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Every time I acquire a new gadget, I soon thereafter begin trying to acquire a good case for said gadget. This is often a challenge.

Many cases are only available (at least in Richmond) by mail-order. Those that are available here are often sealed in boxes so you can’t touch them or test them. So, I end up regretting some purchases. Also, if you’re a gadget freak like me, you find that obsessively buying something as soon as it’s been released generally means that shipping case options are pretty paltry.

I’ve recently had a false start with Apple’s iPad Case. I cannot believe Steve Jobs greenlit this thing. The tacky/sticky case surface is a magnet for dust, dirt, and (most unfortunately) cat hair. Putting the iPad in the case and taking it back out feels akin to performing surgery. The bottom of the case in landscape mode becomes the inside of the case in portrait mode, which gets stuff on the iPad screen. And, while the case is a huge pleasure to use at an angle in landscape mode, it is ungainly and uncomfortable to use in portrait mode. I would also love a case that works with Apple’s iPad Dock and am disappointed to see Apple’s own case doesn’t work with Apple’s own dock.

So, I’ve moved on to the Incase Grip Protective Cover. It doesn’t pick up as much gunk around the house. It’s easy to put on and take off the iPad. It works well in portrait and landscape. And, the grips on the ends in landscape mode are quite comfy. This case doesn’t offer an angle in landscape mode like Apple’s case or work with the dock, but the trade-offs are more than worth it for now.

I’ve seen a lot of iPad case announcements lately. So, I’ll be interested to see how good they are when they actually start shipping. In the meantime, if anyone wants to buy a gently used Apple iPad Case, lemme know.