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An Honest In-Depth Review of the Smart Cover (With Pics) - Also, Why I'm Returning It

I really like my, all I need now is to protect the back.
No case will be perfect... ever.

what I like about this:
protects the glass,
easily removable,
can type/ watch movies,

pricey? yes, but over all I'm very happy.
 
I'd be happy with some kind of Air Jacket type snap on for the back with a cutout to accommodate the magnetic hinge of the Smart Cover.
 
I like mine as well. I got the polyurethane because of a) cost b) only choice 🙂 and c) I read the warning that the leather dye could rub off. So for $40 I'm happy.

Good:
  • Protects glass
  • magnets have decent enough strength (but like OP said don't think you could use the cover as a carying handle)
  • adds minimal thickness
  • It's surprisingly stable when in "vertical landscape" mode. I can lightly press just about anywhere on the screen where the apple care for ipad you just blow on it and it will fall over

Bad:
  • When propped up in "keyboard" mode it rests on the back corner of ipad, when looking for backs make sure it protects that area
  • No black polyurethane cover
  • In keyboard mode the volume buttons are hard to reach (see OPs comment on that)
  • ...can also accidentally press the buttons if you have it in keyboard mode and on your lap
  • The microfiber back that "keeps your screen clean"... doesn't. I knew this wouldn't work as soon as steve jobs mentioned it since the magnets keep it one location and you need to actually slide the cover around to wipe it, which freaks out the ipad tremendously 🙂
  • No place to put a stylus. The apple case for first ipad you could clip one to the edge. I ordered a boxwave one and it has an adapter of sorts that will let you hang it off the headphone jack

My main concern is the back so I got a clear back film.
 
Knowimagination said:
This is the best method for portrait assuming left handed holding.
IMG_0028.jpg
Click to expand...

I never thought of that, feels much better if holding with one hand. When I'm resting the bottom on a table I still like to open it all the way so the bottom of the cover protects the whole bottom edge.
 
Love the smart cover.

It's not a case its a COVER and having got my iPad 2 at 5 on Friday and used them both a lot since then I can report I have had zero issues with it. It is pure Apple genius and does exactly what it is supposed to do, perfectly.

People can find anything to bitch about.
 
Knowimagination said:
Nice review. I don't experience many of these issues except the limited access to the buttons during use.

I am a little confused on one part though what about using it in portrait mode did you find difficult? Did you fold the cover back on itself or try to have it cover the whole back of the iPad?

I just let the case magnetize to itself and cover half of the back in portrait mode and hold it with my left hand and it works great.
Click to expand...
Knowimagination said:
This is the best method for portrait assuming left handed holding.
IMG_0028.jpg


Also I cannot get it to fall back as you have shown while using it on my lap. As for the front magnet how strong do you need it to be? The original apple case had no method for holding it closed at least this smart cover has some method to hold it closed.


I think this is a big problem for people they want the smart cover to be a case when it obviously isn't. To me it is a great cover and works well in the ways it was advertised.
Click to expand...

I didn't discuss this in my review but I definitely tried folding over the cover on itself when in portrait view and found that to be even more uncomfortable as not only does it make the ipad even thicker and more difficult to hold for long periods of time, but it doesn't eliminate what I consider to be the essential weakness of holding the smart cover in portrait view which is the haphazard movement of the case between the two orientations I have demonstrated in my post. I would post a picture but don't have the cover anymore, but for reference sake, it makes the ipad much much thicker which goes against the whole idea.

KittyKatta said:
It adds thickness so will a skin interfere with the smart cover latch?
Click to expand...

Likely not as the magnet would still be able to work through a skin

blen said:
Honestly, this review is jacked up.

More than half the points are "you probably wouldn't do this, but this is what happens when you do." I.e. you can scratch the screen with the magnets! Uh, yeah, you can scratch the screen with anything you drag across it. Don't drag stuff across your iPad screen.

It was designed to be used in specific scenarios. If it doesn't work for all yours, don't buy it 🙂

Edit:

Also, you're holding it wrong.
Click to expand...

