Enigma for iPad mini

The Enigma is a flexi-folding folio case for the iPad mini. The flexi-folding aspect is almost an origami like design where you bend the front cover back and fold the cover so that you can stand the iPad up. You can prop up the iPad in both portrait and landscape positions. The Enigma comes in 3 colors for you to choose from: black, blue, and pink.



The Enigma is crafted of 3 different materials: the back is a hard plastic, the front is a rubber, and the inside is a microfiber material. The Enigma will offer almost total protection of your iPad from scratches. The top of the iPad mini will still remain exposed though as the entire section of the Enigma is one giant cutout versus a cutout for each individual button/hole.

The front cover of the Enigma is pretty awesome with the exception of one small detail. It does not include the magnets that will wake/sleep your iPad mini. That is my only negative about the case, I really wish Cygnett would have included that feature when they launched the product. Even though it is a negative it is not a deal breaker. I would still highly recommend the Enigma to anyone with an iPad mini who is looking for simple protection of their device. The Enigma will not offer much protection from drops, it is more designed to protect your iPad from scratches and bruises.

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Getting the iPad mini into the Enigma is really easy, the mini just snaps into place in the 4 corners of the case. Once it is snapped into the 4 corners it feels really sturdy while in the Enigma. I never once have felt like the iPad mini will slide out of the case, it is designed well and will do a great job of protecting my iPad mini.

All of the buttons and ports line up perfectly, as I mentioned above the top of the Enigma is one giant cutout, same with the bottom of the Enigma. The speakers and lighting connector port have one cutout for both holes on the bottom of the iPad mini. The volume rockers and mute/lock switch are the same, one cutout for all three buttons. The camera hole on the back of the Enigma is a perfect cutout and leaves enough space around the camera so when you take a picture you do not get any interference with the case itself.

The Enigma does not any bulk or much extra weight to the iPad mini. The Enigma for the most part is a super thin, light weight way to protect your iPad from the rigors of daily usage.

The Enigma retails for $39.99 and can be purchased directly from Cygnett.

Check out my other Cygnett iPad mini reviews:

Workmate by Cygnett
FlexiGel by Cygnett


Problems viewing the video review? Check out the video on my YouTube channel.

Video review of Workmate from Cygnett

This is the video review of the Cygnett Workmate for the iPad mini. I had a problem with my Blip.tv account yesterday and couldn't upload it with the written review. Be sure to check out all my other Cygnett case reviews for not only the iPad mini but also the big iPad.

Cygnett Workmate for iPad mini

The Cygnett Workmate is a dual shock-absorbing case that will give your iPad mini double the protection. The Workmate is constructed of 2 different materials, a harder plastic and a soft rubber that offers the most protection from any accidental drops and dings that your iPad mini might incur. The workmate is impact resistance and also features raised edges so that when you lay your iPad mini face down the screen of your iPad mini is raised off of the surface you have it laying on.

The Workmate only offers rear and side protection but coupled with a nice clear screen protector your iPad mini will be in good hands. Maybe bad hands if you actually drop it! Don't drop it. But if you are unsure if the Workmate is up to the task for any accidental drops then check out this video that Cygnett recorded showing the iPad mini surviving a drop test.



The Workmate easily slides over your iPad mini and "snaps" into place with ease. Putting the Workmate on the mini is very simple and removing it is just as simple! All the ports and buttons will line-up nicely and I had no problem whatsoever accessing any of the buttons such as the volume rocker or any of the ports such as the Lighting connector on the bottom of the iPad mini. The speaker grills have a nice cut-out that line up perfectly with the speakers built-in to the iPad mini.

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The Workmate does add some slight bulk to the mini but that should be expected as this type of case is built for ultimate damage control. It does not really add much extra weight to the iPad mini though, just a tad bit of thickness. Overall I don't think you will notice the thickness that is added to the iPad mini. It will also add some extra grip to the iPad mini, as with most iThings, they are always slippery feeling but with the Workmate on your iPad mini you will have an extra added grip on your device.

