The iSkin Aura2 is an iPad case made to protect your iPad in a stylish way. To accommodate the lavish look, there is a lavish price tag. The case is available for $99.99 from iSkin. However, you as a reader of my site get a special promotion. Enter aura60off at checkout if you buy the case by April 30th, you will get 60% off the case, making the case only $40. Of course, let’s see if it is worth this great discount.
Form
My opinion here is very mixed. The case is actually very nice. The case is made well in terms of stitching and how it is put together (where stuff goes and such). The material used is a good leather material and the case feels solid to use. The ports and cameras are not blocked in any way. The case has nice pockets put in for good measure. The case’s stand design is interesting and it probably isn’t something I would personally put into a case should I ever make one. However, whether you like the stand or not, I think, is more based on personal preference. What isn’t based on personal presence, however, is the bending, or warping, of the case. The front cover bends inwards. The borders around the iPad’s sides come up and sometimes prevent the front cover’s magnets from making contact with the magnets on the iPad. There is a good 1.5-2.0 mm of space between the case and the iPad itself, the right side even went as far as 3 mm from case to iPad. It seems like the iPad is too thick for the case causing the cases edges to come up. Since I am using an iPad 2, the thinnest iPad made to date, this should not happen. I was sent two cases with the same defect. However, I read online that many people did not get a case with this defect. This problem is the source for other problems. Because of the warping of the case, it is uncomfortable to hold. The case is a bit thicker than it normally be. However, the case is too thick even without the warping. Overall, the warping is the only thing wrong with the form of this case but it is a major problem. The problem to fix all other problems.
Function
Before once again tackling the problems with the warping, I’d first like to address the positives. First, the case, despite the warping, still protects your case well, probably better than a lot of other cases. The case also has pockets for credit cards, paper and other small things. The case does have a stand, whether you like it or not its up to you. I personally do not because of the extra work required to get the case standing. I never have been a fan of folio case stands, the ones where the front cover lays on the table and a flap comes onto a nudge on the front cover. Of course, that is something that is more of opinion. One interesting function is that when you have the stand in typing mode, which by the way is the hardest to get to, you can make the front cover flap go over the iPad to protect the screen from prying eyes. It offers a little bit of privacy. Whether of not that was intentionally done or just a coincidental result of how they made the case will remain unknown. Again, I do need to mention the warping. The case comes up off the iPad so much that sometimes it can prevent the magnets on the case and on the iPad from touching. This is due to the front cover being so far away from the iPad itself, it can not reach it and thus sleep the iPad. Also, holding the case is uncomfortable and that is not how handling the iPad should be. Overall, my reaction to this case based on it’s function, as you can tell, is mixed.
Conclusion
Pros
-Good stitching and craftsmanship (besides the warping)
-Protects the iPad well
-Ports and cameras protected but not blocked
-Pockets provide extra support for carrying your stuff
-Without the warping, it would be a much better case (maybe yours won’t be warped)
Cons
-Warping and the problems as a result of it.
-Stand may not be for some people
-A bit too thick
Ways to Improve
If it is true that the leather warps in changes in temperature, consider sending the case in a package that will keep a certain temperature. In addition, the company should consider thinning the case’s profile a little bit. I also think the case should be redone perhaps to resemble more simple stand designs
I am unsure how the leather warped however it may be that the case was handled in changing temperatures before arriving to my house in California from Canada. In addition, I read online that people received their cases in perfect condition without any problems. If my cases did not have the problem of being warped, this review would be much more positive and despite my on-the-negative-side review, you should consider purchase anyway since if the case does not have the problem, it is a wonderful case. It is on discount with the coupon code above and the customer service was friendly and courteous, so what do you have to lose? Due to the case’s warping, I do have to rate it at a 2 and a half. However, that is with the warping. If you receive a case without the warping, that rating is a 4 and a half. Many people have received cases without the warping so it may just be bad luck. Try your luck with the case, you may or may be disappointed.
Thanks for reading,
Joe
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