Apple’s iPad hit shop shelves over the weekend, so we thought we’d bring you the best cases you can currently buy — as well as some coming-soon options that might be worth holding out for.

From fashionable to functional, with a few hopefully meeting in the middle, we’re sure you’ll find a covering that caters to your taste from our hand-picked selection.

Have a browse below and let us know which case, bag, sleeve or cover might be gracing your Apple iPad in the very near future.

Available Now…

1. Blytheking’s iSocket Etsy Cases

These handmade cases re-purpose vintage material to protect your iPad with sartorial elegance, making more of a statement than anything bought in an “ordinary” store.

Cost: From $65 to $108

2. Booq Taipan Shadow 

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Booq’s Taipan Shadow messenger-style bag offers some serious padding for your precious, as well as a few extra pockets you’ll likely fill in no time. In addition to violet, there are black and gray versions too.

Cost: $69.95

3. Hard Candy Bubble Sleeve 

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Offering a molded, bubbly exterior and a soft felt interior, Hard Candy’s cool case is available in gold-green, black, and pink, and will keep your iPad zipped safely up.

Cost: $49.95

4. iLuv Flexi-Clear Case 

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If you want to make less of a statement but keep your iPad protected from scrapes and scratches, then iLuv’s clear cases could be what you’re looking for. They come bundled with a little folding stand as well.

Cost: $29.99

5. SkoobaWrap 

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Ideal if you just want some basic protection for your iPad when you’re going to sling it into your bag or backpack, the SkoobaWrap will fold over the iPad and then Velcro itself into place.

Cost: $17.95

6. Vers Wood Case for iPad

Handcrafted from hardwoods and bamboo with 4mm-thick sides for a solid feel, this Vers option offers a soft lining, but steel-reinforced strength. The design also gets a wooden prop for table top use.

Cost: $79.99

7. Belkin Vue, Max and Grip Sleeves 

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Coming soon from Belkin are not one, but three iPad sleeves offering different functionality. The Vue has a see-through pocket, the Max’s pleated design means it squishes down for easy storage, and the Grip offers a textured design for butterfingers.

Cost: $39.99 each

8. Quirky Cloak 

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A sturdy case for the iPad made from non-slip rubber, Quirky’s crowd-sourced Cloak design doubles as a stand for the new tablet that can display portrait or landscape.

Cost: $42

9. ColcaSac 

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The big selling point for the ColcaSac line of iPad cases is that they are environmentally friendly. The fleece-lined covers are perfect for the iPad owner who wants to be a friend to the planet.

Cost: $34.95

10. Ryan Frank Cork Sleeves for TAPE 

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Designer Ryan Frank has extended his cork-based range of sleeves to include one that fits the iPad. Like previous products, it will be sold through UK record label TAPE, but it has yet to go live on the site.

Cost: TBD

Bonus… 

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MusicSkins 

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If you’re a music fan, you might fancy one of MusicSkins’ newest line of decals for the back of your iPad. From The Beatles, to the Sex Pistols, via Kiss, past The Grateful Dead, right through to Rihanna and Linkin Park, there’s bound to be one for a band you’re partial to.

Cost: $19.99

Gadget lovers in Pakistan are desperate to get their hands on iPad 2, however, those who had bought iPad (1) are somewhat confused about their current/old iPads. This is due to a fact that iPad 2 (WiFi only version) comes with the same price as of iPad 1.

Now, as in Pakistan, we don’t have 3G, so vendors will ship WiFi only version of iPad 2.

When to Expect iPad 2 in Pakistan?

We don’t have any words from vendors about the availability of iPad in Pakistan. However, we have heard from various online retailers that iPad 2 will be made available in Pakistan by late March. In fact HomeShopping is claiming that iPad 2 will hit their stores in Pakistan on March 17th, 2011.

iPad 2 Price in Pakistan?

HomeShopping.PK is already accepting pre-orders, they are offering iPad 2 (WiFi only – 16 GB) in Pakistan at the price of Rs. Rs 69,990/ – Rs. 74,990

Anticipated iPad 2 Prices in Pakistan:

iPad 2 3G Price in Pakistan: 16GB: Rs. 75,000, 32GB: Rs. 85,000, 64GB: Rs. 95,000

iPad 2 WiFi Price in Pakistan: 16GB: Rs. 65,000, 32GB: Rs. 72,000, 64GB: Rs. 83,000

Just in case, if you missed yesterday’s conference by Apple,  where the New iPad which is known as iPad 2 was introduced, following are few details about it.

A new birth in the Apple family and as usual it’s beautiful. We even have choices of Black or White and this time the “White iPad 2” will be available from the first date of launch whereas we are still finding iPhone 4 White.

It’s lighter in weight then the previous one (1.3 pounds from 1.5 pounds previous). It’s even thinner then the iPhone, 4 which is 13.4 millimeters where as iPad 2 is 8.8 millimeters. As what Steve Jobs said it’s the 3^rd thinner.

The biggest feature is the “A5 Chip” introduced by Apple, It’s a Dual Core Processor, up to 2x faster CPU and up to 9x faster graphics. It’s the first dual core tablet in the market.

As predicted it’s with dual camera, front VGA and features to take self snaps via Photo Booth App (which is by Apple with various filters). We have Facetime now in the iPad 2 which is just ideal by its size for Facetiming as said in the conference.

The rear / back camera is 720 p capability standard which is again a big improvement to this new product.

HDMI cable (US$39) mirrored video output upto 1080p, works with all apps, supports rotation, 10 hours battery time and charges your iPad while using.

A new Smartcover has also been introduced officially by Apple, which features to magnetically attach and folds down to support the iPad 2 to lift it up or stand while being kept somewhere, whereas in normal situation it protects the screen. It’s actually to remove the hectic of pouches, bags etc and still keep it awesome.

Apple has announced for the iPad 2 to reach the outlets on 11th March 2011 within U.S whereas in the time period of 2 weeks later, it will be out in 26 countries. The price is same as the first iPad.

iPad 2 will be with the new iOS that is to be 4.3 which promises to enable better performance to the new hot product in market.

The Major Improved Performance will be in Safari Browser, iTunes Home Sharing and couple of Airplay improvements.

Comparison Via iJafri

via ProPakistani.PK