iPad Pro Anyone try a knockoff Smart Case?

[sracer]

I bought the Moko smart case for my iPad Air in late 2013. It is definitely showing it's age but for the price and protection it afforded me over the 2 years, I got my money's worth. (I just checked how much I paid for it: $20.99 at the time.)

http://www.amazon.com/MoKo-Apple-iPad-Cover-Case/dp/B00CK9DA9M. It is nothing to brag about, but functional where it counted. I also liked the fact the case itself is soft where it touches the iPad.

I'm now in market for the same type of smart case for my new 12.9 Pro as I don't want a protruding 'lip' around the bezel--I feel that it will be annoying while using the Apple Pencil.

For kicks, here is some photos of 2.5 year old Moko case on my iPad Air. Yes, it looks like a POS now.

I just received my Coffee MoKo smart case for my 12.9 Pro about an hour ago. There is no protruding lip on it... the edge is flush and smooth. It is a beautiful case. Perfect fit.

 

[lyngo]

I just received my Coffee MoKo smart case for my 12.9 Pro about an hour ago. There is no protruding lip on it... the edge is flush and smooth. It is a beautiful case. Perfect fit.

Pictures?

 

[sracer]

It's hard to capture the Coffee color (which is a dark bronze-brown). It is also difficult to capture how flush the edge is, but here's an attempt. Although it looks like there lip protrudes, it is absolutely flush with the glass.

 

[turbineseaplane]

Does Moko make just a back shell with no front cover portion?

 

[jdechko]

I bought the Moko ultra slim case at the recommendation of the wirecutter. It was maybe $15. No problems so far, but it's only been a few weeks. I figure that if I have to replace it fewer than 6 times over the lifetime of the iPad, I come out ahead.

 

[JTravers]

Does Moko make just a back shell with no front cover portion?

Yes.
http://www.amazon.com/iPad-Pro-12-9...fkmr1&keywords=Moko+back+iPad+Pro+frost+black

 

[aberrero]

I can't understand the interest in third-party accessories. Just go with the original and enjoy it.

Apple's accessories are usually overpriced, and limited in functionality...

I use the Moko Folio case; got it for under $6 on amazon. It's not amazing or anything, but seems sturdy enough and allows me prop the iPad up at multiple angles. http://www.amazon.com/MoKo-iPad-Pro...xgy_147_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=0X7V3WXQCH0PME066M84

I'd be interested in a regular smart cover like the original one that they had for the iPad2 that protects the glass and lets you stand it up. I don't really care about protecting the back.

I must say, after having the Pro 12.9 for a week now, I really, really, really wish it had a kickstand.

 

[JTravers]

I must say, after having the Pro 12.9 for a week now, I really, really, really wish it had a kickstand.

I completely agree. If you find a back or case with a good built-in kickstand, please report back. Best I've done so far is secure a Lynktec Stand to a TPU back with glued-on Velcro. The Lynktec stand is supposed to stick to the back itself, but the 12.9 iPad Pro is too heavy for it to stay. It eventually falls off under the weight.

 

[LiveM]

Apple's accessories are usually overpriced, and limited in functionality...

I admit I don't want to see every man and his dog sporting authentic Apple accessories: a bit of exclusively feels good, and it also says a lot about the user. Not wealth - goodness, it's only two figures - but appreciation of design, value, and cohesiveness. It's a no-brainer for those who get it.

As for functionality, I see so much fluff. Thoughtful minimalism is important to me. I also see far better protection from rain and dust entering between the case and chassis, where it can cause harm unseen until exposed.

 

[aberrero]

I completely agree. If you find a back or case with a good built-in kickstand, please report back. Best I've done so far is secure a Lynktec Stand to a TPU back with glued-on Velcro. The Lynktec stand is supposed to stick to the back itself, but the 12.9 iPad Pro is too heavy for it to stay. It eventually falls off under the weight.

I admit I don't want to see every man and his dog sporting authentic Apple accessories: a bit of exclusively feels good, and it also says a lot about the user. Not wealth - goodness, it's only two figures - but appreciation of design, value, and cohesiveness. It's a no-brainer for those who get it.

As for functionality, I see so much fluff. Thoughtful minimalism is important to me. I also see far better protection from rain and dust entering between the case and chassis, where it can cause harm unseen until exposed.

It's not about the money, it's about not wanting to feel ripped off when purchasing generic consumer goods that fall apart. I've purchased several smart covers over the years, in plastic and leather, and they all look like garbage after 8 months.

I know my Apple Pencil is going to be ugly as sin in 6 months, since it is made of glossy plastic and is going to get super scratched up. It will also feel really bad in the hand, unfortunately.

People who appreciate nice things look elsewhere. Apple is, and always will be, a consumer electronics company with inflated margins.

The metal Apple Watch bands are pretty good, but thats about all im willing to admit. The leather and sports bands are, like the smart cover, disposable.

 

[sracer]

I admit I don't want to see every man and his dog sporting authentic Apple accessories: a bit of exclusively feels good, and it also says a lot about the user. Not wealth - goodness, it's only two figures - but appreciation of design, value, and cohesiveness. It's a no-brainer for those who get it.