PROS:

• Offers double protection


• Adds grip to the iPad mini


• Dual-shock absorbent


• Easy to slide on and remove


• Impact Resistance

CONS:

• Slight thickness added to iPad mini


• No front screen protection

Overall this is another fine product from Cygnett, I highly recommend the Workmate as I feel it will probably do the best job of protecting your iPad mini from most accidental drops. As with all the Cygnett iPad products I have reviewed this comes with a lifetime manufactures guarantee as well as a 2 year warranty.

You can purchase the Workmate from Cygnett for only $39.99

Be sure to check out my review of the Cygnet FlexiGel iPad mini case.

iPad mini DROP TEST + WorkMate

In a world-first, Cygnett's Industrial Designer, Shannon Brown, has drop-tested the iPad mini with and without the WorkMate shock-absorbing case.

The heavy-duty WorkMate comprises a two-part construction- a silicone, spark-etched chassis, with interior ridges to disperse point of impact shocks and proud non-slip 'feet'; and a strong polycarbonate shell, with a rubberised coating for an easy-grip, matte finish.

For more info, please visit http://www.cygnett.com/project_workmate

Cygnett Alumni for iPad

The Alumni is another terrific iPad case from Cygnett, Total iPad's favorite iPad accessory maker. The Alumni retails for only $29.99 and features 4 beautiful colors: Blue, Green, Black and Pink. The Alumni is made of a canvas fabric and will help protect your iPad from dings and scratches.

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The Alumni has built-in magnets that will allow your iPad to take advantage of the sleep/wake function. The magnets will also double as a way to keep the Alumni front cover securely closed when the iPad is not in use. I did not have to add any additional magnets to the Alumni like I did with the Glam Rock, the Alumni is ready to go out of the box. The sleep/wake function works flawlessly with the Alumni.

The iPad fits nicely into the Alumni and I was able to access the buttons and ports while my iPad was in the Alumni case. The 30-pin connector is easily accessible to plug your USB cable into, I could not use my dock though while my iPad was in the Alumni but that should be expected. The earbud jack was also easily accessible when plugging my headphones into the iPad while in the Alumni case. I also had no problems using the volume buttons and mute/rotate switch on the side of the iPad. The rear of the Alumni has a tiny opening cut out so I could use my rear facing camera on my iPad if I needed too.

Overall the Alumni is a stylish iPad case that seems to be geared at the younger audience. It has an inside pocket that would be a nice place to store notes for class. Factor in the bright colors of the Alumni and this just screams high school. That is not a bad thing and is only my opinion. I would easily recommend the Alumni to anyone looking for a stylish iPad case that not only looks good but also protects your iPad from bumps and bruises. Factor in the price tag of only $29.99, you would have to be insane to not consider the Alumni. Check out my video demo below for a more detailed review of the Alumni by Cygnett.

Pros:
Magnetic closure
Nice canvas fabric outside
Protect iPad screen from scratches

Cons:
No way to stand up the iPad

For more information about the Alumni case from Cygnett, please visit their website.
Check out the other terrific Cygnett iPad accessories.

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Also See my other Cyngett Reviews:
Cygnett Glam Rock Review
Cygnett Aerosphere Review

Glam Rock Folio by Cygnett

The Glam Rock folio case is another terrifically designed iPad accessory from Cygnett. The Glam features a beautiful shiny, high gloss patent leather outside with a soft black felt-like inside. The Glam is designed to be used with the iPad 2 and ‘the new’ iPad or iPad ‘3’ as many including myself refer to it.

