Review: Belkin Grip Vue case

From the unofficial sources, it's suspected between 5 000 and 8 000 iPads are in SA. Of course, it's difficult to measure exactly how many of the devices have made their way into the country, either in the cargo holds of DHL aircraft, personal luggage or body cavities.

While Core Group, the official Apple reseller in SA, refuses to give any numbers and dates for the iPad, it hasn't stopped the company from stocking iPad accessories in its official iStore retail outlets. Similarly, many other tech outlets happily stock iPad accessories and a couple are reporting great sales.

There's no denying, it's a popular device and people who want an iPad will find a way to get their hands on one. The lack of local availability also means lack of support. In this case, if you drop your iPad and bend a corner - as I have - you're out of luck. The parts aren't available to fix it and importing them costs a lot of money. Best keep it wrapped up, then.

With that bad experience behind me, I sourced some Belkin toys from the local distributor. One of the bits I was sent is this Grip Vue case, a silicon-like hard-form case for the iPad. It's soft enough to be grippy and absorb bumps, but it clips onto the iPad quite reassuringly.

Having purchased a very thick filofax-type cover for my iPad, I was always overprotective of it and didn't use it a lot. After a while it became obvious that the big luxury case was a hindrance, took up a lot of space in my bag and didn't make the iPad as accessible in everyday situations.

After popping on the Grip Vue, it transformed the way I use my iPad. It's at least half as thick with the Grip Vue fitted (compared to the older jacket). Leaving it on a table, without fear of scratches, gives it a more casual usage model. I can have it around in the kitchen to use recipe apps like Paprika and Epicurious, I'll drag it to meetings for taking notes and use it while watching TV. Sure, the case protects it from scratches and bumps, but that the iPad retains a lot of its slim profile helps even more.

For R400 it's a worthwhile investment - I'm definitely getting one. My big leather case is now gathering dust in a drawer, and will probably only get used when I use my iPad in situations that require a flap cover for the display or where it needs to be propped up.