Thanks to everyone for all the helpful responses! There truly are many nice products out there ranging from the minimalist clear stick-on protectors to the enveloping leather cases. NeilShapiro, I'm with you in that I am definitely loathe to put anything on the screen that will detract from the awesome retina display. That said, I had the same concern when it came to my iPhone 4S and after a bit of research I decided to stay away from anti-glare films, and I settled on the Power Support Crystal product, which I have be extremely satisfied with. I don't think it impacted the display quality even slightly save for that one air bubble I could never rub out.
One product I am really interested in at this point is the Power Support "Air Jacket", which is a clear "ultra thin" jacket that that fits like a tight sock on the back an around the bezel. They have nothing up on their site for the "new" iPad other than a "coming soon" place-holder, but the iPad 2 version costs $50 and includes a Power Support screen protector as well. The latter, however, is of the more common anti-glare variety and so I might be inclined to leave it off and rely on my Smart Cover to protect the screen; at least for the time being until I pick out a full blown case.
I'm thinking that if the Air Jacket does become available for the New iPad, then I'd like to have it as a first layer of protection regardless of whether or not I ultimately end up adding a leather jacket or whatever. Sure, it will be redundant when combined with a full jacket, but if there are times when I'd be inclined to shed the bulk and weight of the case for a while, I can do that without fear of getting it all scratched up.
Lowell provides a good tip vis-a-vis the Piel Frama cases. Those are appealing as well as theBeyza Executive II Leather Slim Cases that I came across on the same vendor's site. Between the two, I think I'm partial to the Beyza due to it's somewhat trimmer design Apple-like multi-panel folding cover.
Okay, now as far as a case is concerned, as much as I like the Piel Frama and Beyza cases and others I've been looking at, here's what I REALLY want: something from Oberon Design. They are pricey, but no more so than the other higher end leather models I'm looking at. The difference is that the Oberon Design cases are literally a work of art. They are strikingly beautiful tooled leather with pewter fasteners. I say this with confidence because my girlfriend owns several Oberon Design products, and I cannot tell you how regularly random strangers come up to get a closer look at her handbag or Kindle cover and to ask her where she bought them. All models are available in a variety of colors and highly detailed tooled designs or imagery. Her saddle color Tree of Life handbag is so awesome up close and in person that even men notice and comment on it. (of course that's usually in a pub somewhere, so maybe that's not a reliable indicator).
Now here's the rub: unlike most other quality iPad cases, the Oberon Design iPad covers do NOT have the "Smart Cover" integrated magnetic sleep/wake control feature. 😟 At least AFAIK at this point. The web site description doesn't mention it, but I'll probably email them to ask just in case. IMHO that's a very nice and important feature and not one I'm keen on sacrificing. OTOH, they look REALLY NICE. Oh decisions decisions 😕 ...
