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Macally Bookstand 2 case

drwebber

drwebber

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 8, 2011
191
5
Does anyone know if the Macally Bookstand case will have the smart cover functionality in it? I really like the smart cover, but I am nervous about the back of my iPad 2 getting damaged.
BOOKSTAND2BL_03.jpg


http://www.macally.com/EN/product/ArticleShow.asp?ArticleID=387
 
I, too, bought this case on eBay and am eagerly awaiting its arrival.

I'm pretty sure that the "smart" functionality is not built in to the case itself, but I just took a weak magnet and was able to replicate the on/off functionality. I think I'll just put a strip of magnetic tape to make contact with the sensor magnet and BOOM! Instant "Smart" Cover at 25% off (not to mention protection for the back that the Smart Cover does not offer). :apple: :)
 
I should have had one this Tuesday, but it appears the ********** USPS lost it.
 
Ebay

The are a few of these on ebay that list magnet closure.. I asked seller about it, but have not heard back. The Macally website list nothing about the Smart Function of it.
 
I am pretty excited about this case.

I emailed Macally about it, asking if there was a magnet. Another post here mentioned the case. OP called Macally, and they said the first batch will not have the magnet, but the next will.

Take it for what its worth. I hope I get an email back, if I do, I will post. I really like the look of this case.
 
Liberal said:
I, too, bought this case on eBay and am eagerly awaiting its arrival.

I'm pretty sure that the "smart" functionality is not built in to the case itself, but I just took a weak magnet and was able to replicate the on/off functionality. I think I'll just put a strip of magnetic tape to make contact with the sensor magnet and BOOM! Instant "Smart" Cover at 25% off (not to mention protection for the back that the Smart Cover does not offer). :apple: :)
Click to expand...

How did you do this? Can you give instructions by any chance?.
I'm sure many of us would greatly benefit from knowledge of this functionality.
 
I just got off the phone with their Tech support and they said they are no magnets at this point, but future versions may have it.
Wah Wah Wah.... No What?
 
mac jones said:
How did you do this? Can you give instructions by any chance?.
I'm sure many of us would greatly benefit from knowledge of this functionality.
Click to expand...

Definitely. I'll post some pictures when I get home.

But really you just take any magnet (mine is about 1/8" thick) and place it on the right side bezel (assuming the iPad is in upright portrait orientation with camera on top, home button the bottom) about 2 3/4" from the top of the iPad and if it is awake, it will go to sleep. Once it goes to sleep, move the magnet and it will wake up.

I found out by just dragging a magnet up and down the right bezel until I found the sweet spot. You'll feel that there are a lot of magnets in the bezel.
 
Last edited:
BOOKSTAND2G.jpg


Just got an email from Macally.


Dear Customer:

Thanks for contacting Macally technical Support.

There are two magnets as illustrated in the attachment, which is different
from Apple Smart Cover design and will not to have wakeup/sleep function as
Apple cover does.

Sincerely,

Michael Huang, Tech Support
Macally USA
4601 E. Airport Drive, Ontario , CA 91761, USA
Tel: 909. 230.6888 x151
Fax: 909.230.6889
e-mail: techsupport@macally.com
- Show quoted text -
 
drwebber said:
...Just got an email from Macally.


Dear Customer:

Thanks for contacting Macally technical Support.

There are two magnets as illustrated in the attachment, which is different
from Apple Smart Cover design and will not to have wakeup/sleep function as
Apple cover does...
Click to expand...

Ah. Good to know. I'm not sure the magnet idea will work with this case if the case itself doesn't come close enough to the iPad, but we shall see.
 
They found my packkage and I just got it.

Its actually nicer than I expected. The pictures aren't exactly what you get.

The material feels and looks like leather though I don't actually think it is. The interior is lined with micro fiber. The iPad slides into those two big buttons on the right side and the left side "snaps" gently into the left corners. I am not worried that the casing will be scratched by this. This arrangement causes most of the iPad's front face to be exposed, which I personally like. Its not so cramped as you get with those cases that protect right up to the lighted screen and its easier to clean - no dust bunnies on the corners or along the edges.

There are holes for everything, with plenty of room to get at the buttons and such. The rear camera does have a well-aligned hole, which is not clear from the pictures.

There are two magnets on the corners of the cover that join to those button thingies on the right side. But alas, it does not control the on/off of the iPad.
 
