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Portenzo iPad 2 Case: Now a Smart Cover

bluebermuda said:
Of course it did not work. Portenzo simply laughed at your threats, as they should. Your case arrived in the same time frame as everyone else's case.
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Reading comprehension.

Like I said, I emailed them in the morning. They told me that morning they hadn't even begun working on my case. The moment I said those things, they emailed back and said my case would ship out that evening, and it did. Tell me again how that didn't work? lol

I went from waiting over 7 weeks and not having my case even started being made... to getting my case shipped in the same day I complained. Seems like it worked to me.
 
Momo13Drums said:
Reading comprehension.

I went from waiting over 7 weeks and not having my case even started being made... to getting my case shipped in the same day I complained. Seems like it worked to me.
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seems that way.

Don't know why you're getting bashed. I would also be pissed if it was 7 weeks and they hadn't even started working on it. But whatever, you got your case and you like it. so good for you.

I think we all knew you didn't actually contact a lawyer. Or at least most of us knew ;)
 
Momo13Drums said:
- My case came with the new secret power button thingy. The bad thing about this, is it didn't work at all when I first put the iPad in the case. It does work now, but you have to have the iPad in the case JUST RIGHT. Even then, I have to press down on the iPad pretty damn hard for it to work.. harder than I'm comfortable with.
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So what is your overall impression of this secret power button? I'm also concerned about pressing the ipad so that the power button then presses up against the wood and gets turned off. This can't be good long run. I think at some point this mechanism will fail and then what? Someone on their FB page raised this same question but they just ignored him/her.
 
club1820 said:
So what is your overall impression of this secret power button? I'm also concerned about pressing the ipad so that the power button then presses up against the wood and gets turned off. This can't be good long run. I think at some point this mechanism will fail and then what? Someone on their FB page raised this same question but they just ignored him/her.
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Honestly, it's a cool feature but I don't feel like it's been implemented the best.. almost like a "beta" run at it.

When you get the iPad in the case just right, it DOES work and it's easier than when I wrote the review - but I still feel like I have to press the iPad harder than I would like to. Not to the point where I would break the screen or anything, but I can't imagine pressing somewhat hard on just one corner of the iPad could be very good for it. (Imagine what happens when you press your thumb into a LCD... I actually noticed when it was stiffer this happened on the corner of my iPad when I was turning it on/off with the secret button.)

By no means does it work as easily as the video Portenzo showed off. It basically feels like you just have to push hard enough until the button makes contact with the wood which is exactly what you're doing. It would be better if there was a notch or something slightly raised in the wood so it worked better.

Overall I'd say it's a good feature but it's in "beta" right now. We'll see if they improve it. Right now, it's more of a hassle. When I want to reset my iPad I have to hold down (hard) on the corner and wonder if I'm even getting contact with the button. I would have preferred it to be open.

All that said, it does work, so you can't fault Portenzo. It just needs more thought put into it.

edit:

I think another reason they chose to do this might have been to cut down production time. I don't know much about this kind of thing, but it seems like it would take less time to have the full-frame instead of taking the time to cut out the power button port... and it was easy to make it a "feature."
 
I'm still waiting for my 23 1/2 to start manufacturing process. I've waited around 2 months for it so the process is slow one. However, I'm not going to start harassing Portenzo for it. In my email communication with them earlier on I told them that I wouldn't be accepting any halve assed product like they shipped for few of their clients (poor sanding, bad wood quality, misaligned camera hole etc.) I actually asked them to cancel my order if they felt they couldn't deliver a product that is featured in their web site. I'm interested to see when my product actually ships and if that product is indeed with the same quality that is seen on their site. I truly hope they can deliver what they have promised.
 
Momo13Drums said:
Honestly, it's a cool feature but I don't feel like it's been implemented the best.. almost like a "beta" run at it.

When you get the iPad in the case just right, it DOES work and it's easier than when I wrote the review - but I still feel like I have to press the iPad harder than I would like to. Not to the point where I would break the screen or anything, but I can't imagine pressing somewhat hard on just one corner of the iPad could be very good for it. (Imagine what happens when you press your thumb into a LCD... I actually noticed when it was stiffer this happened on the corner of my iPad when I was turning it on/off with the secret button.)

By no means does it work as easily as the video Portenzo showed off. It basically feels like you just have to push hard enough until the button makes contact with the wood which is exactly what you're doing. It would be better if there was a notch or something slightly raised in the wood so it worked better.

Overall I'd say it's a good feature but it's in "beta" right now. We'll see if they improve it. Right now, it's more of a hassle. When I want to reset my iPad I have to hold down (hard) on the corner and wonder if I'm even getting contact with the button. I would have preferred it to be open.

All that said, it does work, so you can't fault Portenzo. It just needs more thought put into it.

edit:

I think another reason they chose to do this might have been to cut down production time. I don't know much about this kind of thing, but it seems like it would take less time to have the full-frame instead of taking the time to cut out the power button port... and it was easy to make it a "feature."
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I honestly do not think it had anything do with saving production time since that could only take a few seconds to cut out on a cnc.

