Buying a new iPad is exciting. Naturally, the first thing most of us want to do is turn it on, download our favourite apps and start customising it.
Before doing any of that, however, I fitted two accessories: a protective case and a screen protector.
They aren’t particularly glamorous purchases, but experience has taught me that protecting a new device from the beginning is much easier than worrying about scratches and damage later.
My previous iPad lasted nine years. If my new 11-inch M4 iPad Air is going to enjoy a similarly long life, these are the first two accessories I want fitted.
1. A protective iPad case
The first accessory I bought was an ESR magnetic folio case.
New technology receives special treatment at first. We carefully place it on tables, wipe away every fingerprint and hesitate before putting it into a bag.
Over time, that changes. The iPad gets carried around the house, balanced on furniture and packed alongside chargers, keys and everything else we take with us.
That everyday use is when a case starts earning its keep.
The ESR case protects the back of the iPad and covers its screen when closed. Despite the additional protection, it doesn’t make the device feel excessively bulky.
Its magnetic attachment makes fitting and removing the iPad straightforward. The folding cover can also be used as a stand, providing different angles for watching videos, browsing, writing and using the Apple Pencil.
Notable features include:
- Strong magnetic attachment
- Protection for the back and screen
- Stable trifold stand
- Viewing and writing positions
- Apple Pencil Pro and Apple Pencil USB-C support
- Integrated Pencil clasp
- Slim folio design
A protective case isn’t the most interesting part of buying an iPad, but it may be one of the purchases you appreciate most several years later.
Buy the ESR iPad case
2. A Paperfeel screen protector
The second accessory I added was a Paperfeel screen protector.
Paper-textured screen protectors are designed to add a small amount of resistance to the iPad’s otherwise smooth glass display. This can make writing and drawing with an Apple Pencil feel more controlled.
I’ve used this type of protector on every iPad I’ve owned. For me, it makes the device more comfortable when taking notes, sketching ideas and planning content.
A Paperfeel protector can also offer:
- A matte, paper-like surface
- More resistance when writing
- Reduced glare
- Fewer visible fingerprints
- Protection against everyday scratches
- Compatibility with most cases
There is an important trade-off to understand. Matte screen protectors can slightly reduce display clarity compared with using the iPad’s untreated glass.
If you mainly use your iPad for watching films or editing photographs, you may prefer a clear glass protector. If you frequently write or draw with an Apple Pencil, the more tactile Paperfeel surface may be worth that compromise.
Buy the Paperfeel screen protector
Why protect a new iPad immediately?
Damage rarely happens while a device is still new and receiving our complete attention.
It tends to happen months later, when using the iPad has become part of everyday life. A small slip, an unprotected journey inside a bag or an object dragged across the screen can leave a permanent mark.
Fitting protection at the beginning means you don’t have to wait for the first scratch before doing something about it.
Before trading in my previous iPad, I removed the case and screen protector it had worn for years. Despite almost a decade of regular use, the device underneath remained in excellent condition.
It had travelled with me, helped me plan hundreds of videos and edited much of my channel’s early content. Its software and battery had inevitably aged, but it had been physically protected throughout its life.
That experience made buying the same types of accessories for my new iPad an easy decision.
Which accessories should you buy first?
If you’ve recently bought an iPad, I recommend starting with:
- A case that protects the device without adding unnecessary bulk.
- A screen protector suited to the way you use it.
Paperfeel won’t be right for everyone. Some people will be better served by a clear glass protector, particularly if maintaining the best possible display clarity is the priority.
The important thing is to choose your preferred protection before the iPad becomes part of everyday life.
Cases and screen protectors may feel like small purchases, but looking after technology is largely about small habits. Those habits can make a considerable difference after several years of ownership.
Watch the video
See the case and screen protector fitted to my new M4 iPad Air in the accompanying video:
Watch The First Accessories I’d Buy for Every New iPad on YouTube
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