Smart Cover for iPad: everything ingenious is simple
Ambiguous product. Some people think it's brilliant, others think it's useless (since it doesn't protect the back of the iPad). However, the fact that this product was original and in demand has not been canceled. This article is recommended reading before purchasing an iPad...
The other day I took a very interesting tour of our local computer supermarket (5 floors of computers, equipment and accessories), where I looked at dozens of different cases. No, I didn’t choose the case for myself, but for a friend. I've seen so many fakes Smart Cover that I was simply amazed at the choice. Therefore, in the article I will tell you about them.
Original Smart Cover
This is what the entire available repertoire of Smart Cover colors looks like:
Apple has an excellent page on their website that describes the benefits of Smart Cover. The value of this page is that on it you can try on a Smart Cover of any color on your iPad and play with it virtually.
The best way to understand how Smart Cover works is this video from Apple:
I once bought a green Smart Cover - six months have passed, it’s time to share my impressions. Moreover, both disadvantages and advantages were revealed.
Smart Cover can hold your iPad even on very uneven surfaces. On a soft bed, on a crooked chair, on a sofa - everywhere there is an iPad with using Smart Cover is very stable.
Yes - the screen itself gets very dirty, but there are also streaks from the Smart Cover - no one can cancel this fact. However, they can be easily wiped off with a special soft cloth.
The inner surface of Smart Cover is covered with microfibers, which in theory should protect the surface of Smart Cover from dust and dirt. About full protection I wouldn’t stutter - some dust still remains (I had the opportunity to compare iPad 1 without a case and iPad 2 with Smart Cover).
But it must be said that the inner surface gets dirty. The photo shows that the surface becomes much darker after a few months of use.
However, the inner surface of the Smart Cover survived jam getting on it. I wiped it with a barely damp cloth and there were practically no traces left. But getting a drop of ink from a ballpoint pen was deplorable - I still haven’t been able to wipe off the stain.
The outer surface gets dirty, but it also wipes off dust and dirt well. Here is a photo of the Smart Cover surface after intensive six-month use. Polyurethane cover.
Does the Smart Cover scratch the iPad itself? I am inclined to believe that it all depends on the circumstances and careful use. I take off and put on the Smart Cover 5-7 times a day (the position obliges me), but there are no scratches on the iPad itself. Someone, judging by the reviews, manages to deliver them. But on the attachment points of the Smart Cover itself, the abrasions are very visible:
Another disadvantage of the Smart Cover is that it significantly adds weight to the iPad, although it itself weighs little. That is, in practice, this translates into the fact that it’s easier for me personally to play arcade games, shooters, and racing games on the iPad 2 without Smart Cover. And it’s easier to take photos and videos without it. On the other hand, the ability to remove the cover in a second is a huge plus. :)
Convenient Smart Cover position in individual games and when shooting it can be recognized as in the photo below
Counterfeits Smart Cover
Well, for starters, an entertaining story, a little off topic:
A Russian tourist approaches the left store with a name like “we sell everything” and asks the Thais in Russian:
Is this Apple?
The Thai girl, accustomed to the unceremonious attitude of Russians and their reluctance to speak English, answers them in Russian:
The Russian scratched his turnip and said:
How much does an iPad 32 gigabytes with 3G cost?
Thai woman shows on a calculator right price. A curtain…
Then we found out that this girl was learning Russian using apps on her iPhone, which she demonstrated to us. Well, then we started testing the covers in her store.
I’ll say right away that if you buy a Smart Cover abroad (and even in Russia), then you must understand that there is a possibility of stumbling upon a fake. Yes, or you can just buy a case that will be called something Smart type Cover Max or Smart Cover plus.
Counterfeits can be divided into three types:
1. Counterfeits that simply have the name Smart Cover. Easy to distinguish. Often this is generally a case, one side of which vaguely resembles a Smart Cover. Often with such cases back cover and the front one can peel off, as it is held on by glue (we have seen several such options). The price is approximately 30-50 dollars.
2. The cases are well made and even have magnets like the Smart Cover, but this is far from a Smart Cover - we tested the magnets by lifting the tablet horizontally to the ground. The case was opened - the magnets are very weak. Prices are 25-50 dollars.
3. Almost a copy of Smart Cover, difficult to distinguish from the original. There is even a suspicion that this is the original. :) Maybe some kind of pirate party from China? The price for such a Smart Cover is about 20-25 dollars.
