Hard shell v. soft

June 30, 2015 11:08 AM

Is a hard-shelled case for a glass-fronted tablet such as an iPad more likely to lead to shattering, when the thing is dropped at its corner, than a thick padded fabric case? Asking because of bad recent experiences.
posted by Countess Elena to Technology (7 answers total)

This doesn't precisely answer your question, but it seems the best protective case is one that is hard on the outside, softly padded on the inside. At least: that's what I've heard, it seems logical, and my Speck CandyShell case has enabled my iPhone to take a completely ridiculous amount of abuse.

Speck also makes iPad Cases.
posted by feral_goldfish at 11:17 AM on June 30, 2015 [2 favorites]

Any rugged case with protection around the corners and the sides raised well above the glass surface will do. Cases that are flush with the glass surface don't offer any substantial protection.
posted by Mac-Expert at 11:18 AM on June 30, 2015

Seconding Speck. Protects as well as Otter without the massive shell.
posted by JoeZydeco at 11:39 AM on June 30, 2015

Response by poster: Thanks! I bet my problem here was having a case where the shell was flush with the glass.
posted by Countess Elena at 12:18 PM on June 30, 2015

Incipio cases have a similar design, rubbery insides with a hard outer shell that is slightly taller than the glass.
posted by soelo at 12:20 PM on June 30, 2015

The Speck cases work so well because they feature shock absorbers. The rubber that extends from the inside linings out into the corners? That. It's more than a design element; it means the electronics pieces don't rebound into their own hard sided surfaces when they meet with force, as in a fall.
posted by carmicha at 1:00 PM on June 30, 2015

I have a Xtreme case for iPad Mini, which replaces one that had a leather rotating (but not edge covered) case. The Xtreme is a dual layer design, soft inside, hard shell outside. So far, hadn't shattered. ;)

I don't use that though. I have a pretty generic Pleather (yes, that's a word) case for my Nexus 7. My Kindle HDX 7 had a origami case until I lost it. :-P
posted by kschang at 1:25 PM on June 30, 2015