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Supplier: Norêve
Product: Apple iPad Tradition leather case (model 9102) in Chestnut
Product Price Range: £55 - £64. (Case as tested £60)
Thanks to Julien Fruitier of Norêve for supplying the review sample.
Introduction.
Norêve make a huge range of cases for mobile devices. Their online store lists them all in a range of worldwide currencies, and delivery can be to virtually anywhere in the world. Their site can be switched between English, French or Spanish so hopefully most users will find something to suit their needs.
Each case can be ordered in a number of colours and quality levels. Stock products are shipped by return and special finishes are subject to a maximum fifteen day delivery. My iPad case is the Norêve Tradition model - one of three types that are available. It is finished in the Chestnut textured leather, which is in the middle band of the price range.
First Impressions
My case arrived via UPS in a large document package. It is packed in a simple but attractive cardboard box with Norêve's logo on the front. First impressions are excellent; the quality of the leather is very good with small neat stitching throughout.
This model is a 'book style' case with the front cover hinging at the long edge of the iPad. It fastens with a fold-over tab with a magnetic button closure. Inside the front cover are two slots for documents and four for credit cards and the cover has a vertical crease to allow it to bend when used as an angled stand. The hinge between the front and back is comprised of soft leather without any stiffening, to allow the cover to fold back on itself during normal use.
The rear of the case has a small flap hinged at one end and secured by recessed poppers at the other end. With the poppers released this flap folds out to form the stand support for viewing in landscape mode.
The main recess to accommodate the iPad itself is notable for appearing rather sparse! Unlike most cases which use a physical retainer around the device bezel, the Norêve case uses a pair of accurately formed side rails shaped to fit the iPad's profile. These side rails connect at the top and bottom within the layers of the leather making the location very secure. The 'bed' of the case is finished in black polyester with Norêve's logo, and is lightly padded. There is no additional padding, the thickness of the leather being sufficient to afford the necessary protection.
In Use
The first job is to place the iPad into the case. As mentioned above, it is located between two retaining rails, into which it can either be slid from the top, or simply snapped into place. The metal rails are covered with a thin layer of the same leather as the case finish, giving enough resilience and protection to make either location method viable. The fit is very secure and in fact removing the iPad from the case takes significant pressure - having said that I do have a Zagg protective skin on the back of my iPad which increases the friction of the fit. The only disadvantage I can see with this arrangement is that the total weight is significantly more than the iPad alone owing to the use of the metal fittings.
Once in place it can be seen that there are the necessary cutouts on the base and right side for the speaker, connection plug and volume rocker. Contrary to previous reviews of this case, I encountered no difficulty in attaching the USB Camera connector or VGA adapter.
The primary function of a case is to protect the device from the knocks and bangs encountered in normal life. The iPad has a robust metal frame so is inherently well protected from damage to the edges, so the main need for protection is to the screen. The front cover achieves this very well, being strongly constructed, yet unobtrusive when folded back. The bottom corners are protected by the rail returns but the top corners are essentially unprotected. When closed, the cover affords some protection to the top corners, but the play in the fastening strap and leather hinge means the cover can move out of place exposing the top corners of the iPad to damage if dropped. How likely this is to happen in real life conditions I cannot say, as happily I've never dropped mine.
As I mentioned at the outset, my desire for this type of case was prompted by an occasional need to carry my iPad around without being too obtrusive or obvious such as when carrying out student assessments. The Norêve case achieves this very well; the quality of the leather and overall format give it the appearance of a compact portfolio. The inside pockets are big enough for a few A5 sheets and the card holder slots can take an Oyster card, Swipe card or similar if needed. The cards fit fully into the slots so there is no danger of sharp edges scratching the screen when the cover is closed. The photo shows the card protruding a little- this is just for demonstration purposes!
The other main feature of this case is the ability to configure it to allow more comfortable viewing of the screen or typing on the device itself.
For 'hands off' use in landscape mode, the small flap on the rear of the case can be released from its poppers, and hinged out to be retained by a fabric check strap. In this mode, the front cover simply folds back over the top of the hinged flap. This allows the iPad to be used to watch videos, or used as a photo frame. I have personally found this very useful recently; firstly when doing some DIY at home, where I was able to comfortably view a photo of the underlying framework of our new extension when fitting a curtain rail to ensure I got the fixings exactly right (which I did!) and secondly when using the vmcMote app as a controller for my Windows Media Center computer. Using this function, I can have the iPad sitting supported on my lamp table with easy access to the controls. The iPad in this configuration is very stable.
In portrait mode it is also possible to use the rear flap as a stand as its angle is sufficient to ensure stability. In this mode however, the front cover cannot be hinged back as its size causes it to interfere with the upright orientation. Thus in portrait mode, the front cover has to remain open at 180 degrees. This is not in itself a problem though it looks less tidy!
The third special configuration is when the iPad is being used in landscape mode for typing or direct work on the screen. By folding the front cover all the way over, then reattaching the magnetic catch, the cover can then be pushed backwards to cause its narrow border to stand vertical. The soft leather hinge then allows the iPad to drop into a slightly angled support making laptop use more comfortable. The angle it rests at is slightly more horizontal than with other cases I've seen though it does remain comfortable and feels secure.
Pros and Cons
Materials and construction Range of finishes available Versatility of configuration Protection for the screen Overall impression of quality
Risk of damage to top right edge of iPad if dropped Extra weight of metal fittingsConclusion
The Norêve Tradition iPad case is an excellent product in most areas. It is impeccably made of high quality leather, and the novel 'rail mounting' system preserves the iPad's aesthetic appeal. The slackness in the hinge and fastening arrangements may render the iPad susceptible if it falls on the top right edge though I don't believe any significant damage would ensue as the screen remains protected. The metal fittings do seem to make this case heavier than some of its competitors though I have no figures to compare- it is a subjective opinion.
In terms of value for money I would rate this very highly. There are obviously cheaper and more expensive cases available, but £60 for a leather item of this quality, size and versatility is impressive. I am grateful to Norêve for supplying the review sample; had they not done so, this would have been very high on my shopping list!