From what I have seen removing that slot only strengthens the frame. I will have to reserve any comments about the function of said button until I receive my case. Since they are finishing up the 9-11's it may be while since my order is in the 13's. But like Nuvi I will not bother them since I do not want them to rush my case, I want a quality case.
 
It is probably done for a lot of reasons., I do not doubt that they think it's cool, they tried to convince me on my new case they are shipping that it works well. I tried to refuse it but they said the milling operations are now set up for it, so I had to take it. No doubt it makes the case stronger but was the other one weak? - strong for what? It is a ipad sitting in the case, not an iron girder under stress. And no doubt whatsoever it saves them money. The milling operation for the power notch adds another place they have to cut sand and smooth - so it's not a "little change" - it probably saves minutes in the build process and spread over thousands of cases, they can crank em out faster.

I plan on dremeling a hole for the power when I get it - will post pics here...
 
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So I havent really posted on these forums before, but just wanted to make a note here. I see 6-7 weeks right now is the average time, is that correct? i just read the review above which says 7 weeks he got his.

I ordered april 16th. I'm in my 8th week now almost. I have emailed back and forth with them but havent harassed them at all. 2-3 weeks ago scott said it would ship out within 5 days. last week, he said he can no longer give me a timeline, which i find disturbing. I can see SOME production delays here and there, but saying it would ship out within 5 days, and then 2 weeks later saying he no longer has shipping estimate seems disturbing, either serious supply issues, or badly produced batches or something.

None theless I hope i get mine soon and in good quality.
 
glen e said:
I plan on dremeling a hole for the power when I get it - will post pics here...
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I can't wait to see that... I had the same idea - and honestly, the frame seems SUPER solid. I think you could drill holes all around it and it wouldn't become very "weak" ... as long as you weren't taking chunks out everywhere of course, lol.

There is definitely some method to Portenzo's madness for stopping the production of the power button cutout. Like I said, there doesn't seem to be any notch or ANYTHING. It's just a normal frame they didn't cut out a hole for - and decided to make that a "feature."

Don't get me wrong, the idea is cool but I think it might have been half-baked. I.E. "What can we do to cut down time/production costs? ... stop cutting the power hole, and tell people pressing the button against the wood is a special feature" lol

If it was truly engineered that way, it'd be pretty sweet. But it's hard as hell to get the button to work.
 
mirzank said:
So I havent really posted on these forums before, but just wanted to make a note here. I see 6-7 weeks right now is the average time, is that correct? i just read the review above which says 7 weeks he got his.

I ordered april 16th. I'm in my 8th week now almost. I have emailed back and forth with them but havent harassed them at all. 2-3 weeks ago scott said it would ship out within 5 days. last week, he said he can no longer give me a timeline, which i find disturbing. I can see SOME production delays here and there, but saying it would ship out within 5 days, and then 2 weeks later saying he no longer has shipping estimate seems disturbing, either serious supply issues, or badly produced batches or something.

None theless I hope i get mine soon and in good quality.
Click to expand...



I ordered on 4/17, so I'm in the same boat. I don't anticipate cancelling, as I don't want my seven/eight weeks of waiting to be in vain.

I emailed on 5/23 to ask if we were getting close and the response was 1-2 weeks. They thanked me for my patience.


So right now, I've been given two timeframes, non of which have panned out. I'm okay with waiting a long time and I'm okay with a change in the amount of time needed to process. It would be comforting to get a direct line of honesty.

Take a page out of the Apple playbook, under promise and over deliver, that way when you slip up....you have some flexibility.
 
I went and canceled my case order. In all honesty, I'm not really mad for waiting a very long time and even after that not getting anything out of it. In all honesty I think Portenzo should have delivered birch wood cases with power button holes for those who ordered them in the first place. I think the "original" bamboo and birch Portenzo cases had insanely good quality but IMHO many of the new cases have camera hole misaligned or the frame just doesn't look that great. As I said earlier, I didn't mind waiting for great quality product but I really don't want to wait another minute when I can't be sure about the quality. What I really don't get is why Portenzo changed the frame in the first place since every single bamboo or birch frame I've seen has looked great.

Anyway, after canceling my order with Portenzo I went and ordered Pad&Quill Contega. Hopefully I have better luck with them then I had with Portenzo.
 
Cakester said:
Take a page out of the Apple playbook, under promise and over deliver, that way when you slip up....you have some flexibility.
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Yeah, just like they did with the white iPhone 4 : ) They over-promised that like 3 or 4 times? Just kidding. I agree with you. It's fairly rare to have Apple mess up as badly as they did with the white iPhone 4.

Nuvi, the Contega seems like an interesting design but definitely not for me. I like the clean no lines of these bookbinding cases so the lines they have on the cover just don't work for me.

I honestly REALLY like the ingenious design of the Cardinal Case that I posted a couple pages ago, but the overall quality just doesn't seem to be there. Their use of magnet is innovative and has a simple but effective way to go into landscape.

www.cardinalcase.com

I'm still waiting on my 23.5 ordered May 3rd.

