2011年3月2日星期三

Hands-On With Vintcase, The iPad Case Gandalf Would Use

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The Vintcase is a leather iPad case made in Spain. It is somewhat impractical, looks like a prop from Lord of the Rings, and it costs a wallet-lightening €79 ($109). Yet despite all this, I can't help but like it.

Aesthetically, the case is almost the complete opposite of then iPad it envelops. Handmade in Ubrique, a city famous for its leather products, the Vintcase feels both exotic and ancient. It has a three-panel design. The iPad slides into its own pocket, much like it does into the utilitarian Apple case, and there are cut-outs for the home button, the speaker, dock port, jack socket and buttons. Both the rear panel and the bezel cover are fashioned from thick, sturdy leather.

To close the case, you first fold over another thick flap which covers and protects the screen. A third, thinner panel then closes over that from the opposite side, and the absurdly long "tail" wraps around a few times to keep the case shut. You can also use the case to prop up the iPad and watch movies.

The double-closure design is itself a good one, and offers at least as much protection as many more padded cases, especially on the corners, which is where you need it. But the thong that snakes around it is an accident waiting to happen. It takes too long to wrap and unwrap, and when not tied shut it dangles, ready to catch on a foot or hand and pull the iPad to its doom.

Thankfully, the strap is easily removed: it is secure with a knot on one end which stops it sliding through a slit in the cover. You just pull it out the other way to take it out. As you can see from the photos, I added a few squares of self-adhesive velcro to keep it shut without the cord — ugly, sure, but way more practical. You can of course still tie the strap around the case even after removal. Alternatively, you can tie it around your head so you look like a skinny, nerdy version of Conan the Barbarian, thus completing the fantasy movie makeover.

In the end, it comes down to your taste. If you like the style of the Vintcase, you won't be disappointed with its quality. The leather is beautiful, and it is clearly put together by somebody who knows what he is doing. The iPad is snug, and amply protected. The problem? You'll look like Frodo if you use it.

Vintcase product page [Vintcase. Thanks, David!]

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