Looking for a stylish way to protect your iPad? STM Bags’ Dux case for iPad comes to the rescue!
The Dux is a very attractive case that’s designed to survive all the rough and tumble you can throw at it. As someone who has dropped a tablet or two (once to disastrous effect) this is a feature I appreciate. The Dux is composed of polycarbonate and rubberized TPU, and while it covers all of the buttons on the iPad’s sides, you can actually press on those spots (which are ridged to feel like the buttons) and the pressure is transferred inside to hit the actual buttons themselves, so that they still work.
The Dux contains magnets to standby the unit when you close it, saving battery life, and a magnetic closure flap that helps you fold the Dux into a stand, upright or flatter for reading. This works pretty well, and both orientations feel solid in use.
I had originally planned to print out a picture for the rear view, but I found that I really like how it looks as-is.
The Dux is beautiful and feels good to the touch. The iPad I tested it with was an iPad 2, which snapped in very snuggly, without the slightest hint of movement within the case, and the edges and corners are very firm and sturdy. The back of the Dux is clear, so if you want to personalize it with photos or artwork, or maybe slip in an identification marker in the workplace, you can; or you can leave it as is, which looks pretty sharp too.
Getting the iPad out of the Dux once it’s in requires more effort, since it is designed to hold it securely, but I accomplished it relatively easily and without ever thinking I was going to damage either the iPad or the case itself.
After several weeks of daily use, the Dux remains a pleasure to use. If I had to pick on one thing, it’s that every once in a while the magnets that hold the case in the vertical orientation won’t always survive a tap in-use, causing it to fall back, but this has happened only rarely and I’d class it as a very minor irritant. The fact that the case is so durable means I don’t worry about it too much, and I’d recommend it highly for anyone who wants a good looking and very functional case to protect their tablet.
The Dux is available in black, red and blue, and goes for about $50 on Amazon, and comes in sizes compatible with the iPad 2/3/4, the iPad Air, and the iPad mini with Retina Display.