Any product shouldn’t go completely exposed if you care about keeping your devices in their best condition, though the baggage of a flip-style case or ‘tuff wrap can be unfulfilling for those picky few. If you have an eye for style and a need to stay fit & slim, iKit’s Exec iPad Case will smoothly slip onto your iPad for a brand new finish.
What immediately jumps out to me about iKit’s Exec Case is how it feels in the hand. It’s a slim shell that has a really nice matte, rubbery texture to it, accented by a colored (black or beige) brushed leather sheet on the back. There’s a stark contrast between the edges and almost shiny backing, and the black model I reviewed looks extremely nice in person. The brushed leather doesn’t feel like leather, instead it’s more slippery or vinyl-like than you’d come to expect from looks alone. Other than the embossed iKit logo on the back of the case and on the inside shell (hidden by your iPad), there’s no obvious branding on the case which is always a plus.
I wished this case had a little more grip to it. Sweaty fingers and palms tend to make holding the aluminum iPad a hassle as it slips out of your hand: iKit’s Exec Case does provide some relief, but not enough. The brushed leather is still slippery despite its texture, though the saving grace might again be those wonderful rubbery edges (aluminum safe) that give a fair amount of resistance against bare flesh. It’s definitely a table slider, but clearly this is a case designed for style & protection, not necessarily comfort.
The mold fits well to the iPad, and being flexible you can easily push the iPad into the Exec without much wiggling. One thing you’ll notice is that there isn’t an alarming “snap” as the iPad gets in position. Whatever materials iKit chose for their case, it’s soft and hugs the iPad just right. Cut-outs expose all of the familiar controls on the iPad, but quite a large gap is left unprotected on the bottom – I almost wonder if it’s too much, though I understand why iKit would want to keep things symmetrical.
The slim and ample iKit Exec Case might just be what your iPad is looking for when it goes on its first date. It’s quite stylish, and while it’s not grippy enough for my taste, that could be great for commuters who don’t want any snags as they access their iPads from a messenger bag. It’s $39.95 for a little leather love, and iKit is advertising a bonus iPad Screen Protector Pack at purchase: you’ll get both front and back protection without compromising your iPad’s beautiful display.
