Portenzo iPad 2 Case: Now a Smart Cover

[TOYSTRY]

I just sold one of these for my buddy and all I can say is what a POS. His had a crack in the wood that I fixed with Gorilla Glue, the faux leather isn't leather at all but is instead a rough plastic/cardboard leather looking material and the overall quality is lackluster. Simply put, it's comparable to the look and feel or a library book.

With the high demand of these I expected a far superior product but it's not. To those of you who are happy with yours, great, however I couldn't imagine spending the cash they are asking on these.

HTH people on the fence as to whether or not to purchase one.

 

[Paik4Life]

the faux leather isn't leather at all

Are you being serious when you say this? Obviously, faux leather isn't real leather. "faux" is false/fake in French...I assumed most people understood what the ubiquitous term "faux leather" meant, but I guess not. That being said all of the Moleskine type cases (in this price range of $80) all use faux leather. This is true for DODOcase, CardinalCase, Pad and Quill. If you want real leather, you're a bit too optimistic to think you'll get a handmade case with real leather for under $100. Even the 23.5 uses "bonded leather" which uses parts of actual leather and is not 100% real leather and it sells for $90+ options and shipping.

And I assume when you say it's made of cardboard, you're probably referring to the book board which the faux leather is glued onto, which is again what all these Moleskine cases use because that's what is used in real bookbinding.

That said, thanks for your info on the cracking of the frame. Do you know which material was used? Was it an older bamboo frame? The birch plywood that was recently replaced? The current maple plywood? Being able to provide more details would be helpful for those wanting to make a decision. If it's about older materials, the fact that it cracked is less impactful.

~Paik

 

[glen e]

This is not a dig at Portenzo but I have come to realize all the bookcases are for business applications but not road warrior work. I have been on the road now for about 7 days and been in 4 diff hotels and 3 flights and numerous cabs. The book cases just don't hold up for this kind of work. I have numerous mini dings from going in an out of a messenger bag and I am not rough but not careful either , just normal use. I'll move to a hard case for my travels...

a ding and the case being "bowed" at the bottom from packing, which I think is making the bottom corners loose...

 

[reactions]

You need a case for the case

Solves everything

 

[TOYSTRY]

Are you being serious when you say this? Obviously, faux leather isn't real leather. "faux" is false/fake in French...I assumed most people understood what the ubiquitous term "faux leather" meant, but I guess not. That being said all of the Moleskine type cases (in this price range of $80) all use faux leather. This is true for DODOcase, CardinalCase, Pad and Quill. If you want real leather, you're a bit too optimistic to think you'll get a handmade case with real leather for under $100. Even the 23.5 uses "bonded leather" which uses parts of actual leather and is not 100% real leather and it sells for $90+ options and shipping.

And I assume when you say it's made of cardboard, you're probably referring to the book board which the faux leather is glued onto, which is again what all these Moleskine cases use because that's what is used in real bookbinding.

That said, thanks for your info on the cracking of the frame. Do you know which material was used? Was it an older bamboo frame? The birch plywood that was recently replaced? The current maple plywood? Being able to provide more details would be helpful for those wanting to make a decision. If it's about older materials, the fact that it cracked is less impactful.

~Paik

Ya my sentence didn't come out right. I know faux leather is fake, what I meant to get across was that it isn't even close to looking or feeling like anything that resembles a leather look/feel. As for the material of the wood, not sure....sorry can't be of more assistance. He received it about a month ago so maybe someone can narrow it down from there as to the wood. As for the cardboard, i hear what you are saying but IMO these cases are overpriced for the overall appearance. Here are some pics to assist:

HTH others

 

[club1820]

As for the material of the wood, not sure....

how did the crack of the wood occur?

