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In this article we're looking at something a lot of people have been waiting for: an affordable, expertly designed and built rugged iPad case. The question that instantly comes up is: why make a protective case for the iPad when there are already numerous tablet computers designed specifically to handle use on the job and in harsh environments?
One answer is that the iPad occupies a unique position. With its iOS proprietary operating system, you can only get an iPad from Apple, and Apple doesn't make rugged versions of the iPad. Another is the continuing leadership of the iPad. While there had been efforts to popularize tablet computers literally for decades (think 1990), it was the iPad that singlehandedly launched the modern tablet era with its 2010 introduction. Ever since, the iPad has been by far the best selling tablet with hundreds of millions sold. Which means lots of software, lots of developer expertise, and a lot of people who'd love to use their iPad on the job. If it just weren't so fragile.
But aren't there already protective cases for the iPad? There are, and some are quite good, but none come from a company that has been concentrating on rugged tablets (and nothing but rugged tablets) since its inception.
Below is what MobileDemand came up with. Finally you can take an iPad out into the field and on tough jobs. With this case, created by rugged tablet specialists, it won't break or get damaged.
How did MobileDemand go about making its case? They started with the experience they gathered over the past years with cases they created for other tablets. Initially that was their xTablet FLEX 8 and FLEX 10. Those were, and are, basic tablet computers sitting inside an ingenious protective case, making for affordable rugged tablet solutions for numerous applications. MobileDemand then took this concept and the experience they had gathered with it to the next level by creating rugged cases for Microsoft's Surface tablets.
One thing that sets MobileDemand's approach apart is that they designed this case from the start for mobile on-the-go professionals. Those customers love their iPads' shiny, slender good looks as much as the next person, but what really matters to them is that their tablet doesn't break on the job.
As a result, the xCase for the iPad is a more integrated protective solution than your average case. It's designed as a tight-fitting exoskeleton rather than a more generic enclosure that you take on and off. It can be removed, of course, but it wasn't designed for frequent removal as that's not what mobile professionals would expect.
So what does the rugged iPad case consist of and how do you use it? In essence, there are two parts to the case. One is a custom-designed silicone rubber boot that's about 2mm thick, similar to a heavy-duty inner tube of a motorcycle tire. The sheet is textured and molded to exactly fit the tablet (this is not an approximate one-size-fits-all design). How does the boot become a three-dimensional enclosure? Via the four thick corner bumpers that are integral to the boot. The tablet can easily be inserted into the protective boot which, MobileDemand says, carries a "Shore A 60 durometer" rating. That means it's almost as tough as automotive tire tread.
The second part of the rugged iPad case is a tough polycarbonate plastic (PC/ABS) backplate that's also designed and precision molded to tightly fit the tablet in its rubber boot. The plate has integrated guides along all four sides so that the tablet in its boot snaps very firmly into place. The backplate not only serves as a tough protective exo-skeleton for the iPad, but it also provides all sorts of extra functionality.
What kind of functionality are we talking about?
- There are four anchors for a padded elastic elastic handstrap.
- There are integrated loops on all four sides for the briefcase handle.
- There are cutouts for the iPad's speakers, buttons, and the lightning port.
- There's a screwed-on "Snap-Mount" plate for use with MobileDemand's slim and durable vehicle Snap Mount system that also connects to the popular RAM Mounts mounting hardware.
- There are screw holes for an optional fully adjustable easel.
Overall, there are about 30 screw inserts to accommodate various add-ons. Examples are point-of-sale magnetic strip readers, PIN pads, or specialty cameras (3D, thermal imaging). MobileDemand also offers brackets compatible with Ingenico, MagTek, PayPal, and other payment module systems.
But what about ruggedness? The iPad itself is consumer-grade and definitely not rugged. Customers love its slenderness and elegance, but almost everyone gets a cover for the display or something to keep the backside from getting scratched or dented. The xCase for iPad adds a very substantial degree of extra ruggedness and protection to the fragile iPad, but there are some limitations. 
The iPad, for example has no ingress protection rating and Apple doesn't make any claim for it to be waterproof. However, various YouTube videos suggest that, unlike most consumer laptops, iPads can actually survive brief immersion in water unharmed. The tight fit of the xCase for iPad and its rugged plug for the lightning port may add a bit to this inherent water resistance, but we're still not talking waterproof.
What does change is drop resistance. As is, if you drop an unprotected iPad it is a matter of luck whether it gets damaged. The screen very easily shatters. If it's dropped outdoors, scratching is almost inevitable.
The xCase for iPad increases drop resistance very substantially. It not only passes the stringent MIL-STD 810G, 516.6 IV military test, it far surpasses its requirements.
As is, the test requires 26 drops from 4 feet onto plywood over concrete, one each on each of the six surfaces, one each on the twelve edges, and each on the eight corners of a device. A device must still be operational at the end of 26 drops to pass. Drops are with power off, but after each drop power must be turned on to see if the device still works. And the test actually allows using five test devices. If one survives, it's a pass.
That made no sense to MobileDemand, as out there in the field you won't have four spares, just in case.
So they used just one single iPad in a case for their tests. And they left it on, because it's quite possible that it's on while it's dropped. That single iPad passed the 26 drops of the 4-foot military test.
But sometimes they get a little nuts over there at MobileDemand. So they dropped it 26 more times from 5 feet. Still worked. 6 feet, 26 more drops. Still worked. 7 feet. Passed. Worked. 8 feet (!!). Passed. Still worked. That is more than impressive.
How can that be? Drops from eight feet? What about all those iPhones whose screens shatter when they slip out of your pocket while exiting the car? That's what an expertly designed case can do. And the rubber bumpers make a huge difference in keeping the display protected. MobileDemand's special screen protector also helps. This is not just the usual sheet of plastic but scratch-proof glass with a special oleophobic (fingerprint-resistant) coating. It uses an adhesive to keep it in place.
Our test unit came with it, so we don't know how easy/difficult it is to put it on. It definitely cuts down on fingerprints and smudging, touch and feel is the same as the iPad's standard screen surface, optical properties are unaffected, and there is zero degradation in responsiveness. It's another 25 bucks on top of the $99.95 for the case itself, but we'd highly recommend it.
So there. That's the unique, one-of-a-kind case rugged iPad case from MobileDemand. It's initially available for the 10.5-inch iPad Pro, but MobileDemand will make them available for other iPads as well. Starting with the 10.5-inch iPad Pro makes sense, as it's probably the most attractive iPad for mobile professionals.
To say that we're impressed with the xCase for iPad would be an understatement. It's terrific. Just what we've been waiting for. If you've always wanted to use your iPad out there on the job, it's the best money you can spend. -- Conrad H. Blickenstorfer, June 2018
See MobileDemand's
Rugged case for iPad Pro 10.5" page
MobileDemand
1501 Boyson Square Drive, Suite 101
Hiawatha, IA 52233
319.363.4121
