10 May 2011 |
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Cool Bananas iPad 2 SmartShell ReviewI've just recently had my iPad 2 delivered by Apple and was looking for a case for it, so I approached GearZap.com who have kindly sent me a Cool Bananas Smartshell to try out. It's a bright and colourful back protector for the iPad 2 which is Smart Cover compatible, so fits perfectly with my smart cover on. I've chosen the awesome lime green one, but there are many other colours available! As you can see from my star rating this case is a good one, so read on for more info. Who are Cool Bananas?Cool Bananas are awesome. They're a fun filled brand that make bright coloured cases for all devices, which provide excellent protection. I have a MacBook Pro 13" case made by them, which is lightweight, but has a unique shock-absorbing quality. It's a great value MacBook case if you're looking for one. Cool Bananas originally started off my making netbook cases, and have now grown to make cases for loads of different devices, including the new tablets. Smart Cover Compatible iPad 2 CaseOne of the great things about this iPad 2 case is that it is smart cover compatible, in that once on your iPad you can use your Smart Cover with it, without any annoying overlap or intrusion, so you can keep this Cool Bananas SmartShell for iPad 2 on all the time.
 How much protection does it provide?The iPad 2 cover provides reasonable protection for the back and edges of your iPad 2, certainly enough to protection against any light knocks or bumps and prevent scratches. However, I'd certainly not be comfortable dropping it from a great height, as the cover offers relatively little shock protection, although it's certinaly on par with most other iPad 2 cases I've come across. How well made is the case? Some of the cheaper rubber / silicone cases you can pick up from ebay are characteristed by poorly designed and made cut outs, which gives an poor finish to their product. I'm pleased to say that the Cool Bananas SmartShell, shows none of these signs, with the edging being very neat, giving full access to the power button, connections and ports, without any obstruction from the case. The material is strong and tough and firmly clips onto the iPad 2, so there's little chance it will ever come off it without me physically doing so, which fills me with confidence. The case also covers the edges of the iPad, so the most vulnerable parts of the iPad 2 are well looked after.
Conclusion Priced at £19.95, the Cool Bananas SmartShell is a good buy. It's a step above the often below par silicon cases that are readily available - and you can be sure the Cool Bananas brand guarantees this. The colour is fantastic, but not to everyone's taste, the black one might be better for some, coupled with the fact it works with a smart cover, then it's a great case and well worth buying. Pros:
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A big thanks to GearZap.com for supplying me with the case to try out. Why not check out the rest of their iPad 2 Accessories. Comments (1)
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