Commuter Series Case for iPad
Review

Commuter Series Case for iPad
Company: Otterbox
Price: $64.95 USD

I have been using Otterbox cases for my iPhones since I purchased my first iPhone. Solid and dependable, built to protect my iPhone, they have always presented a great product. When I purchased my iPad, one of the first things to cross my mind was “I know that Otterbox has to have a case for it.”

I decided to go with the Commuter series case for the iPad, wanting to protect my iPad but I didn’t really want to totally encase it. The Commuter is designed to be stylish yet protect your iPad from the everyday clumsiness that befall all of us. Inside the package is a polycarbonate outer shell to offer one layer of protection, a silicone skin that is there to cushion the impact and provide a soft interior shell for your iPad to rest in and a clear screen protector, designed to cut down on the greasy fingerprints and scratches that we all leave on the front of our iPads. As you can see in the pictures, Otterbox gives you everything you need to protect your iPad. Yet with all of this, the added weight to your iPad is minimal, being only 7.2 ounces.

However, unlike the Defender model, there is no additional polycarbonate shell to protect the front of your iPad. The case is there to be protective without being overbearing. The Commuter is designed to protect against bumps and sudden impact to the iPad. Now the case does totally cover the back of the iPad, however, Otterbox provided for access to the dock by adding a removable dock door to the rear cover. You have total access to all buttons and ports on your iPad, even with the silicone sleeve covering the volume and mute buttons, the on/off button and the earphone access port. Otterbox includes the screen protector and instructions on how to install. (hint: make sure that you totally clean off the screen, don’t leave any dust particles behind or you will soon find them under the screen protector)

Placing the silicone skin on the iPad is a breeze, and the first part of placing your iPad into the polycarbonate shell is also easy. When you get to the final point of bringing the shell over the top of the iPad/silicone skin, take your time and work the shell on and over the rises on the top of the unit. Once you do, everything fits into place and you have a great case. With the silicone on the four corners of the case, acting as basically  rubber bumpers, they go a long way to reducing the effects of any shock to the iPad. The polycarbonate shell on the back of the unit protects from scratches and whatever else you wind up doing to the unit. One thing to remember; the unit is NOT waterproof.

Keeping your iPad clean is now a breeze. Any fingerprints that you leave on the screen come off quickly, as well as on the case itself. Use a micro fiber cloth and you are good to go. I had no problem at all in placing my iPad with the Commuter case on it into a STM Jacket for iPad bag and still easily close the zipper. So you have options to take your Commuter iPad along on trips in a small bag.

The only issue one can have with the Commuter case is that it is not designed to be adjustable to permit typing or viewing of a movie at an angle. What you see is what you get; a case designed to offer protection to your iPad. Otterbox does provide a one-year limited warranty with the purchase of the Commuter case.

If you want quality, a bit of style and a company with the background of producing great products, check out Otterbox’s Commuter series case for the iPad. I don’t think that you will be disappointed.

Specs:  9.84 in x 7.73 in x 0.79 inches, weight 7.2 oz. The Commuter comes in one color – Black.

All in all, I give the Otterbox Commuter Series case for iPad a My Mac rating of 9 out of a possible 10.