A case? a book? artwork? Yes to all, it's the BookBook for the iPad!
Wojo on
Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 9:31PM in
Art,
Gadgets,
Technology tagged
BookBook,
Review,
Twelve South,
iPad 
I just received my BookBook for the iPad (Vibrant Red model) from Twelve South today, and here’s my quick review and what I think so far.
So I must start by saying I also own a BookBook for my MacBook Pro 13”, so I’m no stranger to Twelve South nor their products. In fact, I’m typing this on my couch with that exact configuration. I love my BookBook for the laptop and when I received an email from Twelve South I jumped at the chance to order one for my iPad.
Packaging, Fit and Finish
When the package came in today I was very happy about how it was packaged up. The BookBook comes in a soft pouch with a strap and the only other thing was a thin product wrapper around the case. No full box or other packing materials, yet still very slick.
Out of the bag you can just tell the BookBook is quality. The BookBook looks great, with each one uniquely worn and aged, but also feels great. On the outside the leather feels smooth and hard, and once you open it up you are greeted with a soft interior that protects the iPad. The leather, stitching, padding are all assembled very carefully and looks built to last.
After I placed the iPad in the BookBook, I began testing a few different configurations with it. However, the first thing I noticed was a bit of bending on the BookBook’s back cover after I placed the iPad in its new home. Uh oh. Here are some pictures of what I’m talking about:
This seems to be due to the two leather pockets at the bottom where the iPad slides into, then is kept in with a strap on the top. The leather pockets just seem too tight — they force the edge of the iPad down and that fights the strap at the top. Now, I just placed the iPad in the BookBook, so I’ll let it sit there for a few days and see how it stretches. It is leather after all and it may take a few days in the case before it forms to my iPad.
I also plan on emailing Twelve South about this and I know they will take care of me. How do I know? Last time I emailed them on my other BookBook, it was handled directly by the BookBook designer who is also a Twelve South co-founder. It ended up being a non-issue (I thought the BookBook zipper could have been scratching my MacBook) but the support I received was top-notch.
Update 8/19/2010: As I suspected, this is normal and should sort itself out in a few days. To quote their FAQ:
“When I first install my iPad into BookBook, the corners seem to warp and bend a bit. Is that normal? Yes. The bottom leather supports are quite tight when you first receive your new BookBook. Like any leather, it stretches out over time and will provide a nice snug fit for the life of the product. The slight bending of the corners of the covers is not permanent and will straighten out in a few short days.”
Size and Feel
Anyway, so once the iPad is placed in the BookBook is definitely adds to the size quite a bit. Where I noticed it the most was the thickness which could be an issue if space is limited in a bag while traveling, for example. Otherwise holding it during normal usage make it feel more like a book, larger and not as cold. The iPad is metal and glass, not the most comfortable tactile experience. When I pick up something to read I expect it to be paper and feel like it, too. This wraps the iPad in very natural feeling materials and is quite welcome. Is it too much? We’ll see I start craving a naked iPad in a few weeks.
Other Features
In the pictures you can see the little rope that is attached on the back under the iPad is used to help prop up the BookBook in a display configuration as an A-frame. You take the rope and route it to the other side and wrap it around a little leather, um, button. Being a string allows an infinite amount of flexibility in the length and thus the angle, which is really cool. When not in use I shove the rope into the top of the case behind the iPad, and it seems to stay out of the way pretty well. If you never plan on using it you can just completely shove it behind the iPad and forget about it.
If you ever need to take the iPad out is is a very easy process. Just take off the top strap and slide her out. Putting it back in is just as easy. I really don’t expect to ever take it out, but again we will see as time passes.
Protection
When zipped shut the iPad is very secure. The dual zippers hold it in and the thick leather case really will protect the iPad not only from scratches and dings, but should help even with drops and other bad situations due to the padding, rigid spine and stiff edges. My MacBook has been in one of these for months and I really do trust it to take a beating.
Overview
Overall I am very impressed with the BookBook for the iPad. As long as the bottom straps lossen up a bit, I’ll be extremely happy. For nearly $70, it isn’t the cheapest iPad case, but I would venture to say it is definitely the most stylish I’ve come across!
If you want one head on over to the BookBook for the iPad page. I also have more pictures in my BookBook for iPad gallery which has some other angles, closeups and comparisons with the MacBook Pro model.
