Macally Slim Folio Review w/Pics

[mrgossett]

I just received the Macally Slim Folio from Amazon today, and here's a quick review and several pics.

My first impression is that I really like this folio case. I also have the STM Grip which I also like, but I thought I would order this Macally case and try it. Here are the pros of this case:

1) It's very light and slim. I don't think it weighs any more than the STM Grip.
2) The plastic clips hold the iPad in place very well. It's easy to insert and remove the iPad, but I don't think there's much chance of it coming out in a drop. This case has very good fit.
3) I like the look and feel of this case. I ordered the blue/gray color. It has a brushed finish on the outside that feels nice but has pretty good grip when carrying. The inside lining is finished with a soft material that is very grippy, which I like when holding it book-style for reading. The STM Grip's inside lining is soft but not very grippy, and it's harder to hold for longer periods book-style.
4) I really like the way this case cover folds underneath. It folds flat against the back, but it has a small spine like a real book that is very comfortable to hold.
5) The latch on the cover is very secure. There's not much danger of it coming open in a drop. This case has very good edge protection all around, as you can tell from the pics.
6) The viewing position works OK. There's just one crease inside the cover for the iPad to rest in, but it will also stay put at some other angles. I think with use that it will loosen up and go lower into more of a typing position. The clips to release the iPad edge work easily, but are secure when holding it.

The only minor cons as of now:

1) The plastic latch or catch on the cover fits tightly enough that I'm going to watch and see if there is any scratching of the iPad edge. I think it will probably loosen a little with use and hopefully be just about right in tightness.
2) There's not enough clearance beside the bottom clip for the camera connector kit to fit, but many other cases have this issue as well. That can be solved with a dock extender cable or adapter.

I think this case may replace the STM Grip for me. I like the look and light weight of the Grip, but I'm not crazy about the all-plastic case, and the hinge for the viewing/typing props on the back causes it to rock and not set totally flat on a table when closed. The Macally Slim Folio has a better/satisfying feel when picking it up and laying it down.

There are more pics in the next two posts.

 

[mrgossett]

More Macally Slim Folio Pics- Part 2

Here's five more pics of the Macally Slim Folio:

 

[pbateman.as]

Just ordered mine in black a little while ago. Would love to see some pics of it in some viewing positions.

 

[mrgossett]

More Macally Slim Folio Pics- Part 3

Here's four more pics:

 

[ElDogman]

do you have to unhook the left hinges every time you want to use it in landscape mode?

 

[mrgossett]

Yep- But it's very easy to do. I personally don't like cases that let the left side of the case flop around loose.

 

[mdmt619]

What's the texture of the outside of the case like? Is it cloth, like a hardcover book?

 

[mrgossett]

It's not cloth, not leather, or even imitation leather. It's a textured material that feels nice and has some grip. The section along the spine is perforated. It's kind of hard to describe, but it feels good and is not cheap-feeling or looking at all.

 

[MR1324]

how many typing positions are there? can you put it into a low typing position?

 

[vjacques]

1) The plastic latch or catch on the cover fits tightly enough that I'm going to watch and see if there is any scratching of the iPad edge. I think it will probably loosen a little with use and hopefully be just about right in tightness.

i was concerned about that as well and actually going to ask Macally directly if they did any tests with that latch before releasing it. however, my friend has been using this case for more than a week now and that part of the case where it meets the latch still looks pristine.

 

[mrgossett]

There's not a real typing position except for pushing the iPad below the viewing position. As the case back flexes and loosens up, I think it would go low enough to use as a typing position. I haven't had time to actually play around with that yet.

 

[vjacques]

As the case back flexes and loosens up, I think it would go low enough to use as a typing position.

yes, it will do exactly that.

 

[ihsaan]

Do you know if this case is compatible with the Smart cover feature, meaning it shuts off the screen when you close the lid?

 

[kdoug]

Do you know if this case is compatible with the Smart cover feature, meaning it shuts off the screen when you close the lid?

According to macallys website it is.

 

[mrgossett]

Yes, that feature works perfectly.

 

[NAYo2002]

Wow this looks really nice. Too bad Im already on my third case lol. Need to show some restraint at some point. Def going to consider if this case starts to fall apart.

 

[xraydoc]

Very slick.

 

[I like cats]

Macally Slim Folio

Just wondering if that's the exact case (colour-wise) that you bought? It looks really blue to me (or perhaps that's just my monitor... :/) & the case that you have is grey.

 

[tranceFusion]

The thing that's really bugging me with many of these cases is that if I fold the lid back behind and use it in portfolio, the latch is protruding and making it annoying to grip with my right hand.

 

[mrgossett]

The case in the pics is mine that I bought. It's described as a blue, but it's really more of a two-tone gray. The pics show the colors pretty accurately. It's also available in black and pink. Yes, the little latch does stick out when using it book-style, but it actually helps me a little in holding it when reading. The flexible latch on the STM Grip is annoying to me because is bends very easily when holding it book-style.

To add to what was asked earlier about the typing position, I've played around with the case to try to loosen up the crease in the back some to go into more of a typing mode. It will now set lower almost to the latch and stay put, but it's not the really low typing angle that some cases have. I don't do a lot of typing on mine so that's not a big problem, but for some people it might be.

 

[andrewy]

I just picked up this case and have to note one thing about this case. It's very nice, but one thing I have run into is that the top middle 'claw' does seem to push up my screen protector a bit when I slide my iPad in. The bottom one doesn't do this, so I'm not sure if it depends on slight variations in tolerance from case to case or if this is just something people will have to take into account when purchasing.

 

[lammerpants]

Hey guys, just got the case myself, but in black. My quick impressions:

- Material has a real nice feel to it, but not for everyone. It's a "hard" case with a little bit of flex, and the the texture is that of...wooden plastic. That's the best I can describe it. Kind of like wood, but flexible. Very thin.

- The cover extends out about 1/3 of an inch from the ipad, giving it some protection if it falls on an edge.

- The black is very sleek, if you have a black ipad in the standup position, it's as if it extends the black border for a great viewing experience.

- The typing position is a *great" angle, not too low, not too high, and I personally think like it more than the standard typing angle found in the official Smart Cover and many others.

- Using the ipad in book mode is ok, has the same problem as most covers in that the front and back cover aren't flush when you wrap it around, and the clip that hangs on the right. I've gotten used to it, and it's actually better than some of the other covers I tried. I give up on finding the perfect cover for book-style use.

- My one actual concern, as stated earlier by someone, *seems* like the latch that closes the lid shut has a chance of scuffing the iPad over time. I'm going to be careful and see how this looks in a few weeks, but I'm keeping the case. Practically speaking, I don't see a company releasing a case that would actually cause it damage, but it's possible. See the last pic below to see the latch I'm referring to.

Sorry about the poor quality of the photos, it's late and I had a few beers.

 

[newone757]

Hmm this looks nice. Minimal and not too expensive. I like

 

[mrgossett]

I still have mine, but I'm thinking about returning it to Amazon. The latch issue is the main reason. Every time I close or open it, I'm thinking about the possibility of scratching the iPad edge. The extra dimensions around the edge do provide protection in case of a drop, but it also makes the iPad feel bigger than it actually is. I also can't get mine to go into much of a typing angle.

 

[aohus]

is the magnetic on/off switch working for you guys? it is not for mine, even though the website says it supports it. I did get the iPad 3 version, the new version of this case.

Will return if it works for everyone else but me.