The RooCase Origami Dual-View Leather Folio for iPad mini is exactly what it’s name implies. It is a case for the iPad mini and a nice one at that. The case is only $9.90 at Amazon. Let’s see if this cheap in price case is cheap in quality or not.
Form
This case actually is very nice on the aesthetic side. The case is pretty solid. The front cover folds into different origami styles for different ways to stand the case. I really like this feature as it adds more possibilities for stands than the standard bifold or trifold cases have. The case is made in five colors, all leather. It is made in black, red, green, purple and pink all of which seem like great colors. The case is pretty solid in terms of structure and it is made well. There is definitely well-done craftsmanship on this case. The case allows for easy access to all the ports. The camera, also, is not blocked. In addition, there is a small flap that is on the case that you can put your stylus on. This definitely comes in handy for people who keep a stylus for their iPad with them. The quality of this case reminds me of the iPad cases that Snugg sells. Aesthetically, it’s one of the better cases I have reviewed.
Function
I am not usually a fan of folio cases. They have been too thin to provide any protection for my iPad. This case is an exception to that rule. Despite it being light, this case is very protective. It is hard cased enough to protect your device while still keeping it light. Another thing I like about the case is the unique origami stand. The stand allows for 4-5 different viewing angles, handy for typing or watching. Of course, the best angle is to hold the iPad yourself and the case makes it quite comfortable to hold. In addition, I appreciate the slot for a stylus as I do use one sometimes. I feel as though this case is a great value for the money.
Conclusion
Pros
-Great aesthetics
-Solid Case
-Great, unique stand
-Slot for stylus
-Cheaply priced but not cheaply made
Cons
-None
How to Improve
At this time, I see no reason to make any changes for improvement.
This is a great case and for less than $10, you can not go wrong. If you have an iPad mini, even if you already have a case, get this one. It is on sale for $9.90 at Amazon from it’s listing price of $49.99. Five stars for a great case and a great price.
The NYHK Shield case by lioncase is a Smart Case-like case that is thin and light. Direct from lioncase, the case is $42.95. The company is based in China and will also ship it’s product to you from China so it may take a little whileto get it. I actually didn’t wait long at all, not even a week, but it is my belief that it was an expedited shipping. Let’s dive right into the details and see if this case is for you.
Form:
The cool NYHK branding-one of the only good things about this case
I have mixed reactions when it comes to the design of this case. For one, I do like the branding that goes with the case. I think putting the New York/Hong Kong city streets on the case was an excellent branding idea. The case is also light and thin, adding almost no weight and thickness to the iPad’s already thin profile. I like the branding on it and I would have liked it better if the rest of the form of the case was as good as the branding. I have a few problems with the design. First, the edges of the case are sharp. I felt like that if the case slipped off my hand, I would get a paper cut (or in this case, a case cut). I felt like the edges would scratch the iPad when putting it in. The part of the case that holds the iPad is made out of cheap plastic. If you try to bend it without the iPad in it, it will bend. In fact, it will bend to what looks like a 45 degree angle, especially the corners. How do you think this case will hold up and protect the iPad during a fall for which we buy cases in the first place? My guess is not very well. The shock of the fall will go right through to the iPad and damage the iPad.
Function:
In terms of the function of the case, I am very disappointed. As I stated before, the case would do nothing to protect the iPad. I know that it is a folio case and folio cases generally aren’t very protective, however at least other similar cases provide some protection (in fact, I’ve come across some that can protect it very well). This case doesn’t provide no protection because it’s a folio case, it doesn’t provide protection because the material is cheap and not made well. As well as providing little protection for the iPad in places it does cover, there is too much space not being covered at all! The speaker grill is out in the open, which by the way is on the corner and corners are usually very easy to clip on something (like hitting the side accidentally on the table). Also, going along the same idea, the dock connector, while more protected than the speaker grill, is still out in the open. The dock connector is not a part you want to mess with. In addition with the same idea, whenever I close the lid, it doesn’t quite reach the other side, so the whole right side edge of the iPad is exposed a little bit. This part of the problem could be in the Form part instead of the Function part, but I decided to include it here since the function of the top part of the case is to cover the top and it doesn’t quite do that. The cover also opens with just a little shaking so it doesn’t stay closed very easily. However, despite the fact that the case doesn’t serve it’s main purpose (to protect the iPad), if one wants a case that, while provides little protection, is light and thin, this may work for you. However, there is one thing. There are other cases that can be lightweight and thin and still provide the protection you need.
To conclude
Pros
-Great looking brand
-Light and thin
-Protects against everyday wear and tear
Cons
-Doesn’t protect the iPad from a fall
-Some areas left unprotected
-Could scratch the iPad since edges are sharp (or it could cut you, even when the iPad is in the case)
-Cover opens very easily, so should you unknowingly bump into it, or should it open without you knowing, the battery will drain
The Lioncase NYHK case, while delivers in providing you with a light and thin case with a good looking brand, doesn’t deliver on a case’s primary purpose, to protect your device in a fall. The case lacks good enough materials to protect the iPad from anything more than scratches and everyday wear and tear. The front part doesn’t cover the entire front and parts of the iPad are left unprotected. The cover can easily open, allowing for the battery to drain. I am not sure if I just received a sharp case, or if all of them are like that, but I won’t be using the case anymore out of fear I might give myself a “case cut”. Who knows? It might be worse than being cut by office paper. I hope that lioncase can take something from their lackluster of a case and turn it into a great case because, as it is now, that is not what it is. They told me that they are trying to open their business to overseas (which would be us). I say to them, improve your case, then expand. Of course, this isn’t their only case so they may have others that will protect the iPad better. Unfortunately, this lackluster case receives 2 stars. It’s thin, lightweight profile along with the cool brand saved it from a 1 star but there are certainly other cases with the same lightweight profile that can protect it a lot better. Again, I hope lioncase can learn something from this and improve, because improvement is what this case needs.
The RooCase Origami Dual-View Leather Folio for iPad mini is exactly what it’s name implies. It is a case for the iPad mini and a nice one at that. The case is only $9.90 at Amazon. Let’s see if this cheap in price case is cheap in quality or not.
This case actually is very nice on the aesthetic side. The case is pretty solid. The front cover folds into different origami styles for different ways to stand the case. I really like this feature as it adds more possibilities for stands than the standard bifold or trifold cases have. The case is made in five colors, all leather. It is made in black, red, green, purple and pink all of which seem like great colors. The case is pretty solid in terms of structure and it is made well. There is definitely well-done craftsmanship on this case. The case allows for easy access to all the ports. The camera, also, is not blocked. In addition, there is a small flap that is on the case that you can put your stylus on. This definitely comes in handy for people who keep a stylus for their iPad with them. The quality of this case reminds me of the iPad cases that Snugg sells. Aesthetically, it’s one of the better cases I have reviewed.
I am not usually a fan of folio cases. They have been too thin to provide any protection for my iPad. This case is an exception to that rule. Despite it being light, this case is very protective. It is hard cased enough to protect your device while still keeping it light. Another thing I like about the case is the unique origami stand. The stand allows for 4-5 different viewing angles, handy for typing or watching. Of course, the best angle is to hold the iPad yourself and the case makes it quite comfortable to hold. In addition, I appreciate the slot for a stylus as I do use one sometimes. I feel as though this case is a great value for the money.