As for functionality, I see so much fluff. Thoughtful minimalism is important to me. I also see far better protection from rain and dust entering between the case and chassis, where it can cause harm unseen until exposed.

rotflmao
design, value, and cohesiveness. that is nothing more than justification for paying for overpriced accessories. How is there more design, value, and cohesiveness in Apple's official Smart Cover at $60 vs. a quality no-name Smart Cover for $10? I'm not talking about the $6 smart covers that are clearly inferior.

 

[LiveM]

Being official brings a unified design vision and implementation, while being designed from the actual device 3D models makes them tighter, while the design is simply better to me.

A lot of people don't get it, just as a lot of people don't get Apple devices in the first place. That's OK.

 

[infernoguy]

My GF bought a cheap "smart case" for her new iPad Pro 9.7. While on our trip to SF this week she wanted to prop up her iPad to read on the fold out tray while flying....FAIL!

It would not stand up at all. Just kept falling as it never could make a complete triangle.

Went to the Apple Store here in SF and got her a Apple Smart Cover. Works like a champ. Moral of the story, you get what you pay for.

 

[JTravers]

My GF bought a cheap "smart case" for her new iPad Pro 9.7. While on our trip to SF this week she wanted to prop up her iPad to read on the fold out tray while flying....FAIL!

It would not stand up at all. Just kept falling as it never could make a complete triangle.

Went to the Apple Store here in SF and got her a Apple Smart Cover. Works like a champ. Moral of the story, you get what you pay for.

Seems like your GF just bought a poorly made generic case, lol. If it truly is a case of "you get what you pay for," what more does one get for the extra $10 the iPad Pro 9.7 Smart Cover costs vs. the iPad Air 2 cover?

There are plenty of cases cheaper than Apple's that are competent enough to stand up an iPad on an airplane. Some can even do it in more than 2 positions

 

[infernoguy]

Seems like your GF just bought a poorly made generic case, lol. If it truly is a case of "you get what you pay for," what more does one get for the extra $10 the iPad Pro 9.7 Smart Cover costs vs. the iPad Air 2 cover?

There are plenty of cases cheaper than Apple's that are competent enough to stand up an iPad on an airplane. Some can even do it in more than 2 positions

Touché

But lightweight plus functionality is worth the extra 20 - 30 bucks. Besides, we're all Apple fans here so we should be use to spending extra coin for official accessories

 

[JTravers]

Touché

But lightweight plus functionality is worth the extra 20 - 30 bucks. Besides, we're all Apple fans here so we should be use to spending extra coin for official accessories

Can't argue with that, haha. If all you want is a cover, there really aren't any alternatives to the Apple Smart Cover anyway.

 

[Chung123]

I just got the knock off smart case from Amazon. It took 3 weeks to get here from China, but okay in terms of looks and quality but it is functional and affordable. I should have gotten the black as the brown looks like the cheap shoes they sell in Chinatown. The interior is soft. They shipped it in a mylar bag, which would have been fine 99% of the time, but unfortunately the case suffered a gash during shipping. *sigh*

Here are some photos:

 

[JTravers]

Gash aside, how do you like it? Are the stand positions study? Are the magnets strong? Does the cover stick to the back when folded back? How's the quality? Etc.

Thanks!

 

[Chung123]

Gash aside, how do you like it? Are the stand positions study? Are the magnets strong? Does the cover stick to the back when folded back? How's the quality? Etc.

Thanks!

The cover doesn't stick to the back when folded in use (my iPad Air Moko Smart case didn't do that either).

The magnets are strong when closed and it does sleep the unit. It props up fine. I wouldn't leave it near the edge of a table however.

It's okay for the money.

 

[JTravers]

Thanks for all the details!

 

[TrueBlou]

I got one of these leather cases, I actually got it for review but I get a lot of products for review, I'm not biased and I gain nothing from talking about it.

I'd have gladly paid the £40 asking price for this if I was in the market for one. For a no name case, well no name I'm used to (Icarer,) it's really good quality and very, very sturdy when propping up the iPad as you can see in the video I put on Amazon where I give it a good whacking about

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01AT4DJCC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_QFtgxbM795ES9

 

[mflpf]

I picked up a JETech smart case from Amazon for about $13 (I guess it is $9.99 now ) and have been very happy with it. The magnets are strong enough to keep it closed or folded as a stand, the sleep/wake functions work perfectly, and all the cutouts are positioned correctly.

http://www.amazon.com/JETech®-Smart-Cover-Apple-Model/dp/B01D90Q286?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00

 

[aberrero]

How are there no smart covers? I really don't want to pay $60 or whatever for apples one.

 

[sracer]

How are there no smart covers? I really don't want to pay $60 or whatever for apples one.

Yeah, it's pretty puzzling. The only things that come to mind is that manufacturers didn't see enough sales volume of the Pro to make it worthwhile or (more likely) it is more difficult to produce a smart cover inexpensively with that new hinge design.

 

[tgara]

Yeah, it's pretty puzzling. The only things that come to mind is that manufacturers didn't see enough sales volume of the Pro to make it worthwhile or (more likely) it is more difficult to produce a smart cover inexpensively with that new hinge design.

Or they didn't have the final design specs until recently. I would guess that more covers and cases for the iPad Pro 9.7 will appear over the next couple months.