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I find the smart cases to be pretty lame. I tried one that a friend had and it was awful. $80 bucks? Why pay that much for suffering? Try a Fintie brand case for about $15 bucks or less from amazon. Problem solved.

I do not understand people's attraction to these overpriced cases. Use that money for more storage or cell support!
 
People keep saying that there are tons of alternatives out there, but I have yet to find one for the rMini even close to the Apple case. Find me a lightweight case that covers the iPad all around including all corners and volume and power buttons. Is it worth $70/80? No, but the direct competition is nonexistent so I am forced to pay a premium for something I want.
 
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$80 is steep but it's nice leather with available color that I want (brown), so what the hell. Spending time to look and try out different ones will cost more.
 
Just got a black one for may mini and couldn't be happier, the thing just oozes quality, fit and finish are perfect, also functionality is spot on.

Whether it is worth £55.00 here in the uk, i am not sure, i would say it is definitely worth about £40.00 though.

If you can afford one get one, the alternatives aren't even on the same planet.
 
Received a red one for Christmas. If I was buying a case, I'd probably stick to the Smart Cover, but the Case is really, really nice and you should definitely consider one if you can afford it.

It feels great in the hand and is finished really well. Apple's case for the iPad 1 always annoyed my as it had a great big lip around it - however this one for the Air is beautiful.
 
People keep saying that there are tons of alternatives out there, but I have yet to find one for the rMini even close to the Apple case. Find me a lightweight case that covers the iPad all around including all corners and buttons. Is it worth $70/80? No, but the direct competition is nonexistent so I am forced to pay a premium for something I want.

Well, not even the Apple Smartcase covers all the buttons.

Check you the Yoobao leather smart case. i've had several of these and they are top quality, light weight, and very well made. You won't be disappointed.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1630083502&pf_rd_i=507846
 
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Well, not even the Apple Smartcase covers all the buttons.

Check you the Yoobao leather smart case. i've had several of these and they are top quality, light weight, and very well made. You won't be disappointed.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1630083502&pf_rd_i=507846

I don't know about others, but the thing I don't like about that particular Yoobao is that it covers the frame. I had this case and found that edge of the case sometimes interfered with moving icons from one page to another or other similar swiping motions.
 
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I don't know about others, but the thing I don't like about that particular Yoobao is that it covers the frame. I had this case and found that edge of the case sometimes interfered with moving icons from one page to another or other similar swiping motions.

That is the one thing that bug me about many cases: they cover the frame. Some goes all the way to the glass which interferes with screen interaction. Some stop before the screen and in effect add another transition: case->frame->screen which is really untidy IMHO.

The Apple SmartCover is amazing in that it stops at the frame and is so minimal that it's not distracting to the design of the iPad.

People keeping saying that there are better alternative. I haven't seen one that is half as good in term of fit and finish. I am doubtful that if another company one to make one that good that they could afford to sell it at twice the price.

And don't get me going about stitches and PU leather (why bother calling it "leather") or plastic backing.
 
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I don't know about others, but the thing I don't like about that particular Yoobao is that it covers the frame. I had this case and found that edge of the case sometimes interfered with moving icons from one page to another or other similar swiping motions.

Yeah it's not a problem with the the bigger iPads since they have a lot bezel but the air and rMini have less meat on the sides.
 
I don't know about others, but the thing I don't like about that particular Yoobao is that it covers the frame. I had this case and found that edge of the case sometimes interfered with moving icons from one page to another or other similar swiping motions.

That's interesting because I've had 3 of these cases and never had a problem with any of them interfering with the screen edges. Was yours for the Mini or the full sized iPad?
 
That's interesting because I've had 3 of these cases and never had a problem with any of them interfering with the screen edges. Was yours for the Mini or the full sized iPad?

I had 2 Yoobaos as my "go to" cases for my iPad 3 and loved them. Never had a problem with the bezel interfering. Now I could see where it might be a problem with the Air with the narrower screen edges. I had the Kavaj case which has really slim bezels and even with that case I would have to pay attention to grab the pull downs.
 
I had 2 Yoobaos as my "go to" cases for my iPad 3 and loved them. Never had a problem with the bezel interfering. Now I could see where it might be a problem with the Air with the narrower screen edges. I had the Kavaj case which has really slim bezels and even with that case I would have to pay attention to grab the pull downs.

Just got my Air and Yoobao case. With the case in place, I can reach all edges of the screen and activate all the pulldowns (e.g., Control Center or Notification Center pulldowns).
 
Just got my Air and Yoobao case. With the case in place, I can reach all edges of the screen and activate all the pulldowns (e.g., Control Center or Notification Center pulldowns).

Any issue with the cover being pulled off alignment from the magnets when closed? Amazon reviews complained of this problem.
 
Any issue with the cover being pulled off alignment from the magnets when closed? Amazon reviews complained of this problem.

No not so far. Everything lines up perfectly and the on/off feature works with this case. I think the problem you mention is due to the iPad not being inserted fully into the case. My wife's case had this issue until I pushed it in all the way.
 
