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Seriously Apple? $100+ to cover a Mini 4?

RetiredInFl

RetiredInFl

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Jul 7, 2008
2,439
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FORMERLY NJ now FL
/rant

Just picked up a new Mini 4 yesterday and wanted a CASE (my definition of a "case" is that it covers the entire device top and bottom) so I pick up the silicon "case" and find it really isn't a "case" (as was the "case" for the Mini 1/2/3) but just a silicon bottom cover for $59 then the "cover" is another $39.

Seriously? $98 + tax to cover a Mini 4?

Bought an actual "case" (1pc top and bottom like Apple used to make) Chinese clone case off Amazon for $11.00 (they also had one for $7) with free shipping. Got it in 24 hrs and while it obviously isn't an "APPLE" product it sure is good enough. From 3 feet away you can't tell the difference. Fits great, sleep function works 100% ..... what else can you ask for?

I accept paying top prices for :apple: hardware is pretty much understandable but $100+ to cover the top and bottom of a Mini 4? That's just theft. Those 2 pieces must cost them $3 to source out in the same places the $10 ones off Amazon come from and also the same places they manufacture all their hardware. Sometimes you just have to say NO with your wallet.

/end rant
 
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It feels nice and looks exquisite though.

And I like the separate parts philosophy because I like to take off the Smart Cover when using the iPad.
 
TB07-NJ said:
Well, if it turns you on, go for it. :) One man's treasure is another man's trash!
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It does. Very much.

Since I got the case for free I'm not complaining. Wouldn't have bought it though. The Smart Cover alone would suffice.


TB07-NJ said:
Yea, but for $90 less I'll live with folding it back. :)
Click to expand...

Well, I didn't like the smart cover flap at the back. The new smart covers stay attached to the back because of magnets now. That's progress.
 
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newellj said:
Which brand of clone case did you buy? Is it "lined"/soft on the inside?
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JETech. Just search Amazon for JETech iPad Mini 4. It's the $11 (sorry, was off by $1 in OP) one w/Prime shipping. The top & bottom has a "soft" feel lining. Not sure what it is but it's not the same hard fake Corinthian Leather material as on the outside.
 
I've always went without cases on my iPads. They look like they have been through hell at the end of two years, but by that time they are only worth at most $150-200. I'd rather enjoy the slim form factor (especially on an iPad) for two years than deal with a case.
 
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zlogs said:
I've always went without cases on my iPads. They look like they have been through hell at the end of two years, but by that time they are only worth at most $150-200. I'd rather enjoy the slim form factor (especially on an iPad) for two years than deal with a case.
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Yup. Considering the leather case on its own was like $60. I bought a set of the new silicones and had to take it back as much as I loved it. Just an insane price tag
 
techno-Zen said:
Yup. Considering the leather case on its own was like $60. I bought a set of the new silicones and had to take it back as much as I loved it. Just an insane price tag
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Yeah, cases are expensive for the iPad (at least the apple ones). I guess it also depends on what kind of person you are. I have to have a case on my iPhone, but when I use an iPad I use extra precaution. Yeah, the back of my mini 2 has scratches and a dent but I've enjoyed the slim form factor and the screen is flawless (besides a few hairline scratches).
 
zlogs said:
Yeah, cases are expensive for the iPad (at least the apple ones). I guess it also depends on what kind of person you are. I have to have a case on my iPhone, but when I use an iPad I use extra precaution. Yeah, the back of my mini 2 has scratches and a dent but I've enjoyed the slim form factor and the screen is flawless (besides a few hairline scratches).
Click to expand...

I'm a case guy for iPhone and iPad, I use a transparent plastic on my iphone w/ glass screen protector. Total cost: $20

For my iPad I bought this to replace my $100+ smart cover/case. It should do the job well.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014KAK3NE?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

Like I said, I LOVE everything about the new smart cover/case except the price. If it was half that cost I'd be all in and even then that's too pricey.

The leather Mini 2 case was nearly half that cost, and arguably made from a better material (Leather)
 
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The announcement of the new magic accessories for Mac and their prices sum it up for me. The new trackpad is almost twice the price of the previous one for doing essentially the same thing. It seems like Apple are just pulling inflated prices out of the air, much like the new casings for the mini 4.
 
Donka said:
The announcement of the new magic accessories for Mac and their prices sum it up for me. The new trackpad is almost twice the price of the previous one for doing essentially the same thing. It seems like Apple are just pulling inflated prices out of the air, much like the new casings for the mini 4.
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To be fair. The new trackpad is huge and adds a lot of new functionality.
 
