Speck HandyShell (for iPad mini)

By Eugene Kim

The Apple iPad mini?is an incredibly thin and light tablet, making it perfect for one handed use. Well, almost perfect?its nearly nonexistent bezels and waifish dimensions can make it a bit awkward, or even precarious, to hold securely. The Speck HandyShell ($49.95 direct) for the iPad mini is, as you would expect, a miniature version of the case we liked so much for the full-sized iPad. It's got a sturdy handle around back that serves double duty?it'll prop your iPad mini up in nearly any position imaginable and serve as a comfortable hand grip for one-handed use.

The mini version is virtually identical to the full-size model, but with the appropriate cutouts to fit the mini's ports and buttons. The case itself is fairly standard, with a hard matte plastic back with a softer rubber outer ridge that allows the iPad to slip easily in and out of the case. The outer edge wraps around the bezel, adding protection from light bumps for the iPad's screen. The handle isn't quite as thick as the full-size model, but it'll still add a bit of girth to the otherwise svelte tablet. It weighs in at 3.52 ounces, but never felt too heavy. It's not Smart Cover compatible, though, so your screen will be left exposed. The HandyShell is available in Black/Poppy Red, White/Pebble, or Grey/Caribbean Blue.

The handle, like the case, is basically a scaled-down version of the original, complete with a sturdy 180 degree hinge and grippy rubber coating. It can easily prop the iPad mini up at virtually any angle, in both landscape and portrait orientations. On top of that, you can loop the handle around things like kitchen cabinet knobs to keep your mini off of dirty surfaces but still within reach?a pretty nice trick if you use your iPad for recipes. You can fold the handle all the way down and use it to get a more comfortable, balanced grip without covering any of the screen with your fingers. Even with the handle not extended, the hump and rubberized surfaces make the iPad a bit easier to hold securely.

Much like its larger sibling, the Speck HandyShell for the iPad mini is one of the more versatile cases out there. It's easier to use than a typical folio case and the sturdy hinge with the looped handle gives you endless options for propping your iPad up. And if you ever find it a bit uncomfortable or awkward to grip the iPad mini, with its razor thin body and bezels, the HandyShell is a nice solution.?

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