MacAlly Bookstand for iPad: Short Review and *PICS*

[tigerstorm]

Try Timbuk2 Envelope Sleeve Xsmall

I'm curious about what kind of larger case/bag this would actually fit into. I've seen videos for this case and for the Apple one, and to me they look more like thin sleeves (which allow for angled typing, etc) which you would really want to put INSIDE a sturdier case.

I was thinking maybe something like a Hard Candy bubble case? The orange feet inside are velcro - you could just leave them out, and the MacAlly Bookstand-encased iPad could fit inside this large case.

Or is that just going overboard a bit?

Hi, I ordered this last week, (http://www.amazon.com/Timbuk2-Envel...r_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1272080379&sr=8-1) although they show not available for shipping until mid May, you can get for slightly higher price elsewhere, or directly from Timbuk2. I've long been a fan of Timbuk2's quality and asthetics. It may be a little bigger than "skin tight", but it might give you space to add a charger or what not. Did not speak of experience obviously, as I have not yet received it.

 

[jedolley]

The Pony Express came through and I got my case today. I've been out an about so only got to play with the case for about an hour now. I was not blown away by the quality, but it's still pretty good and I guess there is some trade off when you want a slim profile.

I kind of wish that they used the same hard plastic to line the inside of the front cover though, which would have certainly solved the warping issue

I agree with this 100%! This was the first thing I noticed about the case. I'm not sure how the front cover is going to hold up over time.

My front cover had a warp to it, but it was from the front crease and has mostly gone away due to use. My case also fully extends over the iPad and does not come up short.

Things I noticed right off the bat, and most of it has been mentioned:

- Landscape is MUCH sturdier than the Apple case. This is a huge deal for me. The Apple case got better after some use, but the fear was still there that it would fall forward. I do not have this fear with the Macally.

- Typing isn't as sturdy. There appears to be more give or wobble in typing mode. I don't think this is a huge deal since it's a touch screen and I don't apply nearly as much pressure as I would a regular keyboard.

- The exposed sides are both good and bad. One of my problems with the Apple case is that it completely surrounds the iPad, which hides it looks and traps dust more. From time to time I would take my iPad out just to clean it. The Macally shows off the iPad beauty more and is easier to clean. The bad side is that it's not as protected.

So far I like the case. However, I also don't think this will be my last case as I feel (or hope) there may eventually be something even better around the corner.

Hi, I ordered this last week, (http://www.amazon.com/Timbuk2-Envel...r_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=apparel&qid=1272080379&sr=8-1) although they show not available for shipping until mid May, you can get for slightly higher price elsewhere, or directly from Timbuk2. I've long been a fan of Timbuk2's quality and asthetics. It may be a little bigger than "skin tight", but it might give you space to add a charger or what not. Did not speak of experience obviously, as I have not yet received it.

I had a sleeve like this for my Kindle, and I liked it. The only thing I didn't like about the sleeve is that the velcro on the tab went all the way across and the velcro on the main part of the sleeve was only two small sections. This seemed a bit excessive and if not careful I could see were the velcro could cause minor scratches. It's a bit nitpicky, but it was something that stood out to me.

 

[Braaam]

The Pony Express came through and I got my case today.

Hah, your pony express is still quicker than USPS int. shipment. Paying double with double waiting time; I should enjoy this case 4 times as much.

So I'm happy with the positive reviews here, especially:

- Landscape is MUCH sturdier than the Apple case. This is a huge deal for me. The Apple case got better after some use, but the fear was still there that it would fall forward. I do not have this fear with the Macally.

That's reassuring - i will be watching quite a bit of air video on this - thanks for sharing.

 

[ecitizen]

Corners scratching?

For those of you who have had the case for a while do you find that the corners get scratched when popping the iPad in and out due to the plastic things? Thanks.

 

[Sumitagarwal]

For those of you who have had the case for a while do you find that the corners get scratched when popping the iPad in and out due to the plastic things? Thanks.

This was answered earlier. The consensus was that the plastic is much softer than aluminum and therefore cannot scratch the iPad.

 

[ecitizen]

This was answered earlier. The consensus was that the plastic is much softer than aluminum and therefore cannot scratch the iPad.

Thanks and I did see that. However, I'm not looking for consensus on a theory but rather real world anecdotes after people have used it for a week or two. I would be interested to hear from those who have put it through some serious use.

