ClamCase Score: 80% Developer: ClamCase Device Type: Accessory

Function: Owners of tablets find that their devices quickly become favorite toys for all kinds of casual computing tasks, such as viewing movies, surfing websites, and playing games. Maybe in wealthy households, tablets are handed out to kids in the way we used to get cap-guns and green army men, but the average pricetag of an iPad is a bit dear for most of us. Meaning, when we get one, we want to use it. Lots! In this equation lies a challenge, because there are still some computing tasks that seem better fitted to laptops and desktops. If only the iPad could bridge that gap, right? ClamCase aims to help, providing a technological sheep's clothing for Apple's wolf to go unnoticed amidst the latest crop of small form-factor netbooks. The wolf analogy isn't entirely misplaced, because there are plenty of people predicting tablets will disrupt desktop and laptops. Owners of tablets (who are honest) will admit that typing letters and doing lots of email on a tablet has its limitations. I've taken notes on the thing before, but it's a far cry from my normal 60 wpm. Writing a term paper on an iPad? I don't think so... Owners of iMacs were some of the first to notice that the Bluetooth keyboard made an awesome accessory for the iPad, filling in for all these text-intensive tasks. But who wants to lug a keyboard around to meetings? Kind of defeats the purpose of a sleek tablet. ClamCase takes two accessories that most iPad owners realize they need eventually, a case and a keyboard, and combines them in a still-sleek package. Whether you're interested in taking notes during a meeting, answering email, or doing that fun entertainment stuff, ClamCase has a configuration for you. It aims to be a transforming case, with built-in features that expand functionality for your iPad.

Performance: ClamCase is one of the easiest form-fitting cases to install, thanks to some thoughtful engineering. We've tested sleek cases that had to be pried off our tablets with screwdrivers, so the "pop in/pop out" quality of ClamCase is refreshing. Built in lithium ion batteries also make it simple to keep this Bluetooth device charged for use. All the configuration options for the case deliver as advertised. There are four basic ways of using the case, but the two you'll use most are the laptop-style and what ClamCase calls the "Touchscreen Stand." The other two involve setting your iPad and case on a level surface like an open book, and folding it up to resemble a fat tablet. There's nothing wrong with the latter two, but they just don't offer much for regular users. Pairing the case with your iPad is simple, and should only be a one-time affair unless you switch devices or completely burn out your batteries. What makes ClamCase work is some great balance and weight distribution. Under the keys of the keyboard that form one half of the case is a solid weight that contributes most of the almost 2-pound heft. It's this bulk that allows you to have your iPad at screen-angle without tipping things over. When viewing as a stand, the keyboard is folded in the opposite direction and forms a base, flat against a table or other surface. The keyboard is respectable, sized right and solid enough to satisfy all but the most prima-donna typists. Compared to the touch-screen keyboard, the ClamCase keys are immediately intuitive. There are also some handy buttons on the keyboard that help you navigate on the iPad without moving away from the keys, as in the case of doing a quick search of your device. You can even control the power-saving/screen-lock features from the keyboard.

Features: Four Configurations: Keyboard Case, Touchscreen Stand, Desktop Stand, Tablet Case Full QWERTY Keyboard “Charge and Go” with Lithium-Ion Battery Built In 360-Degree Hinge for Adjusting Viewing Positions Bluetooth 2.0 Technology Pairs ClamCase to your iPad and Stays Paired

Drawbacks & Problems:: Where some people predicted tablets would be niche devices for some specialized future form of computing, they've turned into regular fixtures of schools, businesses, and even retail establishments. They do a great job displaying information, and make for very intuitive browsing and gaming. Where we might say the iPad is a general purpose device, ClamCase is a very specialized piece of hardware. What it claims to do, it does well. If what you really need is to convert your tablet into a quasi-laptop, ClamCase delivers. The tradeoffs are that you'll be adding bulk to a device that isn't exactly svelte. Toting around an iPad with ClamCase installed is much like a small laptop, rather than a slim netbook. It retains the general dimension of your tablet, and if it saves packing a laptop, you may not mind. More problematic is the 90-minutes of battery life you'll get from ClamCase. Compared to netbooks, this is a paltry amount of charge. If you have a series of quick meetings, it's not an issue. If you have a conference where you'll be 9-5 in sessions taking notes, ClamCase is only going to get you so far. Understand the limitations and think about how you're going to use this. It's a testimony to good design and engineering that the ClamCase actually feels like an extension of the iPad. It's probably a complement that you'll eventually try to find the trackpad around your keyboard, as ClamCase fools you into thinking you're back on your laptop. We found it strange to have to work the touchscreen in combination with the keyboard, rather than use a mouse, but it's a trade-off worth making if the keyboard is really what you're missing. Future generations of ClamCase may come slimmer and with longer battery life, which would make them nearly a perfect device for folks chasing after the netbook replacement that many claimed the iPad might be some day be.

-Fridtjof, GameVortex Communications AKA Matt Paddock

Related Links: ClamCase Online