Jiří Filip While the vast majority of us protect iPhones with various covers or tempered glass, we don't worry so much about iPads. This is because it is a device that we don't hold in our hands that often, and if we do, there is not as much risk of falling as with a smartphone. However, from time to time, for many of us, it is necessary to transport the iPad from place to place, which directly calls for the use of protection in the form of a case. After all, having an iPad flying around in your bag between pens or iPhone and MacBook is not a good idea, as we will see in the worst case immediately after taking it out "thanks" to the scratches it made in the bag. However, on the market you will find a whole range of really elegant and, above all, functional cases that will provide your Apple tablet with the necessary protection not only during its transport. And we will look at one such piece in today's review. The hand-stitched FIXED Oxford case for the 9,7" iPad arrived at our editorial office, which, thanks to many things, really deserves considerable attention. So sit back, we're just getting started with the case review.
Specifications
Before we get to the actual impressions of the case and its testing, we will take a brief look at its "technical specifications", as is the custom with practically all of our reviews. FIXED Oxford it is, as already mentioned in the introduction, a case made of genuine cowhide, which, according to the manufacturer, is of really high quality, and you don't have to worry about it getting destroyed after a few months of intensive use. On the contrary, time embellishes the case, just like other leather products, with an original patina that gives it individuality. This is, of course, a matter of taste, but I personally really like leather items with a patina that proves their long-term use, and I believe that even with this case in a few months or years, a similar design "improvement" that I can create myself, we'll see.
The entire case is hand-made in Prostějov, which, however, would be very hard to tell due to the absolute precision of the processing. Every seam here is tightened to perfection, everything fits, and the only thing that reveals the handmade production is the stamped slogan on the back "Czech Hand Made". In the lower part of the front, on the other hand, the manufacturer's logo is stamped, i.e. FIXED. At the same time, both embossed inscriptions are very inconspicuous and you hardly notice them on the case, which lovers of minimalist design will certainly appreciate.
The fact that the iPad does not fall out of the case is ensured on the one hand by its exact internal dimensions - specifically 240 x 169,5 x 7,5 mm - together with a soft and to the touch and in my opinion slightly non-slip interior, but also by the top closure or if you want- li hinges on relatively strong magnets, which do not open immediately. Here I would like to point out that although the top closure is equipped with magnets, it still retains an immense thinness, and the fact that three round magnets are hidden in it is practically only noticeable when you look at the open closure from an angle and focus on the tiny raised wheels in it. In this case too, the preservation of elegance is therefore in the first place, for which FIXED definitely deserves a thumbs up.
Personal experience
When I held the case in my hands for the first time, I was very pleasantly surprised by both its outer and inner matte surface. In both cases, it is very gentle, but while it is quite slippery on the outside, on the inside, it seems slightly anti-slip to me, as I mentioned above. Although it is a detail, it can be seen perfectly that every detail was thought about with the case and they did not "slack" with only one type of material, which would theoretically speed up its production. Instead, however, attention was paid to both design and functionality, resulting in this leather beauty.
The design of the case does not deviate from the common case standard, but this is by no means a bad thing considering the use of valuable materials for its production. On the contrary, I think that this simple design underlines the overall elegance of the product, which simply suits it. So it will certainly not embarrass you at a business meeting, for example at school or at work, or in a cafe, where you will pull out the iPad and present photos from your vacation to your friends. If you would rather sketch something instead of taking photos, you will appreciate the case for the Apple Pencil on the inside of the flap, into which you simply insert it and then you don't have to worry about anything. This holder is strong enough to hold it in place until you want to take it out and use it, which is definitely nice. after all, the Apple Pencil isn't exactly a cheap accessory that you want to lose every week because the case designed for it won't hold it. But you don't have to worry about that here.
It is also nice that the case is not at all robust, but it certainly cannot be called a "Light" product either. Thanks to this, you can be sure that in the event of a fall, its edges will at least partially absorb the fall and sharp keys or other objects that could scratch the iPad inside will not penetrate through its walls. Sure, if you carry needles in your bag, they may go through your skin. However, show me another case this elegant that would handle something like this with ease. I think that you will really search in vain, if you do not include among the elegant cases those from UAG, which in my opinion definitely do not belong to the category of elegant.
What I find really great about the case is the possibility to "stuff" a 9,7" iPad into it, including the Smart Cover screen protection, which in my opinion is one of the most used accessories for iPads ever. Although the case is relatively tight, it still holds the Smart Cover without any problems and is just as easy to close. In the case of more robust back covers, you would have a hard time, but the "compatibility" with this basic accessory is certainly great. After all, it wouldn't be twice as comfortable to carry the Smart Cover somewhere on its side, even though it is quite a compact product. But why make it complicated when it's easy, right?
However, in order not only to praise, there is one small thing that I have to easily read on the case. This is because dust likes to get caught on its fine outer surface, which subsequently sticks to it uncomfortably. Cleaning it isn't too much of a problem, but once you're in, for example, a dustier environment and dusting the case every ten minutes, I believe this activity will start to get on your nerves. However, I would personally describe this flaw as a kind of beauty tax rather than an outright misstep, as, for example, a glossy surface would definitely not suit the case as well as this matte one.
Summary
I find the FIXED Oxford case really very simple. This is because, at least according to my taste, it is a beautiful product, the processing of which is at a very high level thanks to hand-made production, which boasts very high-quality materials and, above all, excellent protective properties. When I add to all this the really pleasant smell of genuine leather, I get a product that no owner of a compatible iPad should be ashamed of. Easier capture of dust and other dirt slightly lowers its perfect rating, but I still rank it among similar iPad cases at the top, if not the very top. So if you are looking for elegance, quality and protection in one, you have just found it.
discount code
Thanks to our cooperation with Mobil Emergency, you can get a discount code oxford610 20% discount on all cases from the FIXED offer. As always, the code is limited to only 20 uses. So definitely don't hesitate to buy.
