This is not the first time we have had the opportunity to look at one of the gorgeous leather cases offered by Aranez. We reviewed their Kangaroo Leather case for the iPad 2 (read it here) along with as their great-looking Mirage case for the iPhone 4 (read it here). We’ve always been impressed with their design, commitment to creating products that look good and work well, and their overall approach as they vie for market-share in the ever-more crowded world of iOS cases and accessories. This time out is no exception. Their new Aranez Swivel New iPad 3 Leather Case looks good, is solidly built and it adds a neat level of functionality that may be just what you have wanted in a case for your brand new iPad.
Here’s a look.
From Aranez:
Presenting the Aranez Swivel New iPad 3 Leather Case. The key feature of the Aranez Swivel New iPad 3 Leather Case is the swivel design which allows you to rotate the New iPad so it can be positioned either in portrait or landscape mode. This design combined with luxurious high-grade cow leather makes a highly stylish and functional case.
The Aranez Swivel New iPad 3 Leather Case features distinctive silver stitching, smart magnetic power-on and off strip as well as ensuring all charge and audio ports are accessible with the case on.
The Swivel Aranez New iPad 3 Leather Case is the perfect accessory for lovers of technology and leather and especially those like to use their New iPad to view photos and watch movies.
Specs:
Slimline stylish design
Silver stitching that differentiates from the rest
Access to all buttons and charge ports
Guarantee of Quality with each case
Crafted from luxurious high-grade cow leather
Elastic heavy duty garter strap and also magnetic smart on/off strip
Holds the iPad 3 securely in place
Protects the iPad 3 from bumps and scratches
1 Year Limited Warranty
This case is also compatible with the iPad 2.
This is a rather unusual case that combines quality leather, a hard plastic shall that grabs the iPad and holds on tightly and a level of functionality that helps turn the iPad, once referred to as a “media consumption device” into a true work-horse tablet. We’ll get to that shortly.
I like the approach Aranez took when designing the means by which this case would hold the iPad. Rather than using a leather frame that surrounds the screen, but can get in the way, or side clips like the ones used on the Kangaroo leather case for the iPad 2 (they offer the same case for the new iPad as well), the company decided to go with a back shell that grabs the device around the edges and all but disappears from view into the two are connected. I was impressed with how securely this system holds the iPad and really appreciated the fact that the case disappears from view when looked at straight on.
Flipping the case over once the iPad in inside gives you a first look at what makes this case different. Sure, there is a layer of leather sitting on top of half of the plastic shell but there is a reason for that and, as we will see momentarily, it adds functionality that provides a level of flexibility that is lacking in many other cases.
From the bottom you can see that the extra layer of material does not mean the case is a thick brick — far from it in fact — and the iPad is nicely sandwiched between two layers of protection. I also appreciate the elastic strap which helps keep the case closed when the iPad is not in use. It is a simple but highly effective design element that doesn’t seem to get in the way, but does its specific job quite well.
As you can see, the back shell is designed to protect as much of the iPad as possible which still allowing complete access to all the ports and controls.
In order to keep the lines of the case as clean as possible, they left the entire top potion of the iPad exposed. In the past I have been critical of this choice since it leaves more of the iPad’s metal case exposed to scratches but I do understand the approach and, thanks to the overall design of the case, am not overly worried about damage.
One additional look at the case, the iPad and the cutouts. Everything is precise and quite refined. That is something I have come to expect from the company.
This IS a case/stand and a rather good one at that. The iPad remains in the plastic shell portion of the case and the leather that is connected to the back acts as a hinge of sorts. This allows the bottom of the iPad to come forward and, in turn, is held in place by the subtle ridges in the inside area of the cover. There are three different angles at which the iPad can be held and all work quite well.
But here is the thing –there are certain tasks that are best done with the iPad in portrait, BUT there are other tasks that are better accomplished when the iPad is held in landscape and there is more side-to-side real estate. The case covers that too.
Yes, the unusual connection at the back allows the iPad to rotate from portrait to landscape and back again. The tablet is held just as securely when used either way and…
You also get the benefit of the three different angles.
Here it is from the side.
It is not, however, perfect. First, while the design does add some excellent flexibility, it is also adds some thickness to the iPad. I’m in the midst of a true “minimalist case” period for both my iPhone and iPad (I actually carry my iPhone sans case most of the time right now) and this case, while adding functionality without TOO much added thickness, doesn’t fall into that category. Second, I don’t love cases that have a vanity window. I know I am using an iPad and, quite frankly, I don’t need others to know it too. The Apple logo is not all that interesting or artistic, and having it show through the case adds nothing while leaving that area exposed. I don’t love that. and I don’t love the fact that the logo is a bit off-center. It is just a personal peeve of mine but, since I’m raving about other aspects of the cas,e I felt the need to make that clear as well.
