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Portenzo vs Dodocase
- Thread starter downingp
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I just received an email back from darin at portenzo and want to comment again on the fast response and excellent customer service. I asked Darin specifically about taking the iPad out of the case and this was his response.
As for the easiest way to remove the iPad, I will try to explain (video coming soon!). This makes it ridiculously easy to remove the iPad.
1 - Put the case face down on a table in front of you with the elastic strap loose on top (NOT wrapped around the cover) and the spine facing you.
2 - open the case (it will be facing away from you) by lifting it open about an inch (while the cover stays flat on the table) by the edges or frame.
Do this with one hand on each corner of the back cover and frame.
3 - Then place your thumbs toward the center of the case and gently push down FIRST WITH ONE THUMB, THEN WITH THE OTHER.
The ipad will simply drop out of the case (gently landing on the cover, remember your only open by an inch or so) as if you were getting ice out of a tray.
I just tried this method and it works really well.
Thanks again Portenzo.
As for the easiest way to remove the iPad, I will try to explain (video coming soon!). This makes it ridiculously easy to remove the iPad.
1 - Put the case face down on a table in front of you with the elastic strap loose on top (NOT wrapped around the cover) and the spine facing you.
2 - open the case (it will be facing away from you) by lifting it open about an inch (while the cover stays flat on the table) by the edges or frame.
Do this with one hand on each corner of the back cover and frame.
3 - Then place your thumbs toward the center of the case and gently push down FIRST WITH ONE THUMB, THEN WITH THE OTHER.
The ipad will simply drop out of the case (gently landing on the cover, remember your only open by an inch or so) as if you were getting ice out of a tray.
I just tried this method and it works really well.
Thanks again Portenzo.
Sure it's not as rock solid as the Yoobao, but I find it's steady enough propped up, even on a surface as slippery as my glass desktop.
Yes. The faux leather cover, the rigidity of the spine and the weight of the ipad are sufficient to keep it upright, albeit only in a narrow range of angles.
I fell in love with the Portenzo composition notebook case so I ordered one last night. Approx how long does it take from ordering to delivery? 2-3 weeks?
Do they you a tracking number? Its been 4 days and under status it still says processing, but also say it may have shipped already. I've e-mailed Darin and haven't received any responses. I'm so anxious to get this awesome portenzo!!
Where do they ship from, Cali?
Where do they ship from, Cali?
I ordered the composition notebook one. I e-mailed him yesterday, but still no response. Order still says processing. I guess I'll just have to wait and see! 
I ordered my composition case on the 28th of last month, it finally shipped today.
From what Darren told me, it was a combo of what my position was on the ordering queue as well as recent changes made to the case to improve securing the ipad to the case, these are what led to the delay.
He's pretty quick with the email replies though, so you should hear from him soon enough.
From what Darren told me, it was a combo of what my position was on the ordering queue as well as recent changes made to the case to improve securing the ipad to the case, these are what led to the delay.
He's pretty quick with the email replies though, so you should hear from him soon enough.
Thanks pr0totype. Be sure to post some pictures when you get it!! That's what fine looking case.
Hello from Team Portenzo!
Firstly, thank you all for taking the time to check out Portenzo cases!
We are extremely proud of our high quality products and our customer service. (blackberrypilot, I don't know your email address, so I can't look and see why you haven't gotten an email response from us yet, email me with 'blackberrypilot' in the subject line and I will investigate)
While emailing us from the website is definitely the fastest way to get a response, I will occasionally check in on this thread to see if I can answer any questions that come up.
To catch a few in advance, here are some common questions, you can find many more on our FAQ's, but I hope this will help this thread.
Why are the Alanos and the other leathers private order only? Because it is the only way we can keep reasonable shipping times. We are working being able to make more of these and keep up with demand.
Why are your shipping charges half of what others charge? Our shipping is priced to be fair for both of us. We pretty much break even on shipping by charging $15 or less to anywhere in the world. Canada and US are the least expensive. Others charge $25 just to Canada, we charge $12.95, $7.95 to the US. (Flat rate)
Can you stand it up in horizontal mode? Yes, and if the surface is too slippery, we use the elastic as a 'catch' on which to place the back cover. It kind of 'hooks' itself to keep the back cover in place. I will see if I can post a photo.
Does it fold flat when opened all the way? Yes, it can fold completely back on itself. If yours is stiff, just gently push it down and it will respond well. This makes it a 'little' less sturdy in the upright typing position, but so far our customers really like that it can fold flat. Most people prop it on their lap or something if typing anyway.
Do your corners ever come loose over time? Absolutely not. They are sooo stuck that you have to yank them out with pliers and even then, they break apart, rather than come loose. They simply don't come out. We use industrial glue, so you won't ever have to fix your own case. Our elastic straps are double-glued (by hand) in as well. These should never fail. In fact, I picked up a bucket with 4 bricks in it by the elastic strap on one of my cases, just to see how well our glue was holding. It did not come loose.
