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Vaja ivolution Top Case

Last night while I'm waiting for my 3g iPad, I ordered a Vaja ivolution Top Case from Vaja Cases. The case is customized (as are most Vaja cases) with a black exterior and rosso (red) interior, all in leather.

At $150 plus shipping, it is expensive but I had one made for my iPhone 3g a year and a half ago in Ferrari colors for $110 and everyone I show it to loves it. The workmanship and materials are first rate and it's made in Argentina.

The cover detaches and reattaches at the back when using your iPad.

According to the confirmation e-mail, the "artisans" (as they call them) are hard at work and should complete the work in about 35 days.

Hopefully, the iPad 3g I pre-ordered on March 12th makes it here first.

I also have the Apple iPad Case and although unlike others I really like it (especially the texture and functionality). I still plan to use it occasionally but wanted something really special.

I've spent the last 2 nights on the internet (including here and YouTube) for cases but they all fell short of my needs (poor materials, bulky, poor design, etc).

Can't wait for the 3g iPad or my case.
 
Last night while I'm waiting for my 3g iPad, I ordered a Vaja ivolution Top Case from Vaja Cases. The case is customized (as are most Vaja cases) with a black exterior and rosso (red) interior, all in leather.

At $150 plus shipping, it is expensive but I had one made for my iPhone 3g a year and a half ago in Ferrari colors for $110 and everyone I show it to loves it. The workmanship and materials are first rate and it's made in Argentina.

The cover detaches and reattaches at the back when using your iPad.

According to the confirmation e-mail, the "artisans" (as they call them) are hard at work and should complete the work in about 35 days.

Hopefully, the iPad 3g I pre-ordered on March 12th makes it here first.

I also have the Apple iPad Case and although unlike others I really like it (especially the texture and functionality). I still plan to use it occasionally but wanted something really special.

I've spent the last 2 nights on the internet (including here and YouTube) for cases but they all fell short of my needs (poor materials, bulky, poor design, etc).

Can't wait for the 3g iPad or my case.


I feel the same way. The Vaja case seems to fit my needs better than any other case that I have seen so far. The only thing that I might be missing is a way to prop it up. I ordered black on black and will post pics as soon as I receive it.
 
Finally got a chance to play w/ an iPad at my local Apple Store. Actually, I played w/ 2 of them, one in an Apple case and the other w/out case. I have to agree w/ many posts that it feels great "naked" in your hands and that using it in a case just takes something away from the experience. I've decided to go the sleeve route and just ordered the Hard Candy "Hard Sleeve" (link below). Delivery scheduled for 4/22...hopefully just in time for my 32GB 3G. If possible, I'd suggest you try using the iPad in and out of a case before purchasing. You might just be surprised!

http://www.hardcandycases.com/ipad-hardsleeve.html
 
Finally got a chance to play w/ an iPad at my local Apple Store. Actually, I played w/ 2 of them, one in an Apple case and the other w/out case. I have to agree w/ many posts that it feels great "naked" in your hands and that using it in a case just takes something away from the experience. I've decided to go the sleeve route and just ordered the Hard Candy "Hard Sleeve" (link below). Delivery scheduled for 4/22...hopefully just in time for my 32GB 3G. If possible, I'd suggest you try using the iPad in and out of a case before purchasing. You might just be surprised!

http://www.hardcandycases.com/ipad-hardsleeve.html

Wow...I find this case extremely intriguing. This solves two issues with me:

1) I like the idea of using the iPad "naked"
2) I like the idea of being able to have it in a sleeve even while in use

This seems to solve both as they have those molded corners w/ fingers that hold it in place. I'm gonna look into this one more, but this just moved to the top of my list so far. Thanks for sharing!

Now I just wish Apple would share our 3Gs with us, but we'll get there, right? :cool:
 
Read my post carefully. I'm not looking for a full folio style case. I'm looking for one that has no back.

iSkin will have something like that, Vaja already has it but it's a 2 piece so you will have to buy the whole thing. Check it out.
 
Yes, I've had my eye on that one as well since seeing it on ilounge. $150-$180 is a big expense, though. I would appreciate if you would post your thoughts and pictures when you receive it. I can't tell how thick it is, or how well it will hold up as a stand. But it sho' do look purty. Enjoy!

Unfortunately my iPad is stuck on the wrong side of the Atlantic and will be until this Icelandic volcano stops erupting...

