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Saddleback Leather Hard Leather iPad Pro Case review


REVIEW – For each of the past 2 years, I have invested in the newly released iPad 12.9″ Pro tablet for that year. I have become very dependent on using the iPad for many tasks including my daily email and MS Office tasks as well as for video and photo editing. The investment in the iPad is relatively expensive, so I always keep a lookout for any new case that will protect my device and if it can conquer fit, finish and function, then it is a winner. I recently received the Saddleback Leather Hard Leather iPad Pro case for review. At first glance, it is very attractive. Let’s see if it is just all looks or if it has much more to offer.

What is it?

The Saddleback Leather iPad case is an attractive and sleek iPad Pro 12.9″ case designed as a protective carry case and stand.

What’s in the box


1 x iPad Leather Case for 12.9″ iPad Pro

Design and features

This leather iPad case is available in four colors which are tobacco, dark coffee brown, chestnut, and black. For this review, the case is the dark brown. It is an attractive case with well-done edge stitching and leather straps on one side and loops on the other to accommodate the straps. There is a cutout on the sides with the loops to accommodate the camera.



The outside of the case is “finished” leather while the inside has the raw look. There are “pockets” on each edge that are holders for the iPad.


The picture below shows the iPad inserted into the case with the Apple pencil attached. For the 2018 iPad, the Apple pencil attaches and charges magnetically on the iPad.


The next picture below shows how the cover of the case is bent backward and the leather straps are inserted into the loops to allow the case to function as an upright stand.

Performance

When the case is closed, it allows the Apple pencil to remain attached and charging as necessary. It is quite slim and when closed everything feels safe and secure.


There are sufficient openings on each side that allow access to the speakers and USB-C port.


When the case is utilized as a stand, it reverses the orientation of the iPad so that the pencil is on the bottom which for my use is very inconvenient. It is almost impossible for me to remove or replace the pencil without lifting the case. When the case is bent to form the stand, at least one edge of the iPad tends to pop out of its holding pocket, and in one instance almost resulted in me dropping the iPad. Also, in the position as a stand, it works well on a desk or hard surface, but not so comfortable for hand holding or in my lap.


One other issue is that I noticed that the case scratches easily, so I am not sure if it will look nice and rustic over time, or just a complete mess.

What I like

  • The sophisticated look
  • The quality of the leather and construction

What can be improved

  • The design for use as a stand
  • The finish or type of leather that needs to be more resistant to scratches
  • The surrounding pockets/holders for the iPad
  • The design that allows the iPad and pencil to be in the correct orientation when the case is being used as a stand
  • A design that allows practical use when in your lap

Final thoughts

The Saddleback Leather iPad case is made from really nice quality leather and looks very attractive and professional. The stitching is well done and it just looks like quality. However, from a functional perspective, the design needs a bit more thought so that the fit and function match the materials used. While it may add to a sophisticated look when carrying your iPad, I do not find its function practical for my daily use. Maybe this is just my issue, but I do suspect that many users will experience the same.

Price: $129
Where to buy: Saddleback website
Sample: The sample for this review was provided by Saddleback Leather Company.

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Saddleback Leather Hard Leather iPad Pro Case review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 29, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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Pad & Quill Oxford Leather iPad Pro case review

REVIEW – I have used many Pad & Quill products over the years, all created to last decades by artisans with high quality materials and old world craftsmanship. An excellent example of their rugged durability is the P&Q Field bag I reviewed years ago. My wife has used it daily and believe you me, she beats the cr@p out of it with it taking everything she throws at it in stride. For this review, Pad & Quill has sent me their new case for the latest generation of iPad Pros. So, let’s see if the Oxford Leather 11″ iPad Pro case lives up to the Pad & Quill reputation and pedigree.

What is it?

The Pad & Quill Oxford Leather case is a book cover style cover engineered to hold and protect your 11″ or 12.9″ iPad Pro. The Oxford is a relatively simplistic cover made from a single piece of gorgeous fine-grain bridle leather.

Design and features

The Oxford Leather case is nicely fitted for the iPad Pro. The interior of the book cover style cover is lined with a very soft leather. The left side of the case has a slipper pocket meant to hold a bit of paperwork. The right side of the case is where the iPad Pro is held in place.

Features:

  • Perfectly fits the all-new 2018 11″ iPad Pro
  • Smart Keyboard Folio Compatible, though we recommend pairing with Magic Keyboard
  • Apple Pencil 2 charges perfectly inside of the case
  • Crafted from a single piece of American Full-Grain Bridle Leather
  • Strong and Durable Slim Profile
  • Interior Pocket for documents
  • Elastic Strap Closure
  • New Secure Locking Adhesive Technology from 3M, Residue Free
  • Self-propping iPad Pro Horizontal Viewing Stand built-in
  • UV-resistant, marine-grade nylon stitching
  • Smart cover with magnetic on/off feature
  • Ultra soft American leather interior
  • Signature of the artisan subtly placed in every case!
  • 25-Year Warranty & 30-Day Money Back Promise

The iPad Pro is held in place by two pieces of “Secure Locking Adhesive Technology” double sided tape from 3M. These strips are residue-free and do a great job holding the iPad in place. That said, while effective at holding a the iPad, no matter how high-tech/fancy…double sided tape is so very 10 years ago. Apple engineers embedded 100+ magnets into the iPad Pro meant to hold accessories securely in place. Pad & Quill’s decision to use tape versus magnets to hold the iPad within the Oxford case is just lazy/poor design.

The case uses an elastic strap closure system to keep the Oxford secured closed. The strap acts as a large rubber band that is well made and appears durable enough to last years of use.

