SwitchEasy RibCage iPad 2 review

SwitchEasy has a series of cases created with nature as inspiration. By nature I mean bone, and the inner structure of animals and humans. The new RibCage sleeve follows this to the letter, and stands out in any crowd. A ribcage sporting a total of 18 ribs, and a central breast bone is surely eye-catching.

The RibCage is a lightweight pouch/sleeve meant to be used with the naked iPad 2. There is no room for back covers, or the Apple Smart Cover. The back of the pouch is made from elastic PU-material that feels like a glossy leather surface. The front is made from faux leather that is also glossy. Both sides are easy to clean using a damp cloth. The front sports the ribcage that extends slightly, and forms a tactile experience. The highest peaks are found in the middle breastbone, and extends about 3 millimetres.

For protection the sleeve does an excellent job. The screen of the iPad 2 is protected by the padded ribs. These works like soft versions of the real world ribs that protect our hearts, livers and souls. Impact is dispersed, and fall damage is limited. The case will not protect against piercing impact such as stabbing it with a knife, but hey neither do your ribcage.

The lining is soft and fuzzy fabric that keeps the screen fresh, and it emerges clean and smudgefree. Extracting the iPad 2 is done by grabbing it from the top on the front and back. This is quite easy, and it glides out effortlessly. I would however have liked to be able to push it up from below, or some other alternative way that didn’t require both hands.

The look of the RibCage is the big selling point, and it really looks quite creepy. Some thinks it looks like a large trilobite, but most associate it to a ribcage. The glossy surface makes it look artificial, and that is a good thing as it would have been a bit too out there if it had a matte realistic finish. SwitchEasy has a small logotype beneath the breastbone, and the brand name inside the pouch. This is a good amount of clear branding.

As with all products from SwitchEasy the RibCage comes with a ton of extras. Two handy stands for viewing movies are included: one black, and one white. It would have been even better if the sleeve had a small slot for a stand, as otherwise I guess you would not remember to bring any stand along. Furthermore a screen protecting film, microfiber wipe and squeegee tool for applying the film are included. This makes the RibCage a complete package for protection, and you get everything you need for your everyday iPad usage.

The RibCage from SwitchEasy looks like something taken out of an Alien movie, and this cool factor is the main selling point. The quality of the sleeve is great, and the surface has a nice shine to it. If you want a sleeve that really stands out anywhere the RibCage is a good choice.