It should be remembered that fakes can sometimes be better than the original and perhaps you will be lucky, but the quality of most of them did not please us very much.
FAQ:
Should I buy Smart Cover for iPad 2 or not?
I guess, that good choice will still buy Smart Cover if buying an iPad. You should not do this only if you have definitely decided on purchasing another case.
Please remember: Smart Cover is, first and foremost, a convenient protection for your screen. You will have to take care of protecting the back surface of the iPad yourself. From experience I can say that with careful intensive using an iPad- it’s difficult to scratch it, but everyone has their own experience.
After reading the reviews about Smart Cover, you can see that some people are disappointed by the not very high security that the cover provides. It seems to me that this is a matter of inflated expectations.
Therefore, buying a case or Smart Cover is a matter of personal preference. General advice like this: if you need security, choose a more serious case, if functionality and style - then Smart Cover. Although in terms of functionality, some cases can compete with Smart Cover.
I now have a middle option - at home I use the Smart Cover (when I play, I take it off), and for the road I have a separate closed case-bag for the iPad.
Which Smart Cover to choose: leather or polyurethane?
- Well, you can decide the color yourself. However, I would like to draw your attention to the bad reviews for the cream-colored leather cover. There are many complaints about the surface being very dirty. No, they all get dirty, but this color seems to get dirty the most.
- Polyurethane cases have brighter colors than leather cases.
- The price of a leather Smart Cover is almost twice as high - also an important factor.
They do not differ in functionality. We chose a polyurethane case and were not disappointed.
Why are some Smart Covers gray on the inside (like mine), and some are the same color as the outside? surface?
Smart Covers with the same surface color appeared much later first Smart Cover. If you buy Smart Cover in official store- there is a chance of getting into an old batch. These are not fakes, if the color of the inner surface is unimportant for you, then take it with confidence.
But regardless of the color, the inside of the Smart Cover is engraved with something like this in small print: Designed by Apple in California. Assembled in China.
Readers: If you have your own experience using Smart Cover, share it in the comments. Did you buy it when you purchased the device? Are you happy with them? Why? :) If you have something to add to the article, write too - don’t be shy.
It was developed for Apple gadgets great amount various accessories. The list of names alone will be very long. One of the most popular is a protective case for iPad. This tablet is not cheap, and it will last much longer if you treat it very carefully. At first glance, there is nothing special about this protective accessory, but, nevertheless, a huge number of products have been developed, and choosing a worthy one is not so easy. Many users prefer a Smart Cover type case, which protects only the screen, while the back cover remains uncovered. Let's look at the features of this case, note tips for choosing it, and also review the most famous and high-quality models.
Accessories are used to protect the case and screen of a Tablet PC.
What is Smart Cover
The Smart Cover is a rectangle made of natural or synthetic material that is placed over the screen and attached to the body using magnets. It allows you to reliably protect the surface of the screen. In addition, it can lock the screen when closed and unlock it when opened. You don't have to worry about manually locking the screen, and the risk of accidental taps is minimized.
Case for iPad Mini and other versions may have different colors. Older batches had one color on the outside and the inside cover was white or gray. The new models are monochrome both inside and outside.
The design of the cover allows you to bend it, thus changing its position and holding the iPad in different positions. For example, the cover can turn into a stand for reading, typing, or video calls. You no longer have to worry about how best to grab your iPad to read, watch a movie, or play a game. Your electronic assistant will stand level and firm even on curved and soft surfaces. Possibly an iPad case for gaming Mini is better will be removed, especially since it can be removed literally in one or two seconds; for everything else, you just free your hands.
Are there any disadvantages to the accessory? There are, but they are not significant.
Firstly, stripes may appear on the screen where the Smart Cover bends. On the one hand, this spoils the appearance a little, but on the other hand, they are very easy to remove with a soft cloth.
Secondly, soft inner side can attract dust and, if not used carefully, it will also stain or even scratch the screen. So try to keep the cover clean.
Thirdly, from constant use the cover slightly changes its color and becomes darker. If this bothers you, wipe the surface with a damp cloth from time to time. Dirt comes off very easily.
Well, fourthly, the iPad becomes a little heavier when used in conjunction with the Smart Cover. In most cases, this difference is insignificant, but during games that require active participation, it is better to unfasten it.