~Paik
 
twelve south compass w/Portenzo case

Does anyone use the 12 South Compass stand with their Portenzo case? I was wondering if the pegs on the bottom are long enough to use with the case. Considering getting the stand to be able to use the iPad/case in portrait mode.

thanks.
 
just got an email from scott they are sending me out my replacement case 2 day to meet a deadline I have for this Saturday (leaving sunday for 2 month road trip) They were very nice to honor that request - I think they are trying - more pics here this weekend.
 
Momo13Drums said:
Reading comprehension.

Like I said, I emailed them in the morning. They told me that morning they hadn't even begun working on my case. The moment I said those things, they emailed back and said my case would ship out that evening, and it did. Tell me again how that didn't work? lol

I went from waiting over 7 weeks and not having my case even started being made... to getting my case shipped in the same day I complained. Seems like it worked to me.
Click to expand...

No, they probably did it to get an arsehole off their back.
 
club1820 said:
Does anyone use the 12 South Compass stand with their Portenzo case? I was wondering if the pegs on the bottom are long enough to use with the case. Considering getting the stand to be able to use the iPad/case in portrait mode.

thanks.
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I hate the 12 South Compass stand. OMG. Worst money I ever spent. The pegs are long enough.
 
club1820 said:
Does anyone use the 12 South Compass stand with their Portenzo case? I was wondering if the pegs on the bottom are long enough to use with the case. Considering getting the stand to be able to use the iPad/case in portrait mode.

thanks.
Click to expand...

I have the Arkon Portable Fold-Up. I think it would work for the Portenzo case, and it is light weight yet sturdy.
 
Hey Folks,
I know a lot of you probably saw my underwhelming review when I first got my portenzo notebook 2 a few weeks ago... well I'm happy to report that yesterday I came home to my replacement case waiting for me and the difference in quality is night and day! The frame is smooth and sanded well and the fit is perfect, including the secret power button (no matter how hard I pressed on my first case... including placing it flat on a table... I couldn't get the power switch to activate). Not at home so I don't have the case or pics but I will update with a more detailed review and pics later. This case is phenomenal... its worth the wait (even the 73 days I've waited from order to finally receiving a 'good' case)!
I think there was a blip in production and a few lesser quality units made it out... that doesn't seem to be the case anymore as this replacement is flawless...
 
I ordered one today, although the wait times and new "secret button" have got me a bit hesitant.

For those who get theirs within the next few weeks please post and tell us how you feel about the build quality, power button, and fit of this revised version.

I will cancel my order and get something else if it's not up to par. A two month wait is a bit insane, I don't mind if it is amazing, but they clearly should revise their business model as I imagine they are losing many customers due to this wait.
 
Got my replacement case today and happy to say it is up to my expectations. All the cuts are good, smooth and sanded. The exterior edge and entire case shows this one is lacquer satin coated and no additional work needed on my part.
Now here's the startling part - The "double secret probation" power feature works flawlessly - A slight pressure on the upper corner turns it on or off every time - and what I was worried about long term; the case does not move in the retaining corners when pushing on it to get loose. Very well done. For now, I will refrain from cutting another hole. I am also glad I got the interior in black - looks very rich and nothing to get dirty as I fold the back over and it touches the desk, etc...

Thank you scott - well done:
c5bbb123.jpg

60f00479.jpg

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133d0950.jpg


BTW, even though this is a fuax leather this stuff is great for the P&Q and Portenzo case …gives it a sheen that lasts, fends off dirt and is not greasy…just a fyi

http://www.aerostich.com/chelsea-leather-food.html
 
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glen e said:
Now here's the startling part - The "double secret probation" power feature works flawlessly - A slight pressure on the upper corner turns it on or off every time - and what I was worried about long term; the case does not move in the retaining corners when pushing on it to get loose. Very well done. For now, I will refrain from cutting another hole.
Click to expand...

Thanks for posting pics and quick review. I, just like you am concerned about the secret power button working long term. A little bit more at ease after reading your post. Please update with continued use results.

You thank Scott. Did he make yours? Or did someone else? I know that they have a Scott in C.S. Was thinking I may ask for whoever made yours to make mine. Although they probably wouldn't honor this request.

Lastly, what is that on your case on the lower right corner of the front cover?

Thanks again.
 
club1820 said:
Thanks for posting pics and quick review. I, just like you am concerned about the secret power button working long term. A little bit more at ease after reading your post. Please update with continued use results.

You thank Scott. Did he make yours? Or did someone else? I know that they have a Scott in C.S. Was thinking I may ask for whoever made yours to make mine. Although they probably wouldn't honor this request.

Lastly, what is that on your case on the lower right corner of the front cover?

Thanks again.
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Scott was just the cust service person who helped me...and the insignia is the BMW roundel as I consult for BMW corporate - all my cases carry our logo. I drill a hole and put it on myself...
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