That's interesting because I've had 3 of these cases and never had a problem with any of them interfering with the screen edges. Was yours for the Mini or the full sized iPad?

I had one on the original iPad, but I was referring to the iPad mini. I believe I was one of the first people (if not the first) to review the case here when it came out for the original iPad mini. Since the thin frames are now on the mini and the full sized iPad, I personally am going to stay away from any case that covers them.

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As for the Smart Case... I bought one last night. I am not a big fan of the tri-panel design, but gave it a shot anyways because of all the positive things said in this thread. The case is nicely made and I do echo what people have said in regards to how it looks and feel. However, the "stand" function of the tri-panel design still fails more often than it should. It's just not a reliable stand design.

Several people in here have said that they stick to the Smart Case because there isn't anything comparable. I agree that I might not find a case that is as nice looking or feeling, but I need my case to be functional and to me the Smart Case is not that. I'm willing to sacrifice a bit of the "look & feel" for a stand design that is more reliable.
 
I had one on the original iPad, but I was referring to the iPad mini. I believe I was one of the first people (if not the first) to review the case here when it came out for the original iPad mini. Since the thin frames are now on the mini and the full sized iPad, I personally am going to stay away from any case that covers them.

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As for the Smart Case... I bought one last night. I am not a big fan of the tri-panel design, but gave it a shot anyways because of all the positive things said in this thread. The case is nicely made and I do echo what people have said in regards to how it looks and feel. However, the "stand" function of the tri-panel design still fails more often than it should. It's just not a reliable stand design.

Several people in here have said that they stick to the Smart Case because there isn't anything comparable. I agree that I might not find a case that is as nice looking or feeling, but I need my case to be functional and to me the Smart Case is not that. I'm willing to sacrifice a bit of the "look & feel" for a stand design that is more reliable.

The Smart Cover works ways better than the Smart Case cover for some reason. You might be better off with a Smart Cover and partner up with a removable back case. I had the Smart cases and felt the same as you, that I couldn't put up with the cover not being stable in the trifold stand mode. I swapped them for the Smart covers and am way happier. They are so much better in the stand mode.
 
The Smart Cover works ways better than the Smart Case cover for some reason. You might be better off with a Smart Cover and partner up with a removable back case. I had the Smart cases and felt the same as you, that I couldn't put up with the cover not being stable in the trifold stand mode. I swapped them for the Smart covers and am way happier. They are so much better in the stand mode.

I considered this, but to my knowledge there aren't many/good smart cover compatible back case options available yet for the retina mini.
 
I considered this, but to my knowledge there aren't many/good smart cover compatible back case options available yet for the retina mini.

Isn't it crazy that the case companies out there don't design what people are really looking for. So frustrating. Hopefully you'll find your perfect case soon.
 
I find the smart cases to be pretty lame. I tried one that a friend had and it was awful. $80 bucks? Why pay that much for suffering? Try a Fintie brand case for about $15 bucks or less from amazon. Problem solved.

I do not understand people's attraction to these overpriced cases. Use that money for more storage or cell support!

because a lot of people say for example, the fintie cases are obviously cheaply made (cardboard flap that doesn't hold properly) followed by really weak magnets that don't hold to the screen very well.

just because something looks the same doesn't mean it will perform the same.

i still think the smartcase is overpriced, but in most cases you get what you pay for, especially those cheaper knockoff cases.
 
because a lot of people say for example, the fintie cases are obviously cheaply made (cardboard flap that doesn't hold properly) followed by really weak magnets that don't hold to the screen very well.

just because something looks the same doesn't mean it will perform the same.

i still think the smartcase is overpriced, but in most cases you get what you pay for, especially those cheaper knockoff cases.

I have no problem paying more for a quality case. I bought the Tumi which is very pricey but really top notch quality. Everything about it was great except that the cover was very, very heavy. The cover alone was probably the weight of a full case.

If the Smart case actually worked adequately in the stand modes, it would definitely be worth the price. The trifold stability should be the same as the Smart Cover and it isn't. The difference is incredible. The stand mode for the Smart covers just works while with the Smart case just isn't dependable. It took a week of constantly refolding the cover on the Smart case to know that I just couldn't put up with it. If you are looking for a case that looks good and protects the iPad, the Smart case is fine. But if you also want a stable stand, keep looking.
 
I've been using the SmartCover case since the rMini came out. It is has saved my ipad from scuffs very nicely. It is very expensive, but you do get a high quality case.
 
Probably not but I've bought one for my ipad mini anyway. It seems to be a lot better quality than the smart covers from last year. They did not hold up well and I couldn't find a back case that I was entirely happy with. I was not pleased that they did not have a pink smart case. I got the beige, I guess it will go with my gold 5S. I hope it holds up better than the smart covers. I do like the texture and the way it feels in my hand. I've got a neoprene slip case to put it into when it's in my bag and hopefully it will protect the case.
 
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