The Aranez Swivel New iPad 3 Leather Case is a great choice if you want a leather case that is functional, lets you work the way you want to and offers the luxury of leather but the back protection of a plastic shell. It is a great case, although not a perfect one, and at under $80 is worth consideration if you are in the market for a way to both protect and work with your new iPad.
You can check it out on the Aranez website.
MSRP: $79.95
What I Like: Well-made; Leather cover, hard plastic shell backing; Three viewing positions; Works in both landscape and portrait; Branding is small and unobtrusive
What Needs Improvement: Design yields a slightly thicker case than I prefer; Apple vanity window
This is nearly an exact copy of the Targus Versavu case that I’ve had on my iPad 2 since I’ve owned it, which was a week after the iPad 2 was released. I think the Targus case is more a a blueish gray interior, but the cutouts are identical, as is pretty much everything else. The other moderate difference is on the back where the “hinge” is on this case is a bit rectangular whereas the Targus case is round. The Targus case is also less expensive.
I know that it can be hard to differentiate yourself with cases, since their essential function is largely the same, but I have to say that this is just an out and out copy. As this case is being labeled as “new” and I know I’ve had my Targus case for at least a year, I’m assuming that this case is a copy of the Targus case and not the other way around. You kind of expect this from a knockoff company, but I guess I don’t expect it at this level. Just my .02 for whatever that’s worth.
Huh. I have a very cheap case I am reviewing right now that also uses the same design (but it’s not real leather). Look for it later this week.
I guess this is a common reference design…
I suppose it is. Like I said, a truly original design for cases can be hard to come up with. I don’t know who created the design in the first place. I just know how long I’ve had my Targus case, and so I’m assuming that they are the originators of the design.
But, I’m not sure that I like knockoffs, or nearly perfect copies of a design, in cases any more than I liked it when a European company decided to completely copy the designs of ScottEVest products and make only minor design changes and then market them as “original” designs with no credit to the original designers who invested in the product research and creation for someone else to then copy and try to make money off of.
Does the fact that it’s “just a case” make it better than the design of a shirt? I can remember people here at GD feeling upset that Scott’s designs were being copied and sold by another company. Or are we just so used to “me too” designs in cases that it doesn’t matter?
If Targus (assuming that it was their design) doesn’t care, then I don’t care either. Perhaps they know that it’s an uphill battle to fight anyone who copies their designs so they don’t bother, which gives an at least implied consent to copy their designs.
Personally, I’d like to know what Aranez says about their design creation and how it is so close to Targus. Heck, maybe Aranez had the design first, and Targus copied theirs. Stranger things have happened.
Thanks for your comments. Firstly, Targus did not invent the swivel design and in fact we hadn’t heard of or seen this Targus case that you speak of before going into production. We’ve toyed with the idea of a swivel and created our case with high-quality cow leather and unique silver stitching and finish. All our cases are designed from scratch and some may incorporate features that may be similar to other cases. If you see our range you’ll see the difference in our final products.
Thank you for your response. I have to say that unfortunately, I do not find your explanation that Targus did not create the swivel design to be less than credible. If you review their website, it clearly indicates that they have a patent pending on the swivel design. (Photo attached)
In addition, I also do not believe that it would be possible for your company to have never heard of or have seen a VersaVu case prior to development or production of your design, since every element is nearly an exact copy of the Targus design, from the contrasting stitch color (Blue for Targus) to the swivel, to the width of the elastic band and the placement of the logo as well as the placement and style of the cutouts.
I would find that it would be nearly impossible that a nearly exact duplicate could have been “accidentally” created. I think it is quite clear that your design is a copy of the Targus VersaVu product, and up to this point, you have not offered any evidence to the contrary.
Can you support your claim that Targus did not invent the swivel design they applied for a patent on?
Can you also point out for me the specific differences you find in your design versus the Targus design, and then also explain the overwhelming number of similarities?
very nice ipad 3 case, do you know if you can personalize it? I’m looking at a Joe V. Leather iPad Leather Case and you can personalized it for free, but I’m also falling for this case.
Please confirn that this case correctly operates the magnet on off function on iPad3?
I understand that Targus is not working
Looks nice, but DO NOT BUY! I’ve had my case for less than a year, and it no longer holds my iPad 3 securely. I am overly cautious now, and terrified my iPad will just fall out if I don’t have the strap secured around the cover when not in use, and when my iPad is in use, I have to maintain constant pressure to hold it in the case (or it slips out). Additionally, the leather on the left back cover has pulled away from the edge, and the auto on/off doesn’t work properly (never has; turns on and off at will). There are other issues I won’t even mention here. I have contacted Aranez AND sent photos, and the response was to accuse me of dropping my iPad and the case, as apparently evidenced by the photos of not only the case, but the iPad itself, which doesn’t have a scratch on it! The response makes absolutely NO SENSE. To add insult to injury, Aranez’s offer was to have me purchase a new case at half price! They should replace the case for free! I cannot recommend this company — buyer beware, because they don’t stand behind their products. Instead, they only provide accusations of supposed damage.