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XGear Folio - pics and impressions

Finally...I've found a case that does everything I want. Typing? Check. Low profile? Check. Doesn't cover up the beauty of the iPad? Check.

I've put in an order for one, so hopefully it lives up to my expectations. I haven't even received my iPad yet, and I've already returned two sub-par cases (a Yoobao and a Yoobao-derivative). Lets hope third time is a charm. :rolleyes:

For those of you that have had this case for a little while now, how's it holding up?
 
I responded to your pm, but for the benefit of others, here is my response:

It's holding up really well, it seems to be very well constructed. The iPad is still held solidly in. The loop where you insert the strap is getting a little looser, but it still works fine. Also, the edges of the top cover are sewn but not heat sealed so the fabric layer of the vinyl is fraying a bit, just some loose threads every now and then but it doesn't bother me.

The inner velvet is holding up perfectly and feels very luxurious. It gathers some dust that is easily swept away, but seems to repel dirt nicely.

The only damage so far is when I dropped it and it hit the sharp corner of my fireplace. It ripped the vinyl a bit on the back, but I glued it back and you can hardly notice it unless you're looking for it. I'd hate to think what would have happened to my iPad if I didn't have the case, but that's true of any case I guess.

I still think it's too expensive and I'd advise waiting for a sale, but I'm happy with it and I honestly haven't been tempted to look for another case unless they came out with a leather version of this one.
 
3D Monkey said:
Yeah carbon fiber is pretty stale, especially fake CF like this. But it does help the grip, though I'd prefer it were leather which would be just as grippy.
Click to expand...

Maybe it's just a carbon fiber style design , the box doesn't advertise to be carbon fiber , can you even verify it's real carbon fiber shelling ?

Maybe gear heads consider carbon fiber pretty stale , but I think most people still find it very fancy nice ,at least it stands out from regular black , nice case slash stand by the way;)
 
No, it's not real carbon fiber. It's vinyl, textured to look like carbon fiber.
 
I just picked up this case thinking that it met most of my criteria, and got it yesterday.

I really liked the case design - the rails to hold the iPad are solid, the interior feels nice, the exterior design looks nice, but sadly the feel of the exterior material - for me - is not good. It feels cheap, like plastic.

Amusingly my husband likes it and is keeping it which saves me a return, but I'm still on a search for an alternative case to the Apple case. If only they could release one in leather!!
 
sandydlc said:
I just picked up this case thinking that it met most of my criteria, and got it yesterday.

I really liked the case design - the rails to hold the iPad are solid, the interior feels nice, the exterior design looks nice, but sadly the feel of the exterior material - for me - is not good. It feels cheap, like plastic.

Amusingly my husband likes it and is keeping it which saves me a return, but I'm still on a search for an alternative case to the Apple case. If only they could release one in leather!!
Click to expand...

Just got mine yesterday. Don't have an iPad to put in it yet (arriving Friday), but I really like this case. I had two Yoobaos and a generic, and this is leaps and bounds better. Looks good, feels good, and is made well.

Mine is definitely leather. I can tell by the feel/smell/look of it. Being as this case is advertised as being leather, I can only assume the OP misconstrued the material?

Regardless, I did a crap ton of research, and this is the only case that has all the features I want. It doesn't obscure the iPad's face, it doesn't impinge on typing, it has a good typing angle, and it holds the iPad securely (at least from what I've read).

I really can't fault it. I mean, yeah, I did pay $70 (including shipping), but that's one of the downsides of being an early adopter. In all fairness, Xgear did a really good job...the build quality is grade A. I'm just hoping it holds up over time...but then, I haven't seen a single bad thing said about this case (with the exception of personal nitpicks).

By the way, for anyone interested in picking one up, I got mine from this seller: Xgear iPad Folio. I was a bit leery ordering from Canada, but the case was here literally overnight (order put in/shipped Monday, here Tuesday morning). That's Montreal to Los Angeles in less than 24 hours.
 
$MacUser$ said:
Mine is definitely leather. I can tell by the feel/smell/look of it. Being as this case is advertised as being leather, I can only assume the OP misconstrued the material?
Click to expand...

I'm glad you like yours. You must have a slightly different model than mine or they've upgraded it already because i'm sure mine is not leather. I can tell because I dropped it and the material ripped a bit. Once I saw under it I could see it was vinyl with a cloth backing. I can also tell by looking at the edges and the way the folds are wrinkling over time. . Plus it doesn't feel or smell like leather. It feels and smells like plastic. But I still like it, I never take it off.

The description on the XGear site says "carbon fiber leather material" an as far as i know there isn't a real material called carbon fiber leather. Just one of those marketing terms that doesn't mean anything.
 
I've finally cranked out a review of the XGear Folio, plus some more pictures.

http://www.gadgetoid.com/2010/06/25/xgear-live-carbon-folio-ipad-case-and-stand-review/

I'm still on the fence regarding the carbon fibre style, but technically this is a very good, very lightweight case that's perfect for slipping in an already stuffed gadget/laptop bag. It's just not as well manufactured as it could be, and the angle it sits at when stood up is a little too shallow (or deep, depending on whether you measure from the front or the back).

This would be a goodish buy at £30 or maybe even £40 at a push. But £55 (which seems to be what it costs over here) is absurd.
 
