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iPad Is the smartcase worth $80?

locust76 said:
How's that possible? By making the iPad narrower, they've essentially lowered it's center of gravity closer to the table it would be sitting on, so it can only be more stable than something taller.
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The "folds" on the cover went from 4 to 3. Therefore the "base" fold is narrower. Also, the leather is so smooth and has no grip on the back when in trifold mode so it slides and collapses. The smart "cover" works fine though.

There's a youtube clip somewhere about this but I'm too lazy to get it. Actually, I couldn't care less how many people waste $80 on this thing. I took mine back.
 
locust76 said:
How's that possible? By making the iPad narrower, they've essentially lowered it's center of gravity closer to the table it would be sitting on, so it can only be more stable than something taller.
Click to expand...

The problem is the switch to 3-fold from 4-fold on the cover. The angle and less material makes it unstable. Personally, I really don't like the way the official case feels - it's like sweaty fuzzy plastic. :rolleyes:
 
mcdj said:
Let's see pics of an aged one.

I've owned multiple cases for every iPad model; 1,2,3,4 Mini, Air, and rMini.

No case I have ever owned or seen covers the iPad the way Apple's does, and exhibits the same quality.

All ports protected. Comers covered. Edges covered. Speakers protected, with perfectly placed holes. Non intrusive lip around the screen. No wonky clips or weird rotating discs. No Halo style stripes or sculpted ribs on the back. No corny logo cutout.

And it's genuine leather, vs pleather, or fake leather labelled as genuine leather, which the Chinese companies have no problem doing. Even the most expensive Chinese leather cases are questionable leather.

Every case comes with compromises because no one case is perfect for everyone. The Smart Case is perfect for me.
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Compared to this which i have had both the smart case is a piece of crap. This is a real leather case and cheaper too here in Australia anyway. Lets hope they make one for the Air.

http://www.ide-home.com.au/fathers-...GP+Leinwand+Black+Leather+Case+for+new+iPad+3

Also had a piel frama for the same money as the Apple case, chalk and cheese there, I have the Apple iPhone leather case which is nice for the phone as its smaller, but that leather on a big iPad case is just too cheap for the money, especially when you have had a good quality one.
Mine went back in the box after 5 minutes and sent back.
 
bobright said:
Does your Air Smart Cover fit over the body shield? I have a body shield and am looking for a very low profile case that I could put over the skin. I don't mind spending the $80.00 but only if it'll fit as I don't want to remove the skin I've already got a chipped up bezel. :mad:
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Worth it.
Makes using the iPads (and, iPhone) comfy cozy. Fit and finish is excellent.

IMG_0549_zps292c6b9e.jpg
 
Krazy Bill said:
The "folds" on the cover went from 4 to 3. Therefore the "base" fold is narrower. Also, the leather is so smooth and has no grip on the back when in trifold mode so it slides and collapses. The smart "cover" works fine though.

There's a youtube clip somewhere about this but I'm too lazy to get it. Actually, I couldn't care less how many people waste $80 on this thing. I took mine back.
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I hate to be that guy, but you're folding it wrong. You don't fold it so the leather side is down. You fold it inside of itself, so the microfiber side is down. Mine is perfectly stable.

----------

What is it worth? Business wise it's whatever the market is willing to pay. But here's my small review:

I picked up the Black version for my Space Gray Air to match my 5S w/Apple leather case. I've read all the negative reviews and I am not sure I understand the complaints. It fits like a glove, hardly adds size to the Air, looks very slick and professional, had a great feel, and protects the device. Basically everything a proper case should do. I never purchased iPad cases before but the naked Air is bit harsh to hold for long periods IMO.

As far people complaining the stand doesn't work, see my previous post above. It works perfectly and is quite sturdy. I think people fold it wrong. Fold the case with the microfiber side down, just like the old case or the Smart Cover. Do that, and it works perfectly.

All in all I am quite pleased with it. $80 is probably too steep a price for it, but I'd rather pay the premium for an Apple case knowing it will fit perfectly and was designed to fit exactly right.
 
Yes

I hate the pervious generation SmartCase and almost did not considered it. I don't really need a case for protection because that is just the way I am (hate plastic on couches). But I just don't like the feel of the naked iPad: angular cold aluminum.

I came across a review and it said "real leather...better fit than previous generation..." that intrigued me enough to give it a try.

The thing is so light it add no perceivable weight. It fitted the iPad perfectly, and is about as thin as I can imagine a case can be and be functional. The brown leather feels really nice and should age nicely. It function well as a stand (I don't understand the number of complaints about it falling over when used as a stand)

For me, it is about as simple and elegant a case as one can get for the iPad even if money is no object. For $80, it is a steal to me.
 
It also makes the Air about the same weight as a naked iPad 4. Which defeats the purpose of a light iPad Air.
 
PerfectCr said:
I hate to be that guy, but you're folding it wrong. You don't fold it so the leather side is down. You fold it inside of itself, so the microfiber side is down.
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Ya think?

Tell this reviewer he's folding it wrong:

http://youtu.be/yZ1oOarWv9s

Skip to about 4:40

All in all I am quite pleased with it. $80 is probably too steep a price for it, but I'd rather pay the premium for an Apple case knowing it will fit perfectly and was designed to fit exactly right.
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its crap.
 
I've seen some pretty high quality 3rd party cases. I think unless you're a true hard core Apple fan then the smart case is not worth it. I picked a case up from Amazon myself and I'm enjoying it quite nicely. You should check them out. Of course, stray away from the badly reviewed ones.
 
PerfectCr said:
The one smart case out of.....millions? Maybe it's defective? All I can say is mine is perfectly stable. And if you read the post above and read others reviews it looks like people are folding it leather side down.
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Will you get off of this "you're holding it wrong" mantra already? Just search around for this issue. It's there.
 
I don't have one, but they look very nice. Is it worth it is subjective, I'd say.
If you feel it does what you want it to do and you like the look and style of it then it would be worth it.
 
Krazy Bill said:
Will you get off of this "you're holding it wrong" mantra already? Just search around for this issue. It's there.
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Quoting your own post...
Krazy Bill said:
The "folds" on the cover went from 4 to 3. Therefore the "base" fold is narrower. Also, the leather is so smooth and has no grip on the back when in trifold mode so it slides and collapses.
Click to expand...

Perhaps I am wrong, but when I read that, it tells me you folded the cover leather side down.
 
Whatev's, if you like it you pay for it, if not you simply go with something else. Personally its perfect for me, so to each his own. Yes it would be nice if it was cheaper thats for sure.
 
I have the smart case for my air and I love it. Granted I only paid 56 for it at verizon with my corporate discount. Wouldn't pay 80 for it.
 
Raffi said:
Its not worth $20. It does nothing good and ages fast.
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I can't wait for mine to age. I got mine in brown because my past experience with a brown leather iPhone cover has been great. It developed this patina that looks better and better.

So far the aging of the leather has been slow. May be I am not handling it as much as I did my phone, or may be I am just impatient, or perhaps I should eat more greasy foods with my hands.

Worth is a subjective question. To me, there is not a single case out there that matches the SmartCover in slimness, fit, lightweight, design. So it is in a class of its own. How do you price something that is unique? I guess the answer is by how much you like it.
 
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Definitely not worth the price, but there is nothing in comparison that is available right now for the retina mini. That being said, I love mine.
 
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