If you bought an iPad 2 with a Smart Cover, you probably know that the Smart Cover is good for protecting the iPad screen but offers absolutely zero protection for the back and corners of the iPad 2.  Fortunately for us iPad 2 owners who like Apple’s Smart Cover, there are several companies that have stepped up to offer iPad 2 cases that play nice with the Smart Cover to keep the back of the iPad 2 protected.  Two we will look at today are Marware’s Microshell iPad 2 case and Enki’s Genius case.

I recently ordered both these cases online from Marware and Enki respectively, and both arrived within a reasonable amount of time.  I had ordered an iPad 1 case from Marware (the Eco Vue) so I was familiar with their products and quality, but I had never ordered from Enki before.  It is worth noting that both these companies manufacture their cases right here in the U.S.A. and have easy to navigate websites.  My only gripe with Enki’s website is that I was required to use Google check out.  It would be nice if there were a way to order from Enki without using Google check out.

The Marware and Enki cases fit perfectly onto the back of the iPad 2 and do the job they advertise, which means they work perfectly with the Apple Smart Cover and offer solid protection to the backside and corners of the iPad.  Both cases snap on to the back of the iPad 2 fairly easily.  The Enki case is easy to remove, however the Marware case is difficult to get off.  As a result,  I would only recommend buying the Marware case if you plan to leave it on for awhile.  Both the Marware and Enki cases feel well made and durable.  The Marware case has more of a rubberized feel to it, while the Enki case has more of a plastic feel.  I prefer the way the Marware feels in my hands as the Enki feels a bit more slippery and prone to being accidentally dropped.

Both cases come in multiple colors.  The Marware Microshell appears to be available in five colors on Marware’s website, but at the moment they are only shipping what they call “black”.  I mention this because their “black” case is more of a charcoal grey.  I was expecting it to match the black frame of my iPad 2 when I ordered the black case and it does not, though it still looks very attractive.  The Enki case is available in clear, pink, blue, and smoke.  I ordered the clear variant because my wife (who ended up using this case) thought it would be nice to still be able to see the Apple logo on the back of her iPad.

Both cases have cuts outs for the iPad 2 camera and all the switches / buttons, but there is one notable difference in the way the cases handle the iPad 2 speaker.  The Marware case covers the iPad 2 speaker while providing pin size holes that line up with the iPad 2 speaker grill, while the Enki case leaves the iPad 2 speaker completely exposed.   I was worried that the design of the Marware case (with its coverage of the iPad 2 speaker) might muffle the sound, but I have not noticed any significant sound degradation while using the Marware case.

I highly recommend picking up either one of these cases if you plan to use Apple’s Smart Cover.  I have unfortunately seen the results of a couple dropped iPad 2s.  It is usually a corner that gets damaged which puts pressure on the screen and causes a crack in the screen.  Also if you are placing your iPad 2 on hard surfaces or throwing your iPad 2 inside a bag, you are likely to scratch the back of your iPad 2 if left uncovered.  Both these cases work perfectly with the iPad 2 and do an excellent job protecting the back and corners of the iPad without adding to much heft or thickness.  Frankly I am surprised Apple has left this kind of product up to third party case makers.  Apple would likely sell one Apple made back protecter for every Smart Cover sold if they offered one.  The Marware Microshell case is available directly through Marware for $39.99, while the Enki Genius case sells on Enki’s website for $29.99.