Twelve South joins the fray of high-end iPad cases

Just got my BookBook for iPad. I also have a BookBook for a 17" MBP. The two complement each other nicely. Before ordering, I wasn't terribly impressed with the button and leather thingy, and I am not a fan of "attaching" my devices to any case. Hence, I just wanted to protect and store the iPad in the BookBook just as I do the MBP.

First impression, of course it is just as beautiful in person as at looks in the store. It's a great size. It looks more like a real book than the MBP BookBook. The leather/stretchy strap to attach the iPad isn't going to change my mind. I'm not going to use it. The leather straps probably need to be stretched out, and the stretchy strap isn't terribly taught. I think that if I don't attach the iPad, these items will stay nicely flush against the case and out of the way.

The button and leather strap ... uh ... I see what they are trying to do, but really, I don't know if I will end up using it much, as I would have to attach the device. It isn't as sturdy as the Compass.

All that to say, my impression before ordering was pretty much confirmed by the received purchase. It is a beautiful case. It looks great and feels great. It even smells great. As just a case to protect my iPad, I think it is going to be awesome. All the other little gimmicks like straps and buttons didn't jazz me, but that's probably just me. So, after ten minutes with the case, I give it a thumbs up.

I have a DODOcase, which is great. I prefer its thinner profile and its more convenient/less obtrusive snap-in mechanism. I think I'd prefer the distressed leather of the BookBook (provided it doesn't add significant thickness), but that's very minor. The "string and button" idea is great though: For me, that's BookBook's major plus over the DODOcase (but not quite enough to make me change given DODOcase's other advantages). I might look into adding something like it to my case.

You can read on their web site: hand crafter in India, a ten hour process. Well. We all know that these nice iEverything cases are made by cheap labor, but I wouldn't mention it clearly on my web site.$70. 100% markup. That's $35. Less $15 of material. That's $20 for the manufacturer. Less $5 profit. That's $15 for the kid who has spent 10 hours dearly handcrafting our vanity thingy. Hum!

We all know that's the way it works. I would just NOT mention the 10 hour thing on my web site.

AT

I *LOVE* TwelveSouth's products, but on this one I think they missed the mark. The faux book cover itself is very nice, I should know as it's the same as the original BookBook case for the MacBook Pro that I own.

However, the way the iPad is secured in the case, and the added bulk of the zipper, etc. is unnecessary. TwelveSouth should have learned from the DoDo Case, which is beautiful. No extra zippers. No extra bulk. It fits snug and uses an elastic band to secure the cover... just like a notebook would.

I own the DoDo Case and I love it. The BookBook for my MacBook Pro? Not so much. It's beautiful to look at but WAY too bulky, stiff, and just not practical.

If TwelveSouth had made a case like the DoDo but with their own stylish touch... without the zipper and added bulk... i'd buy it today.

love the way it looks, but really too thick.

"I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany."

But seriously, why so thick? And a zipper? Can't we get a combo of the nice distressed leather from the BookBook and the thinner functionality of the DoDo?

Doug...as a user, I use the Bookbook as a case for transport/storage, not as a play-through case. There are class periods in which there is another teacher using my classroom, so instead of putting my MB in my normal laptop bag to go to a workroom, I put it into my Bookbook. Easy, comfortable, protective, and looks great. I'm also not advertising I'm carrying a Macbook through the hallway. When I get there, I take it out of the Bookbook to work. Others may use it differently, but that's my experience.

Only one problem with it: As far as I can tell, it doesn't lend itself to the familiar (apple case, DODO case) style of slightly raised position for typing. I had a bookbook for the 13" and it was amazing. I would love to own this, but even in the gallery it doesn't show this typing position capability. If it did, I would have already ordered one. I think I'll wait for some reviews on this.

Now to place this next to my copy of "The Hiding Place" which when pulled, reveals a secret passageway, along with my copy of "Grapes of Wrath" which houses my emergency money, and I'll have a shelf of false books that look good on the outside, but house candy inside.

Yeah, I fell for the 13" MBP case as well. It's beautiful and keeps my MBP well protected. Now that I'm slinging around my iPad instead, guess I gotta go ahead and get one of these too. Curse you, Twelve South, for getting into my head and creating products that I just gotta have.....