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iPad My iPad Air Smart Case review

AdeFowler said:
I wish they were made from anything but leather
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I agree. I'm no hippie or anything, but I don't see the obsession with leather. It's cow skin. Shy am I wrapping my iPad in COW SKIN?!?! This is 2013, the polyurethane material used on SmartCovers is a synthetic that repels finger grease, dirt, and scuffs, all of which the leather smart cases can't say.
 
Night Spring said:
I agree that the back of the Smart Case is really nice. So much that I'm tempted to cut off the front "lid" section and just use the back!
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I took Night Spring's suggestion and X-acto knifed the cover off. You can see photos and instructions here:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1684534/

After trying out five different third party cases and returning all of them in disappointment, this modified smart case is hands down far superior than I have seen so far. It's a bit risky (it was for me, since I had to double my case budge to by the smart case), but the procedure is very simple and the outcome is just awesome.
 
Obenaufs working?

Orion025 said:
Posted this in another thread but you could use Obenauf's leather oil if you want to avoid the streaky look. It's been done several times before using Obenauf's on the old leather Smart Cover and leather iPhone cases. Plenty of pics if you search around the forum.

Pics of my case below:

Image

Contrast against microfiber lining and black screen

Image
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Orion025, how long did it take your smart case to show that beautiful brown color? I applied the Obenaufs to my beige case yesterday afternoon twice, letting the oil sit for 90 minutes each time before I wiped it off, and this morning it look no different.
 
shenan1982 said:
I agree. I'm no hippie or anything, but I don't see the obsession with leather. It's cow skin. Shy am I wrapping my iPad in COW SKIN?!?! This is 2013, the polyurethane material used on SmartCovers is a synthetic that repels finger grease, dirt, and scuffs, all of which the leather smart cases can't say.
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This is 2013 and people still have wood floor.

This is 2013 and people still use real vanilla? Synthetic extract is the best.

This is 2013 and people still eat foods? We all should be taking pills.

This is 2013 and people still walk around in their own skin? It should be replaced with a synthetic membrane that is a lot more abrasion resistance and is uv resistant so we don't have to apply sun screen when we go out.

I could go on...
 
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meistervu said:
This is 2013 and people still have wood floor.

This is 2013 and people still use real vanilla? Synthetic extract is the best.

This is 2013 and people still eat foods? We all should be taking pills.

This is 2013 and people still walk around in their own skin? It should be replaced with a synthetic membrane that is a lot more abrasion resistance and is uv resistant so we don't have to apply sun screen when we go out.

I could go on...
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If half of those even made sense in comparison, then you'd have a bit more credibility.
 
shenan1982 said:
If half of those even made sense in comparison, then you'd have a bit more credibility.
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They all make sense. For example the first one: wood versus say linoleum.

Wood: easily scratched, dinged, damaged by water, has to be refinished from time to time.

Linoleum: none of the aforementioned problem.

Does that mean wood is an inferior material? Not.

Sure, leather is not as carefree as vinyl, but it has quality that vinyl doesn't. Did you ever hear someone saying, "look at that beautiful PU leather jacket?"
 
ct1211 said:
I bought the $79.00 $9.00 leather case. It does not work in typing or viewing position. It's awful

Has an Apple logo imprint though!
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Seriously? How is Apple even selling these if they don't hold up in typing position? I just made a thread about this it's the only thing that has me hesitant on getting it as I keep hearing it. I don't mind that it doesn't stand up in "movie" viewing mode as I never use it, but at least hold up in the "typing" position. Smh
 
bobright said:
Seriously? How is Apple even selling these if they don't hold up in typing position? I just made a thread about this it's the only thing that has me hesitant on getting it as I keep hearing it. I don't mind that it doesn't stand up in "movie" viewing mode as I never use it, but at least hold up in the "typing" position. Smh
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Typing position is better than the stand mode but definitely not stable. At least a couple of times a day I would have it totally folded correctly and it would collapse while typing. The magnets aren't strong enough. Interesting enough, the magnets in the Smart cover as opposed to the case are perfectly strong and totally stable. Maybe the leather impedes the attraction of the magnets.
 
Still considering the Smart Case. I have the Smart Cover but I love how it sticks to back of my iPad Air tho.
 
If your SmartCase collapsed on you in typing position

Please explain to me because I have trouble understanding how it is possible to collapse the thing by typing. I posted this in another thread and never had a response.

We are talking about using it as a stand in landscape mode like in the photo below.

How is is physically possible for the thing to collapse when you type? The thing forms a triangle inside out (fuzzy surface out). I imagine if I step on it then it would collapse because I would effectively flatten the triangle that is made out of leather, but normal or abnormal typing, how do you collapse it by typing on the iPad?

MF047_AV5
 
I would use the Smart case typing in my lap. Not sure if it was the tipped up position on my legs or what but it would come apart if not set just so. I tried it both ways, with the outside out and the inside out. For me the outside out actually held together better when on my lap in typing mode. But either way I folded, it was not totally stable as it is with the Smart Cover. The inside out worked better in stand up mode on a counter.

I can totally see what you mean about not being able to come apart - that may be the case when typing on a counter or desk but didn't work for me on my lap in the recliner.
 
