iPad iPad Air Smart Cover Alternatives?

[darabo]

I'm highly interested in the Smart Cover for the iPad Air however due to the price, material and new three-fold design I'd rather get something else.

I've been looking online for an alternative Smart Cover, however the only 3rd party choices are for Smart Cases.

Does anyone know of any good 3rd party iPad Air Smart Covers?

 

[ap105]

I'm in the exact boat as you. I love the Air's light weight and don't want to add a bulky case. I love the Smart Cover. Sleek and makes the Air light weight. Would love to know if there are alternatives reasonably priced

 

[The.Dude]

I'd like to know as well.... subbed.

 

[Gjwilly]

Saw this item in an other thread and I think it does have a separare Smart Cover and case setup.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/28119941388...eName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649

None of the pictures show the two pieces separately but there does seem to be an actual hinge in the pic and the description talks about the cover attaching via magnetic strip.
Still a 3-fold though.

 

[FrankB1191]

The problem with four folds, is they're going to be much smaller. That's fine if you want to use it as a grip, or to prop it up at a shallow angle for typing. It's going to be less stable when propped up at a steeper angle for viewing. I watched a couple of YouTube videos, and the Air's Smart Cover offers much greater stability than the older four fold design at a steep angle.

 

[dmk1974]

Are there any alternatives that magnetically connect to the edge just like the Apple smart cover, but are not the $40 rip-off smart cover? I'd prefer to keep the back bare...most online wrap all the way around and add a lot of thickness.

 

[Gjwilly]

Are there any alternatives that magnetically connect to the edge just like the Apple smart cover, but are not the $40 rip-off smart cover? I'd prefer to keep the back bare...most online wrap all the way around and add a lot of thickness.

Look 2 posts up.

 

[dmk1974]

Look 2 posts up.

Huh? Those look like they cover the back as well.

 

[Gjwilly]

Huh? Those look like they cover the back as well.

They do but I was saying that to me it looks like its 2-pieces and who says you have to use both?
The description talk about them being color-matched (no need to color match only one piece) and how the cover attaches magnetically.
Maybe ask the seller.

 

[jccfork]

Same here.

For my previous iPad 2 I had an orange Smart Cover which I was kinda happy with, though iPad's back was plenty of scratches.

So I was seriously considering to get the new iPad Air Smart Case, but its price, and more important, its instability when vertically positioned really made my think twice.

Due to that I might stick to Smart Cover...

Perfect choice would be something similar to Smart Case, which doesn't look cheap, nor thicker than Smart Case, and with good vertical stability. But not sure if exists such one...

 

[jccfork]

I finally bought a Smart Cover in black.
As said before, only thing that worries me a bit is back scratches. Will have to be careful, although I actually don't know if iPad Air's back material scratches as easily as previous models.
For the rest, Smart Cover is awesome.

 

[FightTheFuture]

I came across the Besdata Smart Cover & Case on Amazon. This looks like what we're looking for, for $17:

It even has a metal hinge for the Smart Cover like the iPad 2.

According to the reviews, the cover can be used without the back case. However, I read through the reviews (they are for all iPad models) and noticed one that stated if the Cover is used without the back case, when it's laid flat behind the iPad, the magnet will trigger the sleep mode. Seems like a big disadvantage, and $17 doesn't seem so cheap anymore.

Guess the search continues until people start selling used Smart Covers.

I finally bought a Smart Cover in black.
As said before, only thing that worries me a bit is back scratches.

You can always get an invisible shield or skin to protect the back. There will be custom skins being made soon, I'm sure. Plus it'll make the iPad Air less slippery.

also - didn't realize you were looking for four-folds, but FrankB1191 covered that earlier.

 

[Gjwilly]

Same here.

For my previous iPad 2 I had an orange Smart Cover which I was kinda happy with, though iPad's back was plenty of scratches.

So I was seriously considering to get the new iPad Air Smart Case, but its price, and more important, its instability when vertically positioned really made my think twice.

Due to that I might stick to Smart Cover...

Perfect choice would be something similar to Smart Case, which doesn't look cheap, nor thicker than Smart Case, and with good vertical stability. But not sure if exists such one...

This one is supposed to have excellent vertical stability.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E44B18I/ref=ox_ya_os_product

I came across the Besdata Smart Cover & Case on Amazon. This looks like what we're looking for, for $17:

Image

It even has a metal hinge for the Smart Cover like the iPad 2.

