Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

$70 for a case that isn’t waterproof, shock-proof? No keyboard even? I scrolled right past this case several times, because why would I pay that much when I can get a simple case for $10 or even a beetle defender type case for $25?? It seemed stupid. Magnets? Gimmick. High-quality materials? Everyone says that. 10 viewing angles? I really only need two. This case is clearly made for someone who believes more expensive is automatically better. No thanks. Except. The first time I saw this case and read the description, it did sound cool. Not $70 cool, but ok, the premise was interesting. By its description it solved my two biggest issues (durability and portability). But it was too expensive for a frugal person, so I bought a more reasonably priced case instead. And then when that case was too flimsy to stay upright and hold up my 12.9” iPad, I got a bulkier, reasonably priced case. And then when that was just too big and heavy to conveniently carry around, I went back to the floppy case. Then I remembered why I ditched it and I looked for a slim, rugged case. This one came up again. But $70???? No. So I got a slightly bulkier folio case, and, surprise, it didn’t perform any better. Then I got yet ANOTHER case, on the recommendation of a friend who clearly did not understand my problem very well. Four cases and no cigar, just recurring disappointment...... Then I added up what I paid for all of those cases and I realized that I spent more trying to avoid this case than it actually costs. At this point, I’ve clearly demonstrated that I’m not going to give up my dream of the perfect blend of durability and portability, so what the heck? I bought the stupid thing already. Here’s the deal: you get what you pay for. Yeah, sometimes you’re paying for a name, but ZUGU isn’t exactly Prada. I get no style points when I plop my iPad down on the Starbucks table. In this case, what you’re paying for is quality. They obviously thought through all the problems that iPad cases have and designed this one to resolve them. It’s well-made in general: ports align properly, stitching is even and looks good, no threads or plastic bits sticking out anywhere, all the parts sit where they should sit and look nice in their place. The flexible rubber edges make it easy to put the iPad in but they’re tight enough not to pop off when you don’t want. The magnets are impressive; strong enough to hold a 12.9” iPad Pro on my fridge for an hour but not so powerful that it’s hard to change the viewing angle. Also it turns out that 10 angles is more useful than I thought; typing, drawing, watching movies in a chair, and watching movies in bed apparently all have different ideal angles (who knew?). It is as slim and light as it can possibly be while being very protective. Some people don’t like the pencil holder, but I quite like it. The softer fabric allows me to store my pencil magnet end down, to avoid losing the cap, while the tip is covered in a cheap rubber cover I got that is snug enough to stay put in transit. The pencil slot is slightly recessed, just enough that the pencil doesn’t move around in the fabric pouch. It’s much easier to get the pencil in and out vs a typical elastic holder. Probably the only two things that I don’t like are 1) the fact that the flap which touches my iPad screen while closed also touches the surface the iPad rests on when open. I would prefer that the fabric not make contact with every surface I work on. I do like that it folds backward instead of forward, but I wish there were an easy solution that doesn’t involve setting up a napkin barricade in public spaces. And 2) I don’t like the absence of a keyboard. That’s not a design flaw, it’s just the only problem this case doesn’t solve for me. However, I do have the Arteck Ultra Slim Bluetooth keyboard ($20 on Amazon, can’t say enough good things about it) and thanks to the magnets, the back of the keyboard sticks to the back of this iPad *almost* as if it were made for it. The keys are unprotected, but honestly, as thin and light as this case and the keyboard are combined, I can’t complain. I keep it in a separate compartment of my bag and it’s all good. Basically, what I’m saying is, be smarter than me. Don’t buy a bunch of different cheap cases, settling for one solution at a time. Think about all the things you want your case to do for you, and then buy the one that does most (or all) the things you want it to. Probably that means paying more in the short run, but if you’re reading reviews on this case, there’s a good chance you understand the value of paying good money for good quality. This is one of those times. UPDATE: Just coming back to say I still love the case. I’ve found new ways to love it as time goes on. I’ve had it almost two months, which, with daily use, is generally about how long it takes to show evidence of wear. Not much, but usually a little. This case is solidly-built and the claims of built-in durability are valid IMO. It looks exactly like it did new (aside from the dog hairs it unfortunately does pick up on the soft inside - my only gripe). I almost want to buy a second one right now just in case they stop making these in a year or two, for whatever reason, or in case I lose mine or something. Like, this is my case for life now, guys. This is the one.