my bad, yup its hard case but outter shell feels like a mixture of hard plastic and rubber combined (not smooth) providing good grip.

well funnily enough ... I've just been shopping and found that very case in one shop. The salesperson was kind enough to let me open the package and try it on my ipad. Certainly works very nicely with the smartcover, and there's no trouble getting the sync / charge cable plugged or unplugged.

And as far as the grip goes ... I think I'd agree with you. Although it's really a hard case, it does seem to have just enough silicon (?) content to have a non-slip kind of surface.

30 secs thinking it over in the shop .. took the plunge and bought it. It's all good now.

Thanks everyone for the wisdom. Case closed (pun semi-intended)

Be careful buying the Belkin snap shield! Although it's an awesome cover, several of us have had the corners crack and break for no apparent reason other than stress fractures. Buyer beware!

Sent from my iPad2 using iPF

Hmm .. OK, buyer duly alerted. Guess we'll see what unfolds ...