Portenzo iPad 2 Case: Now a Smart Cover
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I noticed the pics as well. I don't know if its because of the angle of the pic but the headphone jack looks really close to the bamboo. I really like the look of this case but still deciding if I'm going to place an order.
bigwinnerx
macrumors member
Looks like Russian Birch plywood this time around.
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Pictures of the frame and camera port are up at the bottom of the site when you click iPad 2 case. Looks like the same port for the speaker as the gen 1. Won't it be muffled since the speaker is on the back?
Pictures of the frame and camera port are up at the bottom of the site when you click iPad 2 case. Looks like the same port for the speaker as the gen 1. Won't it be muffled since the speaker is on the back?
I didn't think of the headphone jack.. I have a pair of Bose Headphones and the plug is an L shaped... I hope that this case can accommodate that type of plug instead of the straight in plug like the standard apple headphones.
I have the Bose ear buds as well so that's what got my attention.
Get a belkin $5 adapter
SoybeanStasher
macrumors regular
I never owned the first iPad, but it seemed like it sat about 1 mm above the frame of the first Portenzo case. These pics seem to indicate that the iPad 2 is actually 1 mm or so recessed into the case. I guess this is what Darin meant when he said they didn't slim the case down that much. The countered edges of the iPad 2 gives the case less surface to grip, so I guess it needs to sit in further.
Would've liked a slimmer case, but whatev. I want it now!
Would've liked a slimmer case, but whatev. I want it now!
aricher
macrumors 68020
Regarding the headphone jack it looks almost the same as the original iPad Portenzo cutout. I have a pair of Shure headphones with an L-shaped adapter - it fit just right in that extra long cutout. I am guessing this new case will be the same.
Regarding the use of Russian Birch I think this has to do with durability (less likely to crack than bamboo when dropped) and maybe to enhance the "Audio-Flow Sound Chamber." I found a couple of sites outlining this when I searched for it:
Russian Birch Plywood
"The surface of the birch plywood is nearly free of gaps and other defects which gives it impact resistance, smooth surface, great screw holding power and can therefore be used for building, construction, vehicle industry and other industries where special strength of a material is required."
It looks like this material is also used for percussion instruments which would also assist in channeling sound via the new "sound chamber":
Russian Birch Bass Temple Blocks
"We mindfully chose Russian birch for its great strength, durability, and resonant sound characteristics."
Regarding the use of Russian Birch I think this has to do with durability (less likely to crack than bamboo when dropped) and maybe to enhance the "Audio-Flow Sound Chamber." I found a couple of sites outlining this when I searched for it:
Russian Birch Plywood
"The surface of the birch plywood is nearly free of gaps and other defects which gives it impact resistance, smooth surface, great screw holding power and can therefore be used for building, construction, vehicle industry and other industries where special strength of a material is required."
It looks like this material is also used for percussion instruments which would also assist in channeling sound via the new "sound chamber":
Russian Birch Bass Temple Blocks
"We mindfully chose Russian birch for its great strength, durability, and resonant sound characteristics."
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bigwinnerx
macrumors member
Well, as I'm the one who posted about having the 2 and 4 year olds, the plywood just reminds me of the side of a Melissa and Doug puzzle. With a cover. I'm a bit turned off to the whole thing now.
Maybe this is why it was stated (not on the site, I think here or Twitter) that they'll be offering dark wood options.
Maybe this is why it was stated (not on the site, I think here or Twitter) that they'll be offering dark wood options.
Russian Birch and such...
Hello All!!!
We switched to a 9 layer cross laminated Russian Birch because it offers us more options (more info coming soon), and we can offer an even better warranty... again,details coming soon as we can finalize them.
We are very excited about the look and feel of our new frames, and especial the new possibilities they present, and the much higher durability they offer.
They are a bit more time consuming to produce than the Bamboo and harder to get in the specific dimensions we require, but we feel the extra time and effort is worth it.
Sorry for all the 'coming soon', but we have a LOT we are putting together right now and want to publish details as accurately as possible.