 

[jedolley]

After a full day with the BookStand, i've decided not to keep it. The Macally is a good case and I agree with most if not all the Pros listed in this thread. However, front cover of the case is my biggest turn off. My search for the "perfect" case continues.

I will be selling my Bookstand instead of dealing with returning and restocking fee. I'm only asking for what I paid ($39 shipped) via Paypal. If I don't get a taker in a couple days then it's going up on Ebay.

 

[zub3qin]

After a full day with the BookStand, i've decided not to keep it. The Macally is a good case and I agree with most if not all the Pros listed in this thread. However, front cover of the case is my biggest turn off. My search for the "perfect" case continues.

I will be selling my Bookstand instead of dealing with returning and restocking fee. I'm only asking for what I paid ($39 shipped) via Paypal. If I don't get a taker in a couple days then it's going up on Ebay.

Can you let us know what you didn't like about the front cover?

Also, there was a youtube review posted a day ago where they showed the iPad falling right out of the Macally case after a few shakes.... did you or anyone else experience anything like this?

 

[jedolley]

Can you let us know what you didn't like about the front cover?

Also, there was a youtube review posted a day ago where they showed the iPad falling right out of the Macally case after a few shakes.... did you or anyone else experience anything like this?

It was previously mentioned that the front cover is not a hard plastic, it has the feel of cardboard or something similar.

As for the falling out, I did not have that experience. It may not look it, but it's in there pretty well.

 

[zub3qin]

It was previously mentioned that the front cover is not a hard plastic, it has the feel of cardboard or something similar.

As for the falling out, I did not have that experience. It may not look it, but it's in there pretty well.

Thanks for testing out this case.... sorry you didn't like it.
When you do find something you like, please post your thoughts.

Also, have you considered only thin cases like Apple ipad case or Macally Bookstand? Or are you also looking at sleeves like Griffin Elan Sleeve.

Have you considered the no-name leather/leatherette sleeves being sold on ebay?

 

[jedolley]

Thanks for testing out this case.... sorry you didn't like it.
When you do find something you like, please post your thoughts.

Also, have you considered only thin cases like Apple ipad case or Macally Bookstand? Or are you also looking at sleeves like Griffin Elan Sleeve.

Have you considered the no-name leather/leatherette sleeves being sold on ebay?

Right now I'm pretty set on a multi-positional folio. The thickness is a factor, but not the most important. I had a Marware Eco-Vue and it's much thicker than the Apple and Macally cases, but I didn't find it too thick.

I'm not looking at sleeves right now because landscape and typing positions are pretty important to how i use my iPad. If I were considering a sleeve, it would be one like this http://wrappers.typepad.com/ipod/apple-ipad/. I like that it straps to the back of the sleeve and should make it holding it much comfortable. For me the only way a sleeve would work is if there was a portable multi-positional stand that also folded flat for travel. The Griffin A-Frame is a good example, but a bit pricey http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/a-frame.

 

[zub3qin]

Right now I'm pretty set on a multi-positional folio. The thickness is a factor, but not the most important. I had a Marware Eco-Vue and it's much thicker than the Apple and Macally cases, but I didn't find it too thick.

I'm not looking at sleeves right now because landscape and typing positions are pretty important to how i use my iPad. If I were considering a sleeve, it would be one like this http://wrappers.typepad.com/ipod/apple-ipad/. I like that it straps to the back of the sleeve and should make it holding it much comfortable. For me the only way a sleeve would work is if there was a portable multi-positional stand that also folded flat for travel. The Griffin A-Frame is a good example, but a bit pricey http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/a-frame.

Anyone consider this one? Pretty cheap (about $25!) and good reviews. The appearance I am unsure about....

http://www.amazon.com/Ctcstore-Leather-Carrying-Built-Tablet/dp/B003HPQHCU/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1272254027&sr=1-15

 

[iRabbit]

Anyone consider this one? Pretty cheap (about $25!) and good reviews. The appearance I am unsure about....

http://www.amazon.com/Ctcstore-Leather-Carrying-Built-Tablet/dp/B003HPQHCU/ref=sr_1_15?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1272254027&sr=1-15

This style is all over ebay for even cheaper.

