With most iPad cases, the whole spiel about "keeping your iPad protected" tends to point more towards nicks and scratches, rather than serious bumps and drops.  That's why truly protective accessories, like the Gumdrop, feel somewhat special.  It's also one of the reasons why the Normincies Radical iPad Bag is so awesome.

While I won't call the design "radical and innovative" like the product page does, it is quite the handsome-looking yet super-functional piece.  Suffice to say, carrying your tablet in this, as opposed to a small messenger bag or a backpack, should see you less worried about having it meet an untimely demise.

The Normincies Radical iPad Bag's most pronounced feature is the large slab of 5052 aluminum sitting right on its backside.  Yep, it's a solid piece of metal protecting your slate from bumps and drops, ensuring higher chances of survival regardless of what perils it encounters throughout your travels.   Want to ditch the aluminum while carrying your iPad around the hotel?  No problem -- just pull out the snap fasteners and it turns into a lovely fabric bag.

Measuring 10.6 x 8.8 x 1.37 inches, the actual bag is made from cordura nylon, with a low-profile black color outside and an eye-popping orange shade in the interior.  The bag is padded, as well, to double up on the protection part.   Interior features a main tablet compartment and two smaller pockets for holding other stuff.

You can get the Radical iPad Bag directly from the Normincies online shop.  Price is $198.

[Normincies]

Trying to figure out more stylish and convenient ways to bring your iPad on the road?  You'd probably want to look at the Bombata Micro iPad Briefcase, which brings both style and utility in spades.

Sporting a modern European-inspired design, the vertical briefcase offers plenty of options for carrying your tablet.  You can use the dual rounded handles to hold it by hand briefcase-style, sling it over your shoulder like a messenger or even put the whole thing inside a larger bag.

The Bombata Micro iPad Briefcase measures 13 x 10 x 2 inches, with two large compartments on either side of the case when opened.  One side is sized to hold an iPad inside a padded frame, held in place by velcro straps.  The other features three pockets of different sizes to hold your other stash.

Designed for lightweight handling, the bag weighs just a little over a pound. Construction is vinyl and silicone, with a zip around closure.  From the looks of it, this should fit all three generations of iPad handily, as well as smaller computers.

You can get the Bombata Micro iPad Briefcase in 8 colors -- blue, red, orange, brown, green, purple, black and pink.  Price is $37.

[Amazon]

You just got the new iPad.  And you want a brand-spanking-new keyboard case for it.  The YourType Folio + Keyboard looks fit for the deed.

Made by Belkin, it's a foldable iPad case with an integrated keyboard opposite the tablet's container.  Unlike other cases with integrated keys, the entire keyboard is fully detachable, so you can leave it at home and use the accessory like a regular folio case if you want.

The Belkin YourType Folio + Keyboard is a stitched iPad case with a smooth inner lining and a magnetic tab closure.  For typing, it allows you to stand the iPad at a slight tilt in landscape mode.  You can opt for higher angles, but you'll need to remove the keyboard to make room.

The removable keyboard pairs with your iPad via Bluetooth, which it will do automatically at the push of a button. Keys feature a spring mechanism and function-specific keys that include most of the common commands you'll need to use with iOS.  As with similar keyboard cases, though, you may want to exercise caution when putting pressure on the case with the keyboard slotted in, as it looks like the keys could touch the iPad's screen if you're not careful.

Amazon has the Belkin YourType Folio + Keyboard available now, priced at $99.99.

The CushPad makes for a viable accessory when standing your tablet on less-than-even surfaces.  If you're not a fan of the size or form of that repurposed pillow, though, the CampFire case should make for an interesting alternative.

Made by X-Doria, it's billed as a "sleeping bag for the iPad."  Not only can you use it to set the tablet up on less-than-stable surfaces, it also doubles as a bag to cover your slate like a padded sack.

Both second- and third-generation iPads can fit into the plastic housing integrated into the CampFire.  When opened up, the iPad sits snugly in the frame, backed by a padded cushion that lets you prop it up in both landscape and portrait orientations.   The padding is chunky enough that you should be able to hold it steady on most any surface, including your lap and your bed.

When you're done using the tablet, simply loosen the string and flip the whole panel inside out, positioning it so the padded fabric covers the entire tablet, much like a drawstring bag.  While the bag doesn't look all that comfortable to carry by itself, the entire thing should sit snugly on your backpack during trips.

From the name, we're guessing X-Doria is trying to market the CampFire as an ideal accessory when using the iPad while you're outdoors.  That means, you can stand it on a blanket while lounging on the sand or on the ground when resting inside your tent.  It's available now, priced at $59.99.

[X-Doria]

Someday we'll have foldable iPads that can fit in a card slot on our billfolds.  Until that day comes, though, we'll have to settle for The Wallet, an iPad 2 case that doubles as a functional (and non-pocket-friendly) wallet.

Made from genuine cowhide leather, the case boasts superior grip and durability, so the entire thing should hold conveniently in hand. Plus, leather always looks swanky, so it's double the awesome.

The Wallet is a slim profile iPad case measuring 8.5 x 11 x 2.125 inches.  Design is strictly business-like, complete with a leather strap magnetic closure, so it should go equally well with both your office suit and Darth Vader costume.  The tablet frame sits on the right side of the folio, with full port and camera access, as well as support for the iPad 2's "wake-on-open/sleep-on-close" feature.  And, yes, it offers an integrated typing angle.

Since it's meant to double as a case for stashing other stuff, you get a load of pockets and pouches on the left side.   Designed for serious organization, it features a large main pocket (can hold hard drives and notebooks), two zippered pockets, five card slots, a phone holder and pen loops.

