Any good non-Apple Smart Covers?

maclook · Mar 8, 2012, 01:22 PM

I really want a leather Smart Cover but don't want to cough up $70 for one when I already have a PU one from last year. Exploring my options, I'm wondering if any 3rd parties make good Smart Covers.

The reviews for the Miniot wood Smart Cover are pretty terrible despite it looking beautiful. I think it's important for the 3rd party to use a lot of magnets like Apple does on theirs.

So any suggestions on alternative Smart Covers?

Hosei · Mar 8, 2012, 07:36 PM

I have purchased a used apple smart cover from ebay, it was leather and i got it for around 30 dollars.

ejisfun · Mar 8, 2012, 09:13 PM

Ditto, I got my black leather smart cover on ebay for 26.50.

Maximus831 · Mar 8, 2012, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ejisfun

Ditto, I got my black leather smart cover on ebay for 26.50.

Was it used or new? I can't tell which sellers are selling original Apple covers or fake ones.

TexasChemE · Mar 8, 2012, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximus831

Was it used or new? I can't tell which sellers are selling original Apple covers or fake ones.

That's my problem with looking at the ones on eBay and Amazon (though, it looks like most the ones on Amazon are fakes).

M87 · Mar 8, 2012, 09:54 PM

I wouldn't take a chance with ebay, could end up with a fake. I'm surprised there aren't some good third-party smart covers, seems pretty simple. Same thing with iPhone bumpers. Everyone rags on apple for these overpriced accessories, but all the third-party versions are much lower quality.

ValentinoV · Mar 8, 2012, 10:04 PM

there is this

http://droconcepts.com/iPad2/carbon-...ase-cover.html

which is carbon fiber

and this

http://www.selectism.com/news/2011/0...n-smart-cover/

which is bamboo.

maclook · Mar 8, 2012, 10:30 PM

I might try Craigslist. Maybe I can get a good deal off of someone who is trying to bundle their iPad 2 with one but failing to get a buyer. I kinda want a new one though... Amazon also has some Smart Covers on sale.

AnthonySmith · Mar 9, 2012, 12:12 AM

Anyone think these are legit?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-MC947L...4#ht_500wt_689

TexasChemE · Mar 9, 2012, 01:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnthonySmith

Anyone think these are legit?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-MC947L...4#ht_500wt_689

Looks legit, it's the true Apple box (or so it appears)

Laserawesome · Mar 9, 2012, 01:46 AM

Here are some really nice, and really expensive ones:

http://www.grovemade.com/product/ipa...felt-ipad-case

rgr555 · Mar 9, 2012, 03:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ValentinoV

there is this

http://droconcepts.com/iPad2/carbon-...ase-cover.html

which is carbon fiber

and this

http://www.selectism.com/news/2011/0...n-smart-cover/

which is bamboo.

damn that carbon fiber one is veryyyyyyy tempting. I like the cf look from Marware but will have to think about this.

nightfly13 · Mar 9, 2012, 05:16 AM

I'm in precisely the same boat (have PU, upgrading iPads and want to go leather, don't want to pay $70). I'd also like some kind of embossed or embroidered leather or some more interesting design than vertical stripes on the creases.

I've used a carbon fiber rear skin on my iPad 2 for around a year and it's been terrific, I'd actually love a carbon fiber smart cover and rear sticker, but not for $90! I'd be willing to pay up around $70-80 for a really high-quality, classy cover. There are plenty of iPad cases that fit the descriptions, but they're all full-body, I want a classy, high-quality leather 'smart cover'.

ejisfun · Mar 9, 2012, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximus831

Was it used or new? I can't tell which sellers are selling original Apple covers or fake ones.

It was a used genuine apple one. When looking at them, look for listings by non-corporate sellers (i.e. listings that just say like "bought this back in december, don't use it anymore") as they are less likely to be fake.

Mine has the whole "designed by apple in California" thing on it as well as a serial, so I'm pretty sure it's real.

abulldog · Mar 9, 2012, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nightfly13

I'm in precisely the same boat (have PU, upgrading iPads and want to go leather, don't want to pay $70). I'd also like some kind of embossed or embroidered leather or some more interesting design than vertical stripes on the creases.

I've used a carbon fiber rear skin on my iPad 2 for around a year and it's been terrific, I'd actually love a carbon fiber smart cover and rear sticker, but not for $90! I'd be willing to pay up around $70-80 for a really high-quality, classy cover. There are plenty of iPad cases that fit the descriptions, but they're all full-body, I want a classy, high-quality leather 'smart cover'.

iCarbons makes a carbon fiber skin for the polyurethane Apple smart cover in Red, Black and White Carbon Fiber. They also make Carbon Fiber skins for the back and front bezel. I've been debating getting one of those myself.

dukeblue91 · Mar 9, 2012, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laserawesome

Here are some really nice, and really expensive ones:

http://www.grovemade.com/product/ipa...felt-ipad-case

Haha they look like a kitchen cutting board.