 

[Sand Man]

As for the material of the wood, not sure....sorry can't be of more assistance. He received it about a month ago so maybe someone can narrow it down from there as to the wood. As for the cardboard, i hear what you are saying but IMO these cases are overpriced for the overall appearance. Here are some pics to assist:

That time frame would fit the time of when they were starting to ship maple, but that is not a for sure answer. A couple questions though/

1) How did the corner get broke in the first place???

2) Why did he sell it rather than ask for a refund or replacement???

3) Who in their right mind would buy that case with it being personally engraved, and with a damaged corner ( gorilla glue or not )????

4) Why did you have to sell it for your buddy ( not that it really matters )???

 

[radiogoober]

It's thin plywood. It's going to break very easily. I work with wood and can't believe people are making cases out of it. This case, however poorly constructed it may be, is good if you only use your iPad in bed at night. If you think you're going to be throwing this in a bag and running around town, you're outa your mind.

 

[Sand Man]

It's thin plywood. It's going to break very easily. I work with wood and can't believe people are making cases out of it. This case, however poorly constructed it may be, is good if you only use your iPad in bed at night. If you think you're going to be throwing this in a bag and running around town, you're outa your mind.

Thanks for your wood expertise and not answering anyone's questions. I don't think most the people that are buying these types of cases are focused on just the protection aspect. I know that is not my focus. Mine was about being somewhat stealth and some protection should I drop it. Which these cases do, better to sacrifice 60-100 dollars versus the 800 I paid for the I-Pad.

 

[radiogoober]

Thanks for your wood expertise and not answering anyone's questions. I don't think most the people that are buying these types of cases are focused on just the protection aspect. I know that is not my focus. Mine was about being somewhat stealth and some protection should I drop it. Which these cases do, better to sacrifice 60-100 dollars versus the 800 I paid for the I-Pad.

Like I can possibly answer questions on why someone I don't know sold a case.

I agree - do not buy this case if you want protection for your iPad. It cannot stand up to any type of abuse. Get this case if you will leave your iPad by your bedside and just use it occasionally to read. If you bring your iPad everywhere you go, save your money, and buy a quality case. Not some homemade plywood case.

 

[Sand Man]

Like I can possibly answer questions on why someone I don't know sold a case.

I agree - do not buy this case if you want protection for your iPad. It cannot stand up to any type of abuse. Get this case if you will leave your iPad by your bedside and just use it occasionally to read. If you bring your iPad everywhere you go, save your money, and buy a quality case. Not some homemade plywood case.

See that is not what I am saying. The case will provide protection just not a day in and day out protection if you throw your case around or think you can sit on it. I thought the seller was your buddy is the only reason I thought you might have insight into why he sold it rather than return it, but I noticed I had you mixed up with TOYSTRY. Maybe it was because he was the biggest cause for the case to break and did not feel they would warranty it. I guess we will never know, but this case does offer protection, just not the protection you are looking for.

 

[BlindMellon]

I like the concept of these cases, but the decision to use actual wood (that is also under tension from the grippy corners) is a huge mistake. Better to use some hard molded plastic/polycarbonate that looks like wood. Heck, these things would probably warp if they were just in a humid environment. Look good though but destined for fail.

 

[radiogoober]

I like the concept of these cases, but the decision to use actual wood (that is also under tension from the grippy corners) is a huge mistake. Better to use some hard molded plastic/polycarbonate that looks like wood. Heck, these things would probably warp if they were just in a humid environment. Look good though but destined for fail.

Yup I totally agree. These cases need to use a simulated wood in plastic or whatever to be actually durable. It's ridiculous to pay $100 for a case that you can't really take anywhere.

 

[kschles]

I like the concept of these cases, but the decision to use actual wood (that is also under tension from the grippy corners) is a huge mistake. Better to use some hard molded plastic/polycarbonate that looks like wood. Heck, these things would probably warp if they were just in a humid environment. Look good though but destined for fail.