Each end of the elastic band are attached and reenforced into the back of the case. The leather and workmanship on this case are excellent. The fine-grained bridle leather is very well finished, feels great in the hand, and smells wonderful. The stitching is done with a UV-resistant, marine-grade nylon that is nicely done as well.

Each Oxford case is individually initialed by the artisan who created it. The initials are located behind the iPad Pro.

On the back of the Oxford case, there is a cutout for the iPad Pro’s camera assembly. Like the rest of the cover/case, the cutout is perfectly sized and nicely finished.

The Oxford is engineered to hold the iPad Pro upright at approximately a 60 degree angle. As the case has broken in, the range of angle it can hold the iPad has grown. Currently that range is approximately 20-30 degrees, so it can stand between 40-70 degrees.

The front cover of the Oxford can be folded backwards out of the way to hold it vertically more comfortably. That too has broken in and is easier to fold as time has passed.

The Oxford is Smart Keyboard Folio Compatible, though “we recommend pairing with Magic Keyboard.” I would agree using this case in conjunction with the Apple Keyboard cover would be cumbersome.

The Oxford is a smart cover with magnetic on/off feature that automatically turns the iPad’s screen off when closed. As you can see, this case more than doubles the thickness of the 11″ iPad Pro.

The case also doubles the weight of the iPad Pro making it the same weight as the 12″ MacBook.

What I like

  • Old-World craftsmanship
  • Made from gorgeous bridle leather
  • Excellent build quality
  • Feels great to hold

What needs to be improved

  • Uses tape to adhere iPad Pro to case
  • Doubles the weight and volume of the iPad Pro

The Oxford Leather iPad Pro case is available in Whiskey, Chestnut, and All-New Galloper Black. Pad & Quill backs all of their products with a 25-year leather warranty. Though I would assume the tape and elastic band are not.

Final thoughts

Alright, I’m definitely conflicted about this iPad case… I want to dismiss this leather cover as not meeting my need/desire for easy and repeated installation and removal. The issue is, I love the quality of the leather, old world craftsmanship, and overall feel of the Pad & Quill Oxford iPad Pro case. I am totally OK with the added weight and volume it brings to my sleek & slim tablet. But I need to remove my iPad on occasion whether to attach my keyboard case, use my iPad naked, or review a different case. And sadly, I am certain the double sided 3M tape will lose its stickiness used in this manner. And it would SUCK for it to fail and my iPad Pro come crashing to the ground. That said, I have been using this case for three weeks now and am dragging my feet removing my 11″ Pro until I have no choice. So the bottom line is if you can live with this case’s only real flaw it is definitely worth considering but if you need more flexibility you should look elsewhere.

Price: $129.95 (11″) / $149.95 (12.9″)
Where to buy: Available at Pad & Quill.
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Pad & Quill.

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Pad & Quill Oxford Leather iPad Pro case review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 24, 2019 at 9:00 am.

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Gresso titanium iPhone cases – When liking nice things goes too far

NEWS – The cost of a new iPhone is crazy right? Then let me blow your mind by showing you a Gresso Magnum case for the iPhone X and XS series of smartphones. These cases have a grade-5 titanium outer shell with a TPU interior shell. They look nice enough, but would you believe that they are priced at $595 each? The first word that comes to my mind is “why”.

Gresso says that these cases can save the iPhone from a 30-foot drop and loads of 550 lbs. I say you have to be nuts to spend that much money on an iPhone case unless you’re Oprah or Elon Musk and have money sprouting from your … ears. Still interested? You better hurry over to Gresso or Amazon because they’ve only made 999 of these limited edition luxury cases. I think I’ll keep my cash in the bank and will stick with my Pitaka case.

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Gresso titanium iPhone cases – When liking nice things goes too far originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 14, 2019 at 12:00 pm.

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All Passport Covers has you covered with several cool themes

NEWS – I travel outside the USA for work a few times per year, and though I typically just shove my passport into my pocket, I’ve found myself wishing I had some sort of cover for my passport to protect it.  They I stumbled upon All Passport Covers and decided to investigate further.  Turns out these folks are geeks after my own heart, and carry passport covers in lots of themes, including Star Wars (It’s an older passport sir, but it checks out), Lord of the Rings (maybe one does just walk into Mordor), Marvel, Dr. Who, Transformers, and several more.  On the technical side, the covers are made from high-quality polyurethane faux-leather with gold-leaf printing, include RFID shielding, and have slots for 4+ cards and other items in addition to your passport.  Typically selling for $50.00 each, they are currently on sale for $28.95 directly from allpassportcover.com.

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All Passport Covers has you covered with several cool themes originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 13, 2019 at 12:00 pm.

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OtterBox adds some pop to their iPhone cases

NEWS – If you’re a fan of PopSockets one-handed phone grips but don’t want to stick one to the back of your phone, OtterBox and PopSockets just announced a solution that combines a protective case with the popular popup grip. It’s the all-new Otter + Pop Symmetry Series for iPhone. The combo includes a one-piece iPhone case that protects against drops and bumps and has an integrated PopGrip that folds down flat against the back of the case when it’s not in use.

Each OtterBox case comes with a PopTop in a color that matches the case, but you’re not stuck with that one PopTop because the PopTops are removable and swappable so you can always change up the color and style to customize the case.

TheOtter + Pop Symmetry Series will be available this Spring for Phone Xs, iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus and will retail starting at $59.95. Individual swappable PopTops will be priced starting at $8.Head over to OtterBox for more details.

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OtterBox adds some pop to their iPhone cases originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 13, 2019 at 10:00 am.

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