OtterBox iPad Defender Series Case Review

Now that you’ve made the investment and purchased an iPad, you’ll want to encase it in something that will take the abuse of daily wear and tear. For those of you who are rough on your devices and are looking to provide the ultimate protective case for your iPad, you’ll need to check out the OtterBox iPad Defender Series Case.

Review
The OtterBox iPad Defender Series Case is a 3-layer case made from both polycarbonate and silicone that also includes a hard polycarbonate cover that will not only serve to protect the screen of your device when not being used, but also serves as a viewing stand. The yellow package the Defender comes in includes the case, cover, a clear screen protector, a large squeegee, cleaning cloth and a set of instructions to demonstrate how the case is fitted to the iPad and how to apply the screen protector.

I must admit, I tried to leave the Full Body Invisible Shield my 3G iPad already had on to see if the case will fit. Unfortunately, that didn’t work. I had to remove both the front and back Invisible Shields from my iPad, as the polycarbonate casing will not allow any flexibility at all. OtterBox’s included screen protector, a thin self-adhesive face shield fit perfectly with the case. Once I applied the screen protector, the iPad slid easily into the case making it simple to snap both parts of the hardshell together. The iPad rests on a soft felt material inside the case, so there’s no need to worry about scratching. Once locked into place, the silicone skin is pulled around the hardshell and fitted into the grooves all around for a very nice fit.

The case is completely dockable. Simply remove the hatch portion by gently pushing down on the groove and sliding the lower cover off the case. The hard polycarbonate cover fits the Defender case by lining up the four points built into both pieces. When the iPad is in use, the cover fits right on the back portion of the case or if you prefer, the cover also comes with a built-in scissor-type pieces that make it fold out into a viewing stand for the iPad to prop against. When not in use, simply snap the cover to the front of the case to protect your device’s precious screen. The cover bows out, so there is plenty of room between the iPad’s screen and the cover.

As with all OtterBox cases, all the ports and docks are covered and well protected against anything that is thrown in its way. Protection the Defender case provides diminishes the lightweight and slick look of the iPad because after all is said and done, the iPad and case weighs in at over 2 pounds. Your final result is a toughbook look to your iPad. If you don’t mind the extra weight, this case by far will provide the best protection around for your investment.

Recommendation
The OtterBox iPad Defender Series Case comes highly recommended for users who seek the toughest case available and those who share their iPads with little children. This case is a beast, will take a good beating and keep your iPad running and safe from harm. The OtterBox iPad Defender Series Case is available now at their website for $89.95.

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Note: A product sample was provided by the manufacturer for use in this article.

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