RadTech Skinny Impressions
I just received the RadTech Skinny case for the iPad 2. Just so you know where I'm coming from, I was a fan of the Apple case for the iPad 1. I like something that protects against drops, covers the screen, allows for propping up for typing/watching, and adds minimal bulk.
Short version: I like it. It seems to meet all the requirements I just listed fairly well and it has the magnets to make the cover smart. The fit and finish (quality) seem good. On the side where the cover meets, the clips hug the corners well without covering the bezel at all. You can remove the iPad from the case without much hassle, but it doesn't seem like it would fall out inadvertently. On the other side, there are tabs on each corner to hold the iPad securely in. They only encroach a little on each corner. The Skinny leaves the bezel about 98% completely unobstructed which is nice.
The outside is a nice stretchy looking fabric. It doesn't look like it will pick up the dirty look that the Apple case did. The cover lining is a soft velvet feeling gray material. The bend in the cover seems further toward the middle than the Apple case which gives a steeper angle for typing which I like. The cover has the smart magnets but also has a tongue in loop closure so it's more securely closed. The tongue in loop also holds the cover in place when it's flipped around in typing/stand mode.
The cover closes and fits well, but does leave a gap at the two corners where the two tabs holding the iPad secure cover and stick out from the bezel a little. That might be my only nitpick so far, but the tradeoff is having the unobstructed bezel everywhere else, so it's a necessary evil for this design.
As for protection, it looks like it should do a good job of drop protection, although dropping it one one of those tabs on the outside corners could possibly break the tab off. One nice thing about the Apple case was that the edges and corners were nicely protected with that little ridge of material sticking out that cushioned any drops.
I'll try to update with more experience--I'll be taking it on a 4 day business trip next week so it will get lots of use in airports, planes, cars, etc.
Now for pics:
Front cover (it really is jet black, iPhone + low light = reddish color)
Inside:
Closure side:
Top:
Back:
Bottom:
Typing mode (front):
Typing mode (side):