Review: Incase Convertible Book Jacket for iPad
by Tim Chaten
October 30, 2010
When the iPad was first launched there were only a few cases available. The only case that had a built in stand besides Apple’s case was the Incase Convertible Book Jacket. After using the case for six months here are our thoughts.
The case is much thicker than many of the other cases available. The thickness can be a problem for many, and may relegate the case to in home use rather than as a traveling case. The case can only prop up the iPad in landscape orientation, which can be a problem for those wanting to use the iPad to read in the portrait orientation. The elastic band is very welcome and helps keep the case closed when not in use.
A problem found in the original design was that the iPad would frequently fall out! The case is made up of different crevices to provide different viewing angles. Incase originally designed the case so the iPad would hold itself up in these crevices. The original owners complained enough that Incase saw this as a flaw. The newer design incorporates a simple piece of velcro to hold the iPad inside without slipping. If you were one of the early adopters of this product you should be able to get it swapped out for the newer design. We were able to get our original case replaced by Apple when the newer ones became available.
Now that the marketplace is flooded with iPad cases that incorporate stands, this case is less unique than it once was. It still does some things well. The stand itself works great and offers plenty of viewing angles. It also offers a great typing experience. When typing there is actually some bounce to the iPad. We liked this bounce and found it to be a more natural feeling than that from a very sturdy stand.
The other thing the case does great is providing protection. The case is, as mentioned earlier, very thick. The benefit is you can now drop your iPad from a much higher distance without damage. In our own testing the iPad had no damage from being dropped six to seven feet. We would not recommend testing this, but it should comfort you to know that if the iPad drops and lands on its back it should be perfectly safe.
The case offers access to all of the ports, but like most cases you will need to remove your iPad to use Apple’s dock. The material and build is solid. The case does not feel cheap as many have commented regarding the Apple case. The other benefit is the ease of getting the iPad in and out of the case. The Apple case can be difficult to use until it gets worn in, but the Incase is designed so you can easily use it when it's new.
The case costs $60 and may be a bit expensive for what it offers. After using it for six months we still find it is a great case for using at home. If you are looking for a case to take with you on the road, this is not the case for you. The bulk and forced landscape orientation make this a not particularly road friendly case. If you are looking for a secondary case, or for an iPad case that never leaves your home, this may be the one for you. The case can be purchased at Incase's website or in Apple retail and online stores and is now available in four different colors.
The case is much thicker than many of the other cases available. The thickness can be a problem for many, and may relegate the case to in home use rather than as a traveling case. The case can only prop up the iPad in landscape orientation, which can be a problem for those wanting to use the iPad to read in the portrait orientation. The elastic band is very welcome and helps keep the case closed when not in use.
A problem found in the original design was that the iPad would frequently fall out! The case is made up of different crevices to provide different viewing angles. Incase originally designed the case so the iPad would hold itself up in these crevices. The original owners complained enough that Incase saw this as a flaw. The newer design incorporates a simple piece of velcro to hold the iPad inside without slipping. If you were one of the early adopters of this product you should be able to get it swapped out for the newer design. We were able to get our original case replaced by Apple when the newer ones became available.
Now that the marketplace is flooded with iPad cases that incorporate stands, this case is less unique than it once was. It still does some things well. The stand itself works great and offers plenty of viewing angles. It also offers a great typing experience. When typing there is actually some bounce to the iPad. We liked this bounce and found it to be a more natural feeling than that from a very sturdy stand.
The other thing the case does great is providing protection. The case is, as mentioned earlier, very thick. The benefit is you can now drop your iPad from a much higher distance without damage. In our own testing the iPad had no damage from being dropped six to seven feet. We would not recommend testing this, but it should comfort you to know that if the iPad drops and lands on its back it should be perfectly safe.
The case offers access to all of the ports, but like most cases you will need to remove your iPad to use Apple’s dock. The material and build is solid. The case does not feel cheap as many have commented regarding the Apple case. The other benefit is the ease of getting the iPad in and out of the case. The Apple case can be difficult to use until it gets worn in, but the Incase is designed so you can easily use it when it's new.
The case costs $60 and may be a bit expensive for what it offers. After using it for six months we still find it is a great case for using at home. If you are looking for a case to take with you on the road, this is not the case for you. The bulk and forced landscape orientation make this a not particularly road friendly case. If you are looking for a secondary case, or for an iPad case that never leaves your home, this may be the one for you. The case can be purchased at Incase's website or in Apple retail and online stores and is now available in four different colors.