Ok, take a deep breath and calm down. I just wanted to share what my day-day experience was with the cover. I don't have any other agenda but to share information. It obviously didn't work for me but I also didn't have access to a review like mine to help me decide whether to buy it or not as there really weren't that many out in the public to review. Now that I know what it's like, I've returned it and am happy I did so, but before doing this wanted to help other potential smart cover owners with an honest review. I tried to keep the review as practical as possible from real life usage. Obviously I have no idea how other people are going to use their smart covers, but I can share my experiences. Also, there's no such thing as holding it wrong, I personally think that folded over is even more uncomfortable and didn't think most people would be doing that so didn't include it as mentioned above.

Sodner said:
It's not a case its a COVER and having got my iPad 2 at 5 on Friday and used them both a lot since then I can report I have had zero issues with it. It is pure Apple genius and does exactly what it is supposed to do, perfectly.

People can find anything to bitch about.
Click to expand...

Just trying to help out, no reason to be negative. I obviously would not have spent this time writing the review unless I thought there was something to report.
 
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i have the smart cover as well but am considering returning it. I don't like how it seems like more of a hassle to fold it back and roll it up in order to give your ipad the angled typing. The iPad 1 case was much better and quicker to just flip up and boom, you have angled typing. I also have a toddler who uses the iPad and I can just see her picking up the iPad by the cover and the magnets just letting go and the iPad goes straight to floor.

I'm returning it tomorrow and buying this CandyConvertible

http://www.hardcandycases.com/candy-convertible-apple-ipad-2-case.html
 
I personally love the new Smart Covers. I think they look elegant, has an ingeniously designed hinge, and, the way it activates the screen with magnets, is very creative. This link discribes how the magnets were designed into the case (http://www.cultofmac.com/ipad-2-smart-cover-contain-31-magnets-yes-31-magnets/86018) But most of all, I like the way it preserves the slim profile of the iPad while it's attached.

That being said, I know it's not for everyone. After using the first iPad for a year, I came to discover there was no one ideal case for all situations. Through out the course of the year, I purchased 3 cases and one stand, that I used in various situations. Without a doubt, the Smart Cover is not appropriate all the time.

One suggestion I have for the OP is that for using the iPad on the couch, I found using the WedgePad ideal. It's like a bean bag stand that attaches to the iPad. It's comfortable in your lap and provides two different viewing angles. Unfortunately, I just checked their site and they are currently sold out, but will hopefully be back in stock soon. http://wedgepad.com/. BTW, I use the WedgePad with the Smart Cover attached, so it's there when I need it.
 
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Excellent and useful review, thanks for posting it.

As I've commented before, Yoobao are going to clean up adapting their clone of the Apple iPad case to the iPad 2.
 
Thanks for the great review.

I was batting myself in the head thinking many of the thinks you mentioned. Primarily the fact that it really does not work well even using it lying flat on a table to type. It flops over, the hinges have a hard time maintaining that angle and then flop over to an even lower position. Not a position I would type in.

As for using it as an expensive photo display in that case horizontally, I would personally never think of doing that, a.c cord attached or not. Not stable enough, anything could topple it over. Literally all you'd have to do is blow hard enough and over she goes! Cords generally look ugly and the only way to avoid this look is to get a stand like the aluminum Griffin for stability, but your always going to have the cord coming out the ide business, no way around that!

As to your using it in your lap in the desktop position, not sure it was designed to do this and I can see where what you described would happen. I'm not even going there, not likely to use it that way.

I will also concur that the Ipad t is NOT in a stable position when positioned horizontally. I would not EVER leave mine in that position even watching a movie, just totally unstable and will fall over backwards. Bound to happen, and then the scratches on the backside start.

Though a quick note on that, I returned to the Apple store here in New York City to take a look at the backs of the ipads on display knowing that they have been handled literally thousands of time, and I have to report that for the most part the ones I looked at all looked pretty darn good.

So while I am quite aware that this "smartCover" os not a "case" I do think for now it serves a purpose for partial protection while I wait for third party cases, hopefully Mophie, but whoever really.

I am going to use this with a clear Wrapsol skin on the back for home use and when I leave the house, it will go in a more protective case, this cover is not meant for this type of protection at all! No one should be led into thinking this is the case, no pun intended!
 
Thanks for the review!

If I wanted a screen-lid, I think the Smart Cover is really neat—maybe with the addition of a thin-film back protector (or, no doubt, hard shells that someone will design with a cutout for the hinge).