Tips for choosing a Smart Cover should start by mentioning that they come in two types: original and fake. In the first case, there is no doubt about the quality, because Apple itself produces accessories for the iPad. You can buy them only at official points Apple sales. True, their cost is much higher.
Counterfeits also come in different quality. Let's conditionally divide them into several groups:
- Low quality fakes. They are made carelessly, very often the layers are glued together with poor glue and very quickly begin to delaminate. In appearance they only resemble Smart Cover;
- Medium quality fakes. The cover material itself may be of quite high quality, but, for example, the magnets will be very weak. Ideally, if you lift the tablet while holding the structure by the cover, it should support its weight;
- A high-quality counterfeit is comparable in quality to the original, and in some cases even superior to it.
In any case, never buy such accessories for the iPad from unknown retail outlets, or better yet, trust a trusted seller.
What points should you pay attention to when choosing protective cover for your iPad?
- Is it worth buying it at all? This is your personal matter, but it is best if you still purchase it. Ideally together with a brand new tablet. For some, the level of protection provided will seem insufficient, because Smart Cover only covers the screen, and the back cover remains unprotected. In any case, the accessory is very stylish and functional.
- Which material is preferable? There are covers made of leather or made of durable synthetic polyurethane material. Leather ones will look more respectable, one might even say, elite. At the same time, polyurethane ones have a wider color scheme, they are also easier to clean from dirt. At Leather Case for iPad Mini will cost much more. Most users choose polyurethane ones, never regretting it.
- How to distinguish an original from a fake? Even in reputable-looking stores, you can easily come across non-original accessories for the iPad. Perhaps there will be nothing wrong with this, but often such cases last less and are not as practical. On original case must be engraved with an inscription stating that it was developed by Apple in California.
Review of the best cases
Smart Cover for iPad Pro 12.9″
Durable and reliable protection for your iPad Pro. Smart Cover only protects the display, while the back cover remains open. Securely attaches to the case using a magnetic mount. Opening the Smart Cover wakes the tablet from sleep mode, while closing it puts it back into sleep mode. The accessory is available in two colors, white and charcoal grey. Official price Apple store- 4990 rub.
Smart Cover for iPad Pro 9.7″
Reliable protection for your 9.7-inch iPad Pro. Light in weight, yet durable Smart Cover reliably protects the display surface from scratches and minor damage. It is firmly attached to metal case using magnetic fastening. Helps you use iPad in different positions. It also allows you to put the tablet into sleep mode or wake it up with one motion. You just need to open or close. A very wide range of colors is available: white, beige, yellow, apricot, light pink, dark blue, lilac, cornflower blue, cobalt, mint, charcoal gray and red. Price in the official Apple store - 4090 rubles.
Smart Cover for iPad Air
Lightweight, compact, elegant and reliable Smart Cover to protect your iPad display. Compatible with iPad tablets Air of all generations. The back surface remains open. The design of the accessory does not visually increase the thickness of the tablet. Made of polyurethane with a soft microfiber lining inside. Reliably and firmly attached to the metal case using magnets. allow you to use the cover as a stand for typing, watching videos and films, as well as communicating via video calling. Puts the tablet into sleep mode and also wakes it up, just open or close the cover. Available in the following colors: yellow, green, blue, black and red. Price in the official Apple store - 3290 rubles.
Smart Cover for iPad mini
An excellent accessory for additional protection of the iPad mini display, without spoiling the appearance and looking very elegant. Made from polyurethane with a soft microfiber lining. Magnetic fasteners are firmly attached to the metal case and are securely held on it. It folds several times, so it can be used as a stand for typing text, video telephony and watching movies. Easily puts the device into sleep mode and then wakes it up with one motion. Only black color available. Price in the official Apple store - 3290 rubles.
Teemmeet Smart Cover
Excellent quality case for iPad Mini made of soft genuine leather. Modifications available for various models iPad. Wide range of colors available. A well-made accessory will add elegance appearance your tablet. It can easily and quickly transform into a stand, and powerful magnets securely attach the accessory to the case. Conveniently puts the tablet into sleep mode and also wakes it up.
Conclusion
Whether you choose this type of case or not is entirely up to you. The Smart Cover is not capable of protecting the entire body; it only covers the surface of the screen. But it is very light, stylish, and its flexibility allows you to use the tablet while freeing your hands. The functionality is very simple and, in fact, all models on the market are the same and differ only in the material and the manufacturing company.
