I had always intended buying a case for my Kindle Fire HD although I first wanted to see what became available, especially with regard to generic cases. I am not averse to paying top dollar for an official Kindle case but I first wanted to be satisfied that their case was going to meet my needs. Having read the reviews on Amazon.com’s Website I had some doubts. The following issues have been raised by reviewers.
1. The stand feature. The Kindle case can be used in either landscape or portrait mode. The former works reasonably well although several people have commented that is tends to slip on hard surfaces, particularly shiny tops. Users have also commented that it is difficult to use the stand for typing. Because it is not possible to use the stand at a shallow angle. In portrait mode the screen has to be at 90 degrees. There is no adjustment. 2. Some users commented that the case can feel slippery and difficult to hold. 3. Apparently the volume controls are not always easy to find and there are also issues with the headphone jack. 4. Finally, there have been comments on the quality of the case and its lack of protective padding. I suspect that this is an inevitable problem with designing and manufacturing a case which is intended to be very thin and unobtrusive. However, if you are paying £37 for a case then you are entitled to expect a much better product.
For me, one of the deciding factors was the stand feature. I liked the way that with the Marware Vibe you can (in landscape mode) angle the Fire HD in any position. Both cases use the magnet closure device, which I regard as a very important facility for saving battery power. Of course, this device doesn’t turn everything off but it simply powers down the screen. If music is being played it will continue to do so and this is the same irrespective of the chosen case.
As you can see I chose the red case. I had some difficulty choosing the colour because all the options look garish and arguably a little cheap. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I took the case out of its box. While I accept the fact that it does not look quite as expensive as the official case it still looks pretty good and it will provide very good protection to your tablet. It wins hands down on its usability and especially the flexibility of your choice of viewing angles. I also like the neat elastic strap which keeps the case either firmly closed or open. It is very easy to fit the Kindle in the case.
To summarise, these are the Positive points.
a) The case is versatile and allows you to angle your Kindle as you wish without fear that it will slip on shiny surfaces. b) The case provides good cushioning and protection for your Kindle. c) The case has a useful elastic strap to keep the front either closed or open. d) While not leather the case is nonetheless quite attractive. e) Like the official case it is fitted with a magnetic closure to preserve battery like. f) It is good value for money!
Against
a) If you love leather and hate all plastics then you may not like this case. Personally, I love it! b) Depending upon how you mount the Kindle in the case (there are 2 options) you may not have access to either the charging outlet or HDMI connection unless the case lid is open. Personally, this is not a problem for me but it may concern some people. For a more detailed explanation I suggest that you check out the reviews on Amazon.com. There are ways of getting round this issue.
If in doubt it is well worth visiting the Amazon.com website where it is possible to see videos of the whole range of Marware cases. I have tried to point out the pros and cons of both this case and the much more expensive official case. There are arguments for and against both cases and I have tried to ignore those issues which appear very minor or where they have only been mentioned by a miniscule minority of people. However, in the end it boils down to personal choice and the issues which you feel are most important to you.
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Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Programme(What’s this?)
The case fits the Kindle Fire HD perfectly and feels very secure. The stand feature works very well allowing you to use the Kindle at a good range of angles in landscape mode. It is stable enough to be able to use the touchscreen without either the Fire or the case sliding. However it doesn’t work as a stand in portrait mode, which means when reading books you really have to hold it or get used to reading in landscape
To make the sleep function work you need to ensure the Fire is fitted the right way up – that is, with the USB and HD output slots to the inside. This strikes me as very odd since it means the case has to be left open while charging or streaming from the Fire, thus leaving the screen unprotected. However, if you fit the Fire the other way round then the sleep function doesn’t work leading to battery drain.
My case is black and looks very smart and the elastic strap feels sturdy enough to last well. Unfortunately the case feels horribly plasticky on the outside. Oddly the inside feels much nicer – shame the outside isn’t up to the same standard.
In comparison to the official Kindle case, this one is much better as a stand – the Kindle one tends to slip. However the Kindle case has the recharging and HD slots in the right place to be able to use them with the case closed, is completely enclosed even round the edges providing better protection and has grids over the speakers to ensure no muffling of the sound. Both allow use of control buttons and the earphone socket when closed. The Kindle case also looks and feels much nicer than the Marware. Of course, it’s nearly twice the price so should be better.
So for me the perfect case would look, feel and work like the Kindle case but have the better stand functionality of the Marware – the search is still on. Overall though this is a good case, let down by a couple of small design flaws.