But I just can’t stand ANY kind of folio/flap/lid. For my own self personally, I don’t want some big flapping thing hanging off my iPad, having to be folded under, etc. I want my iPad to be clean and simple—to handle, not just to look at.

And if the main use of a screen cover is to protect the device when NOT in use, I’d rather just slip it into a travel sleeve. (Since I want padding and handles anyway, and would get a sleeve even if I did have a Smart Cover.)

Granted covers can also work as stands. But I’d use my iPad that way a lot less then just held flat in my hand or lap. I wouldn’t want a permanently attached stand for only occasional use. (And my choice of stand would be one that supplies power anyway.)

It’s very cool for some people, but I’d think twice about what your needs are before adding complexity to the iPad.
 
iPad 2 with Smart Cover and ColcaSac

@makefunnyfaces
I read your post about the iPad 2 smart cover in the MacRumors threat. You mentioned to buy a "ColcaSac" sleeve for your iPad 2 with smart cover. Did you receive it yet and how does it fit? Which one did you purchase? I guess you have customized to fit the iPad 2 with attached smart cover? I think not elegant but practicable though?
Does anybody out there has experience with the ColcaSac sleeves?
 
they should have had the magnets working on the other side too, when it's flipped open and folded back to keep it in place in the far end that is not attached permanently (so to speak). Haven't they?
 
just like the i4 bumper, it's probably less than a dollar worth of material and apple overcharges and overhypes it up to be the greatest thing since sliced bread. I will definitely pass on this product, but I guess buyers will buy anything nowadays with the apple logo on it.
 
I have been using the cover now for 24 hrs, and I generally agree with most people's conclusions. For me, my biggest complaint is that swiveling hinge! It does not lock into place. As a result, standing the iPad 2 in the landscape mode is very unstable. It is just so unstable to the point where I am afraid to just swipe a screen to navigate around!
 
richlee111 said:
I have been using the cover now for 24 hrs, and I generally agree with most people's conclusions. For me, my biggest complaint is that swiveling hinge! It does not lock into place. As a result, standing the iPad 2 in the landscape mode is very unstable. It is just so unstable to the point where I am afraid to just swipe a screen to navigate around!
Click to expand...

that sounds pretty bad....🙁
 
I generally like the smart cover. Does what it is advertised to do.

HOWEVER:

I don't think it's been mentioned on this thread is that people who use the Apple wireless keyboard will hate the smart cover. The angle you naturally want to use with the keyboard (the standing up orientation) is almost 90 degrees with the keyboard. It's ok to use it while sitting at a desk or dining table, but forget about using it when you have to look downward at it at all. Ex. coffee tables. That's the biggest complaint I have about it.
 
richlee111 said:
I have been using the cover now for 24 hrs, and I generally agree with most people's conclusions. For me, my biggest complaint is that swiveling hinge! It does not lock into place. As a result, standing the iPad 2 in the landscape mode is very unstable. It is just so unstable to the point where I am afraid to just swipe a screen to navigate around!
Click to expand...

Are you sure you're folding it the right way? I've found it to be pretty stable when you fold it with the microfiber side out. But if you fold it with the leather/poly side out, then it's extremely unstable and collapses with the slightest touch.
 
Night Spring said:
Are you sure you're folding it the right way? I've found it to be pretty stable when you fold it with the microfiber side out. But if you fold it with the leather/poly side out, then it's extremely unstable and collapses with the slightest touch.
Click to expand...

You are correct, the right way to use it is to fold it w/ the microfiber side out. I probably should have stated that. I keep playing with it to make the triangle with the plastic or leather side out, but it just isn't stable b/c of how the hinge and triangle is designed for the microfiber to be on the outside🙁 Of course with it set to the keyboard position triangle, it works fine.

I really don't want to use it this way because you can end up getting the microfiber side dirty, which will rub on the screen. In some tests/reviews of the Smart Cover, like this cultofmac article(http://ow.ly/1scFRH), they have found that getting oils and dirt on the microfiber side will lead to smudging on the screen if there is pressure put on the cover when it is closed.

Have people noticed any smudging on the screen like this w/ dirt and oil on the microfiber side?
 
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