Stocking stuffers and accessories for your new iPad

If you know someone that’s getting an iPad for the holidays, consider gifting them some nifty gadgets to go along with it. Accessories make great companion gifts that are not only thoughtful, but are super useful to boot. When selecting your add-ons, opt for tools that will help you make the most out of your iPad experience. Will the iPad be used for work? Then try a keyboard. Want to use the iPad for something more artistic? A stylus can help with that. And just about everyone can benefit from a protective case. 

Here are a few other accessories that can make that awesome new iPad even better.

Protective case

There are hundreds of third-party iPad cases and bags on the market, each specifically made for either the iPad, iPad Air, or the iPad mini. Because these three iPad styles have completely different builds, make sure the case you select fits the iPad you’re shopping for. The iPad Air and the iPad mini with Retina display are the most recent additions to the iPad lineup, so we’ll be focusing on selecting cases for those models. (However, if you have an original iPad, an iPad 2, or a third- or fourth-generation iPad, our iPad case buying guide has tips for finding the best fit.)

When looking at the two iPad mini models, keep in mind that they are not exactly the same shape. The difference in size between the Retina and non-Retina iPad mini is miniscule: The iPad mini with Retina display is thicker by 0.01 inch. However, that might just be thick enough to make it incompatible with cases made for the non-Retina mini. Because there is only one model of the iPad Air to date, any case designed for the mini will fit your Air, no matter what carrier or capacity you have.

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