Slide your iPad into the Glam and secure it in place with the velcro flap that will keep your iPad securely inside the case and keep it from sliding out. The Glam features a magnetic closure so the cover will put your iPad to sleep when you close the front cover or wake your iPad when you lift the front flap. The magnetic closure is iPad 2 ready, for the iPad ‘3’ you will have to install an additional magnet. It does not take much effort, basically you just remove adhesive tape from the back of the magnet and place it in a designated spot on the inside front door of the folio. I assume this was because the case was designed for the iPad 2 and when the iPad ‘3’ was released Apple added additional magnets in the iPad ‘3’. I have tested the case with my iPad 3 and it did not cause me any problems and worked fine for me.

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Need to use your iPad when it is in the folio? No problem, the Glam features 3 different multi-view angles so you can prop up your iPad when you want to watch a movie or lower it when you are reading a book. When I had my iPad propped-up it did not feel flimsy when touching the iPad, it felt very sturdy unlike when I stand-up my iPad using the Smart Cover. You can also lay your iPad flat when you need to type on it which really helps because it raises the iPad about an inch from the surface making it easier to type. This gives the iPad a more natural ‘keyboard like feel’ when typing on the soft keys of the iPad.

The iPad fits nicely in the Glam Rock and does not add much weight to the iPad although it does make the iPad a tad bit thicker to carry. It is not bulky just thicker but that should be expected since it is a folio case. When the iPad is in the folio case you are still able to access all the ports and buttons on the iPad. The 30-pin connector is still easily accessible to plug your USB cable into. I was also able to easily connect my Camera Connection Kit into my iPad while it was in the Glam. I could not use my dock though, but the iPad slides easily enough in and out of the case so if I needed to dock my iPad that I did not consider it a hassle. The earbud jack was also easily accessible when plugging my headphones into the iPad while in the case. I also had no problems using the volume buttons and mute/rotate switch on the side of the iPad.

Pros:

Shiny metallic finish
Multi-View angles
Magnetic closure
Very sturdy

Cons:

Not having the magnet pre-installed for iPad 3

Final Thoughts:

Overall this is a nicely designed iPad folio case and if you are looking for a case to make a fashion statement then you should consider the Cygnett Glam Rock Folio. The metallic patent leather finish looks great and the single stitch seam running along the outside of the case adds to the overall appeal. The case is designed very well so it will keep your iPad safe from scratches and probably most drops as well. My iPad feels very well padded while in the Glam Rock. I consider the multi-view angles to be an extremely huge plus, especially when watching videos on my iPad.

The Glam Rock Folio by Cygnett retails for only $59.99. When you are ready to purchase the Glam Rock you can head over to cygnett.com or follow this link to their website.

Be sure to check out Cygnett’s other terrific accessories.

Cygnett Website.
You can follow Cygnett of Twitter.
Like Cygnett of Facebook.
View their demo videos on YouTube.

Out of Print eBook Jackets for iPad

Here is an awesome new idea for an iPad case made out of out of print books, currently this is a Kickstarter project but an awesome idea and one that I will be supporting.

Our cases are made just like books using the real thing: book board and book cloth, assembled by hand at the oldest bookbinder in the country. The cradles are made of a protective rubber with 30% recycled materials. The finished cases are 100% made in the U.S. The book cloth is treated to improve durability.

To get an actual iPad case you need to pledge an minimum of $45. The project goal was $15,000 but has already surpassed that goal and it currently stands at $22,000+ raised for the project.

You can bid here: http://j.mp/T0K2kA

papernomad (review)

For the past week I have been using an iPad case from a company called papernomad™¹. What first attracted me to the product wasn't the aesthetics of the case itself, but the environmentally sensitive design. Most people do not think of damage to the environment when buying things like a case for an iPad or an iPhone, so it is up to the manufacturer to step up and do this thinking for us. This is exactly what papernomad™ has done. A lot of cases are made out of plastic which causes a lot of damage to our environment, but papernomad™ is crafted from 100% natural resources.

papernomad™ was also a 2012 REDDOT DESIGN AWARD winner.

