Acme Made Orikata And InfiniteAngle iPad 2 Case/Stands – The ‘Book Mystique Review
In the six months since I bought my iPad 2, I’ve tried out a variety of cases and stands, but find that the one I’ve settled on using the most at this point is the Acme Made Orikata. I say “the one,” because the Orikata is both an iPad case and iPad stand in one handy hybrid product that works quite well in both roles without adding much bulk or weight. Consequently, my iPad spends most of its time in the Orikata’s snug, protective compartment, whether I’m working on a project like this review, or just doing some casual Web surfing or information gathering.
With many MacPrices.net readers or their loved ones (the iPad 2 is reportedly the most-requested “toy” of Christmas 2011, presumably by kids of all ages) likely to find iPad 2s under the Christmas tree on Sunday, I thought a review of the Orikata and its companion product, the Acme Made InfiniteAngle case would make an ideal topic for this week’s The ‘Book Mystique.
The two products share many similarities, and which one will appeal most will depend on the individual user’s needs, tastes, and perhaps budget, since the standard polyurethane Orikata is $10 cheaper than the InfiniteAngle.
Both cases are black portfolios that open book-style, and cradle the iPad in open-faced compartments that hold the computer securely but allow unimpeded access to its touchscreen, controls, cameras and ports, making the case “dockable,” so the iPad never needs to leave the case for functional reasons.
Both cases are lined with a velvet-like microfiber material that’s easy on the iPad’s finish and skin, but the Orikata is available in both polyurethane faux leather or the real thing — about which more in a moment.
To say that these Acme Made cases provide a snug fit for the iPad 2, is a bit of an understatement. It fits like the proverbial glove. That would be the kind of glove you have to pull sequentially the respective finger sheaths in order to remove it from your hand.
It takes a good energetic shove to insert my iPad into the Orikata’s device compartment, and folding under the flap of either polyurethane or leather that secures it in place isn’t the most graceful process either. However, the payoff is that once in situ it fits nicely, and there’s absolutely no worry about the iPad accidentally falling out!
The biggest difference between the two case form factors is in the way the respective stand modes work. The InfiniteAngle has a very simple arrangement facilitated by an infinitely adjustable closure strap (hence the name) which works great, especially portrait mode viewing.
The Orikata, on the other hand, is designed to support “literally” the iPad in both landscape and portrait orientations, so your personal preference between these two case designs may depend largely on what your viewing mode preference is.
Instead of an adjustable closure strap, the Orikata uses an “origami” inspired system of folding panels incorporated in its front closure panel, combined with open diagonal gussets on the outside of the back panel. Orikata’s folding elements reconfigure quickly, providing a remarkably stable stand for either upright viewing or keyboarding respectively.
It sounds more complicated than it actually is, and morphing the Orikata into stand mode should prove pretty intuitive for most folks, which is good, because there’s no documentation provided beyond the photographs on the box.
Choosing between the Orikata or the InfiniteAngle, as noted, mainly comes down to how much you like to use or view your iPad in portrait mode, although either will work well as a near-horizontal typing platform, and it should be noted that in that mode the Orikata looks much neater and more integrated, especially in landscape mode, and takes up only about half the table or desktop space that its stablemate requires.
I’m not as smitten with the Orikata’s lack of a positive closure. I like the InfiniteAngle’s magnetic clasp strap in that context better, but in the Orikata’s favor is its’ cleaner, sleeker, less busy look On the other hand, the folding sections of the Orikata’s front panel are a bit more flopsy than I would prefer when carrying the unit, but it’s not a big deal.
If you decide on the Orikata, you’ll still have to choose between the standard polyurethane ersatz “leather” model and the otherwise nearly identical real cowhide variant. Again, cost will likely influence your decision somewhat. In this instance, the real leather version will set you back 30 bucks more at $79.95 as opposed to the polyurethane unit’s $49.95.
My advice? If you can fit it into your budget, definitely go for the Orikata Leather, which kicks this case design up several notches in cachet, appearance’ and feel. That’s not to say the basic model doesn’t have its virtues. Some users may prefer the look of the polyurethane model’s contrasting red stitching, and the synthetic skin has both a softer feel and higher traction making it easier to hold on to. Functionally, either one will do a fine job of protecting and supporting your iPad 2. Nevertheless, no synthetic material matches the sumptuous tactile and aesthetic satisfaction of real leather, and the Orikata Leather will look classy and tasteful in any environment, nicely complimenting the iPad 2’s premium standard of finish and understated refinement.
I’m giving the standard polyurethane Orikata a 4 out of 5 rating, and the Orikata Leather 5 out of 5.
The Orikata is available now for $49.99 and the Orikata Leather $79.99 through:
http://www.acmemade.com
See the Orikata up-close and personal with a new product video posted on the Acme Made YouTube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/AcmeMadeDesigns
Acme Made InfiniteAngle Case/Stand
Like its sister product the Orikata, Acme Made’s InfiniteAngle Case For iPad 2 is a mini portfolio-type case that doubles as a stand. When closed or open book-style, the InfiniteAngle is a compact and trim enclosure that protects the iPad from thumps and bumps and abrasion, while still allowing unimpeded access to its touchscreen and controls as well as its camera lens ports and the sound apertures for its microphone and speaker.
However, a simple tug on its nylon web closure “Smart Strap” instantly converts the InfiniteAngle to a simple iPad stand that can hold the iPad in landscape mode at an infinite (hence the name) range of angles from shallow for typing on its virtual keyboard, to near vertical for use with an external keyboard or hands-free viewing. Slick.
In terms of protection, the InfiniteAngle cradles the iPad in an open-faced pocket made of the same fairly convincing polyurethane faux leather that forms the case’s outer skin as well. The inside of the case’s closure panel and the back surface of its iPad compartment are lined with a soft velvety-like material which will be gentle on the iPad’s finish.
Like the Orikata case described above, the InfiniteAngle case provides a snug, secure fit for the iPad 2.
And as I’ve come to expect with Acme Made products, the InfiniteAngle’s standard of finish is high, with, for example, neat, tight stitching around the border of the screen aperture and the outer periphery of the case. A practical consideration is that the polyurethane skin of this case is easier to hold onto then the sometimes slippery iPad. Acme Made says the InifniteAngle is made from “vegan-friendly materials,” if that’s important to you.
The iPad’s touchscreen remains fully accessible, and the Home button on/off switch, volume control, and so forth likewise. For carriage, the closure strap secures with a handy magnetic closure, although I think the magnet could ideally be a little more aggressive.
That and the tussle with inserting the iPad (a mild inconvenience rather than a fault), plus the price being a little on the steep side, are about the only criticisms I have, and I suppose that the most sincere compliment I can give this case is that it’s a product I could see myself continuing to use, if not for the fact that I like the Orikata case even better. I’m giving the InfiniteAngle case/stand a 4 out of 5 rating.
The InfiniteAngle sells for $59.99 and is available through:
http://www.acmemade.com
See the InfiniteAngle in action with a new product video posted on the Acme Made YouTube channel:
http://www.youtube.com/user/AcmeMadeDesigns
And a Merry Christmas to all!