I'll hopefully have the case next week, so can at least give my impressions of it, with or without its eventual contents!
 
Its looks nice but I am just wondering if the case covers the ambient light sensor. I asked him and he said that he did not know if it did or not. He wasn't sure where the sensor was located. The only other thing about the case is the fact that it is upside down when its propped up, not a big deal just seems like top cover should flip from the top and not the bottom. It is a nice case though. Let us know what you think about it when you get it.

I haven't been concerned with the upside down issue you raise since the iPad's screen flips over automatically, etc... and, also, I tend to not rely on automated light senors and manually set the screen brightness to my liking. Also, I like the fact that it is very easy to insert/remove the iPad (for docking at night) and that the case's cotton bound elastic won't stretch out and thus the case won't lose its shape with time... but I will post my thoughts when I get the case and iPad 3G and have used it for a while.
 
I ordered the Belkin Grip Vue (clear version) and the Apple iPad case. I'm not sure if I'll keep both and use one for travel and one for home, but I got a netbook sleeve from Best Buy that has a pocket on the front that I can slide the powercord in. I'm thinking the Belkin and that sleeve will be good for travel. If it works around the home and office as well, I'll take back the Apple one.

Both cases look great, and I've seen the Apple one "in action", and the owner said she loved it. We all have different preferences, and that will show in what we select.
 
I haven't been concerned with the upside down issue you raise since the iPad's screen flips over automatically, etc... and, also, I tend to not rely on automated light senors and manually set the screen brightness to my liking. Also, I like the fact that it is very easy to insert/remove the iPad (for docking at night) and that the case's cotton bound elastic won't stretch out and thus the case won't lose its shape with time... but I will post my thoughts when I get the case and iPad 3G and have used it for a while.


I have a feeling I am going to buy this case as well due to the fact that it can be used as a stand and appears to be well made. If you get a chance I would love to see some pics.
 
Here's mine....

SEL39096.jpg

Why not? I was thinking of getting these and jazzing them up with some stickers or wrapping them in fabric.

I could give some of those Etsy sellers a run for their money :)
 
This case looks nice for $30. I never heard of hdaccessory.com- are they reliable? I wish amazon sold this so I could return easily if cheap. I only wonder if you can open the cover and completely wrap it to the back of the iPad, so you don't have an "open book" all the time.

Please let us know how you like it!
ipadregalbeige1.jpg

ipadregalbeige4.jpg

I received this cover today in the mail. The beige color looks exactly like in the pictures. Shipping was from the Los Angeles area and took 1 day to process and 2 days to get here in Northern California. It is built well with a stiff but slightly padded front and back of leather. The flap is held in place with 3 small button magnets sewn inside. The inside covering that touches the iPad is a gray felt material. Also has a strong chemical smell. I am currently letting it air out to try and get rid of the smell. The iPad itself is held in place with two sewn in leather loops on the bottom and the two top retainers are a strong bungee cord type fitting with little leather pads attached. Since I don't have my iPad yet to test the fitting I may try and sneak down to the Apple Store in the Mall and see how it fits in.

Update: The iPads on Display have a locking cable on them that interfered with the insertion of the iPad into the case. Spoke to one of the Apple Geniuses who then pulled out a 16GB iPad that they use for the classes.

The hdaccessory case fits snugly, feels nice and looks very nice. There is about 3 millimeters between the edge of the iPad and the edge of the case, so protection from drops won't protect your iPad if it hit the floor edgewise. Sitting on the floor, I did the shake test several times to see how snug the iPad would stay in the case. Didn't budge, so that was good. [The Genius, however, wasn't too thrilled by this test. :D ]

Adjusting the front lid, you can set the case up in portrait mode by itself. In landscape mode, I flipped the front lid over and it slides on the glass table I used so you would have to use a prop to keep the lid from sliding. There is no tilt function when typing, which is where the Apple case advantage is.

There is a problem with the top bungee type fittings. When in use, the top right bungee covers over the top 1/3 of the on/off button. You can easily click the button and it doesn't seem to interfere with the operations, but it is a point against it. If the bungee was just a bit tighter, the on/off button would remain pressed in all the time. Since the 3G model is just a teeny-weenie bit taller than the Wifi model, there may be a problem. The top left bungee covers 1/2 of the hole for your headphones. I was able to adjust it to the side but the headphone jack has to seat securely into the iPad and the bungee prevents it from doing that. In addition, the microphone hole is now covered.