Do you use Smart case Cover on your iPad? We will be glad if you leave your comments.
I can’t say that counterfeiting a well-known product is bad. It all depends on the specific situation and on the people who shape these very situations. Yes, and there are different types of fakes. Sometimes this is an opportunity to save and get, although worse quality than the original, but still quite a functional thing. Remember the same lines from Vertu, with a TV and two SIM slots - some people laugh at such products, but others are happy with everything - this is a personal matter for everyone. For example, friends gave their 10-year-old child Chinese copy Nokia N8 is just happy, and if it accidentally breaks or loses it, it’s not that much money compared to the price of a Finnish smartphone. But it happens when, under the guise of a branded item and for its price, unscrupulous merchants sell its pathetic copy, and those who do not understand the issue well will simply be deceived. For example, the subject of such a scam could be an extremely popular accessory iPad Smart Cover. I got it in my hands fake copy, which I hastened to study, compare with the original and talk about what you should first pay attention to when buying a branded “plaid”.
Original Apple iPad Smart Cover costs a lot in the realities of the national market: within $75 polyurethane model and $100 - leather. An excellent candidate for dishonest traders to “heat up” by selling counterfeits. Especially if the fake tries to mimic as much as possible a branded item. In my case, this is a black leather “plaid” from an unknown Chinese factory, which I compared with a branded beige accessory (unfortunately, I didn’t have a black one on hand, but for a long time I personally used this and remember very well what it looks like).
Studying the packaging
As I mentioned above, there are different fakes. Those that try to copy the original in everything can be easily identified by sloppy packaging or inaccuracies on it. Although, in the situation under consideration, this can only be understood if you have something to compare it with or have previously dealt with a branded packaged item. The packaging of the fake that came into my hands differs from the original, although in details that an ignorant person would not pay attention to. Let's look at them.
So, on the top transparent plastic there is a protective cellophane that can be removed - probably it protects the packaging for the display case so that the merchant can place the accessory in a marketable form, so to speak. After all, such fakes are delivered almost in bulk, hanging out in boxes at random, or stuffed into them to the brim. Actually, the packaging of the accessory in question turned out to be somewhat deformed and pressed down.
The fake box on the left is a little crushed
The cardboard of the branded packaging is white, matte, very smooth and rigid, so it is not easy to bend or crush. The fake box is slightly concave inward, the cardboard is grayish, somewhat lumpy, with small pimples here and there. The hole with the strap is cut carelessly. The plastic hook by which the packaging is hung is sloppy, glued crookedly, and the glue itself is yellow, it can be seen through the transparent plastic.
Fake on the left
Fake on top
In the little things rear end The box is also different: different images, the sticker with the model name is located on the wrong side, the inscription about compatibility with iPad 2 is glued in the center, but in the original it was printed directly on the box.
Fake from below
Fake
Original
Let's open it
The first thing I noticed was the not very high-quality adhesive layer in the fastening strap of the fake. In the original it peels off, leaving virtually no traces.
Fake on top
Inside there is a fake package with a slightly yellowish tint, protective film It wasn’t even glued to the aluminum part of the blanket, and the adhesive layer is different from the branded one.
Fake on the right
Fake from below
Having taken out the “Chinese” Smart Cover, I felt a faint smell of some special chemical, the kind you can smell in shops with all sorts of cheap little things like “Everything for 10 rubles”, and harsh Chinese toys are also sold in the same way.
An aluminum strip with a plastic element covering the magnets is a rather complicated thing for basement production, because you have to glue everything carefully. As you can see in the pictures below, this was not possible with the fake. The color is also slightly different, plus the side aluminum trims are a little scratched. Pay attention to the place where the blanket is attached - in the original everything is smooth and beautiful, there is a small gap so that the material does not fray. There is no gap in the fake, obviously the blanket will wear out there.
Inside, the branded Smart Cover has a soft, smooth and pleasant to the touch microfiber fabric, also known as “microfiber”. The Chinese replica has something different there, not smooth, vaguely reminiscent of rubber and suede at the same time, or “rubber suede”, if such a thing existed.
