At first I would like to thank SwitchEasy for offering me a sample of their CANVAS iPad 2 Case for reviewing.

 

About SwitchEasy:

"SwitchEasy was first conceived in January 2005 to create the best accessories for computer products. Our mission is to provide more reasons for PC users to "Switch" to a better digital lifestyle through our innovative little add-ons. That is why we have chosen the name "SwitchEasy" as our trademark. We love what we produce and we hope you'll love our products as well! Stay tuned for more surprises from us in the near future!"

Product Features:

Designed right

At SwitchEasy, we have listened to our customer's needs from day one. CANVAS for iPad 2 is the natural evolution to our successful folio line for iPad 2. Following previous tradition, we have employed a special water resistant, shock absorbent, matte finished outer shell which is both soft to hold but also easy to grip. The inner shell is made of strong durable polycarbonate plastic that serves as a secondary protection in the event your iPad 2 is dropped. In addition, the inner lining is made of premium microfiber so your iPad 2 will be always be caressed and pampered from the inside out. In addition, our new CANVAS product supports a bevy of new features that comes with your iPad 2. First, our product supports the On/Off feature that automatically puts your iPad 2 to sleep when the folio is closed. Also, it supports single hand picture taking with our uniquely designed obtruded camera hole. All in all, CANVAS the smartest folio product for your new iPad 2.

Dual Function

The thing that makes CANVAS really special is how it allows you to use your iPad 2. We didn't just want to put another folio into the market; CANVAS' folio design plus stand function offers up a completely new way to enjoy your iPad 2. Providing two versatile viewing angles CANVAS lets you enjoy your content on the go how it should be enjoyed - in full glory. Stand assembly is both quick and easy, just flip the cover around and align with the grooves to make your iPad 2 stand solid. Equally CANVAS works great as a folio with a fully rotating cover that makes confined viewing on a busy bus or train simple and convenient. And when you're done, just flip the cover back around and secure with the snap in clip.

Auto On/Off

Amongst a list of new features for the iPad 2, the auto sleep feature is a great feature for the energy conservationist in you. CANVAS for iPad 2 is one of the first folio cases in the market that supports this feature. With a simple flip of the cover, your iPad 2 will be automatically turned on or off as you please.

 

Product Specifications:

Packaging: 288mm x 212mm x 24mm

Case: 246mm x 194mm x 23mm

Compatible with iPad 2

 

 

 

The CANVAS iPad 2 case from SwitchEasy is shipped inside a transparent plastic box, with about the same size of the product itself; through the front we can see how the product material looks like, but there is also some info which shows some of the product features:

 

 

 

 

 

On the back side we can find some drawings which instruct us on how to open the case and how to use it as a stand:

 

 

 

After the removal of the outside packaging, we can find the CANVAS sitting inside a plastic frame:

 

 

 

Looking at the case from one side, we can discover the clasp, which keeps the front cover of the case firmly closed:

 

 

 

The SwitchEasy logo is also present here on a small rubber piece:

 

 

 

Like the front cover, the back side of the case is made from a reinforced canvas material, which is pleasant to the touch; underside it we can find the hard plastic shell, in the same color as the canvas itself:

 

 

 

Even before the initial installation, we can see that the cover is already filled with a dummy iPad 2 cardboard shell, for us to see how the openings would look like with the tablet installed:

 

 

 

 

Opening the case reveals a soft material on the interior side of the front cover, with 3 different ridges to allow iPad 2 viewing at three different angles:

 

 

 

 

After the removal of the dummy iPad 2 (which contains the rest of the accessories), we can see how the hard plastic shell looks on the inside:

 

 

 

 

Here are some close views of the shell openings:

 

Audio Jack/Sleep-Wake

 

 

 

Mute/Volume Rocker

 

 

 

Speaker/Data-Charge Connector

 

 

 

The rest of the accessories are composed of a screen guard, a small manual, two Audio Jack and two Data-Charge Connector covers, a soft cloth for dust removal and a squeegee:

 

 

 

Inside the manual, we can see a summary of steps we need to perform for installing the screen guard and for getting the tablet inside the case:

 

 

 

On a separate documents we are instructed on how to operate the clasp:

 

 

 

The screen guard can be installed in a similar manner as the one presented in the previous review and comes with two transparent covers that must be peeled in the instructed order; as I have mentioned in the Otterbox article, we must make sure before the installation that we are in a dust-free environment and that we properly clean all residues from the iPad 2 glass before applying the screen. Not following these advices could lead to dust particles underside the screen, which are hard to remove afterward and there are chances of introducing additional particles when trying to re-seat the screen:

 

 

The tablet must be inserted as shown in the instructions inside the hard plastic casing; after the installation is complete, we can realize that it is firmly held in place and the iPad 2 does not fall off:

 

 

 

 

Here are some additional photos of the openings with the actual iPad 2 installed inside the case:

 

Audio Jack

 

 

Sleep-Wake Button

 

 

 

Mute/Volume Rocker

 

 

 

Speaker/Data-Charge Connector

 

 

 

The Audio Jack and Data-Charge Connector covers are very useful for protecting against dust, damages and humidity; to keep the design line unchanged, they are colored the same way as the hard plastic material:

 

 

 

 

One portion of the hard plastic shell is connected to the reinforced canvas with Velcro; these need to be detached in order to use the iPad 2 for viewing at an angle:

 

 

 

By using the ridges on the inside of the front cover, we can sit the iPad 2 in three different positions:

 

 

 

 

 

The CANVAS can be also positioned in such a way so the screen is better angled for typing:

 

 

The CANVAS is available in no less than 8 different colors (black, charcoal, grey, brown, fuchsia, red, turquoise, violet) and impresses with the quality of the materials, along with the design. The product combines the strong durable polycarbonate plastic shell with a water resistant, shock absorbent and matte finished outer shell which is soft and provides a good grip.

 

The product supports the On/Off feature introduced with the iPad 2 so when the front cover is closed, the tablet will go to sleep right away; it is worth to be mentioned that the iPad 2 enters in standby mode even without closing the top cover with the clasp. The snap in clip may seem a little hard to remove/secure at first, but after a while we can get used to it.

 

CANVAS also supports three different viewing modes thanks to the grooves located on the inside of the front cover; also, it can be placed in a special position for fast typing.

 

The optional port covers are a nice addition, something that not many other manufacturers offer, and help protecting the openings from dust, damages during transport or accidental water drops.

 

The CANVAS iPad 2 Case can be ordered right from the SwitchEasy online store for about 49.99 Euros.

SwitchEasy CANVAS iPad 2 Case Recommended For:

 

I would like to thank again to SwitchEasy for making this review possible!