Reviews

Incipio iPad 2 Smart feather Ultralight Hard Shell Case - Red

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

Length:: 3:37 Mins

I originally wanted to write a review, but I thought a video would be more suitable.

Granted, if you really want to split hairs, Amazon's description here IS misleading -they don't state anywhere that the Smart Cover is not included. But that is easily discovered by surfing over to Incipio's website and doing a little fact-checking before plopping down your credit card. So yes, Amazon deserves a slap on the wrist for that, but it's hardly grounds for trashing this product with 1 star.

As snap-on slim covers go, this has to be one of the sexiest, best-designed, and best executed ones I've ever seen -and the price is VERY reasonable, considering it comes with a screen film (which I'm not even going to use). When they say "Feather" case folks, BELIEVE it. This case is wafer thin, and has a soft-touch "rubber" like finish that is easy to grip, and practically disappears once it's snapped into place. It adds less than 1mm to the thickness of your iPad. The snap-over edges grip at the corners of the left side and the entire right-hand edge of the iPad, with a precision that truly lives up to Apple's own demanding standards.

There is one feature not clearly illustrated in Amazon or Incipio's pictures: the left side of the Feather Case snaps OVER the Smart cover hinge bar -a nice touch that keeps your Smart cover from being easily or accidentally pulled off.

You can still fold the Smart cover all the way around back with this case installed.

CAVEAT: This case really only provides scratch protection for the back of the iPad, and that's really all I wanted. It will not protect your iPad from drops or serious edge impact. If you use an Apple Smart Cover (NOT INCLUDED) and you want to add some scuff protection for the back, THIS is the case for you.

I purchased the black Incipio feather case for my iPad 2 in July of 2011. I was pleased with the fit and feel of the material, and it matched well with my black Smart Cover. The material of the Incipio case provided a grippiness for my fingers versus the smooth metal of the iPad itself, and it certainly would protect against scratches.

So far so good-until mid-September 2011, just about two months after purchase. I noticed the case had cracked in multiple locations along the corner edges, with a small piece even breaking off. I had only taken it off once or twice since I initially put it on, and I am not hard on my equipment at all. No drops had occurred, no scratching, banging, or bending. Yet within two months, it was cracking and breaking.

I wouldn't be pleased with any product that did this so soon after buying it, but I'm especially displeased that a case sold for almost $30 would have these problems. Given the cost, I cannot recommend this case until Incipio strengthens its construction. $30 for 60 days of use is not acceptable.

There will never be a perfect iPad case for everyone because different users have differing priorities in what they want. And if your priortities for a case include luxury or fashion or serious drop protection, then this is not the case for you.

Personally, I've been waiting for a case that would simply do for the back of the iPad 2 what Apple's Smart Cover did for the front: provide protection from scratches and minor bumps with a minimalist design that added as little as possible to the iPad's size and weight. So "IF" you've been looking for the same type of case, then stop right here because your search is over.

The Incipio Smart Feather Ultralight snaps on easily and securely, integrating perfectly with the Smart Cover while not inhibiting its use in any way. It is so light and minimal in its design that, apart from the useful grippy feel it adds to the back of the iPad, you forget it's even there. (This is especially true if you opt for the Frost color, which lets the iPad back show through, au natural.) The Smart Cover/Smart Feather combo is as close as you can get to carrying the iPad 2 naked while still having complete protection from scratches and minor bumps.

A few minor points:

First, as others have pointed out. the Incipio Smart Feather attaches to the iPad in such a way that it locks the Smart Cover into place as well. (But again, the Smart Cover retains full functionality.) However, this does mean that you have to remove the Smart Feather in order to completely remove the Smart Cover from the iPad. While very easy to do, I suppose this could get annoying if you tend to remove your Smart Cover a lot.

Second, there are cutouts in the Smart Feather that provide easy access to all ports and switches and exposure to the speaker grill, but they also expose the back case a bit in those areas. Not a big deal at all in my opinion, and I'd rather have easy access than 100% protection that's a pain in daily use.

Finally, there are several reviewers who've had issues with the durability of this case, specifically cracking on the corners that attach to the iPad. I've had no such problems so far, but their reviews seem honest and well-intentioned, so its something to consider.

Thanks for reading my review. If you've found it helpful in making your buying decision, I'd appreciate a click on the button below!

I've had this product for a while now and although the smart cover is magnetic, it can fall off sometimes when you put it in a certain position.

This shell keeps my smart cover locked in because the case wraps around the smart cover's spine while also protecting the back of my iPad from getting scratches.

:)

I like the quality of it. Not too thick and heavy. It's different than other covers; the Apple Smart Cover doesn't snap off once it's installed in the Ipad 2. It's a plus that it also includes a clear screen protector!

Pros:
-Not much bulk is added to your iPad.
-Works great with smart cover.
-Protects the back from scratches.
-Adds more grip then aluminum.

Cons:
-Not very good durability. I bought this case in September 2011 and its January 2012 and the part that grips the iPad 2 to stay on snapped. I contacted their customer service and am following through with their warranty service.
-Also, the back started wearing down on the part that contacts the surface of a table when typing with the smart cover.
-Have to take off the case to remove the smart cover.
-The color is a little off from the smart cover.

When it comes to a truly feather-light case to protect the back of your iPad, Incipio's Smart Feather Case can't be beat. It adds very little weight and girth to the iPad, and yet protects the back from scratches. The colors and finish of the Smart Feather Case match Apple's Smart Covers (sold separately), and the edge encloses the Smart Cover hasp to keep it from inadvertently popping off. The Smart Feather Case snaps around the corners of the iPad and remains firmly in place. Be aware that this case is not designed for impact protection of the iPad. If you drop your device, it still may break.

The only think keeping me from rating this product with 5-stars is that a hairline fracture has appeared in the case after only 3 1/2 months of use. The device has never been dropped or misused; the fracture has just appeared at one of the case's corners as a result of standard, daily use. The case still fits snugly, however. I'll be keeping an eye on the structural integrity of the case over the next couple months.

EDIT (11/27/2011): Just days after posting this review, the corner of the case with the hairline fracture snagged on a portion of my clothes, bending the corner back at an odd angle. The corner did not break off completely, but it hangs off the iPad in an unsightly and awkward manner. Keep an eye out for those hairline fractures!

EDIT (12/15/2011): A representative from Incipio contacted me about the malfunction that I experienced in the Smart Feather Case and assured me that this is an unusual issue. To their credit, Incipio shipped me a replacement cover quickly and free of charge. Thank you, Incipio! Your customer service should be applauded. Despite their assurances, however, I'll be handling the corners of the case with caution in the future.

slim snap on case. Works great with my leather smart cover. Allows for a non-bulky option. The only down side is if I drop the ipad it doens't look like it provides enough protection on the sides. I purchased an additional sock to cover it just in case.

I really like this case and it fits the ipad 2 with smart cover perfectly. After a few days use though I have noticed light yellow blotches appearing on the back (outside) of the case yet the case has not been in contact with anything yellow - the only contact has been the inside of a black sleeve (rarely) and the back (outside of the smart cover which is the same colour on the outside as the back case I refer to here.

Any clues on how to remove the blotches