In stock Krusell Gaia Apple iPad 2 / 3 / 4 Folio Case in Black Krusell Gaia Apple iPad 2 / 3 / 4 Folio Case in Black 3.5 1

Tablet Cases Reviews

Krusell Gaia Apple iPad 2 / 3 / 4 Folio Case in Black

By Sean Dosier / April 5, 2012

Editor's Rating 3.5 out of 5 stars 3.5/5 Okay User Rating 4 out of 5 stars

1 Review(s)

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Your attitude and sense of style may already suggest it, but fitting your iPad 2 (or the New iPad 3) with this folio tablet case will surely confirm to everyone that you are one hip, trendy individual. The “Gaia” is a faux-leather design that will improve the grip of your tablet and keep it fully operational while enclosed.

Pros

Access to all iPad 2 features/functions
Comfortable to grip and carry

Cons

Inner frame lacks a securing mechanism
Cover magnets are not very effective
No stand feature for typing/viewing
Feels like cheap cardboard underneath the material

Overview

As fellow Swedish company IKEA dominates the home furnishings industry, Krusell looks to take control of the tablet case market by creating modern and trendy fits for many popular devices, including this design for the iPad 2 / iPad 3. The “Gaia” is made with black faux-leather that has a textured grain effect, allowing for an easy, comfortable grip. The interior features a thick bezel lined with a nice, soft touch felt material, yet my device didn’t feel too cozy because there is no mechanism for keeping it securely locked inside the frame. The cover has two small magnets on the corners, but you can see in the photo above that the lid is still loosely connected to the bezel frame.

Specifications

Dimensions
Type	Folio Tablet Case
Tablet	Apple iPad 2
Brand	Krusell
Color	Black
SKU	KRU001BLK100

Considering the device that this tablet folio case is designed for, I am disappointed it doesn’t include a sleep/wake magnet , nor does it transform into a tablet stand , which are typically common features in a case of this particular style. The design does allow for easy reach and use of the power switch, home button, audio-jack, USB port, volume rocker and both front/rear-facing cameras.

Features

Faux-leather folding tablet case
Nice retro feeling
Magnetic closure
Cutouts to all iPad 2 ports and switches

Editor's Rating 3.5 out of 5 stars

Rating	Description
	N/A
3.0	Functionality: It’s easier to use than trying to assemble a piece of IKEA furniture, yet I am still bothered by the omission of some incorporated features. Like me, you probably should expect more from a case of this style, but at the very least it will give you clear access to all iPad 2 / iPad 3 features and functions while enclosed.
4.0	Protection: The bezel frame does not wrap all of the iPad’s edges and the magnetic cover could function better, but overall the “Gaia” is a reliable protector against normal everyday wear and tear.
4.0	Quality: There are a few loose threads and it feels like a piece of cheap cardboard underneath the faux-leather material, but I think overall this case will prove to be fairly durable in the long run. Did they have to slap the “Passed Quality Control” sticker on the nice, soft-felt interior? I hate trying to peel those darn things off!
3.0	Value: $40.00 is an attractive price for a tablet folio, but not necessarily a great value for one that functions mostly like a tablet sleeve.
3.5	Overall: Okay Its retro-modern aesthetic is appealing, but because the cons outweigh the pros, I don’t consider the “Gaia” to be one of the better functioning tablet folio case designs. But I can recommended it as a high-performing tablet sleeve, which contrary to this average case-style design, will give you easy access to all iPad 2 controls and features while on the move.

User Rating
1 Review(s)

4 out of 5 stars

"Cheap iPad folio"

on 2012 Oct, 8 by Jimmy Sid

An iPad folio for $13? You must be joking, I thought to myself when I saw this. However, it turned out to be true and I ordered one. The case is not designer quality, but it does what it’s supposed to – protects the tablet from impacts and scuffs. The best thing is – if it gets to dingy, I can order another one, because it’s so cheap.