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Portenzo iPad 2 Case: Now a Smart Cover

Chupa Chupa said:
I know cases like these and the Dodo are popular but I don't really understand the desire to all thickness and weight to the iPad. I mean the reason I bought the iPad2 is b/c it was thinner and lighter. What is the pull here? -- not being facetious, just curious.
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There's a cult following for Moleskine notebooks. Why? They look cool and have a history of use by artists and writers. I suspect it's mostly the fact that they look cool.

The Portenzo was the thinnest of the iPad 1 moleskine-style cases at 0.78 inches. Hopefully the iPad 2 Portenzo will be 0.16 inches thinner. You're still talking about increasing the thickness by 50%, but to me it's worth it to have a professional-looking case that also obfuscates (in public) the fact that it's an iPad.

barrett14 said:
What leather are you guys ordering? Levant or Morocco? I don't really know the difference.
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The Morocco appears to be less grainy and more like the texture of an actual Moleskine notebook. That's what I'm opting for. No camera hole either. Like someone says above, it'll just allow dust to infiltrate the case.
 
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barrett14 said:
What leather are you guys ordering? Levant or Morocco? I don't really know the difference.

Also are you guys doing camera hole or no camera hole?

I am thinking I am going to go with no camera hole, and the black color for the inside.
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Ordered Morroco,engraved,magnet option,black exterior,red interior, no cam hole

Possibly later, will tape off and stain the wood darker....
 
Decisions, Decisions... Extra magnets or strap. I like the classic look so I am leaning towards the strap.
 
I am very interested in reading a review from regarding how well the Magna-grip cover works and keeps it closed.
 
Hopefully, the magnets won't be too strong but strong enough to keep the cover closed.

If the magnets were too strong, won't that mess up the iPad screen?
 
bernardlee said:
Hopefully, the magnets won't be too strong but strong enough to keep the cover closed.

If the magnets were too strong, won't that mess up the iPad screen?
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I would guess this would be an immediate problem, not something that would happen over time. If my guess is correct, they probably have tested it without issue.

No idea if this is reliable, but the people on this thread seem to think that magnets do not effect LCDs in the same way they effected CRT monitors from back in the day:
http://www.overclockers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=358349
 
Chupa Chupa said:
I know cases like these and the Dodo are popular but I don't really understand the desire to all thickness and weight to the iPad. I mean the reason I bought the iPad2 is b/c it was thinner and lighter. What is the pull here? -- not being facetious, just curious.
Click to expand...

They do add some weight, but as already noted, I really like the fact that a case like this hides the fact that you are carrying an iPad around. For the iPad 1, these cases added no appreciable thickness to the iPad, they just squared off the tapered edges. In any case, the materials are nice enough that it's still a pleasure to hold, and it works great for holding the iPad up for movies. I also love the fact that there is nothing at all covering the glass. Can't wait to see what these look like despite the fact I'm not getting an iPad 2! :p
 
I wish there was an option for some sort of microfiber interior or cloth interior..
 
Can anyone that has used one of these cases on their Ipad 1 tell me if the cover rests on the Ipad's screen or is the Ipad recessed into the frame and the cover rests on the wood frame when closed. I watched a couple of videos but I can't really tell from them. Also, does the cover slide side to side too bad when the band is on? Looks like it might if the spine is loose. thanks for any info. Case looks pretty nice.
 
3goldens said:
and for close to 70 bucks, what a rip!

cheesy they leave that white sticker on the back cover too!
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No need to be a jerk. The sticker is removable and the best part of this case is that if you don't like it you don't have to buy it. That said, I owned one for my original iPad and will be preordering one of these soon.

Forth those interested in ordering I emailed Darin today with a few questions and received a quick response, he said he'll be stopping by here soon to give everyone an 'official' update. Below are my questions for him and his response:

1. Is it possible to order a version with both the magnets & strap? I love the idea of the magnetic enclosure but think the strap is necessary to hold the case up in landscape mode on a slick surface.
Sure, just order it with the MagnaGrip and put **** Please also include strap****** in the Special Instructions area on the checkout page. No charge for including the strap.

2. Camera cut-out: how is it a dust-proof hole?
We have a foam/rubber seal between the iPad and the inside of the case, surrounding the camera opening. You can't see a thing from the outside of the case, and the camera hole itself 'rounds nicely' into the cover, it's not a 'straight punched' hole with sharp edges.

3. Is the case thinner/lighter due to the new iPad size?
Just a touch, we still need the main depth of the wood to make it rigid and secure, but we are likely using a lighter (and still gorgeous) wood... more info coming soon...
 
After reading the site again it looks like all cases have the smart cover magnet so having both the magnets and a strap for closing would be superfluous. I think I'll go with just the strap as it's needed for landscape viewing on smooth surfaces.
 
Got a question for all the Portenza owners. It looks like the wood case fits flush with the iPad, so the cover is actually closing on the face of the iPad...Could somebody tell me if that is correct??
 
It is superfluous, but I'm thinking about asking for both too. I probably wouldn't strap it all the time, only for transport for example, but at least it'd be there for landscape viewing. You'd still get the speed and convenience benefits of the MagnaGrip magnets if you're willing to let the strap dangle.
 
I really think anyone who hopes to use this case in landscape mode on trains/planes/desks/smooth tables is going to regret not getting the strap. This is my guess simply from reading stuff about the previous Portenzo case.
 
Cutwolf said:
I really think anyone who hopes to use this case in landscape mode on trains/planes/desks/smooth tables is going to regret not getting the strap. This is my guess simply from reading stuff about the previous Portenzo case.
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I'm worried about this too, so I think I'll stick with the strap only. The magnets sound awesome but I think the strap is more functional. I don't think I'd like having both, as having the strap dangling would likely annoy me. So, looks like the free strap for me!
 
class77 said:
Got a question for all the Portenza owners. It looks like the wood case fits flush with the iPad, so the cover is actually closing on the face of the iPad...Could somebody tell me if that is correct??
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On my original Portenzo the iPad was not flush with the case, it sat a few millimeters above the edge of the case. I had a Power Support crystal film on the screen so I can't speak to whether or not long term use would scuff the screen.
 
aricher said:
On my original Portenzo the iPad was not flush with the case, it sat a few millimeters above the edge of the case. I had a Power Support crystal film on the screen so I can't speak to whether or not long term use would scuff the screen.
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yes, but it worked just fine and did not mess up the screen. Great case!
 
just wondering if they camera kit still works with the portenzo case? anyone with first ipad and protenzo use the camera kit?
 
Aw I really wanted the composition notebook case, but a little sad they raised the price! =/ Anyway does anyone know if the strap can be used to hide the camera hole when not in use?
 
Sw33t said:
Aw I really wanted the composition notebook case, but a little sad they raised the price! =/ Anyway does anyone know if the strap can be used to hide the camera hole when not in use?
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I had the composition for my iPad 1 and. The pattern/colour rubbed off on the edges within 2 weeks.

I loved the concept but execution wasn't the best. I'd avoid that one. Though I had issues with mine I like the company and the people seem cool so I'm willing to try them again.
 
Ordered a few days ago the ipad2 case | moroccan | no camera hole | red interior | magna cover

I am curious about adding the strap now - not sure what to do.

Will Darin contact us to confirm our order before he ships it?
 
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