Pros:
• Excellent build quality with genuine leather cover
• SG bumper system protects iPad well
Cons:
• Slightly heavy and bulky
iPad cases are one of those tablet accessories you can find pretty much anywhere on the cheap, but I’ve always had concerns about whether I’m getting value for money in the process.
Sure, a £5-10 case will cover my iPad. The question is, will that case really protect it?
Since I’ve never spent a lot of money on protecting my devices, I was interested to see if Maroo’s range of iPad cases (and their emphasis on protection) would convince me that parting with $50 would be worth it.
Design & Build Quality
Maroo’s lineup of iPad cases come in a range of colours and designs; from the subtle black & green Pango (my personal favourite) to the classic leather look of the Saddle Brown. Don’t worry, if you prefer a bigger splash of colour Maroo caters to your taste too, just head over to their website to check out the entire selection.
Leaving aside the colour choices, I was looking forward to checking out the build quality on these iPad cases — especially after a positive experience with Maroo’s Pango iPhone wallet case.
As far as first impressions go, Maroo didn’t disappoint.
The genuine leather used on the outside of the Pango feels absolutely fantastic. Everything from its softness to the quality of the stitching had a sense of really high quality and actually made me feel more comfortable about the idea of spending a little more money on an iPad case.
Both the front and back covers have a thick padding that give the Pango case a denser and slightly heavier feel than most iPad cases I’ve personally come across. While the bulk bothered me more than the weight, it’s a tolerable compromise when you consider the high quality protection you’re getting instead.
After all, that’s why you’re buying a case right?
Features
Most of that bulk I mention actually comes from Maroo’s SG bumper technology, a TPU bumper frame that’s designed to give your iPad that extra bit of protection. It does that by shielding the corners of your device in such a way that it doesn’t become obtrusive; while the soft (but tough) gel-like material makes it easy to insert and remove your iPad.
As you can see from the photos, the SG bumpers keep the iPad safe both when the case is open or closed, and unlike other leather cases, there’s no ‘leather bezel’ getting in the way of the device or screen itself.
The SG bumper technology a great design feature that I feel separates Maroo from other iPad case manufacturers, and I was particularly impressed by the construction quality and usability of it.
Again, you do have to deal with some added bulk, but if you want something that’s going to protect your device then this SG bumper system is one of the best options out there.
Although I wasn’t going to use my sister’s iPad 4 for drop tests (I think she’d kill me), Maroo themselves were more than happy to fling their iPads to the ground during an event I attended last year, so I’ve seen that the SG bumper technology does work.
In addition to the bumper system, Maroo also include smart magnet functionality in the front cover of the Pango as well as two small corner straps that you can use to wrap around the body of the case.
As I expected, this does a great job of preventing the front cover from flinging open and leaving your screen exposed. Since the straps are kept on the inside of the cover too, it doesn’t spoil the genuine leather design on the outside and stays out of the way when you’re not using it.
I also found it convenient that you can use the straps to keep the front cover folded securely behind the iPad, just to avoid it flapping around.
One of the more unique features on Maroo’s Pango iPad case is the inclusion of a hand strap that can be used when the front cover is folded back, giving you a way to hold your iPad up without holding it from the sides.
It isn’t something I see myself using, but it doesn’t add any bulk or get in the way, so it’s a convenient feature to have access to.
Other than that, Maroo also include a small pocket where you can keep some business cards or small notes (under the hand strap), and an elastic pen/stylus holder which is next to the SG bumper frame.
Maroo iPad Cases: Verdict
Of all the iPad cases I’ve bought and tested, Maroo’s top notch quality sets it far apart from the rest.
From the genuine leather exterior to that very well designed SG bumper technology, I’d wholeheartedly recommend these cases to anybody who’s serious about protecting their iPad without compromising on style.
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