Follow-up: Dressing up in the correct MiniSuit for the new iPad

On March 29, I wrote about a case for the new iPad from MiniSuit. While I was impressed with its looks, protection and features, there was just one problem – it wasn’t actually the case I’d ordered.

What I wanted was the MiniSuit Microfiber Leather Multi-Angle Slim Jacket Case Cover. What I got instead was Black Leather Case Accessory Cover Stand For Apple iPad 2, which also happened to fit the new iPad. (Memo to MiniSuit: Your case designs are great. The names of your cases, however, are awful.) I’d ordered the newer case from Amazon.com, but apparently it wasn’t actually ready to ship yet, and MiniSuit dispatched the wrong one.

The correct case arrived Friday, and I used it all weekend. Now that I’ve got what I really ordered, I’m very happy. I’ve been working on a case roundup that will run in my print column on Tuesday, and this remains the best of the bunch.

As I indicated in the previous review, I wanted something that would provide the magnetic sleep/wake feature of Apple’s Smart Cover, but I also wanted something that would protect the back of the new iPad. The ideal case would not add much to the weight and thinness of the tablet, and this new MiniSuit product fits the bill.

The previous case had a solid back and uses the tri-fold feature of the cover to stand the tablet upright, similar to the Smart Cover. The new MiniSuit case instead has a jointed back, the bottom half of which splits to let you prop the iPad at multiple viewing angles using the grooves in the tri-fold cover.

upright

The cover folds into a triangle to provide a good angle for typing.

typingposition

There are two downsides to this case, but one of them actually has a benefit.

Unlike the older MiniSuit case and Apple’s Smart Cover, the tablet won’t stand upright using the pyramid configuration of the cover. In addition, the cover doesn’t lay flat against the back of the case – the cover sticks out slightly at one of the tri-fold joints. But this gives you one more typing angle, and actually makes the tablet a little easier to hold.

coverbump

The materials appear to be high quality. The cover and part of the back is made of leather, and the interior has a microfiber padding. The plastic back is sturdy and fits snugly.

As I wrote about the older case, this is an excellent bargain – but not as good a deal as when I first ordered. It had been selling for $20 on Amazon, but the price has gone up to $23.  Still, compare that to the cost of a leather Apple Smart cover ($69) and a third-party add-on to protect the back ($24-$30).

And I can certainly vouch for the customer service from MiniSuit. When I realized I had the wrong case, I contacted the company by email and heard back promptly. They kept me apprised of the situation and shipped the newer case as soon as it was in stock.