The Slim Case ($40) from modulR is a super sleek hardshell case for the iPad 2 that offers a ton of functionality. It’s designed for the home, for the car, for the office, and for everything in-between, with a number of attachments that make it the most comprehensive iPad case available.
There are four patented ‘node’ connections on the rear of the Slim Case that allow you to attach a number of add-on accessories, including a shoulder strap for carrying your device around, a hand strap, a head rest strap for mounting your iPad for the kids in the car, and a wall mount that allows you to hang your device pretty much anywhere around your home or office.
The Slim Case has one other unique feature that allows you to personalize it to make it your own. It’s available in three colors, including ‘tech white’, classic black and crystal clear, and each has a hole in the back that shows off your iPad’s Apple logo. However, you can choose to fill that hole with a custom insert that includes a photo, your name, or your company’s logo, for just $10.
The Good:
Firstly, the Slim Case is exactly that — slim and lightweight and worthy of clinging to your beloved iPad 2. It’s also incredibly tough — you’re not going to snap the plastic if you’re too brutal with attaching the case, and it’s not likely to break from the average clumsy drop.
As you’d expect, there are cutouts that provide access to all your iPad’s buttons, its dock connector, its camera, its speaker and its microphone. There’s also enough room at the side of the case to attach Apple’s Smart Cover if you’d like to use one of these with the Slim Case.
However, it’s the four node connectors on the rear of the Slim Case that make this thing so awesome. With these four nodes, you can attach a number of useful add-ons to the Slim Case that mean you can carry, mount or stand your device pretty much anywhere.
The Hand Strap ($15) is the perfect peripheral for the professional who needs to carry there iPad from meeting to meeting, but doesn’t want to stick the device over their shoulder and crease their suit. For those that do want their iPad on their shoulder, there’s the Shoulder Strap Pro ($20) add-on as well, which boasts a stylus holder and comes with a modulR stylus.
To entertain the kids on long journeys, the Head Rest Strap ($20) allows you to quickly and easily mount your device to your car seat, and negates the need to expensive in-car multimedia players. For the home and office, the Slim Wall Mount ($20) allows you to stick your device to a wall in portrait of landscape mode.
There’s also a Quick Stand ($15) that allows you to stand your device for typing and watching movies, and a Utility Mount ($15) that’s allows you to mount your iPad to any surface.
As you can see, the attachments for the Slim Case offer you a huge list of possibilities for your iPad, and as you’d expect from modulR products, they’re all extremely well built, and are robust enough to hold your iPad securely.
modulR offers bundle packages with the Slim Case that allow you to purchase it together with certain attachments at a reduced price. For example, the Startup Pack will get you the Slim Case with the Hand Strap and Slim Wall Mount for $50, as opposed to $75. And the Anywhere Pack will get you the Slim Case with the Hand Strap, the Slim Wall Mount, the Shoulder Strap Pro and the Headrest Strap for $70, as opposed to $115.
The Bad:
It’s really difficult to pick fault with the Slim Case and its accessories — they’re all excellent products that not only protect your device, but are also very practical.
One downside to the Slim Case is that the four node connections on the rear of the device can sometimes get in the way, especially if you’re slipping your device in and out of a bag on a frequent basis. They can also be a problem if use the Slim Case together with one of Apple’s Smart Covers. They mean your Smart Cover will no longer sit flush against the back of your device when its open and can get in the way. However, modulR has their own Smart Case alternative called the Case Cover, which will be available soon.
Also, the Slim Case and its accessories aren’t cheap, especially if you buy them separately. The Slim Case alone is pretty pricey for what is effectively just a snap-on shell, however, you’re not going to buy the Slim Case to use alone. You’ll also want add-ons. Therefore it’s best to but one of the bundles and get everything a little bit cheaper.
Verdict:
Not only is the Slim Case sturdy and protective, but together with its add-ons it packs some impressive practicality that you won’t find with another iPad 2 case. Sure, you’ll get cheaper cases elsewhere, but none will do as many things as well as the Slim Case.
[xrr rating = 90%]