I might be in the minority here. But I don't mind paying for quality. I have used 3rd party cases for iPad's before. They seemed to have done the job but most of them don't cover the holes and the camera lens very well. I took a chance and bought both the Smart Cover (Midnight Blue) and the Silicone Case (Stone). When you put the Case, it fits perfectly. It feels pretty light and feels amazing when you hold it. So if you have $100 to spare, then I would say get it since it's the best cover + case you can get.
 
I've never liked buying cases from the Apple Store. I've found that a lot of the knock offs are pretty much identical. Keep in mind, These accessories are made in China. Guess where these knock offs are made too? You can easily get just as good of quality. It's like... Tylenol. You can buy the name brand and get good results, But you could get the generic and it's likely to have the same effect. Just minus some nice packaging and a brand label.
 
Septembersrain said:
I've never liked buying cases from the Apple Store. I've found that a lot of the knock offs are pretty much identical. Keep in mind, These accessories are made in China. Guess where these knock offs are made too? You can easily get just as good of quality. It's like... Tylenol. You can buy the name brand and get good results, But you could get the generic and it's likely to have the same effect. Just minus some nice packaging and a brand label.
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You are right about both being made in China, but that's like saying what's the point of buying an iPad for $500 when i can buy a generic tablet for $100 since both are made in China. To me it just seems that the Apple Cover/Case will last for ever based on the quality of manufacturing versus any generic case as I have used them before and all of them show wear and tear in a few months and most of them have some kind of defect like not aligning properly with the holes. I also like the fact that the iPad mini 4 along with the silicone case is still very light which is what the Mini should be.
 
konjecture said:
You are right about both being made in China, but that's like saying what's the point of buying an iPad for $500 when i can buy a generic tablet for $100 since both are made in China. To me it just seems that the Apple Cover/Case will last for ever based on the quality of manufacturing versus any generic case as I have used them before and all of them show wear and tear in a few months and most of them have some kind of defect like not aligning properly with the holes. I also like the fact that the iPad mini 4 along with the silicone case is still very light which is what the Mini should be.
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Yeah but buying a case vs buying a device, that's not a good comparison. Apple will have my business for devices because there aren't any good Chinese knock offs, nor should there ever be. IOS belongs to Apple, their product is theirs and theirs alone. A case however, it's not only Apple who makes them. There are many manufacturers who have been making cases for devices. I'm sure there are manufacturers who have been making cases since before the first iPhone as there were still cellular phones in the market.

What I'm saying is, Apple isn't the only company who can make accessories of value. I compare the case buying to Tylenol. I compare buying the actual devices to buying a car. It's more important to buy brand name as you'll never truly get a similar product if you go with another. While I do love my car, I can get quality aftermarket parts too.
 
The reason I buy Apple cases is because AppleCare+ covers them so when they fall apart then Apple is great at replacing them (which is especially a problem with their leather phone cases).

But yeah, this iPad Mini 4 case pricing is just gross for what you are actually buying and it really is yet another sign of "Who" Apple is nowadays. It's not about Jobs' vision, it's about pretending a very good product is worth "Luxury" prices.
 
konjecture said:
I might be in the minority here. But I don't mind paying for quality. I have used 3rd party cases for iPad's before. They seemed to have done the job but most of them don't cover the holes and the camera lens very well. I took a chance and bought both the Smart Cover (Midnight Blue) and the Silicone Case (Stone). When you put the Case, it fits perfectly. It feels pretty light and feels amazing when you hold it. So if you have $100 to spare, then I would say get it since it's the best cover + case you can get.
Click to expand...

I'm with you on this. I bought the apple case and cover because I was leaving on a trip before the folio cases with proper smart covers were available. It's the best functioning case I've ever owned. If it wears well I know I won't regret the purchase. The basic knockoffs look shabby fairly quickly, and even the speck durafolio on my iPad Air didn't wear well. I had to superglue the lining in place before passing that iPad on to my son, and the cover never stayed locked in place so the iPad would come on in my bag and run down the battery.

So while it's not a 'must have' its definitely in a different league than the knockoffs.
 
konjecture said:
I might be in the minority here. But I don't mind paying for quality. I have used 3rd party cases for iPad's before. They seemed to have done the job but most of them don't cover the holes and the camera lens very well. I took a chance and bought both the Smart Cover (Midnight Blue) and the Silicone Case (Stone). When you put the Case, it fits perfectly. It feels pretty light and feels amazing when you hold it. So if you have $100 to spare, then I would say get it since it's the best cover + case you can get.
Click to expand...

I think Apple's previous iPad accessory pricing was reasonable. Not cheap but not outrageous like it is now for the mini 4. $100 to encase your iPad in polymer when you could previously get a leather smart case for $70 is egregious. That's if it holds up for however long you keep the device. I'm not rough at all with my toys but the silicone smart covers that I've used and seen have stretched enough to affect magnet alignment and split at the seams.
 
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