Nhwhazup said:
I would use the Smart case typing in my lap. Not sure if it was the tipped up position on my legs or what but it would come apart if not set just so. I tried it both ways, with the outside out and the inside out. For me the outside out actually held together better when on my lap in typing mode. But either way I folded, it was not totally stable as it is with the Smart Cover. The inside out worked better in stand up mode on a counter.

I can totally see what you mean about not being able to come apart - that may be the case when typing on a counter or desk but didn't work for me on my lap in the recliner.
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Finally, a clear response. Thank you!

It drives me nut when people just say "it doesn't work" without explaining how it doesn't work.

Yes, I experience the same problem when sitting in a recliner with my legs up creating a slop beyond certain degrees. Then I realize that when I have my legs up like that, the iPad is already in a reclining position having the same angle as having the cover rested on the folded triangle on a flat surface, so there is no need for the triangle. It's a non-issue for me.
 
3rdiguy said:
It's not magnets in the back it's to see if they are strong enough to stick to iPad through the leather case.
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I don't get this response, does it have magnets on the back or not? to where you could fold the smart cover back and it would stick to the back area where the camera hole cutouts are?

BTW im talking about the Smartcase not cover
 
bobright said:
I don't get this response, does it have magnets on the back or not? to where you could fold the smart cover back and it would stick to the back area where the camera hole cutouts are?

BTW im talking about the Smartcase not cover
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There's no magnet in the back of the smart case. However, the magnets inside the iPad (the ones that stick the smart case / cover to the front) is strong enough so that there is a very weak sticking effect when you flip the cover completely back. But it comes off at the slightest shake.
 
Night Spring said:
There's no magnet in the back of the smart case. However, the magnets inside the iPad (the ones that stick the smart case / cover to the front) is strong enough so that there is a very weak sticking effect when you flip the cover completely back. But it comes off at the slightest shake.
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Thank you for the clarification
 
Night Spring said:
No, the flap doesn't stick to the back of the case. I'm looking for a thin piece of metal to tape to the back so I can secure the cover. A paper clip sort of works, but I'm hoping to find something smoother and flatter.
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My flap sticks to back of case. Magnetically, not super hard but does cling.
 
I don't mind my smart case. The only con I see with it is that the back hinge doesn't lay directly on the screen.
 
That70sGAdawg said:
5.7 oz. for the smart case brings it up to almost the Pad 4 (in a smaller form factor). However, I need a case on a 128 gb cell unit that I travel with constantly. If you add a case to the iPad 4- you are way bigger and heavier. It's easy to use in the case one handed and actually gives you more to "grip". There IS such a thing as "too thin" that causes a strain to hold it. I was going for the "old book" look on my smart case modification.
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I have the brown smart case. Works great for me. Perfect fit and protection for the edges. I have tried using the iPad Air naked and I find it harder to hold. Tends to be a bit slippery in the hand. As for weight, the case adds so little I don't have an issue with it. The better grip outweighs the slight weight increase for me. The cost was a bit high in my opinion, but the fit and usability factor still convince me it was the correct decision for me.

----------
That70sGAdawg said:
5.7 oz. for the smart case brings it up to almost the Pad 4 (in a smaller form factor). However, I need a case on a 128 gb cell unit that I travel with constantly. If you add a case to the iPad 4- you are way bigger and heavier. It's easy to use in the case one handed and actually gives you more to "grip". There IS such a thing as "too thin" that causes a strain to hold it. I was going for the "old book" look on my smart case modification.
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RichyB said:
I would buy one but:

-The earphone jack hole doesn't have enough space to accept my sony headphones.
-It didn't feel that durable.
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I saw somewhere that someone used a drill point to open up the earphone hole. Cutting it to a larger diameter. As for durability, I have used the cover since day one when I bought them on launch day. Still working great, no damage or durability issues. The edges are taking on a darker tone from handling, but I see that as natural leather patina giving character.
 
bobright said:
I don't get this response, does it have magnets on the back or not? to where you could fold the smart cover back and it would stick to the back area where the camera hole cutouts are?

BTW im talking about the Smartcase not cover
Click to expand...

My smart case cover is holding magnetically to back of case when opened and folded back behind. It's not super strong, but stays when iPad is held vertically. Will not stay if I hold pad horizontal to ground. Course when I do that I have my fingers on the back or laying pad down on surface or in lap. In bed holding one handed upright flap stays attached to back.
 
carjakester said:
anyone know how the leather compares to the polyurethane case made for older iPads?
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It's much better I recall. Material wise the old case was fine, but the new one feels really nice. Some people may think it's not as rich as some other leather cases out there. But there are many ways to finish leather, like there are many ways to finish wood. The finish Apple used is smooth and modern, not like a purse or a leather desk.

I have a brown one, and it finally showing a bit of nice aging which I am looking forward to. Again, this is personal: some people want theirs to look brand new forever. I prefer mine to age gracefully, like myself :)
 
meistervu said:
It's much better I recall. Material wise the old case was fine, but the new one feels really nice. Some people may think it's not as rich as some other leather cases out there. But there are many ways to finish leather, like there are many ways to finish wood. The finish Apple used is smooth and modern, not like a purse or a leather desk.

I have a brown one, and it finally showing a bit of nice aging which I am looking forward to. Again, this is personal: some people want theirs to look brand new forever. I prefer mine to age gracefully, like myself :)
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thank you, i hope by the time the next iPad comes out, which i will probably upgrade to they will have a second option for the smart case.
 
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