Marware uses what they call eco-leather which I from their site is "green" leather because fewer toxins are used (tell that to the cows :p). The case feels nice and does appear to be well made, and solid quality.
Unlike the Apple Case, you put the iPad in through the top. It's also much easier to put the iPad into the Marware case.
Like the iPad the Marware has a strap that is tuck behind the iPad to secure it in place.
In this picture you can see that on the inside portion of the cover flap is the hand strap and the typing prop. The hand strap is a nice addition, but I wish it were a bit tighter. Also, just after a few uses it has gotten a bit looser and I don't know if it will become even looser over time or if it is designed for that much give.
The typing prop is the piece you flip down to put the iPad in its "typing position". It's held by two elastic bands, but snaps back in place when you let it go and I assume this is done by magnets.
The landscape mode is pretty basic, no tricks. You just fold the front flap back and it props the iPad at an angle. My issue with this is that there is no indication at what angle to fold it back and you kind of just do it until it stays. Also, it's not really secure so a good bump to the desk or multiple vibrations could cause the iPad to fall backwards. The good news is that fall backwards seem less harmless than falling forwards as the Apple case may be prone to do.
Some other impressions... The Marware case is thicker and could provide more protection is a short fall/drop. However, as you will see in the pics below, the sides are not completely covered as they are in the Apple case.
I should point out that when you have the flap folded back, you can use the thin strap to secure the flap to the case (same strap you would use to keep the flap closed). This is not a huge deal, but you are no longer need to apply ANY pressure to keep the flap back as may find yourself doing on the Apple case. Another bonus is the hand strap. Even though I feel it could have been done better, the inclusion alone makes it more comfortable than not having one.
In the end, you must decide if the case is "too thick" for you. I haven't made my own decision yet, but I will say that the case is very comfortable and solid. The Marware case is a nice solid case, but it does not blow me away and it has its short comings.
If there is anything specific you would like to know about this or the Apple case, please let me know.
The above is a thread I started on another forum with my initial impressions of the Marware Eco-Vue case in comparison to the Apple case.
It's now been about a week and I have gotten more familiar with both cases and decided to keep the Apple over the Marware (reasons below).
After a few days of using both the Marware case and the Apple case, I have decided to keep the Apple case.
I believe the Marware case is better quality, and nicer looking. However, there were a few things with it's design that ultimately decided it's fate.
- Landscape mode, like I previously mentioned, is unstable and unless you get it just right will just collapse backwards. This does improve a little after some use, but I think the "A" or "upside down V" design for a stand is just not practical in this case unless there is some sort of support or maybe a grip on the part of the flap that meets the surface.
- Also in Landscape mode, the volume buttons are inaccessible. Again, this is a weakness with the "A" or "upside down V" design. Every case with this type design will probably suffer from this problem. The way Apple's case is designed (also the Macally Bookstand, or at least in pics) has the volume buttons up top and accessible, which is nice when watching videos in landscape.
- After more use, I still feel the handstrap while being a good idea is useless by design. It's too large, and I find myself still holding it by the spine leaving the strap unused.
- The top or opening is too loose and the thin prevent strap hardly helps. I know someone mentioned using the band to help hold the iPad in place, but I doubt that was the intention and preferred using the band to secure the flap.
My only major problem with the Apple case was the Landscape mode seeming unstable, but that has improved since the case has been broken in. I'm also finding myself liking the slim design of the Apple case over the addition bulk of the Marware. I just wish the Apple case had some way of keeping the flap down either by a strap or magnet.
The Apple case is hardly perfect, but to me it's more than acceptable until something better comes along.
