Buy iPad protection | i Pad Protectors Skins Cases and Insurance for Christmas

Mirroring your high school health class mantras, "Use protection" is the best piece of advice for your new iPad. Stories are already piling in, Apple fanboys young and old alike are tear stricken and suicidal, their precious new iPads crushed, scratched and broken through careless treatment.

No warranty for idiocy! Sorry. (well, at least not through Applecare)

As the initial gentle love you experienced for your new iPad dwindles and you begin to tote it around everywhere, throwing it nonchalantly into your backback and briefcases, car back seats and lockers - disaster is imminent, that is if you have not purchased iPad protection.

iPad protection already comes in many great variants ranging from simple skins to complicated kickstand / case combo packs. One could also insure there iPad via online sources or during purchase if you use ebay as your provider.

Your options for iPad protection

• iPad skins ( silicone or gel based slip overs that protect from scratches and fingerprints, also provide some limited shock protection) - offers little to no moisture protection
• iPad Cases - this is a broad category, but one can expect that many will provide complete shock protection and can be used in conjunction with an iPad skin
• other iPad accessories - including combo cases with built in kickstands for your iPad
• iPad kickstands - not a direct protection method, but using a stable kickstand will prevent a lot of accidents
• iPad Insurance - online warranty providers like SquareTrade will offer protection plans for 40% less than AppleCare or most retail locations like Best Buy - traditionally these protection plans are far more comprehensive than the options that Apple or big box stores offer.
  

For under $10.00 you can purchase a simple iPad screen protector, aka iPad guard or iPad shield.

They are basically a thin piece of flexible plastic that sticks right over your screen. They do not leave a sticky residue and they do not interfere with  your touch screen abilities. They usually also act as an anti-glare tool. You get some basic scratch protection and fingerprints are usually less visible.

iPad skins should not be foreign to you. most iphones, mp3 players, ipods and other cell phones have skins available on the market.

iPad skins slip right over your iPad, they are usually made from silicone and come in thousands of designs. They usually do not have direct screen protection, they just protect the case and can help with drops and small spills. Skins made for the iPad will have all the appropriate cut outs , so they dont effect usability at all. You can use an ipad skin and shield together.

The main draw of skins is the awesome artwork and personality you can add to your device by adding a skin.

The main supplier of unique custom ipad and other electronics skins is gelaskin - see current offerings here: iPad Custom Skins

The crystal or hard case options for the iPad are very similar to the Agent Orange case for the iPhone - which was rightfully one of the top sellers for the iPhone device.

Its a basic plastic 2 piece set that snaps over your iPad offering an additional level of scratch and fall protection - they are available in many colors with clear and black being the most common.

The crystal iPad case is a very cheap yet effective product for protecting your iPad from heavier use and accidents.

For $5- $10 USD with shipping included, its hard to go wrong.

The iPad is a classy device - no questions there.

If you want to flaunt your iPad in style and a flashy custom artwork isnt your thing, then you may be attracted to to a nice leather (or leatherish) executive case that incorporates all around protection, pretty good shock protection while inside your bag or briefcase and also some frills like ipad accessory storage or a built in iPad kickstand. The previous link on iPad cases breaks this style down into more detail - or just look around the current best offerings on eBay and amazon below

Buy iPad docks - a review

Buy ipad Kickstands - a must have

Buy ipad Keyboards - if you actually work on your iPad device

Buy iPad Accessories - for everything that doesnt fit above