The sound chamber is different from our iPad 1 case, in that it is deeper, and includes an extra chambered area in the back of the case. I'll get photos up of more details today.
Mega-Thanks for all of your patience, we want to get you as much info as possible, as soon as possible, without delaying production (which is slightly ahead of schedule.
Darin and Team Portenzo
Hello All!!!
We switched to a 9 layer cross laminated Russian Birch because it offers us more options (more info coming soon), and we can offer an even better warranty... again,details coming soon as we can finalize them.
We are very excited about the look and feel of our new frames, and especial the new possibilities they present, and the much higher durability they offer.
They are a bit more time consuming to produce than the Bamboo and harder to get in the specific dimensions we require, but we feel the extra time and effort is worth it.
Sorry for all the 'coming soon', but we have a LOT we are putting together right now and want to publish details as accurately as possible.
The sound chamber is different from our iPad 1 case, in that it is deeper, and includes an extra chambered area in the back of the case. I'll get photos up of more details today.
Mega-Thanks for all of your patience, we want to get you as much info as possible, as soon as possible, without delaying production (which is slightly ahead of schedule.
Darin and Team Portenzo
Shipping/Frames
It is looking very good. Levant orders will ship faster than Morocco orders since we are waiting on a new shipment of raw material for some orders. Morocco won't be too far behind.
I think you'll like the warranty on it also... we're still finalizing details, but it will have at least a 90 day full warranty. Cover to cover.
Darin and Team Portenzo
It is looking very good. Levant orders will ship faster than Morocco orders since we are waiting on a new shipment of raw material for some orders. Morocco won't be too far behind.
I think you'll like the warranty on it also... we're still finalizing details, but it will have at least a 90 day full warranty. Cover to cover.
Darin and Team Portenzo
Very good point, I never really thought of it like that. Now...hopefully I won't be leaving my iPad unattended too often, but it's good backup in case you do
bigwinnerx
macrumors member
I'm in if the plywood comes in colors/stains.
I understand durability, and I'm certainly well interested in everything holding up. But, just can't get over that outer plywood edge (even though it, I guess, could look more notebook-ish).
You had me 95% of the way there, Portenzo, from the iPad 1 covers. I've probably been knocked back to like 55% though with the iPad 2 plywood look. Still leaning your way...
I understand durability, and I'm certainly well interested in everything holding up. But, just can't get over that outer plywood edge (even though it, I guess, could look more notebook-ish).
You had me 95% of the way there, Portenzo, from the iPad 1 covers. I've probably been knocked back to like 55% though with the iPad 2 plywood look. Still leaning your way...
You left your iPad sitting on the bar while you went to take a whiz????
Just how drunk were you?
Good thing it wasn't an iPad 3!!
SoybeanStasher
macrumors regular
For a few moments I was tempted by the Octavo which is only .65 inches thick (compared to Portenzo's .78+) and features a pocket, but it's also 11 oz (compared to < 8 oz) and lacks something similar to the MagnaGrip cover. Still, check it out if you're looking for alternatives with slightly different characteristics.
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Nice...thanks...like the pocket...what the hell is the big thing about all these ex bookbinders using blond unfinished wood? I'd offer teak brown and flat black and clean up....listening darin?
The pad and quill has that strap too that you have to consider.
I could offer colored frames right now, but we won't do it unless we can perfect a proven method that 1)offers high quality, and 2) we can offer it at a reasonable price. Our R&D lab is in constant motion.
Our current frame has a touch of mellow color to it, so it's specifically not a pure blond. We hand finish our frames so that the color and grain of the wood are enhanced. (They don't go through a spay booth on an assembly line.)
Darin and Team Portenzo
Just FYI, we're not ex book binders. We're artist (and Apple fans). We do what we love, and this allows us to be creative and create value at the same time. We are very proud of our work. This is passion first, business second. Make an exceptional product and keep pushing the boundaries... Many more (exciting!) things in store for the next few months.