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Mr.C

macrumors 603
Apr 3, 2011
5,525
1,519
London, UK.
One of the amazon reviews claim it is not sized correctly and the inside is a lint magnet - what's your take on this? Really looking for a cheap alternative to the insanely overpriced Apple Smart Folio

I have the same case and it fits perfectly and does not attract any lint. I’m not as keen on the feel of the cover and wish it felt more like rubber like the official folio cases. However for a fraction of the price I think it’s okay. I am considering investing in either the official folio or keyboard case.
 

kingalien

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Oct 14, 2010
383
302
Earth
So have been looking for something similar to the Smart Folio case that also allows for the different viewing angles that the keyboard case provides and found this on Amazon and just received today. Branding is Fintie and is a smart folio style case with a crease in the rear and magnets on the front that allows for two different viewing angles without having to fold the front cover to make into a stand.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KR3N7YX/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

IMG_0661.jpg IMG_0662.jpg IMG_0663.jpg IMG_0664.jpg
 

newellj

macrumors G3
Oct 15, 2014
8,154
3,046
East of Eden
This could be another option for pencil users. Looks like the compartment for the pencil allows charging.

Colours other than black look really good too, for a change...

https://www.iamprodigee.com/products/expert-for-ipad-pro-11

I've used this brand for iPhone cases in the past & was impressed with their quality.
[doublepost=1543257274][/doublepost]
That's what many of us like - plain design with no Apple logo. Don't want others knowing we have something worth stealing..

I've ordered one of those, hoping for the best. Thanks for the link.

I bought a Trianium (link) case from Amazon for ~US$18.
Good parts (for me):
- holds the pencil securely and will charge
- provides side and corner protection
Negatives:
- cover is very inflexible/doesn't fold or bend easily
- body fit is very tight, it peeled up one corner of a very carefully centered glass screen protector
- the "leather" facing on the front and back are very wrinkled and look cheap (which it was, so...)

I tried but returned the Otterbox Symmetry 360 case. It did everything I wanted well in terms of protection and keeping the pencil secure, but it turned the very svelte iPP into something that felt very bulky. I know this is a trade-off, there is no free lunch with cases and protection... I also think that getting the LTE 11" iPP I had (and returned, because it was bent) into that case made the bend in the iPad worse - it was a bit of a struggle to get it seated into the case.

I also tried but didn't like the Apple folio because it provided no side protection, so even a mild drop could result in damage. I wish it weren't true, but I have dropped my iPads from time to time over the years, and this is a very expensive iPad to drop if there's any damage (AC+ obviously helps to some degree).
 
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newellj

macrumors G3
Oct 15, 2014
8,154
3,046
East of Eden
Should be here tomorrow. I'll report...

Quick report on the Prodigee Expert case. I will post more later and maybe post some pics, but the really short version right after opening it and popping the iPad into it is that this is waaaay better than the Trianium. Fits better, much better button design, looks better. Full edge protection with appropriate cutouts. The USB-C cutout looks like it should accommodate oversized connectors. It does have a holder to secure the pencil in the charging position.

Looks and feels like a nice case. Not, maybe, leather Apple SmartCase nice, but it was a lot less than that. Definitely worth the extra cost vs. the $20 Trianium I had, in every way. The only thing I noticed right away is that the hinges on the cover are a little stiff. I'm used to Apple leather and silicone covers, so maybe I'm spoiled in that regard.

BTW, I bought black, because that was what Amazon had for quick shipment. There are also blue and red versions. And I see that you can order directly from Prodigee or from Amazon, if you have preferences either way.

Anyway, that's the quick & dirty. Questions welcome, and I'll circle back if there's more to say after using it a bit.
 

Sammio2

Cancelled
Aug 16, 2008
215
172
I have ordered this https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07G3Y8BRT/ref=pe_3187911_185740111_TE_item

Any other suggestions that meet the following criteria?

1. Available from (preferably) the U.K., but EU will do in a pinch if it’s the right case.
2. The case protects the sides. Not interested in the pencil, so I don’t see the point exposing the sides which means they will inevitably get damaged.
3. Has just the one fold in the cover like this https://www.spigen.com/collections/...5-2018-case-stand-folio?variant=9581225082927 or the one I have already ordered. I find the cases whose covers fold into a triangle are no where stable enough.

