The roughly $40 Brenthaven Hardshell Folio for iPad is a very different kind of case for the iPad. First, it isn’t one of those fancy magnetic cases, so if you want your iPad to flip on at the opening of the case, this is not the case for you. That said, the Apple iPad 2 Smart Covers and complementary cases create a puzzle-like solution to iPad protection. The Hardshell Folio is a single unit solution that protects the iPad well without adding much weight (.4 lbs) or complexity.
What is most unique about this unit is it material, which isn’t leather or faux-leather like so many other cases: it is fabric. The fabric cover feel great in the hand and the all-over microfiber lining products both the screen and the back plate of the iPad 2 from nicks or scratches.
I have been using this case for several days and plan on using it for the foreseeable future. The port cutouts provide ample room for cables and inputs and plenty of room for sound to escape – and the hardcover back (cov ered seamlessly by the same fabric) feels secure even though it is easy to insert and remove the iPad 2 from the case. The case even includes a little window on the cover so you can slip in your name or company logo for quick identification in rooms crowded with iPads.
And for those who find sustainability important, Brenthaven goes out of their way to discuss it, not on the corporate citizenship page, but as a tab on the product page. All hang tags and product inserts, for instance, are printed on recycled paper using soy-based inks. They invest in environmental non-profits and carbon offsets to compensate for any impact on the environment created during manufacturing or logistics.
Again, I’m enjoying the Hardshell Folio for iPad 2 and recommend it to those looking for a well-constructed, durable and attractive home for their iPad 2.
I just received the latest version of this product, and it now includes a magnet in order to invoke the Smart Cover feature of the iPad 2 and beyond.