Michal Ždanský The original Smart Cover is one of the most elegant covers for iPad 2 on the market. However, when it comes to rear protection, it falls a little short. Fortunately, there are other manufacturers who can take the best of the original concept and add something extra.
When I bought my iPad, I wasn't exactly sure what case to get. Although the Smart Cover seemed to be the best choice, the threat of scratching the back of the tablet eventually dissuaded me from this investment and I preferred a cover similar to the one Apple provided for the first generation iPad. However, OEM manufacturers from China who sell their products on DealExtreme.com they are not nearly as precise in the manufacturing process and the packaging had its flaws - imprecise cutouts and other imperfections. Nevertheless, the package served for over half a year.
By pure chance, I came across Choiix products in a discussion, specifically the Wake Up Folio range of cases, and after a short consideration I bought the case. The Wake Up Folio is based on the same concept as the Smart Cover. The front part is almost unrecognizable from the original. The individual parts are equally divided, and the color design is almost identical to the palette of packaging from Apple. It is magnetically attached to the display, i.e. only on one side, and like the Smart Cover, it allows the iPad to be put to sleep/wake up thanks to the magnet.
But that's where all the similarities end. The Wake Up Folio also contains the bottom part, so the cover is not attached magnetically on the side using a metal part. Instead, the iPad fits into the back. It is made of solid plastic. Although the material looks durable, it scratches very easily.
After all, the back part is very precisely processed, the iPad fits perfectly into it and holds it firmly, the cutouts are very precise, nothing moves anywhere and does not prevent access to connectors or control buttons. What bothered me a little are the sharp outer edges, which the manufacturer should have smoothed. It's not a huge blemish on the beauty, but I was a bit put off by the general precision of the packaging.
The front part, like the Smart Cover, is made of polyurethane, where the back is made of a surface with microfibers, which are also supposed to clean the display. Although the surface of the top side seems to be the same as in the case of the case from Apple, it has a more "rubbery" feel to it. It is connected to the rear part by an extension of the surface which is glued to it. However, the connection seems to be very strong, there is no sign that it will peel off from the back of the package in the future. The front also folds into a neat triangle, so the iPad can be held in a typing or video-watching position. In the second position, it is relatively stable and there is no danger of it tipping over under normal conditions on a solid surface.
That triangular shape is also held together by a magnet. However, it is not as strong as in the case of the original Smart Cover. At the slightest shock, the "Toblerone" will disintegrate. However, if you're only going to use the triangle as a stand, you don't have to worry about it. I will return to the attachment of the front part. Unlike the Smart Cover, it is not fixed to the left side by a metal part, so the front cover will "ride" a bit in certain situations. The magnet will still hold it to the display, but the iPad may unlock due to inaccurate alignment. The clearance is not critical, only within about two millimeters, however, when wearing it, it may happen that the iPad keeps locking and unlocking.
Another thing that bothers me a lot is the rear. As I mentioned above, the plastic used scratches quite easily. The problem is that the polyurethane part that covers most of the back surface is a bit recessed and contact with any surface is taken over by that plastic. As soon as I put it on the table for the first time, small scratches appeared, which can only be seen in direct light. Nevertheless, it will spoil your enjoyment of the new packaging very quickly. If, on the other hand, the polyurethane part were more prominent, the plastic would remain unfinished, even if the backside would become more dirty.
My last complaint is the choice of the color of the plastic part. Choiix offers a total of 8 color variations, but all but black have a white plastic part. If you have a white iPad, you will welcome it, but in the black version, the white overlays around the frame of the tablet will catch your eye. The only option is to go for the black variation of the packaging, the plastic part of which will match the black frame, but you will be deprived of another seven color variants. I would like to add that the Wake Up Folio in black and white is not made of polyurethane, but of so-called Eco-Leather.
Despite the aforementioned ailments, I really liked the packaging. It looks very elegant, similar to the Smart Cover, plus I don't have to worry about a scratched back. The iPad cover doesn't add too much to the weight (232 g) or dimensions (245 x 193 x 13 mm), while protecting the iPad even in the event of a fall. You can buy the Choiix Wake Up Folio for example in Alza.cz for a price of around 700 CZK.
[one_half last="no"]
benefits
[Checklist]
- The cover also protects the back of the iPad
- Magnetic fastening and unlocking with a magnet
- Dimensions, weight and processing
- Color variations[/checklist][/one_half]
[one_half last="yes"]
Disadvantages
[bad list]
- Does not match the black iPad
- The back is easily scratched
- Sharp edges
- Slightly trailing front end[/badlist][/one_half]
Does the packaging have an overhang of plastic from the back of the cover over the level of the glass? So when the iPad is placed on the glass without the front part, does it rest on the glass or on the protruding plastic part?
Yes, the plastic has a slight overlap over the glass.
I have a question about magnets. Will I scratch the iPad wall with this cover or with the Smar Cover? Thank you
No, the magnets are sewn on.
I use a smart cover in combination with a plastic "back" cover and I can't complain :-)
I use the Smartfolio iPad2 from Temia and it's great, the iPad fits nicely and it was half the price of the original which doesn't protect the back. The wake-up function is disabled.
We have it on Datart.
I bought my first "Smart Cover" via Ebay. Reason? Slightly better price. Result? Disintegration of the metal part into several pieces the day before unpacking. It was a rip off and my last Ebay purchase. DX would be a better choice in this one because at least you get what you pay for there.
The original one (already bought through APR) used in combination with iDroplets (<-excellent, not necessarily the same but I couldn't find anything less) no glory either. Everything holds as it should, but the color of the polyurethane model is faded, the magnets are partially worn. I wouldn't go for the second (third) one.
I'm thinking about something in the style of a bookbook, bamboo like grovemade, blackboxcase for a triple (for carrying) do you have experience (if it doesn't fall apart :)? I can get by with iDroplets at home.