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iPad iPad Air Smart Cover impressions

I had the red leather cover for me ipad 2 and 3, got a leather black with the 4th gen and now I decided to get the black for the Air.

I definitely didn't look forward to the Poly covers, but the quality is much better than in previous generations. It seems thicker and more rigid, overall. The tri-fold vs the quad-fold design is taking me some getting used to, but it's not really a nuisance. I've always liked to fold it in a triangle for easy 1-hand handed hold, kind of like a handle, but with the size/shape difference in the triangle, I'm just trying to adjust.

I'm finding that I like the non-metal hinges more than I did the metal. It doesn't look as nice, but it feels better to me, while holding it. I also like that when the smart cover is flipped behind the iPad itself, it's not really overlapping the edges of the iPad. Again, this makes it easier to hold.

All in all, I'm happy with the new Smart Cover.

I'm probably going to go with a Phantomskinz carbon fiber vinyl for the back. I never liked the added bulk of a full case.
 
zhenya said:
Just got mine in Red also.

Quality is much better than expected. I had a red leather cover for the 4 and was not excited about a poly cover, but the feel is very good.

Magnets on mine are plenty strong.

Folding into a stand is easier and seems to be a bit more stable.

Not sure I love the red color as it's a lot brighter than the old red. May exchange for black.
Click to expand...
Maybe decide that before you buy it?
I am tired of reading every other post on this website is someone returning a product.
 
simondup said:
I tested my iPad air smartcover (green) and it sticks much better than yours Sir Ruben on the front of the iPad.

It unfortunately no longer holds the cover when it is open on the back of the iPad (like my old iPad3 cover used to).

So the magnet in the cover seems weaker :confused:
Click to expand...

You must have had a special Smart Cover for the iPad 3 if it was held when flipped to the back by the magnets. I've had the official black leather Smart Cover since I got the iPad and mine never has nor have I ever heard of anyone else's doing that either. In fact most people complain it flaps around when flipped over. The only time it will hold in place on the back is if you use something like the Speck TPU back cover which has a magnet on the back.
 
bkushner said:
Maybe decide that before you buy it?
I am tired of reading every other post on this website is someone returning a product.
Click to expand...

Both black and red have not been in stock in my local stores so I had to order it, so I AM trying it out. :rolleyes:
 
I like it especially the magnet on the back. After a days use this case is better than my Ipad 4 leather cover. It's stiffer and able to hold better positions.
 
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pat park said:
here you go. hope it helps.
Click to expand...

Don't you have it folded wrong? Going by the pics on the apple site, it is intended to be folded with the fuzzy side out. Not the smooth side out as you have it.

All the official pics appear to show the fuzzy side on the outside of the folded triangle. Not the inside. Like this:

216_558578270.jpg
 
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caesarp said:
Don't you have it folded wrong? Going by the pics on the apple site, it is intended to be folded with the fuzzy side out. Not the smooth side out as you have it.

All the official pics appear to show the fuzzy side on the outside of the folded triangle. Not the inside. Like this:

Image
Click to expand...

I really don't get so crazy about the small details like that. I don't really see what the actual difference is in relation to standing the iPad up. Can you elaborate?

I prefer to have the fuzzy side not facing outside, so it doesn't pickup dust, dirt etc. and transfer it to the screen.

works for me. YMMV.
 
pat park said:
I really don't get so crazy about the small details like that. I don't really see what the actual difference is in relation to standing the iPad up. Can you elaborate?

I prefer to have the fuzzy side not facing outside, so it doesn't pickup dust, dirt etc. and transfer it to the screen.

works for me. YMMV.
Click to expand...

The base of the triangle and height of the side the ipad leans against are different. In your way the cover is much higher against the ipad back. Not sure if one way is better though. But I think it holds together stronger with the fuzzy side out. It might be that apple shows it like that in the ads for the stronger color on the fuzz?

I just compared. With your method it is also more top heavy when standing upright and could tip over more easy when tapping near the top. Agree about the dust and dirt issue though.
 
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caesarp said:
The base of the triangle and height of the side the ipad leans against are different. In your way the cover is much higher against the ipad back. Not sure if one way is better though. But I think it holds together stronger with the fuzzy side out. It might be that apple shows it like that in the ads for the stronger color on the fuzz?

I just compared. With your method it is also more top heavy when standing upright and could tip over more easy when tapping near the top. Agree about the dust and dirt issue though.
Click to expand...

Cool. I'll try it the other way. Thanks, Pat
 
I have the red cover. It seemed a bit bright at first but now I like it. I had the red leather cover on my 3. It's light and the iPad feels less slippery, more secure in my hands.

I fold the case inside itself and hold it from the back. The inside lining stays clean that way and nothing is flapping.

I don't prop it landscape or type on it standing. If I did prop, I'd want it portrait for reading which you can't do with Smart Cover.

I plan in getting back clear case - maybe Speck this time. I also ordered Joli sleeve for carrying outside the house.
 
Sir Ruben said:
* Hinge magnet is not aligned correctly and is a few mm off
Click to expand...

It seems that some iPad Air's have a fault where the magnets are not in the correct position. I am returning mine because of this issue - my Smart Cover was 2-3mm out of alignment on my iPad Air, but aligned fine on the 3 display models we checked in the Apple Store. We also checked a bunch of Smart Covers with my iPad Air and none aligned properly. Conclusion, the iPad Air was the problem.
 
I loved the texture of the old covers, the leather faded nicely and looked elegant overtime. The new texture/lack of an actual leather smart cover is very irritating. Big step back, the black poly smart cover gets dirty very easily and the stand magnets are very weak.
 
Disappointed

Coming from an iPad 2 and the Smart Cover for that, I am very disappointed and perpetually wrestling with the Air version of the Smart Cover. The new three section cover for the Air is always shifting and flopping. I hate it.
 
MacSignal said:
Coming from an iPad 2 and the Smart Cover for that, I am very disappointed and perpetually wrestling with the Air version of the Smart Cover. The new three section cover for the Air is always shifting and flopping. I hate it.
Click to expand...

Are you folding it with the soft side out?
I have zero issues when I fold it the proper way...when I fold the opposite way it falls over easily.
 
Does anyone know where to find the proper metal to adhere to rear of ipad air to hold Smart Cover in book mode?
 
I actually love my Smart Cover now! I didn't know it adhered to the back of my iPad Air because I had installed Bluelounge Kicks. I was using my Invellop case for a while and decided to give my Smart Cover a try again. It feels good and when using book mode, it doesn't flop around. I may still get MagBak when they release an iPad Air version. Since I carry mine in a neoprene case in a messenger bag the cover is very minimal. I recently installed the Moshi iVisor XT screen protector too for peace of mind. :D:apple:
 
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