Same here. I switched from the smart case to the Smart Cover and was very happy with the swap. Still like the four panels of the older cover but this will work. I kept the smart case just in case.
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iPad I hate my iPad Air Smart Case
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Same here. I switched from the smart case to the Smart Cover and was very happy with the swap. Still like the four panels of the older cover but this will work. I kept the smart case just in case.
I've had mine for a week now, purchased the brown version to go with my white iPad. The fit is snugg and protects the air around all corners. I really like this as there is no cut outs in the case, which expose the on/off switch & volume control. This should prevent dust and grit settling in behind, which caused hairline scraches on my previous iPad.
My gap has settled down over the days so i'm happy over time it should close fush all round. I find the lip a useful addition as it gives greater comfort on holding the iPad.
The case is complimented by everyone at work so it certainly has the luxury feel and look.
My gap has settled down over the days so i'm happy over time it should close fush all round. I find the lip a useful addition as it gives greater comfort on holding the iPad.
The case is complimented by everyone at work so it certainly has the luxury feel and look.
I think it looks and fits great and does a good job of protecting the iPad Air, which to me is important. However, there is a major flaw in the magnets. Mine really doesn't want to stand up, it falls over backwards at the slightest touch and will be useless on a train or plane. I don't know whether the magnets are supposed to hold the flap down against the back of the case when using the iPad "flat" but they don't.
Did Apple test this?! I'm guessing the magnets used in production don't come up to spec.
I'm happy with the weight and thickness, since as I said I bought this to protect and look good.
Update
I just decided to protect the soft leather with some clear leather cream, just so that it might not absorb dirt so quick, and guess what - it now stands upright much better! One might have thought that the cream would have left a more slippery surface, but it seems the opposite. Only time will tell of course how it fares.
Did Apple test this?! I'm guessing the magnets used in production don't come up to spec.
I'm happy with the weight and thickness, since as I said I bought this to protect and look good.
Update
I just decided to protect the soft leather with some clear leather cream, just so that it might not absorb dirt so quick, and guess what - it now stands upright much better! One might have thought that the cream would have left a more slippery surface, but it seems the opposite. Only time will tell of course how it fares.
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Surprise
This thread convinces me that if you believe what you read on this forum, you may miss out on some great product.
First, let me say that I am very critical. I see flaws in every design, and It drive my friends nut at time.
I find the Air uncomfortable to hold: cold aluminum back, sharp edges. Sure, it looks cool, but there is no denying that I prefer holding a softer warmer object.
I hated the previous SmartCase. The fit was floppy, and the lips where your hands come in contact were sharp.
But the new all leather SmartCase intrigued me enough that I ignored all the negative comments and tried it for myself.
To my complete surprise, this case is superb. It is by far the best looking, minimal, functional accessory I have come across for an iPad. I prefer holding it to using the iPad naked: the leather feels nice in contrast to a cold sharp iPad. The flap folded works well as a stand. There are reports that it is unstable, but that is true only if you have it at and incline where you don't need the triangle support to begin with, so it is a non issue for me.
Some people say shy buy a light iPad only to add weight to it in the form of a case. My answer to that is I the added weight of this case is not perceptible to me, but the increase in comfort is so significant that I can't go back to using a naked iPad.
This thread convinces me that if you believe what you read on this forum, you may miss out on some great product.
First, let me say that I am very critical. I see flaws in every design, and It drive my friends nut at time.
I find the Air uncomfortable to hold: cold aluminum back, sharp edges. Sure, it looks cool, but there is no denying that I prefer holding a softer warmer object.
I hated the previous SmartCase. The fit was floppy, and the lips where your hands come in contact were sharp.
But the new all leather SmartCase intrigued me enough that I ignored all the negative comments and tried it for myself.
To my complete surprise, this case is superb. It is by far the best looking, minimal, functional accessory I have come across for an iPad. I prefer holding it to using the iPad naked: the leather feels nice in contrast to a cold sharp iPad. The flap folded works well as a stand. There are reports that it is unstable, but that is true only if you have it at and incline where you don't need the triangle support to begin with, so it is a non issue for me.
