Protect your iPad Mini 4, with non-toxic shockproof foam.
When it comes to protective cases, I have tested and reviewed many varieties. This Christmas, my wife and I decided to purchase an iPad Mini 4 for our 7 and 5 year old boys. Whether they are playing ABC Mouse, watching Amazon Prime Movies, playing educational games or watching science-based YouTube videos, the boys have been fighting over our aged iPad 2 for about a year. While eating lunch at our Local McAlister’s Deli, we noted a family whose children had a foam iPad case with a handle. I decided that I wanted to find a case for my 5 year old, one that he could easily carry with him. So, I did what most modern parents would do and turned to Amazon.
I noticed the Aceguarder BOBO series V4.2 and thought that I would give this case a shot. The Amazon description details the desires of parents to provide a better life for children and reflects upon the sometimes destructive nature of their play time. The Aceguarder case is designed to help you keep that “expensive” gift safe while allowing your child to be a child. Using treated shock-proof foam, the Aceguarder bobo promised to prevent fall damage and scratches. It has a soft grip multi-positional handle, with 180-degree rotation, that folds to allow your child to better visualize the tablet in upright landscape mode or tabletop mode. The description clearly states that this comes with a “protective case and screen protector.” The case is listed at weighing 7.2 ounces and measuring 10.2 x 9.8 x 0.8 inches. At this weight, the case will hardly add any weight/heft to the iPad mini 4. It is important to note that it is specially designed to form fit the iPad Mini 4 and to clearly protect the edges and back, with double-thick silicone in the corners.
The case was on sale for $13.99 and I decided to order it via Amazon Prime. Within the 48 hour timeframe, the package had arrived. I opened up the box of items and noted that the product came shipped in a translucent thin plastic bag. This was somewhat disappointing, as I was going to use this as one of the gifts for my son. Without a retail box, I would need to use a generic Christmas box to wrap the item, prior to wrapping it. I opened the iPad Mini 4 and removed the iPad from the box and subsequently the thin plastic sticker. Within the Aceguarder case was a black plastic spacer. You must remove this prior to inserting the iPad Mini 4. There were no included instructions, but I found that installation was rather easy and straightforward. There are cut-outs in the foam for the ports of the iPad. Simply line up the lightning port along the bottom and slide the iPad into the case. In just under a minute, the iPad was in the protective shell.
Here is where I noticed a few issues with the Amazon listing. First, the description notes a screen protector. I can directly relay that there is no screen protector included with this case. Any screen protection comes from the raised edges of the case. Next, the picture included on the page shows a large slit in the back of the case from the camera and down the entire length of the case. I found that the case I received did not have this slit. To remove the black plastic insert, you need to remove it from the front. Along the back of the case I received were cutouts for the ports. There is an oval shaped hole cut out for the camera, an oval cut out of the volume up/down buttons and lightning port and 3.5mm port. There are speaker vents cut out of the foam as well.
I wish that the differences between the case and the listing stopped with the above differences. However, there were more. The amazon add shows a home button cover, which is not present in my case. The dimensions of the case as listed above were not accurate. The case measures 8 1/2″ by 8 3/4″ by 3/4″, which is different than the listed 10.2×9.8.0.8 inches. Also, the listed 7.2 ounce weight was off considerably, when the case plus iPad weighed a combined 15.2 ounces. The iPad mini alone weighs 10.5 ounces. This make the case at under 5 ounces total (4.7 ounces). There are some similarities as well. The coloration is spot on. The handle rotates as promised and positions nicely for tabletop and landscape upright viewing. It is easily carried with the handle, which is ribbed for added grip protection. I can assure you that the iPad will not fall out of this case, as it is wrapped around the lip of the iPad. It is available in green, orange, purple, red, pink, brown, black and blue. I opted for the blue color as blue is my 5 year old son’s favorite color. I really do feel that he will love this case, as it seems perfect for the 5-7 year old age group. It is a little too childish for my 7 year old and we decided to find a different case for him. This case is not waterproof and unfortunately provides no protection to the screen from scratches. Unfortunately, I turned back to Amazon and purchased a glass screen protector to add to this case.
Summary:
I love the carry handle and feel that it will be a huge hit with my 5-year-old this Christmas morning. The rotating support will work well for him and the shock proof corners/sides will protect the iPad very well. The cutouts are aligned perfectly and the case is actually well designed for the iPad Mini 4. I really wish that it had an included screen protector, however. This was a big deal for me and one of the reasons I bought the case. The screen protector is mentioned in the description but not listed in the features & details section of the Amazon listing. The single customer question Is the screen protected?? was answered with “Yes it is.” I will no more about the case when my son utilizes the device, after December 25, 2016. For now I can only provide conjecture. Setting up the iPad was easy, the tabletop mode is quite convenient, a feature the Catalyst Case, I got my 7 year old son, does not possess. I love that the case is made of EVA non toxic foam and that they thought to place grip material in the handle. This case adds hardly any weight to the iPad, weighing just under a pound total. I would rate the case at 4/5 stars and the Amazon listing at 3/5 stars. I did not get what was listed. However, the product I received was actually better than the one that I thought I was going to buy. Consider this case if you have a young child with an iPad mini 4.
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