$MacUser$ said:
Just got mine yesterday. Don't have an iPad to put in it yet (arriving Friday), but I really like this case. I had two Yoobaos and a generic, and this is leaps and bounds better. Looks good, feels good, and is made well.

Mine is definitely leather. I can tell by the feel/smell/look of it. Being as this case is advertised as being leather, I can only assume the OP misconstrued the material?

Regardless, I did a crap ton of research, and this is the only case that has all the features I want. It doesn't obscure the iPad's face, it doesn't impinge on typing, it has a good typing angle, and it holds the iPad securely (at least from what I've read).

I really can't fault it. I mean, yeah, I did pay $70 (including shipping), but that's one of the downsides of being an early adopter. In all fairness, Xgear did a really good job...the build quality is grade A. I'm just hoping it holds up over time...but then, I haven't seen a single bad thing said about this case (with the exception of personal nitpicks).

By the way, for anyone interested in picking one up, I got mine from this seller: Xgear iPad Folio. I was a bit leery ordering from Canada, but the case was here literally overnight (order put in/shipped Monday, here Tuesday morning). That's Montreal to Los Angeles in less than 24 hours.
Click to expand...

So, i'd like to hear your review, since you should now had received your ipad, and you have Yoobao AND the Xgear.

What is your conclusion?

Btw, thanks for the ebay seller!
 
Tangu said:
So, i'd like to hear your review, since you should now had received your ipad, and you have Yoobao AND the Xgear.

What is your conclusion?
Click to expand...

I'm really loving the XGear case. It's nice and low profile, and it preserves the awesome look of the iPad/doesn't impinge upon the screen (like Yoobao and similar).

I also like the carbon fiber look, and have gotten several compliments on it. It's the type of finish that doesn't photograph well at all, as it's constantly changing as it moves/light shifts. So bear that in mind.

All in all, I'm glad I went with this one, and would do it again in a second. It's true that the price is pretty inflated. I paid $60 for mine plus $10 international shipping. I'd say $40-$45 would be about fair. That said, I rationalize the inflated cost as an early adopter tax.

I did a ton of research before settling on this one, and had two cases prior to the Xgear. I say get it if the feature set appeals to you. In my opinion, and for my needs, it's the best case currently on the market in the sub-$100 price range.

As an aside, I also picked up a Speck Pixelsleeve Plus as a point A to point B/traveling case. The Xgear equipped iPad fits perfectly inside it. You can get them for about $30 on the bay. Speck Pixelsleeve Plus

I'm going to do a full review of my iPad gizmos once I've lived with them a bit longer.
 
Just got mine today...

I just got my xGear Folio case today, and so far I am VERY happy.

The simulated carbonite on the outside is not bad at all... It looks much nicer in person than in photos.

It is very thin, but sturdy. I don't feel like it increases the thickness of the iPad much at all... Much thinner than the Yaoboo cases.

The iPad snaps in like in the MacAlly BookStand... So there is NO awkward frame around the iPad screen. It seems the iPad stays in just fine... Only time will tell if it holds up.

It converts to a tilted position like the Apple case does, but is just a tiny bit higher. When open this way there's a nice little spot for my stylus to clip onto... An added bonus!

So far, this is the best case I've bought. Premature to say if I'll like to more than the Apple Case, but if it holds up, it will definitely be the winner, since it will be MUCH easier to keep clean.
 
iRabbit said:
When open this way there's a nice little spot for my stylus to clip onto... An added bonus!
Click to expand...

You know, I never thought of that. I've wanted to get a stylus but since this case didn't have a pocket to keep it in, I've held off. Did you get the Pogo Sketch?

Thanks,
Duncan
 
I am very happy with my folio and get remarks where ever I go with it - people really like it and so do I. For around the house I have their CF shadow back plate too.
 
Thats OP for the pictures, I received last week the Yoobao case, and while it's very nice, it bothered me how it covered the edges of the screen, this case seems to be the real ticket, sure checks all the features I wanted, so I just placed an order from business-accessories.co.uk they have them in stock for £49 delivered :)
 
I'd be interested to hear about the long-term wear of this case. My husband has already had to have his first replaced due to a faulty/defective tab that fell off. His replacement that he's used two days has a seam that's already starting to fall apart. Pretty disappointing considering the cost.
 
Mine is still hanging in there. Actually it still looks new for the most part. The iPad is still securely held in the case, and not much wear is showing.

The only thing is that the loop that you fit the strap into to close or stand the case is loosening further. Standing the case up for viewing or typing still works great, no loss of function at all there. But the strap just doesn't stay in when the case is closed as well anymore. It's not something I'm that worried about, the iPad is still quite well protected when the case is closed, but it's worth mentioning.
 
Disappointment :(

Got mine 2 days ago, opened it and the first think I noticed was the horrible smell, but I figure that will go away, the build quality was not all that and the stitches on the holder for the flap that goes over the case was off, one of the sides was 1/2 ripped out

I sent it back

Looking again :(
 
Looks almost the same. The method for standing up is different, I can't tell from the picture how this one works bit the xgear has a strap like the macally folio. It's definitely not a direct copy.
 
Been using mine a few weeks now. Still loving it. The tab holder thing does loosen up a little bit, but not enough to impact function.

Best iPad case out there as far as I'm concerned.
 
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