Orbyx Leather Case
With black leather on the outside and pea-green suede within, this folio should appeal as to the executive with fashionista leanings. Colour scheme aside, the Orbyx is a nice case. The iPad slides in from the outside - there's a snug fit and a magnetically clasped flap to keep it there - so it's easy to remove. There's plenty of space between the screen and the leather frame around it. The cover folds back to tuck into a fold-out catch for upright or laid back screen angles.
Reg Rating 85%
Price RRP: £40 Online: £40
More Info Orbyx
Proporta Leather Style Case
Plastic it may be, but this faux-hide case doesn't feel as bulky as many of the other folios I tested, a lot of which seem to bulge out when you put the iPad in. The Proporta's proportions are kept in check by a flat spine - there's a press-stud held catch to keep it closed. There's a small document pocket inside. Comes in red or black.
Reg Rating 80%
Price RRP: £30 Online: £29
More Info Proporta
Next page: Proporta Recycled Leather Case
COMMENTS
Corner and edge protection
One of the main reasons to put the 'pad in a case is to protect it when the inevitable drop happens. A lot of these cases don't protect the corners or edges of the 'pad.
One of the benefits of the Apple case, which I still haven't replaced, is that it does the job of protecting the pad exceedingly well. It's also extremely convenient being thin, relatively unobtrusive and the little stand, whilst primitive, works very well.
What's worrying is that despite the iPad being out for 6 months plus, none of the folio case makers have really bettered the Apple case in terms of core functionality. Aesthetics maybe, but functionally not.
Now...
I know you can't review EVERY folio, but why miss out the Incipio Kickstand? To me, it's one of the front runners - it can be used as a stand, it's got good protection and doesn't block any ports (some of these do) it looks, well, alright, and it's cheap.
Have I picked up a lemon and not noticed?
The Twelve South case
You can synch with the case on if you're only using a cable, and not a dock - the zip flattens just enough, and the bottom corners are far enough from it for the cable to fit without any problems
Point taken, but...
Point taken about the manual brightness control, but the auto brightness definitely uses the ambient light sensor at the top centre of the screen surround, hence the hole in some covers at around this point.
More often, cover are far thinner around the edge and simply do not obscure the sensor at all.
brightness control
The iPad has always had a brightness control, under Settings>Brightness & Wallpaper. iOS 4.2 just places a copy on the multitasking bar.
