Best iPad Accessories - What You Need to Know Before You Buy

It has been only a few weeks since Apple's iPad has been out, but the market is already full of thousands of iPad accessories that promise to protect your new iPad or enhance your experience, so where should you invest your money to take your iPad experience to the next level? Here is a top list of great iPad accessories that are guaranteed to be a good investment.

Great iPad accessories - Apple iPad Case

The first thing that comes to mind when I think great iPad accessories, is a good iPad case that protects it from scratches and dings. You will find hundreds of options to choose from on the internet but what sold me on this classic case is its simplicity and practicality. The original iPad case is a simple black microfiber slip with the silver apple logo that is the ideal accessory for the iPad enthusiast who means business.

While browsing for the ideal iPad protection case, I was impressed by the vast array of alternatives already out there - from transparent silicon to fleecy slips that look more like winter gloves than a cover for a high tech device, to the usual glitzy girlie covers that will surely become a fast trend with teenagers, yet the Apple iPad case is a must have for any iPad owner who wants to protect his iPad in a practical and stylish way.

Features

What puts this case at the top of my list is the fact that this iPad accessory doubles up as a stand where you can prop up the iPad into various positions. With it's soft microfiber interior and reinforced panels, this case is the perfect way to carry your iPad. In addition it folds at the right places and becomes a stand that holds the iPad so you can watch videos and slide shows or even type using the onscreen keyboard.

For whom is it ideal?

This is ideal accessory for anyone who is always on the go and wants to carry his iPad along. It gives you the peace of mind that your iPad will be safe even if you have dunked it in a bag full of things (like keys, hairbrushes and kids' toys) that might scratch it, plus the reinforced material offers that extra cushioning and protection to your iPad. This case ideally doubles up as a stand and becomes an essential accessory that will help you put your iPad on your lap and watch a video on commute to work. It also has holes for headphone jack, dock connector port and on/off and volume control buttons.

The only down side is that it seems to attract a lot of pollen and fiber particles so you have to clean it regularly if you want to keep it in pristine shape.

Price and ordering info

Priced at $39 it is the ideal buy if you are looking for a practical protective case for your iPad that can be bought directly from any Apple store.

To order it online you can click here

Great iPad accessories - The Amzer Powerboom Headphones

Another essential iPad accessory, if you want to hear some good music or listen to an audio book, on a long commute home, are good quality headphones. It might seem easy to select a pair of headphones that fit your new iPad but which one offers the best price quality ratio?

My answer to this question is the Amzer Powerboom headphones.

With a unique structure that lets you experience clarity in varying sound frequencies and the high quality sound of 4 speaker drivers, separate tweeters for high frequencies and specified woofers for mid-range and deep bass sound, these headphones offer some of the best quality on the market and they also happen to be more comfortable than the smaller headphones you usually find on the market. The adjustable sides will give you a perfect fit and since they're collapsible they are easy to store even during travel.

For whom are they ideal?

This cool iPad accessory is ideal for music lovers who are after a clean crisp sound and don't like to compromise on quality. These headphones usually sell for $49.95 but I found them at $37.95 at the omeiPad online store.

To order this product click here.

Great iPad accessories - Apple IPad Camera Connection Kit

This camera connection kit lets you download your photos and videos from your digital camera using either your camera's USB or your SD card.

The kit includes two connectors.

• With the camera connector featuring a USB interface, all you need to do is just plug it in the dock connector port on your iPad, and then attach your camera or iPhone using your USB cable.

• You can also use your SD card reader to import your photos directly from your camera's SD card. All you need to do is simply connect it to your iPad and insert your camera's SD card into the slot.

For whom is it ideal?

This is one of the best accessories for your iPad if you are into photography, because it lets you see your favorite pictures on the iPad's amazing display and if you purchase the iPad Dock, your iPad becomes a great stationary display for your favorite slide shows while you are charging it.

Price and ordering info

Priced at $29 it is considered one of the most useful official iPad accessories.

The IPad Camera Connection kit can be purchased from any Apple store or one line if you click here.

Great iPad accessories - Apple iPad Dock

With so many options out there it was not easy to choose the right docking station, especially since I wanted to make sure to suggest a sturdy device that will offer no compatibility problems.

My choice is Apple's iPad docking station.

Thanks to it's stream lined design, this accessory lets you dock your iPad on the 30-pin connector in order to charge your device via a USB Adapter and sync your computer at the same time.

The cool feature about this great iPad accessory is that you have an audio jack for connecting your device to a stereo or set of speakers.

Features

Apart from synching and recharging your iPad with the iPad Dock you can easily

• Use the dock to hold your iPad at the perfect angle to write and email and watch your favorite videos and slide shows.

• Connect the dock to a TV or video projector

• Connect the dock to a stereo or speakers using an AV cable to play music from your iPad.

For whom is it ideal?

The iPad Dock is the ideal iPad accessory for those who wish to use their iPad at home or in their office. It is a useful device that transforms your iPad into a great display for your favorite slideshows or lets you listen to your favorite tunes as your iPad recharges.

Price

Priced at $29 it is available on line at this link.

Great iPad accessories - Modulr Multi purpose case

Yes there are already hundreds, if not thousands of carry cases for your iPad out there, but this case is truly unique because it really extends the versatility of your iPad, especially if you are always on the go.

This iPad bag serves as a base for an assortment of attachments including a carrying strap, kick stand, car headrest mount and even a wall mount. The concept behind this handy little iPad accessory is to take a good idea and make it even better.

It is definitely the most creative and practical way to protect and show off your new iPad in style.

For whom is it ideal?

With its sturdy feel, and clever attachments this accessory is the ideal gadget for those wishing to expand the use of their iPad. The modulR expands on the idea of protecting your iPad from scratches, spills, dents and even kids' sticky fingers and extends the uses of your iPad. With this handy little gadget you can wall mount your iPad in the kitchen, next to messy pots and pans or in the backseat of your car in order to entertain the kids on your way from school.

Price and ordering info

The only disadvantage of this great iPad accessory is that it will only become available in the summer 2010. Though it is possible to ask the manufacturer to notify you once the product becomes available on the market, there is no hint about the price or the date when this product will be released.

For a direct link to the manufacturer's site you can click here.

Works cited

"Apple iPad Accessories"Jason Hidalgo About.com

ModulR websiteApple website