I have reviewed a bunch of Mophie devices (iPhone battery cases) and when they asked me if I wanted to take a look at their new iPad case, I couldn’t resist. I have a variety of iPad cases lying around my office, some I have reviewed and use, others I just have tried for a few minutes only to put them back into their packaging. I’m pretty particular now about what I like and don’t like. Again, it’s a personal thing but there are some core things that I think a case should have:

1. A Screen Cover – you really should protect your iPad’s screen, especially if you keep it in a bag or something.
2. Style – I get bored with plastic covers that have no personality; personally I like leather or faux leather
3. Tilting Angles – believe it or not, being able to use your case to tilt your iPad for viewing or typing is a really, really useful feature
4. Good Craftsmanship – a case needs to withstand the tests of time

Each of these characteristics can be found in the Mophie Workbook.

The Workbook stays shut via a large elastic band (which you can see above). What I like about the Mophie is that this is a larger band that seems to have a solid knit to it (point #4 above). I have another case that I use (my wife uses the Mophie), that has a similar band to hold it together, but it is much thinner and is starting to lose its elasticity (after a few months). When the Mophie Workbook is closed, the screen of your iPad is fully covered, thus fulfilling point number 1 above.

The band on the Mophie Workbook also servers to help with point number 3 above, that of multiple screen angles and positions. In an innovative way, the Workbook props the iPad into a variety of viewing angles, making it great for watching a video or movie in bed, or using with a Bluetooth keyboard on a table. The band isn’t strong enough to hold the iPad up at a low angle to enable a good typing position, but if you lay the iPad flat in the case, it is still slightly tilted enough to make typing a bit better than in a fully flat position.

While the marketing graphic above is pretty accurate in terms of the positions possible on the Workbook, the useable range is actually a lot smaller. But you can see in the picture on the right, how the iPad is slightly tilted, enabling you to type on it fairly comfortably. I definitely liked how the iPad had a great viewing position for reading or whatever.

The case itself comes in five colors (leathers/band): black/black,  cement/yellow, chocolate/cyan, orange/black and white/grey. It is not real leather, but definitely feels a lot like it. The inside is soft so that your iPad is not scratched, the case is durable and offers complete protection of your iPad.

The case design allows for easy pass-through of cables and cords and you can access all of the controls that you need to. They are unobstructed and easy to get to.

The Mophie Workbook retails for $59.95 (and as of this writing, the price is the same on Amazon since it is a relatively new product). I expect the price to drop on Amazon to $49 which I feel is a reasonable price for this case.

HighTechDad Rating

Yes, there are lots of iPad cases out there so be sure you go to a store to test some of them out or see what your friends and co-workers are using. Figure out what your key characteristics are and try to find a case that matches them. I personally liked the Mophie Workbook for a variety of reasons like the wide tilting angles. However, I think it is a bit more expensive than it needs to be, but the innovative design might be the cause for this. It took my wife and me a few minutes to figure out how the tilt feature worked, but eventually we got it.

EASY TO GEEK FACTOR – is the device easy to get up and running

FAMILY FRIENDLY – does the device fit well into family environments

RECOMMENDABILITY– would I recommend it to others (more means “yes”)

PRICE POINT – does the price reflect the product function

OVERALL – my general rating

Disclosure Text : I have a material connection because I received a gift or sample of a product for consideration in preparing to write this content. I was/am not expected to return this item or gift after my review period. More information can be found in my About page as well as here.

HTD says: The Mophie Workbook provides a lot of important features and functions, from easy tilting angles to looking stylish. Definitely put one on your shortlist when considering iPad cases.

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