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The Pad & Quill iPad Octavo 2 Case Review – Hi-Tech meets American Craftsmanship

This Twin Cities, Minneapolis born operation is bringing good ‘ol fashioned American craftsmanship to the oh-so-hi-tech Apple iPad.  With the wave of book bound cases hitting the market, our search to find one that was truly intriguing led us to Pad & Quill’s Octavo Case for the iPad 2.  This is our review…

Manufacturer: Pad & Quill
Model: Octave Case for iPad 2 (with pocket)
Pros: Eye-catching, classic & timeless, very well made (in the U.S.A.), Pocket for documents, Magnet to engage iPad 2′s auto lock and unlock capabilities
Cons: No stand option
The Lowest Trusted Price We Could Find: $79 with Pocket and FREE SHIPPING through THIS LINK
iCaseReview Rating:

Classic Looks Paired with American Craftsmanship
Hand made in Twin Cities, Minneapolis, the Octavo iPad case from Pad & Quill offers your iPad protection while adding a nostalgic aesthetic appeal. The quality of this case is immediately apparent, and in addition to that, we think it looks fantastic as well. If you’re looking for an iPad case that doesn’t feel sterile and numbingly impersonal, then you may have just found your case.

Construction
The exterior of the Octavo is constructed of Italian bonded leather. Exterior color choices include black and blue, while internal paper colors include Camden Blue, Cranberry Red, and Field Green. The corners are precisely folded & tapered, and overall, the outer is virtually seamless. There is a small embossed “Pad & Quill” logo in the bottom corner and when you hold this case in your hand, it truly looks and feels much like a real leather bound book. On the inside of the cover, you can request an optional pocket for an additional $20.

Holding the iPad in place are a series of pressed birch veneers, forming an attractive and functional cradle. Pad & Quill includes a few extra corner liners to apply to the inside of the wooden frame if it’s not a perfect fit. Our case didn’t need any adjusting however, and the iPad fit perfectly. Another nice feature of the Octavo is the included ‘bookmark’. In runs down the inside of the case, and it’s purpose is for easy removal of your installed iPad. When you pull on the bookmark it will pull up a corner, allowing you to easily remove your device.  The Octavo provides outstanding protection for your iPad.  The outer leather interior will serve as a shock absorbing material, and the inner cradle is extremely sturdy.  This is a case the combines all-around protection with great looks.

The cutout for the camera is seamless, perfectly fitted, and doesn’t effect picture-taking ability to any noticeable degree. There are cutouts for the speakers as well, allowing for unimpeded audio functionality. Sound quality is unaffected, and if anything, it almost seems to help project the sound outward, making the speakers seem louder. The case is held closed with an elastic strap, and as an added bonus, Pad & Quill has incorporated Apple’s magnetic lock feature in to this case. You iPad will lock and unlock upon opening and closing the case. It’s a subtle feature that attests to the thought that went in to the construction of this case.

Things to Consider
There are a few things to consider with the Pad & Quill Octavo. First off, the Octavo doesn’t incorporate any kind of stand functionality.  There is however, and Pad & Quill case that does; The Contega (click here for details on the Pad & Quill Contega).  You can stand the Octavo up like an open book, but this method is not completely stable, and the octavo doesn’t offer any option for landscape other than lying flat. Another possible down side is the fact that the volume and slider buttons are a bit hard to access when the iPad is installed in the Octavo. People with big fingers may experience difficulty trying to adjust the volume or activate ‘silent’ mode on their device.

In Summary
The Octavo by Pad & Quill is a venerable contender in the wave of ‘Book’ cases for your iPad. We didn’t see any major flaws, and we were seriously impressed with the build quality of this case. Extra points for the fact that it is handmade here in the U.S.A. by American craftsmen. This really is a boutique type of case. It’s eye-catching, inspiring, perfect for the creative type, and presentable in any type of professional situation. If in the market for this type of case, the Octavo by Pad & Quill is a solid choice that you will not regret.

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Tags: Contega, iPad Case Review, Octavo, Pad & Quill