Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
I'm buying an iPad 2 and need a case. I'm strongly considering the Waterfield Smart Case. However, I need to decide if I want just the case for the iPad or the iPad with a Smart Cover. How useful is the Smart Cover if I have the Smart Case?
 
I'm buying an iPad 2 and need a case. I'm strongly considering the Waterfield Smart Case. However, I need to decide if I want just the case for the iPad or the iPad with a Smart Cover. How useful is the Smart Cover if I have the Smart Case?

I have both, and I like having both. The Smart Case is a case for protecting your iPad 2 in transport (on its own or in a briefcase) or while it's stored. The Smart Cover is used to hold the iPad 2 in different positions while you use it and to protect the screen when it's not in use. The two work very well together.
 
I have both, and I like having both. The Smart Case is a case for protecting your iPad 2 in transport (on its own or in a briefcase) or while it's stored. The Smart Cover is used to hold the iPad 2 in different positions while you use it and to protect the screen when it's not in use. The two work very well together.

Thank you. Is the iPad too loose in the Smart Case (version with the Smart Cover) without the Smart Cover?

Also, how protective is the Smart Case? Would it protect the iPad from a drop?
 
Thank you. Is the iPad too loose in the Smart Case (version with the Smart Cover) without the Smart Cover?

Also, how protective is the Smart Case? Would it protect the iPad from a drop?

Just tested it. The iPad 2 slides out when I hold the case upside down, but then the Smart Case may have stretched out because I have been putting the iPad in the Smart Case with both a Smart Cover and an Enki Genius Case polyurethane back cover.

I am not gong to test dropping the Smart Case with my iPad, but I think it would probably protect it from short drops.
 
Thank you for your feedback.

I think I'll be ordering the Smart Case when I buy my iPad. I'm still on the fence about buying the Smart Cover too - seems like an added expense that's not needed if I have the Smart Case.
 
The Smart Cover from Apple and the Smart Case from Waterfield serve two different purposes (with some overlap). The Smart Cover does protect the front of the iPad 2, but the main thing I use it for is to prop up the iPad for use at a nice angle for entering and especially viewing information. Also the sleep/wake function is a nice to have.
 
Another long time Waterfield Designs customer here. And like 99+% of their customers, I can't say enough good things about their stuff. True, their cases are relatively expensive but in my experience they wear like iron. I have a Cargo bag I've used for five years (half a million miles) and it still looks new.

For my iPad I have the "Travel Express" case. It holds my iPad 2 in a custom pocket along with my Origami Workstation case for the Apple Wireless Keyboard. Enough room for power stuff and a foldable pair of headphones (Sennheiser PX100ii's.) It's a tight fit but works marvelously.

Chose the Travel Express over the "iPad Wallet" (which has a dedicated pocket for the Apple Wireless Keyboard on the advice of the folks at Waterfield Designs who didn't think the pocket would hold the keyboard inside the Origami Workstation keyboard case.

The Muzetto is a beautiful bag but I need to carry a 15" laptop as well as my iPad when I travel so the iPad sleeve and a separate sleeve for the laptop both go in a medium size Cargo bag.
 
How are the Muzetto bags holding up? I'm a longtime Saddleback leather customer, but I will no longer being buying their stuff nor keeping the items I have. I've been looking at the Muzetto over the weekend and really like it. I just sold my iPad2 and will take delivery of my new iPad next Friday (16th). I'm looking for something compact, leather and big enough to hold the iPad, a stethoscope and a few small items. The Muzetto seems to fit that bill.
 
How are the Muzetto bags holding up? I'm a longtime Saddleback leather customer, but I will no longer being buying their stuff nor keeping the items I have. I've been looking at the Muzetto over the weekend and really like it. I just sold my iPad2 and will take delivery of my new iPad next Friday (16th). I'm looking for something compact, leather and big enough to hold the iPad, a stethoscope and a few small items. The Muzetto seems to fit that bill.

Mine is as new as day one (I condition it every couple of months). I'm in a similar situation. Giving my iPad1 to my wife and getting the new iPad on Friday. I'm sure this newer iPad with thin cover is gonna love the Muzetto!
 
Mine is as new as day one (I condition it every couple of months). I'm in a similar situation. Giving my iPad1 to my wife and getting the new iPad on Friday. I'm sure this newer iPad with thin cover is gonna love the Muzetto!

Any issues with vegetable dye coming off on your clothes? We wear white coats when interacting with patients and I'd prefer not to have to worry about any dye issues (read that a few had that problem).

Also, what do you use to condition it? Coming from the Saddleback leather camp I'm accustomed to conditioning, but just wondered what yourself and others use on this leather.

Thanks for the response.
 
Any issues with vegetable dye coming off on your clothes? We wear white coats when interacting with patients and I'd prefer not to have to worry about any dye issues (read that a few had that problem).

Also, what do you use to condition it? Coming from the Saddleback leather camp I'm accustomed to conditioning, but just wondered what yourself and others use on this leather.

Thanks for the response.

I can't tell you whether or not the dye comes off since I always wear dark colors and jeans.

I just this conditioner from a company made by Apple (not relation to Apple Company) - Apple Leather Conditioner
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
How are the Muzetto bags holding up? I'm a longtime Saddleback leather customer, but I will no longer being buying their stuff nor keeping the items I have. I've been looking at the Muzetto over the weekend and really like it. I just sold my iPad2 and will take delivery of my new iPad next Friday (16th). I'm looking for something compact, leather and big enough to hold the iPad, a stethoscope and a few small items. The Muzetto seems to fit that bill.


Love my Muzetto. Still holding up great after almost a year. The bag is looking better than it did when I got it due to more patina. I went with the 13" in order to fit my MBA as well. All of these bags are so low profile. Love them.

Might I ask why you are getting rid of the Saddleback? I always heard their products and CS were top notch. I had one for a little while, but it was too heavy for my needs.
 
My Muzetto is still going strong, looks as nice as the day I first received it! What I like about it is that it is not fussy, is casual and relaxed looking for everyday use and is very functional -- I reach in, whip out the iPad, do whatever I'm going to do on the iPad, a friend for whom I'm waiting comes along, I quickly shut off the iPad and slip her back into the Muzetto and off we go.....
 
I'm considering ordering one of these for the May 30th order, but have a question to anyone who owns one. Does the leather damage easily in rain? I obv wouldn't be taking it out in thunderstorms, but more worried about having it on me when in unexpected light rain. Haven't decided between the normal or the black leather yet either.
 
I'm considering ordering one of these for the May 30th order, but have a question to anyone who owns one. Does the leather damage easily in rain? I obv wouldn't be taking it out in thunderstorms, but more worried about having it on me when in unexpected light rain. Haven't decided between the normal or the black leather yet either.

I actually haven't taken it out in the rain. When there was unexpected rain, instinctively, I just covered the bag under my coat lol. Even though it is protected there is still a possibility that water could have come in through the opening.
 
I must admit.. i've been lusting over the black and green muzetto for a long while now..It is not cheap but I've been close a number of times to pulling the trigger.
 
Mine has been rained on, scuffed, and lugged around for about a year now. I am appreciating it more now than ever. Most of the scuffs fade out after a bit. I must admit I started to enjoy the bag more after I stopped worrying about how it looks. The patina is part of the charm.
 
In reply to the leather changing across the years:


"Thanks for writing. The leather used for the Muzetto had varied over the years. We are now using a more distressed leather, the pictures on our product webpage are what you can expect from the Muzetto now. "
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.