 

[tigerstorm]

Day 2 impression

Sorry to hear some of folks here decided not to keep it, my positive experience with the macally case only grew in the past 24 hours. Is it a perfect case? No. But the limitations of this case are easy to adapt to for me. The fact that it's closely form-fitting, and does not obstruct the use of the iPad in any angle, is the key reason I decide to keep it, until the next best thing shows up, that is. I thought I would only use it during transportation, but now I realize I have been leaving the iPad in the entire time. The iPad became so much easier to carry around and to hold, I'm having so much better time handling it than before I had the case. As much as I love the "naked" feel of the iPad, it's hard to hold it when I'm lying down, the stress on the holding hand is high because how slippery the iPad was. Yes, I wish the front cover can be stiffer, thicker, and perhaps lined with foam or leather, but that will add to weight and heft. The strap should perhaps be magnetic rather than mechanical. The back of the case should perhaps be flat rather than curved to rid of the "wobble" during typing on desk (center strap made it worse). But seriously, these are very minor issues, as I don't sit by a desk with my iPad, I use my laptop instead. So, as this concludes my search for the ideal iPad case, the macally scored higher than any existing offering. My next purchase would have to be a floatation case that allows the iPad to hover over my bed, I'm thinking about a cable suspension system involving steel cables, drill, pulleys, nail gun, and perhaps trips to ikea, any suggestions?

 

[jedolley]

Anyone consider this one? Pretty cheap (about $25!) and good reviews. The appearance I am unsure about....

Cheap or not, I'm not really a fan of the hide-away stand look. Sena's upcoming folio case also has a hide-away stand (not done in the same way), and I didn't like it either.

You can say what you want about the Apple case, but I like how it and the Macally case are multi-positional without adding extra parts that take away from the look of the case and the iPad.

 

[GrindedDown]

That case with the hide away stand looks so fugly to me. I like the minimalist approach which is why the Macally case seems to be best. I have seen issues with hide away stands remaining in position. Like for that one pictured, you will probably type 3 or 4 words before it slips.

 

[zen]

This was answered earlier. The consensus was that the plastic is much softer than aluminum and therefore cannot scratch the iPad.

I don't think it's as simple as that - I'm pretty sure those corner clips will mark the iPad over time.

 

[UnseenLlama]

Can you let us know what you didn't like about the front cover?

Also, there was a youtube review posted a day ago where they showed the iPad falling right out of the Macally case after a few shakes.... did you or anyone else experience anything like this?

In the video of the iPad falling out, the reviewer mentioned that he had a skin on the back of the iPad. Even if that's only 1mm thick, you can't discount the fact that it would have some effect on stability of the grip. I've asked that reviewer to take the skin off and "retest".

 

[VyseTheLegend]

After a full day with the BookStand, i've decided not to keep it. The Macally is a good case and I agree with most if not all the Pros listed in this thread. However, front cover of the case is my biggest turn off. My search for the "perfect" case continues.

I will be selling my Bookstand instead of dealing with returning and restocking fee. I'm only asking for what I paid ($39 shipped) via Paypal. If I don't get a taker in a couple days then it's going up on Ebay.

I'm interested. I can't PM you for some reason. E-mail me the details at HNazario@gmail.com

 

[Sumitagarwal]

I don't think it's as simple as that - I'm pretty sure those corner clips will mark the iPad over time.

Well... I could imagine the iPad getting scratched, but because of grit caught between the plastic and the iPad, not because of the plastic itself.

 

[zen]

Well... I could imagine the iPad getting scratched, but because of grit caught between the plastic and the iPad, not because of the plastic itself.

Constant rubbing will wear the corners. It doesn't matter that the plastic is softer than the aluminium, a human hand can wear down stone if it is rubbed long enough (not to mention rivers wearing away pebbles!).

 

[Crackbone]

Constant rubbing will wear the corners. It doesn't matter that the plastic is softer than the aluminium, a human hand can wear down stone if it is rubbed long enough (not to mention rivers wearing away pebbles!).

Anything is possible, however, I remove the iPad from the case sometimes 4-5 times a day, and I haven't seen anything even remotely resembling a scratch.

 

[silverstonett]

Again, I suppose I'll find out within a few days, but for those who have the case and have been taking it on and off frequently, have you seen anything to suggest that the grips might begin to loosen and hold the iPad less securely?

 

[Crackbone]

Again, I suppose I'll find out within a few days, but for those who have the case and have been taking it on and off frequently, have you seen anything to suggest that the grips might begin to loosen and hold the iPad less securely?

Not I. Same hold as the moment I pulled it out of the box.

 

[noah82]

I just ordered mine...should be here in 2 days!!