Due to the iPad 2's new shape--a flatter back with more-tapered edges--and thinner profile, form-fitting cases such as and most made for the original iPad won't fit the iPad 2. On the other hand, existing and fit the new iPad just fine--you don't really notice the bit of extra room, front-to-back, since sleeves already tend to fit loosely. And, of course, made for the original iPad also accommodate the iPad 2.
As for new, iPad 2-specific cases, we've already received a few----and most fit the new iPad well. Unlike with the original iPad, where some of the early cases seemed to have been based on educated guesses about the iPad's dimensions, it appears that many case vendors had detailed dimensions of the iPad 2 well before it was released.
We'll be reviewing bags and cases for the iPad 2 to help you choose the right one, but here are a few quick tips, adapted from last year's guide: First, if you're shopping online for an iPad case, check the bag's specs with Apple's , or e-mail the vendor, to confirm that the shipping product actually fits the iPad 2. (Some vendors are retooling their bags and cases now that the iPad 2 is officially available.) Second, as you may have already deduced, if you see a form-fitting case that claims to fit both the original iPad and the iPad 2, be skeptical. Third, a good number of bags out there are advertised as "iPad/netbook" models, but few are a good fit for the iPad--the iPad is much thinner than the typical netbook and ends up swimming around in the computer compartment.
The other option for protection is a protective film, either for just the iPad's screen or for its entire body. Last year, our PCWorld colleagues and found that the device's screen was "scratch-proof," even when editors attempted to etch the glass with a nail. The iPad 2 appears to use the same glass, so you'll probably be OK without a protective screen film. In addition, we tested a number of iPad screen films over the past year, and with a few exceptions, such as , we were disappointed--many reduced screen clarity or added glare, and some picked up far more fingerprints than a bare screen. Similarly, we've had bad experiences with most "anti-glare" screen coverings for the iPad ( being one of the exceptions).
As for full-body films, both and have announced new versions for the iPad 2. We've tested both products on the original iPad, and we've been impressed by the anti-scratch protection they provide. NLU has also debuted the , which protects the back of the iPad 2, and you can get similar backside protection--with more artistic flair--from .