Yes, I was looking for the exact same thing. I ordered the Speck Balance Folio, it comes from Brussels but was in the uk in a couple of days. I love this thing, I think it ticks all your boxes?

https://www.speckproducts.co.uk/app...ce-folio-11-inch-ipad-pro-cases/IPP11-BF.html
 

Ralfi

macrumors 601
Dec 22, 2016
4,373
3,101
Australia
Anyway, that's the quick & dirty. Questions welcome, and I'll circle back if there's more to say after using it a bit.
Excellent :D Appreciate that.

Just a couple of questions for now...

Can the front cover be folded flat against the back? (This is the only image missing from the website).

& how easy can the iPad be removed/inserted? Can you see any issue with doing this frequently?...Overall build quality of the case gets your tick of approval?
 

newellj

macrumors G3
Oct 15, 2014
8,154
3,046
East of Eden
Excellent :D Appreciate that.

Just a couple of questions for now...

Can the front cover be folded flat against the back? (This is the only image missing from the website).

& how easy can the iPad be removed/inserted? Can you see any issue with doing this frequently?...Overall build quality of the case gets your tick of approval?

1. Yes, though the hinge section that covers the edge of the iPad keeps it from being perfectly flat. Compared to the Apple silicone rubber SmartCover, it's not as flexible.

2. It's pretty easy to get in and out, and I think you can do this without too much force. I don't foresee an issue with doing this frequently, which was not the case with the other two cases I had.

I am a little focused on that because I think my first iPad Pro LTE, which was bent, became more bent getting it into the OtterBox Symmetry case. As a side note, I think we have to be a little thoughtful and careful about how we put these 2018 Pro iPads into cases. I am now sliding the button/pencil charging edge as far in as I can at the lowest angle possible, then working along the top and bottom in small steps toward the other side edge, trying to avoid any force that would flex the iPad.
 
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swarlos

Suspended
Oct 18, 2015
1,444
2,049
The case selection sucks for the new pros. I’ve been looking through Amazon and everything is from companies I’ve never heard of before.

I don’t like anything that I see.
 

Mr.C

macrumors 603
Apr 3, 2011
5,525
1,519
London, UK.
The case selection sucks for the new pros. I’ve been looking through Amazon and everything is from companies I’ve never heard of before.

I don’t like anything that I see.

I think maybe the redesign of the iPad has caught a lot of companies off guard and they’ve had to go back to the drawing board. We may well see more case options in the near future.
 

Silver Idaten

macrumors 6502a
Jul 31, 2015
578
882
Stratford, CT
If the Soke case had a microfiber lined back instead of a textured one, it would be perfect. I can’t trust textured TPU backs after what a Spigen case did to the back of the 6S I used to have, completely ruined.
 

lakerchick4life

macrumors 65816
Oct 14, 2007
1,333
427
If the Soke case had a microfiber lined back instead of a textured one, it would be perfect. I can’t trust textured TPU backs after what a Spigen case did to the back of the 6S I used to have, completely ruined.

I got the case..so far so good and the buttons work perfectly no issues..putting in the ipad was a little snug took a few minutes to push it in but at least it wont come out LOL wish it came in purple..I contacted the developer and he said if they do make a purple case they will send one to me free of charge so they are a really good company nice folks
 

Silver Idaten

macrumors 6502a
Jul 31, 2015
578
882
Stratford, CT
I got the case..so far so good and the buttons work perfectly no issues..putting in the ipad was a little snug took a few minutes to push it in but at least it wont come out LOL wish it came in purple..I contacted the developer and he said if they do make a purple case they will send one to me free of charge so they are a really good company nice folks
I’m just worried about that textured back damaging the aluminum on the iPad, it reminds me of Spigen and those almost always do it.
 

FenrirWolf

macrumors member
Nov 20, 2018
65
13
Adelaide
It’s extremely light weight and the magnets are reasonably strong. The tri-fold stand works in both positions and sleep wake function works flawlessly.

Highly recommend as a cheap but quality alternative to the Apple Smart folio

Hey, im considering this after going with esr other leather look case because it was pretty heavy and now looking for a lighter case but apple's smart folio feels too expensive. You mentioned it as "reasonably strong", were there instances where it feels like it want to fall off? I've never used magnetic cases before and that's one of my concern.
 

Porterhouse

macrumors 6502
Aug 13, 2011
381
179
USA
Hey, im considering this after going with esr other leather look case because it was pretty heavy and now looking for a lighter case but apple's smart folio feels too expensive. You mentioned it as "reasonably strong", were there instances where it feels like it want to fall off? I've never used magnetic cases before and that's one of my concern.