According to the reviews, the cover can be used without the back case. However, I read through the reviews (they are for all iPad models) and noticed one that stated if the Cover is used without the back case, when it's laid flat behind the iPad, the magnet will trigger the sleep mode. Seems like a big disadvantage, and $17 doesn't seem so cheap anymore.

That looks just like a more expensive version of the one above from eBay.
Same metal hinges.

 

[faster315]

I came across the Besdata Smart Cover & Case on Amazon. This looks like what we're looking for, for $17:

Image

It even has a metal hinge for the Smart Cover like the iPad 2.

According to the reviews, the cover can be used without the back case. However, I read through the reviews (they are for all iPad models) and noticed one that stated if the Cover is used without the back case, when it's laid flat behind the iPad, the magnet will trigger the sleep mode. Seems like a big disadvantage, and $17 doesn't seem so cheap anymore.

Guess the search continues until people start selling used Smart Covers.

You know that's a photo of an iPad 2, right? I don't think they're gonna do the machined aluminum hinge parts for an iPad air. That'd be a lot of wasted manufacturing startup, so to continue an outdated and inefficient design.

 

[FightTheFuture]

That looks just like a more expensive version of the one above from eBay.
Same metal hinges.

Oh, you're right - didn't notice the hinges on the screenshot till you mentioned it. It's probably the same product with different branding for Amazon.

The Amazon reviews do verify that the cover can be used separately for what it's worth to dmk1974.

You know that's a photo of an iPad 2, right? I don't think they're gonna do the machined aluminum hinge parts for an iPad air. That'd be a lot of wasted manufacturing startup, so to continue an outdated and inefficient design.

According to the reviews, the hinges are metal for iPad Mini, I assume they will stick to that design for the iPad Air.

 

[appleipadair]

I like this!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E44B18I

 

[punkassjim]

According to the reviews, the hinges are metal for iPad Mini, I assume they will stick to that design for the iPad Air.

That alone would keep me from buying. Those hinges scratch the device over time. And it's still surprising they'd manufacture it; the magnet layout for iPad Air is very different than it is for iPad 2. My prediction: if they do it that way, these covers won't be compatible with most back covers, because the hinge will be too long.

 

[mexxdude]

I found these last night. Looks promising.

http://iphone4parts.com/shop/ipad-air-smart-covers-c-397_400.html

 

[TraceyS/FL]

I just ordered that one to have in hand. I'm not totally sure I will like having the cover attached - but the video review was a selling point.

I've looked at so many cases the last week I'm bleary eyed. Nothing has jumped out at me. I've had the Speck Candyshell on my iPad1 since launch. No desire to use anything else - it works well for my needs.

I like this!

Image

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E44B18I

 

[nomura]

I was also looking at the cover you mentioned above, it has everything I ask for:
-Front and back cover, in the slimmest possible form factor
-Sleep/wake function

But I was highly worried about the metal hinge potentially scratching the iPad.

So I just found this case:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PU-Leather-...vers_Keyboard_Folios&var=&hash=item6d8032db66

I want a Grey cover, and the "White" cover seems to been sort of gray-ish. How real are those photos? What about the back-cover for the rest of colors? Is it translucent like the blue and red?

Anyone tried? What do you think?

 

[Gjwilly]

Here's a grey cover.

http://www.amazon.com/INVELLOP-Leat...=1384128459&sr=1-1&keywords=ipad+5+gray+cover

Probably not as slim as the one from eBay because the back is leatherette also but Amazon is pretty good about returns if you don't like it.

 

[ref26]

Also interested in this, subbing. The Miniot wood smart cover looks gorgeous but of course it's even more expensive than Apple's.

 

[Nhwhazup]

Nomura - let us know if you do purchase and receive this case. I like it as well but my reluctance is buying from China. No issue to buy but a pain to return if you have a problem. Any US sellers of it?

 

[Mr.C]

Also interested in this, subbing. The Miniot wood smart cover looks gorgeous but of course it's even more expensive than Apple's.

That's not surprising considering the Miniot cases are hand made plus wood is a more expensive material then polyurethane.

 

[ref26]

Found and ordered this one today, purple is what I really wanted so I was very excited to see that as an option. I'll let you guys know how it is when I receive it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200985791086