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Small footprint open bezel folio - recommendations?

Buildbright said:
First the rubber inlay starts to fray after four months. Second my joy factory dented the corner of my iPad 2 because of it's extremely tight fit.
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This is very disturbing. Rules out Joy Factory for me.

So far Jison is coming out on top, but let's see what Scosche comes up with.
 
That blue case Lauren posted is there a seam down the back? similar case design as my Italian? icarer iPad2 case, but iCarer has NO seam on back, it's all one piece. My icarer fits on my ipad 3 just barely, the lip is too narrow, but seems snug. the magnets don't work on the 3.
I tried many cases for iPad2. The iCarer is my fave for looks and materials. I have the red with the black trim, but the tongue flap is failure!.
Avoid the tongue closures, they are ugly, break down and are obtrusive imo. I dislike the apple smart fold type stands too tho!. Just make the bigger-fold type stand, with slot in back.
also, that garrison case video clearly shows a big crack in the main fold, left side of screen at 0:51 sec, ugh.
I may get my iCarer's tongue fixed, or removed and try to make a back slot out of the back buckle.
good pix of icarer for ipad2 for your info; I'm seeing it placeholder listed for the ipad 3 at $50 elsewhere, and 1 new color. baby pink.
http://www.aliexpress.com/product-fm/537792822-Newest-Arrival-icarer-Italy-real-leather-cover-case-for-ipad-2-high-qualtiy-for-ipad-3-wholesalers.html
scroll down for big pix.
just wish they'd drop the tongue latch style tho.
 
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Any case that sports a tongue closure/latch is not for me. Have you seen what these look like after one to many "threadings"? They can also be a pain when the front cover is folded back on itself.
As for the Joy Factory problems listed above; I have my doubts about those claims, especially when the Poster has his own website, selling other cases. My Husband's Office Manager has used it on her iPad 2 for months, and I have yet to see a single problem with it. Based on her experience, a few others in the center ordered the SmartSuit shortly thereafter, and I have heard nothing but positive experiences.

For me, having studied Architectural and Interior Design, it's all about the little construction details, and the way each component performs. I suppose that is why it's difficult to find that "perfect" case.:rolleyes:
 
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Anyone heard of Rock? Here is another case along the lines of the Jisoncase I posted earlier. I like how the cover has a solid sheet of microfiber, as I always had the 3 telltale lines of dust from the Apple Smart Cover. This one also claims to be the lightest and thinnest due to the thin calfskin used. It looks pretty nice with the "texture" and hopefully the new iPad version will start showing up soon on Amazon.

Here is an Amazon example link showing the iPad 2 case from Rock:
http://www.amazon.com/European-Lightest-Thinnest-Protector-Microfiber/dp/B0054DDJL0/ref=sr_1_22?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1332682488&sr=1-22

Here is the Chinese site with lots of pictures to show colors, etc. warning, slow loading. English version is even slower for me.
http://rockphone.cn/products_detail.asp?menuid=26&brandid=30&id=1030&year=0&month=0&pmenuid=0&pbrandid=291

Edit: Please note that the Rock cases in Amazon link above shows a 4 panel cover but many listings say calfskin but it is PU leather. Whereas the Chinese site shows a 3 panel cover (which I prefer) for the calfskin new iPad 3rd gen and claim real calfskin. Did I confuse everyone enough, including myself? ^_^
 
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The problem with cases like Jison and Rock is that I have concerns about these unknown Chinese vendors.

Last year I ordered a case from MacLove which was completely mis designed with a bad fit. They refused to refund my money and eventually I went through a 2 month process to get my money back.

Joy Factory seems more reputable. Scosche and Speck even more so.
 
batman75 said:
The problem with cases like Jison and Rock is that I have concerns about these unknown Chinese vendors.
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Wow. That's too bad, batman75, sorry to hear that. What I'm hoping is that some of these Chinese designs will get the usual rebrand stamped on them and be available for order from trusted companies.
 
bullrat said:
Anyone heard of Rock? Here is another case along the lines of the Jisoncase I posted earlier. I like how the cover has a solid sheet of microfiber, as I always had the 3 telltale lines of dust from the Apple Smart Cover. This one also claims to be the lightest and thinnest due to the thin calfskin used. It looks pretty nice with the "texture" and hopefully the new iPad version will start showing up soon on Amazon.

Here is an Amazon example link showing the iPad 2 case from Rock:
http://www.amazon.com/European-Lightest-Thinnest-Protector-Microfiber/dp/B0054DDJL0/ref=sr_1_22?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1332682488&sr=1-22

Here is the Chinese site with lots of pictures to show colors, etc. warning, slow loading. English version is even slower for me.
http://rockphone.cn/products_detail.asp?menuid=26&brandid=30&id=1030&year=0&month=0&pmenuid=0&pbrandid=291

Edit: Please note that the Rock cases in Amazon link above shows a 4 panel cover but many listings say calfskin but it is PU leather. Whereas the Chinese site shows a 3 panel cover (which I prefer) for the calfskin new iPad 3rd gen and claim real calfskin. Did I confuse everyone enough, including myself? ^_^
Click to expand...