Agree as well. I sent my first Treegloo back because the frame was warped. I do have a Portenzo that seems fine, but I'm using something else (PDAir Leather case and STM Skinny) because of all the problems others have had with these types of cases. Lots of reports of cases received that aren't right. More troubling are reports of cases that lose their effectiveness fairly quickly (days, weeks,...). Look at forum threads and facebook pages and you'll these these types of complaints for all the manufacturers of these types of cases (Portenzo, Treegloo, Pad & Quill, Dodo). It's too big a gamble hoping that you get a quality case with no defects that holds up over time.

Glen E said he was consulting with a company trying to develop a book case using better materials. Sounds promising.

 

[radiogoober]

Agree as well. I sent my first Treegloo back because the frame was warped. I do have a Portenzo that seems fine, but I'm using something else (PDAir Leather case and STM Skinny) because of all the problems others have had with these types of cases. Lots of reports of cases received that aren't right. More troubling are reports of cases that lose their effectiveness fairly quickly (days, weeks,...). Look at forum threads and facebook pages and you'll these these types of complaints for all the manufacturers of these types of cases (Portenzo, Treegloo, Pad & Quill, Dodo). It's too big a gamble hoping that you get a quality case with no defects that holds up over time.

Glen E said he was consulting with a company trying to develop a book case using better materials. Sounds promising.

Man, if I was good at this arts and crafts stuff, I'd take my STM skinny, rip the cover off of it, and glue the plastic "case" part into a book-cover style case. It would be ultra slim, protective, and your ipad would never fall out.

 

[TOYSTRY]

how did the crack of the wood occur?

Not sure, never asked.

 

[TOYSTRY]

That time frame would fit the time of when they were starting to ship maple, but that is not a for sure answer. A couple questions though/

1) How did the corner get broke in the first place???

Not sure

2) Why did he sell it rather than ask for a refund or replacement???

I sell stuff for him and get a cut

3) Who in their right mind would buy that case with it being personally engraved, and with a damaged corner ( gorilla glue or not )????

Someone on CL. I told him it was cracked and glued and he saw the pics before hand as well.

4) Why did you have to sell it for your buddy ( not that it really matters )???

See #2

Answers above in your quote.

 

[glen e]

Agree as well. I sent my first Treegloo back because the frame was warped. I do have a Portenzo that seems fine, but I'm using something else (PDAir Leather case and STM Skinny) because of all the problems others have had with these types of cases. Lots of reports of cases received that aren't right. More troubling are reports of cases that lose their effectiveness fairly quickly (days, weeks,...). Look at forum threads and facebook pages and you'll these these types of complaints for all the manufacturers of these types of cases (Portenzo, Treegloo, Pad & Quill, Dodo). It's too big a gamble hoping that you get a quality case with no defects that holds up over time.

Glen E said he was consulting with a company trying to develop a book case using better materials. Sounds promising.

The Company still working on it...I'm convinced that the wood is a short term solution if you use your pad a lot. Reminds me of when mythbusters makes a boat out of duct tape, it works, but.....

I'll use a bookcase for business presentations, and a cover/ icarbons and xgear back all other times...I have a true smartcover carbon fiber waiting at home now, but I'm on the road for 2 months...sent my bookcases home yesterday with some clothes I don't need...

 

[eimeria]

My case is going back for warping. I returned my initial case because there was an error (possibly mine, but unclear). They stepped up and got me a replacement within about 12 days.

After about 12 days, my iPad started falling out of the case regularly, particularly at the top right hand corner. I tried all of the suggested fixes, but nothing really worked. The case appeared to be warped. Sure enough, when I placed a straight edge along the case, it clearly appeared warped. I contacted them and they are replacing it with one that has the secret power button. Hopefully that will give a little more strength to the frame. Although Scott has been great at providing customer service since his addition, I'm not all that thrilled with the case at this stage.

 

[radiogoober]

Just look at those voids in the plywood. If you've got a decent void and that's all that's supporting that part of the case, that's a huge weakness. Plywood was not at all meant to be used for this type of application. Please do not waste your money!!

