How to Protect Your iPad

Now that you have shipped the Steve Jobs Kool-Aid, make sure you protect your investment. The iPad has a 9.7" screen that is extremely vulnerable to scuffs and scratches. I would suggest putting a screen protector on right out of the box. There are various types of protection but I have selected two products to take a look at and review. Since the iPad is a relatively new product, the amount of products out there is still a little sparse but I have selected the two best, in my opinion.

The first product is the Invisible Shield by Zagg. Zagg is known for making military grade material to protect your device. The Invisible Shield for the iPad features a clear cover for the front and back of your iPad. Also, you can just purchase protection for the back or protection for the front individually. The Zagg was listed in PC Mag's "12 Coolest iPad Accessories" and has a lifetime replacement warranty for the entire life of your device, which is really cool. The full protection package will run you 39.99 and the individual front/back screens are 29.99. So it really makes more sense to just roll with the full protection package.

The Zagg is only a screen protector so it definitely won't protect against drops. So, to keep your iPad safe when it's in your butterfingers check out the Quirky Cloak Case. The cool thing about this case is that it will protect your iPad against accidental drops but it also doubles as a stand for your device. The stand feature works in both landscape and portrait views and will run you 42.00. I think that is a small price to pay for peace of mind. So you not only get the protection but it also gives you a nifty stand to watch movies on. I think that is what we call a "two-fer". The Quirk comes in several stylish colors so you can customize your iPad to fit your personality.

When it comes down to it, it is a no brainer to protect your investment. Depending on what you plan to use your device for, how much you will travel with it and how careful you are with the device will really determine the level of protection you will need. I prefer to go Au Naturale with my iPad because I think the screen shield takes away from the lustrous screen but I am more careful than most when it comes to my devices. I have friends who can't keep from dropping their devices and they smartened up and started protecting their devices right out of the box.