Thinkgeek has The Wallet for iPad 2 available now, priced at $79.99

There are plenty of cases out there that make it look like you're carrying something other than an expensive tablet.  This Origin of Species Case, though, makes it look like you're carrying something nobody will ever want to steal: a tattered, old hardbound book from the library.

Clad in the classic style of an early edition of Charles Darwin's most famous book, the case literally looks like a book you stole out of your grandfather's attic.  Worse, it's not some exciting volume about cool stuff from the old days or whatever.  Instead, it's that old evolution book that you'll only read if: it was mandatory in school, you're a biology nerd or you're trying to impress a biology nerd.

To get the authentic-looking hardbound style, the Origin of Species Case wasn't put together in a Chinese factory by large machines.  Instead, it's handmade by traditional English bookbinders, Manor Bindery.  The plastic only appears inside with the actual holding frame -- the rest of the case is made from genuine bookmaking materials, like greyboard and wibalin.

The case measures 8.25 x 1.25 x 10 inches, with a frame designed to hold an iPad 2 (won't fit 1st gen -- sorry).  Aside from working folio-style, it can also be used as a stand.

The Origin of Species Case is available from Uncommon Goods.  Price is $70.  They have other book designs there as well, including replicas of early covers from War and Peace, Pride and Prejudice, and The Theory of Relativity.

[Uncommon Goods]

Sometimes, you buy an iPad case because it offers good protection.  Maybe you'll buy one because it looks good.  Other times, you buy it because it comes with extra features you want.  The Padintosh leaps over all of those reasons: you'll buy it because it's ridiculously awesome.

Made by Thumbs Up World, it's an iPad case that resembles the front panel of the classic Macintosh from 1984.  All the familiar elements are integrated -- off-whitish color, a floppy drive and a whole lot of character as only the Apple of that era can deliver.  It's not a 1:1 reproduction (the screen on the original Macintosh, for instance, was just 9 inches -- smaller than the iPad's), but it will do.

More novelty than a useful accessory, the actual Padintosh case is about twice the size of the iPad 2, giving you plenty of material to grab on to while playing Atari games on your tablet.  It doesn't really make it easier to transport your iPad, browse on your iPad or do anything with your iPad, but we still bet this thing will fly off shelves as soon as they hit.  Oh yeah, you can stand the entire thing on a wall, so it looks like you've got a real 80s-era Macintosh (just add a keyboard at the bottom for more realism).  Compatible with the Smart Cover, too.

The Padintosh for iPad 2 is currently on preorder from Firebox.  Price is £19.99.

[Firebox]

Chances are, you use your iPad around the house more than a regular computer.  After all, the portability makes it easy to use in bed, on the couch and, pretty much, anywhere you want.  But what if you want to use your tablet on a stand while on an unstable surface, like for watching a movie with the iPad on your lap? That's where the CushPad comes handy.

Looking like a Chumby-shaped pillow, the combination stand/cushion features a front slot for holding an iPad snugly and an extended base so it stays upright while laid over less-than-ideal surfaces.  Definitely beats having to lay the tablet over a pillow so you don't have to clasp it in hand, right?

Designed to securely hold the iPad 2 (it's not a fit with the original iPad), the CushPad's loading area can handle both landscape and portrait orientations.  It has non-slip material both inside and outside, so it won't slide when put over smooth surfaces.  The cover can be removed for washing, too, so you don't have to live with a dirty accessory when the thing gets a little grimy from use.  Could be a great way to keep your iPad safe when you let your kids play with it, as well.

The CushPad is available now, priced at $34.99.

[CushPad]

There are generally two types of iPad cases: those that add functionality to your tablet (like standing it to movies or mounting to a wall) and those that serve as a single-purpose carrying case.  The Ottocase Byze is among the latter and it fulfills its deed with elegant style.

Designed to work with both the first and second generation iPads, the case is a simple landscape pouch with a flap.   Aimed at those who prefer to roll business-like with their gadgets, it bears an understated that's more classy than hip.

The Ottocase Byze is made from genuine high-quality leather with complimentary outer stitching for those who like their cases as adult as they are and alcantara lining on the interior to provide necessary protection from scratches.   The flap stays shut using a hidden magnetic closure, so you don't have to worry about the pouch accidentally opening while you're walking.

Fit doesn't appear to be too tight, so we're guessing you can cram an iPad with a skin cover in there for double the protection.  And if you've already got enough black accessories that you don't really want another one, they do offer it in a variety of colors, including brown, white, red and tan.

Amazon has the Ottocase Byze available, priced at $95 each.

[Amazon]

Military geeks use iPads too.  And the GumDrop Drop Tech series looks exactly like the kind of case those so inclined should be rocking.

Physically, this thing looks gnarly.  Clad in a reptile-like shell with scalloped surfaces (for better grip), it's how I'd imagine soldiers in battle carrying their iPads.  Each bundle brings complete security for the iPad 2, as well, even shipping with its own screen protectors (including a privacy screen cover) and port covers.

The GumDrop Drop Tech Series Case measures 12.1 x 1.5 x 9.9 inches and adds about a pound of weight to your gadget.  Its main selling point are the multiple barriers of shock absorption, which uses two levels of shock-absorbing TPU rubber to serve its protective functions, along with corner bumpers for further reinforcement.  You also get a microfilm dust filter with the set, so you can take it to the desert and not worry about tiny speckles getting inside.

If Batman had an iPad 2, he'd have the black version of this thing.  Seriously.   It comes with a belt clip, too, so the Dark Knight doesn't even have to tweak anything on that Batbelt to hold this thing.

Amazon has the military-inspired GumDrop Drop Tech Series For iPad 2 in a variety of colors, priced at $69.95.

Gumdrop Drop Tech Military Edition Case for Apple iPad 2, Army Green (DS-IPAD2-ARGRN-V2)