No thank you.

Maximus831 · Mar 11, 2012, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dukeblue91

Haha they look like a kitchen cutting board.

No thank you.

LOL! "Honey, where's the iPad?" "I'm cutting meat on it!"

xStatiCa · Mar 12, 2012, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgr555

damn that carbon fiber one is veryyyyyyy tempting. I like the cf look from Marware but will have to think about this.

I wouldn't want a real carbon fiber material anywhere near my ipad. Carbon fiber edges are very abrasive.

Mar 8, 2012, 01:22 PM	#1
maclook macrumors 65816 Join Date: Nov 2008	Any good non-Apple Smart Covers? I really want a leather Smart Cover but don't want to cough up $70 for one when I already have a PU one from last year. Exploring my options, I'm wondering if any 3rd parties make good Smart Covers. The reviews for the Miniot wood Smart Cover are pretty terrible despite it looking beautiful. I think it's important for the 3rd party to use a lot of magnets like Apple does on theirs. So any suggestions on alternative Smart Covers?
	1

Mar 8, 2012, 09:13 PM	#3
ejisfun macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2011	Ditto, I got my black leather smart cover on ebay for 26.50. __________________  Retina MacBook Pro (2.3 GHz, 16GB, 256GB)  iPad (3rd Generation) 32GB AT&T  iPhone 5 16GB AT&T  iPod Nano 6G (8GB) 
	0

Mar 8, 2012, 09:54 PM	#6
M87 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2009	I wouldn't take a chance with ebay, could end up with a fake. I'm surprised there aren't some good third-party smart covers, seems pretty simple. Same thing with iPhone bumpers. Everyone rags on apple for these overpriced accessories, but all the third-party versions are much lower quality. __________________ 15" rMBP; iPad 4; iPhone 5 I <3 
	0

Mar 8, 2012, 10:04 PM	#7
ValentinoV macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2012	there is this http://droconcepts.com/iPad2/carbon-...ase-cover.html which is carbon fiber and this http://www.selectism.com/news/2011/0...n-smart-cover/ which is bamboo.
	-1

Mar 9, 2012, 12:12 AM	#9
AnthonySmith macrumors 6502 Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Southern CA	Anyone think these are legit? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-MC947L...4#ht_500wt_689 __________________ 20" Aluminum iMac (2.66 GHz, 8 GB RAM, 320 GB HD) iPhone 5 (32 GB, Black) iPad mini (16 GB, Black, WiFi) Apple TV (2010) Twitter \| FourSquare
	0

Mar 8, 2012, 07:36 PM	#2
Hosei macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2012	I have purchased a used apple smart cover from ebay, it was leather and i got it for around 30 dollars.
	0

Mar 8, 2012, 10:30 PM	#8
maclook Thread Starter macrumors 65816 Join Date: Nov 2008	I might try Craigslist. Maybe I can get a good deal off of someone who is trying to bundle their iPad 2 with one but failing to get a buyer. I kinda want a new one though... Amazon also has some Smart Covers on sale.
	0

Mar 9, 2012, 01:46 AM	#11
Laserawesome macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Boston, MA	Here are some really nice, and really expensive ones: http://www.grovemade.com/product/ipa...felt-ipad-case __________________ 2010 MBP 13" -- iPhone 4 32g -- 2011 Mac Mini 2.5 500 -- 4TB Time Capsule -- iPod nano 4g -- 2007 iPod Classic 80g -- iPad 3 64g Wifi
	0

Mar 9, 2012, 05:16 AM	#13
nightfly13 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ranchi, India	I'm in precisely the same boat (have PU, upgrading iPads and want to go leather, don't want to pay $70). I'd also like some kind of embossed or embroidered leather or some more interesting design than vertical stripes on the creases. I've used a carbon fiber rear skin on my iPad 2 for around a year and it's been terrific, I'd actually love a carbon fiber smart cover and rear sticker, but not for $90! I'd be willing to pay up around $70-80 for a really high-quality, classy cover. There are plenty of iPad cases that fit the descriptions, but they're all full-body, I want a classy, high-quality leather 'smart cover'. __________________ 27" iMac (i7), SSD+HDD 15" MBP, SSD+HDD the new iPad, iPhone 4s
	0


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