When I held my iPad Air for the first time I was instantly awestruck, not only by its sleek sexy look but also with its incredible lightness. Therefore, in choosing a case I wanted one that would afford it good protection without detracting from its beauty.
Until recently though I felt I’d have to choose between beauty or protection — that is until STM sent me the Studio iPad Air case to try.
Design
The Studio is a two-tone case with a hard polycarbonate shell and a polyurethane cover available in red, black, purple and lime. Both cover and back sport a soft micro suede lining which not only protects the iPad but also helps keep it clean.
The shell has a soft touch finish which is surprisingly resilient to dirt and fingerprints and offers great grip. When the iPad snaps firmly into place, well machined cutouts ensure that all ports, switches, microphones and speakers remain accessible.
The notable exception, and something unique about this case, is that when the cover closes, it wraps around the edge covering the volume and mute buttons. Small raised ridges and strong magnets guarantee that it stays shut.
Despite the Studio’s solid construction, the added weight is minimal (110g), it does however add more bulk.
Usability
When flipped around back, the aforementioned magnets hold the cover steadily in place, providing two stable positions (it’s possible to position it in portrait, but I didn’t feel it was as stable as in landscape).
One, ideal for touch typing with a comfortable viewing angle and an upright position, ideal for watching movies or possibly using an external keyboard.
In both positions, the magnets help up well to all my poking and prodding making it a pleasure to use. My only quibble would be with the angle in the upright position — I would have preferred it a little more inclined.
Quality
The build quality of the Studio is astounding. I’ve been using it as my main case for a couple of weeks and while I usually treat my gadgets with care, no quarter was spared for the Studio.
Still, despite weeks of hardships there are no signs of wear and tear. The cover remains taut with no fraying edges and the outer shell shows no indication of loosing its soft rubberised texture.
STM Studio: The Verdict
If you’re in the market for a great case for your iPad, then I wholeheartedly recommend the Studio.
With great design and solid build I feel I’ve finally found a cover that achieves both beauty and protection without compromise.
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