Rafterman said:
They found my packkage and I just got it.

Its actually nicer than I expected. The pictures aren't exactly what you get.

The material feels and looks like leather though I don't actually think it is. The interior is lined with micro fiber. The iPad slides into those two big buttons on the right side and the left side "snaps" gently into the left corners. I am not worried that the casing will be scratched by this. This arrangement causes most of the iPad's front face to be exposed, which I personally like. Its not so cramped as you get with those cases that protect right up to the lighted screen and its easier to clean - no dust bunnies on the corners or along the edges.

There are holes for everything, with plenty of room to get at the buttons and such. The rear camera does have a well-aligned hole, which is not clear from the pictures.

There are two magnets on the corners of the cover that join to those button thingies on the right side. But alas, it does not control the on/off of the iPad.
Click to expand...

Ahhh, exciting! Great to hear that it's nice. Could you post some pictures if you have the chance?
 
I attached some pics...
 

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Rafterman said:
I attached some pics...
Click to expand...

Thanks for the pics!! A couple questions if you don't mind... How sturdy is the front cover? Last year's bookstand was very flimsy, but pics show this looks better, but can you confirm? Also, how tight does the back fit on? Do you think a skin (BSE, Zagg, etc.) on the back will still allow you to put the case on?
 
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jedolley said:
Thanks for the pics!! A couple questions if you don't mind... How sturdy is the front cover? Last year's bookstand was very flimsy, but pics show this looks better, but can you confirm? Also, how tight does the back fit on? Do you think a skin (BSE, Zagg, etc.) on the back will still allow you to put the case on?
Click to expand...

The front cover is a bit flimsy, though not as bad as the last model. There doesn't appear to be any sort of material between the rubbery outside and the micro fiber inside of the cover, so I wouldn't put any bowling balls on top of your iPad cover :) If you are careful with your iPad, it should last. But if you constantly open and close it, fold it backwards, etc, it might get a bit "floppy" after a while. I'v seen sturdier, but its not horrible.

The backside interior (the part where the back of your iPad will rest on) has the same micro fiber cloth that covers the inside of the cover, so a thin skin, like a screen protector thickness, would probably be OK. If its a thicker, rubberish skin, then it might be a little tight.
 
It looks pretty nice. I'm not sure how much I'm on board with the tabs in the corner.. The iPad is so sleek I hate to take from that. Damn you smart cover why can't you protect the back?
 
drwebber said:
It looks pretty nice. I'm not sure how much I'm on board with the tabs in the corner.. The iPad is so sleek I hate to take from that. Damn you smart cover why can't you protect the back?
Click to expand...

I actually liked the original Apple case for the iPad 1. It was sleek and it covered everything. I don't know how much thinner the iPad needs to be to satisfy the ol' Steve-O.
 
Ehh, those little tabs in the corners aren't that elegant of a solution for holding the iPad in, but with the device getting thinner (and thinner), there is just less for them to hold onto. I love the new slim profile, but I really liked the original iPad's heft. I also really liked the original XBOX controller (the fat one), though, so maybe I like certain products to have some heft to them.

Thanks for the pic.
 
I just got the case this morning and I have mixed feelings so far. I have found a few problems, big problems, in my opinion:

1. The cover of the case does not fold back flat on the back when opened. It can be done but only at the expense of integrity of the spine of the case.

2. The folding of the cover works quite well for the typing position. I can tap pretty hard without it collapsing on me. However, when I attempt to stand the case in the position to watch a video or read a book or newspaper, it takes only seconds for it to fall back on itself. Maybe it just needs to "break-in" but for the time being its very annoying.

3. I worry about the inner microfiber material. I've had it open for maybe 30 minutes and it is covered with debris, fuzzies, etc. Not really a "big" problem but still worth noting.

As for the good:

1. The case is remarkably thin.
2. The back is well protected.
3. The typing/browsing position is perfect.
4. The magnets in the corners work well to keep the case shut.
5. Outer faux leather material is tactilely pleasing.
6. The case itself is very sleek, stylish, and handsome.


Has anyone with the case been able to get the iPad to stay up in the video/ reading position?
 
drwebber said:
I'm not sure how much I'm on board with the tabs in the corner.. The iPad is so sleek I hate to take from that.
Click to expand...

Those corners eliminate that case from consideration for me. Just plain ugly. Not sure what they were thinking there.
 
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