When I bought my iPad, I also bought the Apple iPad Case, mainly because I knew I needed a case and at the time it was pretty much the only one that was available. Now we have lots of choices with new cases coming out every day. The Apple iPad Case frustrates me because you can't leave it on the iPad and put the iPad in Apple's own iPad Dock/Keyboard Dock (unless you're willing to cut the case). It's also not easy to the get the iPad in and out of the Apple case. So I immediately began looking for alternative cases. I have three cases now and the Macally BookStand is my goto iPad case when I want a thin case that's easy to get the iPad in and out of. Since I haven't found a case yet that allows docking and sleeves don't usually allow you to stand the iPad up for video watching, the Macally BookStand is a very nice compromise.
It's very easy to put the iPad into this case. You simply snap it in to the four corner holders. All of the ports and controls are exposed so there is n't much protection on three of the sides. There is a nice suede feel to the outer case and a nice leather strap that folds over. The case can be used either so it opens to the left or to the right, which makes it nice for left or right handed people. Flip the cover over and around, insert the strap and you've got a nice easel like stand. If you want to use the iPad in a Dock, just pop it out of the case in about 3 seconds. That's pretty much it! It works and it works well. I took it with me on a recent trip because I was low on space and like the Apple case this one is very thin.
You can get the Macally BookStand here for $37 ($49.99 List Price)
Macally BookStand
Macally BookStand case for iPad
- Macally
- Get on App Store
- $37.00
All info was collected on 6th August, 2010 when the app was reviewed.
About Terry White
Terry is the co-author of The Best Selling "The iPhone Book" 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th editions. He has been active in the industry for over 25 years and is the founder and president of MacGroup-Detroit, Inc., Michigan's largest Macintosh Users Group, host of the Adobe Creative Suite Podcast and a technology writer - Terry White Tech Blog.
I agree with you, the Apple case does not offer much flexibility when trying to use their dock. I also do not care for the material that always looks dirty and the logo on the cover generates unwanted stares in public.
The Macally case does not stand up to use. It is nice when you first get it.
I have found the opposite about the Apple case. And to keep the outside clean all you need is a dry cotton shirt or one of those microfiber cloths. Give it a rub and it is clean.
I don’t tend to take my iPad out of the case much cause I use mine mostly for the typing and reading angle it provides. I do alot of both.
While the Macally case is nice, I have found for my use that nothing is lighter, thinner or feels as good in my hands as the Apple case.