Mapi Cases Orion Apple iPad Leather Folio review

The first takeaway from the Orion iPad folio: This is one classy, quality product by Mapi Cases. The handmade craftsmanship shows immediately with its genuine European leather makeup also providing decent protection against bumps and everyday accidents. The Orion’s design is a bit, shall we say, different than the standard folio tablet case, as the SmartCover-like front folds vertically rather than horizontally – an interesting twist that makes this case just that little bit more unique.

Editor's Rating 

The main selling point of Mapi Cases’ Orion iPad folio case is of course the quality – quality of a sort that handcrafted care and genuine European leather bring. Perhaps it’s due to the individual attention to the design of the Orion that gives it a distinguishing look (in black, brown, red, or tan) among tablet folios.

The Orion folio features a SmartCover-like front piece firmly stitched onto the back. The iPad Mini user grown accustomed to the original SmartCover will be surprised at the way the cover here folds/unfolds from the top. An embedded magnet does a good job in sleep/waking the iPad, but struggles to keep the lid firmly closed shut.

On the inside, the leather continues in the bezel frame and the lining is an ultra-soft microfiber. And the rear side features a slightly thicker backer for a little more protection there. An incorporated snap-button lock keeps the iPad fitted secure while precise cutouts maintain complete tablet function. The bezel frame is set upon a swivel so that the iPad may be spun around the entire 360 degrees, and displayed in typing or viewing angle in either portrait or landscape format.

Pros

• 2013 Golden Case Awards nominee for Best Tablet Stand in a Folio & Best Leather Case
• Genuine leather, handmade craftsmanship
• 360° swivel for display in both formats

Overall: GREAT

Nearly second to none in care and quality, the Mapi Cases Orion folio is certain to impress both connoisseurs of iPad Mini accessories and leather-lovers – truly a best-case scenario for either of these two groups.

Features

• Exclusively designed to fit the Apple iPad
• Premium genuine leather with Litchi grain and glossy finish
• Durable, lightweight and scratch-resistant design
• Smart-style folding cover with magnetic lock
• Automatic sleep/wake function
• Super soft-touch fabric lining protects the screen from scratches and ambient moisture
• Inner leather bezel frame with snap-button securing flap
• Cutouts for all iPad Mini buttons, ports and rear-camera
• Integrated tablet stand with 360 degree rotation
• Supports the tablet display at 20° and 65° angles in landscape and portrait formats
• Offers protection from damage caused by bumps and accidental drops
• Handcrafted by artisans using high-quality European leather
• Small engraved Mapi Cases logo on the front and back cover
• Case comes in a branded soft fabric drawstring sack
• Net weight: 352g / 12.4 oz

Specifications