Some people say shy buy a light iPad only to add weight to it in the form of a case. My answer to that is I the added weight of this case is not perceptible to me, but the increase in comfort is so significant that I can't go back to using a naked iPad.
But there are users telling that there's a gap when the cover is closed. Do your cover have that too?
Yes, mine has a gap of about the thickness of about 2 credit cards between the top cover and the screen at the hinge tapering toward the first fold. The hinge is flexible so if I push down on it the gap would disappear. Perhaps with time the top will conform and the gap will go away.
But it really doesn't bother me. To see the gap I have too pick up the thing and look at it on the side. Life is too short to be that anal retentive.
I hope you are right, i have one on the way and if you are my smart cover will be going back. Not a fan of the poly.
Very well said. Have to agree with everything except the price. 65 pounds is a lot.
Vj
For $79 the smart case on my new mini is pretty awful.
But for $0 thrown in, it fits just right
Even when you could return it for Apple Store credit and use the money for something else
Yeah I got one for my mum as she's the primary user of the air. Looks nice, makes it comfortable to use and she doesn't notice the gap so that's cool. She also likes that it doesn't add much bulk. She used to have an iPad 3 with a thick folio case so this is now a fraction of the weight.
It's not a great moment though when I see £65 on a case on my account statement. There are people here in the UK that don't make that in a day after tax (and i'm sure in the US too)!
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Yes, $80 is not cheap.
For me it is a bargain. It is the thing I interact with everyday. I want it to feel good, look good, and age well. All the cases I looked at so far are either ugly or overly complicated or bulky. So far even if I had an unlimited budget, the SmartCase would still be my choice.
I would probably pay $120 for it now that I have spent sometime with it. But that is me - I am very picky.
Come to Australia you can pay $99
I would gladly pay $99 to come to Australia. It's wet and cold here.
26 celsius today not a bad spring day
Well mine arrived and its doing a U turn back to Apple, not worth $99, just feels cheap for a leather case, had a Spigen one for iPad 3 will wait and see if they bring one out for the Air, much nicer leather and case overall.
http://www.ide-home.com.au/fathers-...GP+Leinwand+Black+Leather+Case+for+new+iPad+3
Will stick with my smart cover for now.
My biggest problems with the smart case are the huge seam on the left when the case is closed and the fact that the cover doesn't fold flat against the back of the iPad like the smart cover does. For $80, I damn well better have a case that is exactly what I want.
Only $80 to get exactly what you want! I don't think I get exactly what I want regardless of how much I pay because even if money is no object, the is physical limitation to what human being can achieve at any moment in history. On the other hand, I suspect this is true for most people, I often don't know exactly what I want, so I just have to try sometime to see if I get exactly what I need
The "huge" hinge you spoke of is exactly 5mm deep. Well, for a hinged cover to work you need a hinge. You have about 3 choices:
1. recess it in the body - need a thicker back cover to do that
2. make a bifold hinge - more complicated, and it will flop around a b
3. do what Apple did which is to make it stick out
I like the SmartCover design. It's from a single piece of leather, with no stitches, simple and clean.The 5mm hinge that you mentioned is pretty ingenious and about as simple, clean, and robust a design I can think of. And yes, I have looked at a few more expensive alternative.
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Guessing the gap issue is with all cases. I called Apple and they are sending me another one, but I guess it's pointless.
Mine too has a gap at the hinge end.
I suspect that eventually the leather will become more supple and the hinge will no longer lift the covers the ways it does when new, and the cover will sit flat.
That would be a bonus, but to tell the truth, the gap doesn't bother me. It is such a great case, and the brown leather is looking better every day.
I suspect that eventually the leather will become more supple and the hinge will no longer lift the covers the ways it does when new, and the cover will sit flat.
That would be a bonus, but to tell the truth, the gap doesn't bother me. It is such a great case, and the brown leather is looking better every day.
I suspected as much and once I read this i became convinced that I was right. Just ordered one, will see how it goes and report back.