Just so you know, with the design of the 4 panel, as opposed to the 3 panel front cover, there is a reason why Apple chose the 4 section design. It is FAR more stable when rolled up. It holds the iPad upright in the "movie watching" position, and in the typing position, it remains stable, not unfurlling like the 3 panel covers are apt to do.
Also, be careful of the covers whose back has the leather/PU extended all the way to the edges. It has a habit of detaching, becoming separated. You can already see the potential in the Rock case rear:

eg1.jpg

There are quite a few manufacturers that have the above design, but the rear of the case has a rigid shell on the perimeter, and a softer fabric/leather component meets it, without going all the way to the edge, (if you know what I mean.). For instance, look at the back of the Joy Factory Smart Suit. See how the perimeter is manufactured?:

CSA111-2h.jpg


Edit: of the 2 you mention, I just checked a Youtube video of the Jison, and I think it's of a superior quality to the Rock Case. I also noticed that is has the better, 4 fold design for the front cover. It's actually stunning, I just wish the leather on the rear did not extend all the way to the edges.
 
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batman75 said:
I want an open bezel small footprint case which has both cinema and typing positions. Doesn't need multiple angles. Cinema cases won't work because the footprint is too big.

My current case is the Melkco slim but the magnets don't work with the new iPad. Their new iPad model has a bezel covering, so that's a new go.

So far, only options I have seen are:
Scosche IQ P2 (okay, but made of plastic)
Incipio Lexington (okay but I prefer magnet closure and premium leather)

Has anyone seen something like this made from Premium Leather?

Image
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STM Skinny or Incipio Lexington. Both good cases with open bezel and small footprint.
 
Sterne said:
Any thoughts on or knowledge about this new case from Spigen?

http://www.spigen.com/new-product/spigen-sgp-the-new-ipad-4g-lte-wifi-leather-case-diary-series.html

Since it is brand new and will not start shipping till Tuesday, I would guess that no one here has seen one - but what do you think of the concept and the look?

Steven
Click to expand...

I don't know about that case, the iPad is held in with adhesive! That just sounds totally bizarre to me. Does it leave marks? Can you remove and reattach the iPad? How come they don't show the inside of the case? Are the edges of the iPad totally exposed? Even the picture of the case set up as a stand is cropped funny so you can't see how the stand works. Are there multiple positions? It's just too strange and they are not very revealing with their pictures. The folio case on the other hand looks rather nice.
 
Just wondering if anyone has ordered the GL Jisoncase mentioned in this thread and if it works fine with the new iPad model?

photo


I received an email from Jisoncase some time ago and they are saying that item "JS-ID2-007B" is suitable for the new iPad but no mention of magnets working / not working.

Google is showing that "JS-ID2-007B" is exactly the Jisoncase Real Leather Cover for iPad 2.

Also, found the same cases here on eBay, but seller does not know if they fit new iPad or not. :(
 
For years I have preferred small footprint folios too. But on my iPad 3 I am really liking my smart cover and incipio feather combination. In my case (tan front/tan back) the colors are close enough you just do not know it is two parts. Open bezel, the magnets work great (of course), no back bumps from anything, and complete fold-back. Once it's on, there is really no hint it it two parts. And I do like having the smart cover locked on.
 
Have any new small footprint open bezel cases come out yet?

Only new one I saw is the Melkco Slimme for iPad 3. However if it is like the old one, then it will switch off the screen when you fold the cover back.
 
laurenr said:
I was also looking for cases with the above description. I found two that look really great, although one is not in leather:

I love the form factor of this one; the top cover has the 4 folds, like the Apple smart cover, which I think would be more stable than just the 3-fold case I mention next. However, this case is not in leather, but does get great reviews on Amazon for their last version (iPad2) I have placed an order for one, but they have not yet given a release/shipping date; approx. is end of March:

http://www.thejoyfactory.com/product/csa103


This one is in real leather, and looks stunning, but with only 3 folds, I am not certain about its stability when folded. I am told by another member here, that this design could become unfurled quite easily, but cannot confirm, as I have not seen it in person:

http://www.macally.com/en/product/ArticleShow.asp?ArticleID=421
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Just curious as to whether you purchased either one of these cases from either one of them. I've seen a thread regarding the case for the Joyfactory, but I'm contemplating in whether I should buy one. I have tried serveral cases for the new iPad and I always end up giving it away to friends or family members. So I'm down to search for a new case.
 
maniacphoner said:
Just curious as to whether you purchased either one of these cases from either one of them. I've seen a thread regarding the case for the Joyfactory, but I'm contemplating in whether I should buy one. I have tried serveral cases for the new iPad and I always end up giving it away to friends or family members. So I'm down to search for a new case.
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I actually received the JoyFactory case about a month ago, and absolutely love it. You can see pictures of mine and others in the JF thread:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1349417/
 
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