I’ve tried a variety of cases since the new iPads came out. At some point, I’ll post a lengthy review going through all of them, but for now, I just wanted to post my observation on this question. I tried a couple of the Amazon knockoffs of the folio case, and I had this problem: It felt as though the magnets weren’t as strong as I would have liked. About 70-75%—maybe even 80%—of the time, the magnets would hold, but that’s not enough. Finally, I bought OEM folio off eBay for a good price and have used it over the last week and a half. I can tell a huge difference in the two.

Obviously, I haven’t tried all of the knockoff cases, but that’s been my experience so far. Your mileage may vary.
 

FenrirWolf

macrumors member
Nov 20, 2018
65
13
Adelaide

tazdevl

macrumors regular
Jul 6, 2010
231
145
I had my eye on the prodigee and procase (basically the same) then I found the Pipetto, which adds a combo regular of folding / origami cover to their design.

100% agree case selection sucks this time around. Tech21s got nothing happening soon and I’m bummed no one has come out with a aramid/kevlar or carbon fiber case yet. Specks cases are too clunky for the 11 & 12.9.

Pipetto New 2018 Smooth iPad Pro 11 Ruggedised Pencil Case Pencil 2 Sync and Charge Defender Stand Shell Cover for Apple 5 in 1 Folding Position with Auto Sleep/Wake Function - Grey https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07M9CCTQX/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_8vuuCbE6KGJYG

It has TPU on the back and corners but there’s a plastic insert for rigidity that’s covered by TPU on the outside. Might be a winner and the game of iPad Pro Case Roulette will finally be over! Will report back.
 
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FenrirWolf

macrumors member
Nov 20, 2018
65
13
Adelaide
An update, I bought the ESR magnetic case and it’s actually pretty good. It definitely wouldn’t protect against drops or bumps but the magnets are stronger than I’ve expected. The only downside is that it’s a lint magnet too. I just had it for a day and the cover is somehow full of lints.

Edit: what it looks like after 2 days.

But vacuuming it seems to work removing the dust/lints


 
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estabya

macrumors 6502a
Jun 28, 2014
691
730
So have been looking for something similar to the Smart Folio case that also allows for the different viewing angles that the keyboard case provides and found this on Amazon and just received today. Branding is Fintie and is a smart folio style case with a crease in the rear and magnets on the front that allows for two different viewing angles without having to fold the front cover to make into a stand.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07KR3N7YX/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

View attachment 814900 View attachment 814901 View attachment 814902 View attachment 814903

How has this Fintie case been holding up for you? I’ve been eyeing it because of the multiple viewing angles and would love to hear your opinion after a couple weeks of use.
 

bigdog5142

macrumors 6502a
Jul 13, 2008
687
279
MI
Thought I’d add the Brydge Organizer Leather Folio to this mix. It’s EXACTLY what I’ve been looking for. The build quality is great and it provides enough room for some documents as well as the Apple Pencil and a pen. The slot for the iPad fits very well...and is also snug...it’s not going to just fall out. I currently have the Apple Keyboard Folio on the iPad 11...but I have pre-ordered the Brydge keyboard for the 11” iPad, and that will fit just fine in that slot.

I‘ve been looking for a good folio that would allow me to go to meetings with just my iPad and a little bit of storage for anything I need to take along with me...in a super compact package. This has accomplished that for me. It’s a bit pricey at $99, but it is leather and the zipper seems to be pretty sturdy. I’m pretty happy with it.

217da97a2237a478f17de472660a63b5.jpg

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RevTEG

macrumors 65816
Oct 28, 2012
1,364
1,237
San Jose, Ca
Thought I’d add the Brydge Organizer Leather Folio to this mix. It’s EXACTLY what I’ve been looking for. The build quality is great and it provides enough room for some documents as well as the Apple Pencil and a pen. The slot for the iPad fits very well...and is also snug...it’s not going to just fall out. I currently have the Apple Keyboard Folio on the iPad 11...but I have pre-ordered the Brydge keyboard for the 11” iPad, and that will fit just fine in that slot.

I‘ve been looking for a good folio that would allow me to go to meetings with just my iPad and a little bit of storage for anything I need to take along with me...in a super compact package. This has accomplished that for me. It’s a bit pricey at $99, but it is leather and the zipper seems to be pretty sturdy. I’m pretty happy with it.

217da97a2237a478f17de472660a63b5.jpg

b7427356c54d0bb4bf9262249cd5022f.jpg

1aa8630e3759a06b196009bd7cd6efc9.jpg

View attachment 819303 View attachment 819304

Looks great. I’m assuming you bought the 11 inch folio from Brydge? I have the 12.9 pro and I’m looking at the Brydge sleeve.
 
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