 

[zhenya]

Yup I totally agree. These cases need to use a simulated wood in plastic or whatever to be actually durable. It's ridiculous to pay $100 for a case that you can't really take anywhere.

Come off it. I and I'm sure many thousands of other users have cases like these that have been used daily for months, and they have held up great. Mine has traveled more in the 10 months or so I've had it than you likely will in your entire life. Stop pronouncing your opinions as facts.

 

[eimeria]

zhenya - is your case one of the original iPad cases made with bamboo? It can't be one of the recent plywood ones if you've been able to travel with it for that amount of time. I'm not a wood expert, but I wonder if the bamboo is more conducive to this form factor.

 

[tirnszw]

Portenzo, DODOcase, Treegloo, Pad and Quille, etc., they are all for the adjective--aesthetics.

If you do forum search on these cases for iPad 1, you'll quickly excavate many flaws that were already reported within months, let alone a year, such as chipped/warped/cracked wood/bamboo, iPad falling out, loose/ripped hinge over time.

As a consumer, there is no reason not to be suspicious about how the case is constructed. As I've tried the case before I can say it feels somewhat flimsy (especially the bamboo/wood and hinge) compared to other cases made of leather or plastics. I did wish the housing is made of some other material that is more suitably durable than bamboo or wood. Put the blame on DODOcase, who was the pioneer of this type of case and their choice was bamboo. All other start-ups powered-on their photocopiers.

If you weigh more on aesthetics than practicality, go with Portenzo over others but be aware of the reported flaws despite the touted quality. It's a fact.

After trying many hyped-up (iPad and it's cases were untouchably hot last year fueling to overpricing wars) cases for my previous iPad 1, I've quickly sold all cases and bought a nice stand and a sleeve for the new, slimmer and lighter iPad 2, which I keep it absolutely naked when in use. I detest any bulk. Why coverup already-beautiful iPad 2? Just my opinion. Whatever floats your boat.

 

[radiogoober]

My case is going back for warping. I returned my initial case because there was an error (possibly mine, but unclear). They stepped up and got me a replacement within about 12 days.

After about 12 days, my iPad started falling out of the case regularly, particularly at the top right hand corner. I tried all of the suggested fixes, but nothing really worked. The case appeared to be warped. Sure enough, when I placed a straight edge along the case, it clearly appeared warped. I contacted them and they are replacing it with one that has the secret power button. Hopefully that will give a little more strength to the frame. Although Scott has been great at providing customer service since his addition, I'm not all that thrilled with the case at this stage.

Holy crap, that looks absolutely horrible! Look how there's only a single "ply" holding the parts together. It seems Portenzo has some nice equipment but they don't know anything about wood!

Come off it. I and I'm sure many thousands of other users have cases like these that have been used daily for months, and they have held up great. Mine has traveled more in the 10 months or so I've had it than you likely will in your entire life. Stop pronouncing your opinions as facts.

Thousands huh? *rolls eyes*

 

[zhenya]

zhenya - is your case one of the original iPad cases made with bamboo? It can't be one of the recent plywood ones if you've been able to travel with it for that amount of time. I'm not a wood expert, but I wonder if the bamboo is more conducive to this form factor.

Mine is an original Dodo - not positive what the wood is - looks like it could be bamboo. Once the early corner adhesive was fixed, I've not had a single complaint. NO chance the iPad is ever going to fall out. The cover, hinge, and lining have all held up fantastically. It has minor wear as you would expect of natural materials - and those materials were certainly behind mine, and I'm sure many others, decision to purchase this style of case. Replace the wood with plastic, and you might as well buy any other case you can pick up down at Staples.

Thousands huh? *rolls eyes*

Yeah, I'm sure many thousands. Most happy customers will never set foot in a thread like this, while other disgruntled ones will go out of their way to find them. Hmmmmm.....