Will my iPad always fit snug and tight? Yes. You iPad is in no danger of falling out form normal use. The pads will loosen up slightly over time, as they form to grip the iPads shape. They will not lose holding power, but it will become slightly easier to put the iPad in and out after a short while (whether or not you install and remove it).
Do you charge for interior colors besides red, like others do? No, there is no charge for other inside colors. They cost the same and they take the same effort to build, so no, all 10 color options are the same price. This is subject to change, but it is accurate at the time of this posting.
The Composition (http://tiny.cc/umhak) and Wingtip (http://tiny.cc/j42di) cases do cost a little more, due to the increased time it takes to make these.
Which case do you use/prefer? ALL OF THEM!!! Of course I constantly change cases to see how each style responds to use, or to see how a particular leather feels and holds up. But, I must confess, the Alano (for dress) and the Composition (for casual) are my favorites.
I hope this helps, let me know if you have any questions at all, and please send us your suggestions/comments on product development and improvement.
Darin and Team Portenzo!
Firstly, thank you all for taking the time to check out Portenzo cases!
We are extremely proud of our high quality products and our customer service. (blackberrypilot, I don't know your email address, so I can't look and see why you haven't gotten an email response from us yet, email me with 'blackberrypilot' in the subject line and I will investigate)
While emailing us from the website is definitely the fastest way to get a response, I will occasionally check in on this thread to see if I can answer any questions that come up.
To catch a few in advance, here are some common questions, you can find many more on our FAQ's, but I hope this will help this thread.
Why are the Alanos and the other leathers private order only? Because it is the only way we can keep reasonable shipping times. We are working being able to make more of these and keep up with demand.
Why are your shipping charges half of what others charge? Our shipping is priced to be fair for both of us. We pretty much break even on shipping by charging $15 or less to anywhere in the world. Canada and US are the least expensive. Others charge $25 just to Canada, we charge $12.95, $7.95 to the US. (Flat rate)
Can you stand it up in horizontal mode? Yes, and if the surface is too slippery, we use the elastic as a 'catch' on which to place the back cover. It kind of 'hooks' itself to keep the back cover in place. I will see if I can post a photo.
Does it fold flat when opened all the way? Yes, it can fold completely back on itself. If yours is stiff, just gently push it down and it will respond well. This makes it a 'little' less sturdy in the upright typing position, but so far our customers really like that it can fold flat. Most people prop it on their lap or something if typing anyway.
Do your corners ever come loose over time? Absolutely not. They are sooo stuck that you have to yank them out with pliers and even then, they break apart, rather than come loose. They simply don't come out. We use industrial glue, so you won't ever have to fix your own case. Our elastic straps are double-glued (by hand) in as well. These should never fail. In fact, I picked up a bucket with 4 bricks in it by the elastic strap on one of my cases, just to see how well our glue was holding. It did not come loose.
Will my iPad always fit snug and tight? Yes. You iPad is in no danger of falling out form normal use. The pads will loosen up slightly over time, as they form to grip the iPads shape. They will not lose holding power, but it will become slightly easier to put the iPad in and out after a short while (whether or not you install and remove it).
Do you charge for interior colors besides red, like others do? No, there is no charge for other inside colors. They cost the same and they take the same effort to build, so no, all 10 color options are the same price. This is subject to change, but it is accurate at the time of this posting.
The Composition (http://tiny.cc/umhak) and Wingtip (http://tiny.cc/j42di) cases do cost a little more, due to the increased time it takes to make these.
Which case do you use/prefer? ALL OF THEM!!! Of course I constantly change cases to see how each style responds to use, or to see how a particular leather feels and holds up. But, I must confess, the Alano (for dress) and the Composition (for casual) are my favorites.
I hope this helps, let me know if you have any questions at all, and please send us your suggestions/comments on product development and improvement.
Darin and Team Portenzo!
Portenzo in horizontal positon
Here is the image of how I use the case in horizontal mode. It sets up easily after you do it once, and it hasn't slipped on any surface we have tried it on so far.
I don't use this position much, it's usually on my lap, or flat. But it does work when I need it to.
Thanks again!
Darin
Here is the image of how I use the case in horizontal mode. It sets up easily after you do it once, and it hasn't slipped on any surface we have tried it on so far.
I don't use this position much, it's usually on my lap, or flat. But it does work when I need it to.
Thanks again!
Darin
Here is the image of how I use the case in horizontal mode. It sets up easily after you do it once, and it hasn't slipped on any surface we have tried it on so far.
I don't use this position much, it's usually on my lap, or flat. But it does work when I need it to.
Thanks again!
Darin
Nice photo. Is the Alano stiff enough to do this with? Thanks!
I have to say that Darin's response time to my email queries has been fantastic. I emailed last night asking the same question as JonMPLS and Darin emailed back almost instantly with 2 photos. I have attached them here. After sleeping on it I've decided to order the Alano in black this morning. Thanks Darin for answering my multiple questions about this great looking case.
Attachments
So the pictures show two different angles for landscape orientation? Or they show alano before the spine was gently creased (left photo) and alano after it was creased (right photo)?