The strong chemical smell is still there and I am going to let the case sit outside overnight. Hopefully the smell will lessen. As far as returning the item, hdaccessory posts that there is a 20% open box fee on any opened hardware or accessory. Shipping costs are not refundable.

All the Best!

(Still waiting for my 3G)
 
I finally received my Cimo soft gel case. it's terrible. the holes don't quite line up with the buttons/ports and it's not very "soft gel" feeling. it feels like cheap rubber. I definitely prefer the hard plastic back I got from newertechnology
 
I have the CIMO soft gel case as well and will be replacing it as soon as something else comes out. For me the holes are fine, I just feel it might fall out.
 
I contacted Cimo about that and they said they will have a program to replace the misaligned cases soon. You should probably be getting an email soon. They were very courteous about it.
 
I finally got my hands on an Apple iPad case today.

The good and bad of it is

- that it is pretty much exactly what I was looking for -- convertible, protective and slim (the good)

- except that it looks like the Macally bookstand is finally -- same quality and functionality, better design and lower price (the bad)
 
I have a feeling I am going to buy this case as well due to the fact that it can be used as a stand and appears to be well made. If you get a chance I would love to see some pics.

In my previous post, I was considering to get all leather temple bag, but after the recent change/upgrade by Steve, I just love the canvas army green version slightly over the all leather one (actually I love all 3 colors, but lets be practical :p ). I think my order is going to ship today (thanks Steve!), but it'll take awhile to ground ship to Canada. I'll post my review as well, maybe along side JohnH's all leather version.

Oh as for where the ambient light sensor is located in iPad, checkout step 28 in ifixit. The quick answer is, temple bag will be covering the sensor, but it's not an issue for me (same reason as JohnH's). The purpose of the bag for me is so that I can carry my iPad on the go. Will taking the iPad out for home use with SGP's back cover and screen protection, to keep its thin profile.
 
http://www.hardcandycases.com/ipad-hardsleeve.html

Wow...I find this case extremely intriguing. This solves two issues with me:

1) I like the idea of using the iPad "naked"
2) I like the idea of being able to have it in a sleeve even while in use

This seems to solve both as they have those molded corners w/ fingers that hold it in place. I'm gonna look into this one more, but this just moved to the top of my list so far. Thanks for sharing!

Now I just wish Apple would share our 3Gs with us, but we'll get there, right? :cool:

A reviewer on Amazon said that little bumpers to protect the iPad are velcro and can be moved around (or lost).

HardCandy.com has an ipad case out. I got one in black. The picture shows the case is black inside as well as out. It is not. The inside is neon orange. Also, the little bumpers to protect the iPad are velcro and can be moved around (or lost). They don't hold the iPad in place unless the case is closed and zippered. If you pick up the case without it being closed and zipped, the iPad falls out. This is a bad design.
 
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I'll be getting one of those bubbled envelopes as well. That was a clever and cost saving idea. The iPad is already heavy as it is, I definitely don't want to add anymore weight to it, so I just need something to the iPad in when I travel.
 
Last night while I'm waiting for my 3g iPad, I ordered a Vaja ivolution Top Case from Vaja Cases. The case is customized (as are most Vaja cases) with a black exterior and rosso (red) interior, all in leather.

At $150 plus shipping, it is expensive but I had one made for my iPhone 3g a year and a half ago in Ferrari colors for $110 and everyone I show it to loves it. The workmanship and materials are first rate and it's made in Argentina.

The cover detaches and reattaches at the back when using your iPad.

According to the confirmation e-mail, the "artisans" (as they call them) are hard at work and should complete the work in about 35 days.

Hopefully, the iPad 3g I pre-ordered on March 12th makes it here first.

I also have the Apple iPad Case and although unlike others I really like it (especially the texture and functionality). I still plan to use it occasionally but wanted something really special.

I've spent the last 2 nights on the internet (including here and YouTube) for cases but they all fell short of my needs (poor materials, bulky, poor design, etc).

Can't wait for the 3g iPad or my case.

By "artisans" they mean starving child laborers ;)

No seriously, their stuff is gorgeous. Wife has had two iPhone cases - original then 3GS. Great materials and workmanship.

Their iPad cases don't fit my usage needs or I'd have one in a heartbeat.
 
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