The Material

The case uses what is called Virgin Kraft Paper for the outside of the case, the inside of the case uses sheep's wool and the strap is made from hemp fibers. I know what you are thinking, how can a paper case protect my $829² iPad? A couple of things about the material of the case; the Kraft paper is tear-resistant, it is even somewhat water proof, if you spill something on the case it will not be damaged. Just let it dry and after a few hours you will never know that anything ever spilled on your papernomad™ case. Unless , of course, it is coffee. You might have some staining issues then, but you get the point.

The strap of the case has a very small magnet inside and when it touches the front of the case which also has a very small magnet it will snap to it to keep your iPad secure in place and keep it from sliding out. The strap also doubles as a way to remove the iPad from the case, when you tug up on the strap it pulls the iPad up out of the case. Similar to those straps on electronic devices that allow you to remove the batteries from the device.

The Design

If you are an artist or love to doodle you can draw or color on the case, after all it is paper. If you check the papernomad™ website you will see some beautiful animations of cases that have been graffitied with some inspiring artful drawings and stickers. When I showed my daughter the case, then the website, after about 30 seconds she asked if she could color my review case. I guess not only will the papernomad™ case protect your iPad but it could also be considered fun for the whole family, as well as a 'green' product.

The Quality

I am very impressed with the quality of the case, the design of it is amazing. When toting my iPad around in the papernomad™ I felt a bit of nostalgia. It reminded me of my high school years, using paper covers on my text books. I guess just the feel of the case brought that out. I did stretch my papernomad™ case by trying to use it on my iPad 1³ then swapping to my iPad 2 and 'new' iPad (3rd Generation). Even after it being stretched out a bit I never felt my 3rd generation iPad was going to slide out when walking with my iPad tucked into the papernomad™ case. The magnets are not that strong but they still do the job. I feel very confident using this case as my everyday case to protect my iPad.

The Comfort

The papernomad™ case does not add any bulk to carrying the iPad at all. It still feels just as thin as carrying just the iPad, of course it is a little thicker but you will not noticed it in your hands when walking around with your iPad in the case. The case does not have any slots for any of the ports on the iPad but if you insert your iPad into the case with the headphone jack facing up you will not have any problems keeping it in the case and using your earbuds or headphones. I have a pair of SMS Audio Hybrid Headphones and I never experienced any issues using the headphones in either mode (wired or wireless with adapter) while it was in the papernomad™ case.

Pros:

• 100% Natural Product


• Environmentally conscience product


• Sleek design


• Different


• Protects the iPad


• Well Designed


• Artistic

Cons:

• Magnet is not that strong


• If you use it with an iPad 1 it will stretch the case and make it loose fitting for the iPad 2 or new iPad

Final Verdict:

If you are wanting something environmentally conscience that will do a terrific job of protecting your investment then grab a papernomad™ case for not only your iPad but also your Macbook Pro, Macbook Air, iPhone and iPod. They make cases for the entire Apple lineup of portable devices. I can't write enough about how impressed I am with this case. I have tried plenty of cases for my iPads over that last 2 1/2 years and this is probably the first case that I will actually stick with. This is nothing more than a case, but a damn fine one at that!

You can find out more about papernomad™ on these terrific websites:
papernomad Website
papernomad Story
Like the papernomad on Facebook
Watch the  papernomad videos on YouTube
Follow papernomad on Twitter

Disclaimer: I contacted the company and asked for a review product, I was not paid for this review. I found it to be something I was interested in and wanted to review it for myself.

¹ That is how the company spells papernomad, with a lowercase 'p' and all one word.
² I have a 64GB, LTE iPad (3). iPads start at $499 for the current model.
³ The case is designed for all 3 generation iPads.

** Quick note, the papernomad case is designed for all 3 generations of iPad. In the video I mentioned it was only iPad 2 and iPad (3rd generation).

Check out my gallery of the papernomad™ case. (Click to Enlarge)

papernomad