Review on Protective Leather Smart Case Cover For IPad 9.7 (2018/2017) & Air - Auto Wake/Sleep Flip Stand Design by Michael Paquette

The Kensington plus version case includes backlit keyboard. Both the plus and regular versions have a rugged aluminum bottom. The keyboard is of a sufficient size that you can do some fast typing with it. I type 54 WPM so this is important to me.Mentioning keyboards for a moment, I had previously purchased the Sharkk keyboard which is a keyboard only and it is the EXACT same size at the Kensington. Typing fast is the same on both of these boards. The Sharkk is very slim and comes in white like the face on my iPad Air. It has a nice cloth type of cover which makes carrying it along with the iPad very convenient.Back to the cases. I bought the Snugg case which also comes in white and does a great job of protecting the iPad as well as being very effective at putting it into sleep mode and instantly waking it back up when you open it. It looks great and is the number one selling iPad case here on ebay. I hate to say I love it because it looks so good but that is only one of the reasons. It just feels right, protects the iPad on both sides and on the edges. There is no chance of it falling out. I also like the idea that it is very slim. I can transport the iPad without having to lug along the keyboard, but when I do the Sharkk keyboard with the included cloth cover makes a very nice mate and carries very well with the iPad sandwiched alongside of it.Actually the Kensington case isn't any thicker than just the iPad in the Snugg case so that is a plus for the Kensington, plus it comes with a keyboard built in that is just the right size. The backlit feature is great for taking it to bed with you at night while watching TV and keeping in touch with friends on Facebook for example. So even if you prefer the Snugg the Kensington Key Cover Plus is a nice addition to use for the backlit keyboard alone. Pairing only takes a few moments.However if I was going to get critical of the Kensington Key Cover Plus it is because in order to insert it into the cover there are rubbery firm corners that require you to snap the iPad Air into it. That snap is a minor impact but one nonetheless. I also am a bit concerned for a couple of other reasons. One is that the KCP is a single sided cover; it depends on the aluminum back of the iPad to be the second sides cover. That means over time the iPad will get scratched and possibly get a ding etc. The other concern that I have is that after some time using it I am concerned that the snapping in and out on the rubber corners will loosen them, and create a possible hazard if it gets looser and causes the iPad to accidentally drop out. It fits nice and firm though, a perfect fit, and this may or may not be a problem in the future. I have no way of knowing without long term use.With the Kensington, at first my immediate concern was that in order to prop the iPad up you tuck just the very bottom of it into the sharp edged groove in the metal base. My concern was that at this extreme edge only about an eighth of an inch or less is actually grasping the iPad. The aluminum against aluminum mating could cause the iPad to get tarnished, damaged, or bent if it was accidentally pushed upon. The KCP was thoughtful in their design to install a rubber lip along the front edge to soften the effect toward the glass side of the iPad. I wish they had done the same on the back side as well. They also installed a single rubber corner in the upper right designed to facilitate the removal and reinsertion of the iPad back into the hard case.Also with the KCP I know the keys which are exposed to the iPad Air do not protrude in such a way to press against the face but from an engineering standpoint it makes you worry about the potential for an irritation over time in the event any of them do. Maybe it is just a psychological thing, but the Snugg case totally eliminates that concern with the picture frame leatherette surround with the stiff board leatherette cover that is flat being the only thing that closes.With the Kensington having to use the iPad out in the air by itself while you are repositioning it into the hard slot creates a risk for an unprotected drop. Also I am not convinced that the KCP will keep the iPad in the slot in anything less than an upright position on a hard surface. There is nothing securing it into its slot other than gravity so any kind of bump can send it down. It is flexible like the others in that it can be parked in there either way in portrait or landscape mode.Another contender that I have is the Belkin Shield Swing Case. This one has a cover for the back of the iPad that it secures into so it is protected against scratches etc. but I would not consider it protective in the event the iPad was dropped; it is after all a hard thin plastic cover. Out of them all, it has the most amount of adjustable positions it can rest into giving you the widest array of viewing angles. There is a ridge on the bottom edge of the backing case that fits into four different indented grooves on the magnetic cover. This Belkin case also completely surrounds the iPad when in the closed position so all sides are protected. However the single flap that secures it closed does not reassure you that in the event of spillage into a hard surface that it would remain closed. Once again the Sharkk takes top honors in the way it secures the iPad and it does so with a padded material that is leatherette in its nature. The fact that it is sandwiched/double layered all the more adds to the protection. The huge drawback to the Belkin case is that it does not put the iPad to sleep when you close the cover; the iPad just stays on the whole time.I must admit my favorite amongst the three which is the number one seller here at ebay which is the Snugg cover. The Snugg does provide for a portrait mode position but it is only by opening the flap, like opening the front of a hardback book, and leaving it halfway open at a 90 degree angle. (See the product photos) That gives you plenty of security against it falling flat on its face, and the extended cover going toward the front would normally prevent it from falling backwards, but it just seems like a less than ideal way to support the iPad in portrait mode. A sudden gust of wind could make it fall backwards landing on its very secure stiff and padded case. It also has 2 different positions in landscape mode whereas the Kensington has 4.Decisions, decisions, decisions. I am not into yey this and boo that, but rather yey this and yey that. Whether it is computers or music I like having both. So the Kensington has a superb feature of a backlit keyboard adjustable to different colors whichever suits your fancy. It is also a slim package that includes a keyboard something the others don't have. However the lack of back protection relying on the aluminum case on the iPad to be exposed is undesirable.The Belkin as I just mentioned has 4 different parking positions to you can adjust the angle to suit your taste but I didn't find it anywhere near as secure and protective as the Snugg. It also didn't trigger the sleep function when closing the lid.If I had to pick just one it would be the Snugg even though it doesn't have a keyboard. The Shark keyboard is available and is incredibly thin and lightweight. With the included carrying cover it mates up real nice to the iPad. The Sharkk and the Kensington have the same size keyboard which is ample enough for fast typing but the full sized Apple wireless keyboard is the best in that regard since it is 1 7/16" wider than the other two. Once again, yey, yey, so have both.The Sharkk keyboard is nicely portable and for home if you have a lot of typing to do the Apple full size is even better. For cases the Snugg wins. I also love the Snugg because it comes in so many different colors. I chose white which goes perfectly with my silver gray with white surround iPad Air. It looks so good you feel like you are showing off when people are looking at it. I am not however underestimating the handiness of the Kensington back lit keyboard as a standalone device at night time in the dark while parking the iPad up in its Snugg cover. Although I love Belkin products, I don't think the Belkin cover is going to get much use.