And now the most interesting part - the outer surface of the accessory. The branded one is undoubtedly leather, it has a special pattern, pleasant tactile sensations, the surface is smooth and velvety. In a fake it is leatherette, and far from being the most best quality. It feels like some kind of cellophane or plastic, in terms of tactile sensations it is smooth, as I mentioned above, it is smelly, and most importantly, the surface is uneven. IN different places Some pimples and blemishes are visible, probably from stamping. “Garbage on vegetable oil,” in general. However, such “garbage” may well deceive a person who picks up Smart Cover for the first time. And then cries appear on forums and in various thematic discussion threads that Apple is selling some kind of, excuse the expression, crap for bad money, which crumbles in a month. It's not Apple that sells it, it's the fraudulent traders. The price for such an accessory is quite high $10 , or even half as much. Then you can take it with confidence.
The difference is visible to the naked eye
Even in the photograph you can see that it is not leather, but by touch it is generally easy to determine
Branded handsome man
Both accessories attach easily, there are no differences, and externally, if you look from the side of the fastener, everything is also good, although in the original the aluminum elements fit a little tighter at the edges.
Well, the last kick to the side Chinese fake- it does not fit very tightly to the tablet screen:
The fake Smart Cover bends worse than the original, although it folds into the stand in the same way. But the question is how long will this fake last in the world? active mode operation - obviously not for very long, since the quality of the leatherette leaves much to be desired. Ordinary cellophane, no match for either leather or polyurethane. I’m sure that in the basement office the last thing they thought about was using more or less strong plastic or leatherette. The goal is to make it somehow similar to the original, but don’t care about quality.
So, dear readers, be careful when buying branded accessories. There are fakes and there are a lot of them, especially solutions from Apple, be it Bumper for iPhone 4 or iPad Smart Cover. A counterfeit can be determined by the packaging and all sorts of little details, so you should be aware of them. Or buy things from trusted places. The same applies to accessories for Apple gadgets from other companies. An expensive branded product will not hang haphazardly on your phone, tablet or laptop, you will not find burrs or crooked inscriptions in it, you take it in your hand and feel it - a THING!
For first iPad we had a cover. He is cool! You can easily type text or watch movies on your iPad inside this case. The case worked very well. But we tried to make a beautiful design [for the tablet], and then we had to hide this design inside the case, right? In addition, we have now made the product thin and light, so it will be difficult to use with some accessories. So we thought we could do something better for the iPad 2. Going back to the beginning, we wanted to design a case that would fit our product. And we succeeded, but this is no longer a case. This is a cover that covers the glass. This is Smart Cover.
Quite a lot of time has passed since March, and now we have the opportunity to evaluate the cover based on the results of six months of use. We will finally answer the question unequivocally: is one cover enough for full protection.
How should you use Smart Cover to avoid damaging your iPad?
That's right: you need to place the iPad 2 with the Smart Cover on on the front side. Or, when you need a display, open the cover completely and place the iPad on it, face up.
In landscape mode it's a pleasure. Smart Cover folds in half and serves as a kind of “substrate” for your fingers:
WITH portrait mode worse. You either open the Smart Cover completely and hold it with both hands (the cover is not attached to the back of the tablet), or leave it folded in half:
Despite some awkwardness of the second option (as in the photo), it is perhaps the most preferable. The left hand gets tired, but only with time. Moreover, no one forbids holding the iPad with your right hand. Plus, the camera eye remains open.
Does Smart Cover add noticeable weight to the tablet?
Alas, he adds. In the rare moments when I take off the cover, the iPad 2 immediately feels light as a feather in comparison.
Are there any signs of wear on the rear? iPad panels 2?
No, there are no traces. Here are photos of the tablet on which the Smart Cover was worn for six months:
Images are clickable
And not just worn, but used in different provisions. Including - standing:
Are there any visible signs of wear on the Smart Cover itself?
Yes, noticeable:
There are also abrasions on the second bracket, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t capture them
Does the leather wear out?
Rather, it gets dirty too easily. Dirt gets onto the leather surface, which is not so easy to remove:
Does the microfiber interior of the Smart Cover wear out?
Hardly, but it also collects dust, be healthy. By the way, the inner surface can be cleaned with a clothes brush.
Does Smart Cover clean iPad display 2?
Yes, but not everywhere. In the places of bends between the plates, marks from the fingers remain.
iPad 2 immediately after removing the Smart Cover
Have scratches appeared on the display in six months?
No, as you can see firsthand in the last photo:
Let's summarize. Smart Cover - excellent protection for second iPad, if you get into the habit of placing your tablet face down. If not, please come up with one additional protection for the back panel. As an option, a carbon one from SGP is suitable.