Edit: I’ve now also had the chance to try the Belkin Glam Tab Case and while it’s still not perfect, it is now my favourite case. Like the Marware, the slots are to the inside, but the stand works as well as the Marware and it both looks and feels much nicer and better quality. It is quite a bit more expensive though so the Marware remains a very good option for the price.
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I needed a cover for my new kindle fire hd to be able to throw it into my handbag without damage. Purchased this one because it was lighter than many of the others. Well made, looks good, and protects my kindle – cant ask for anything more!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Why I chose the Marware Vibe over the official Kindle case,
I had always intended buying a case for my Kindle Fire HD although I first wanted to see what became available, especially with regard to generic cases. I am not averse to paying top dollar for an official Kindle case but I first wanted to be satisfied that their case was going to meet my needs. Having read the reviews on Amazon.com’s Website I had some doubts. The following issues have been raised by reviewers.
1. The stand feature. The Kindle case can be used in either landscape or portrait mode. The former works reasonably well although several people have commented that is tends to slip on hard surfaces, particularly shiny tops. Users have also commented that it is difficult to use the stand for typing. Because it is not possible to use the stand at a shallow angle. In portrait mode the screen has to be at 90 degrees. There is no adjustment.
2. Some users commented that the case can feel slippery and difficult to hold.
3. Apparently the volume controls are not always easy to find and there are also issues with the headphone jack.
4. Finally, there have been comments on the quality of the case and its lack of protective padding. I suspect that this is an inevitable problem with designing and manufacturing a case which is intended to be very thin and unobtrusive. However, if you are paying £37 for a case then you are entitled to expect a much better product.
For me, one of the deciding factors was the stand feature. I liked the way that with the Marware Vibe you can (in landscape mode) angle the Fire HD in any position. Both cases use the magnet closure device, which I regard as a very important facility for saving battery power. Of course, this device doesn’t turn everything off but it simply powers down the screen. If music is being played it will continue to do so and this is the same irrespective of the chosen case.
As you can see I chose the red case. I had some difficulty choosing the colour because all the options look garish and arguably a little cheap. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I took the case out of its box. While I accept the fact that it does not look quite as expensive as the official case it still looks pretty good and it will provide very good protection to your tablet. It wins hands down on its usability and especially the flexibility of your choice of viewing angles. I also like the neat elastic strap which keeps the case either firmly closed or open. It is very easy to fit the Kindle in the case.
To summarise, these are the Positive points.
a) The case is versatile and allows you to angle your Kindle as you wish without fear that it will slip on shiny surfaces.
b) The case provides good cushioning and protection for your Kindle.
c) The case has a useful elastic strap to keep the front either closed or open.
d) While not leather the case is nonetheless quite attractive.
e) Like the official case it is fitted with a magnetic closure to preserve battery like.
f) It is good value for money!
Against
a) If you love leather and hate all plastics then you may not like this case. Personally, I love it!
b) Depending upon how you mount the Kindle in the case (there are 2 options) you may not have access to either the charging outlet or HDMI connection unless the case lid is open. Personally, this is not a problem for me but it may concern some people. For a more detailed explanation I suggest that you check out the reviews on Amazon.com. There are ways of getting round this issue.
If in doubt it is well worth visiting the Amazon.com website where it is possible to see videos of the whole range of Marware cases. I have tried to point out the pros and cons of both this case and the much more expensive official case. There are arguments for and against both cases and I have tried to ignore those issues which appear very minor or where they have only been mentioned by a miniscule minority of people. However, in the end it boils down to personal choice and the issues which you feel are most important to you.
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|Good but not perfect…,
The case fits the Kindle Fire HD perfectly and feels very secure. The stand feature works very well allowing you to use the Kindle at a good range of angles in landscape mode. It is stable enough to be able to use the touchscreen without either the Fire or the case sliding. However it doesn’t work as a stand in portrait mode, which means when reading books you really have to hold it or get used to reading in landscape
To make the sleep function work you need to ensure the Fire is fitted the right way up – that is, with the USB and HD output slots to the inside. This strikes me as very odd since it means the case has to be left open while charging or streaming from the Fire, thus leaving the screen unprotected. However, if you fit the Fire the other way round then the sleep function doesn’t work leading to battery drain.
My case is black and looks very smart and the elastic strap feels sturdy enough to last well. Unfortunately the case feels horribly plasticky on the outside. Oddly the inside feels much nicer – shame the outside isn’t up to the same standard.
In comparison to the official Kindle case, this one is much better as a stand – the Kindle one tends to slip. However the Kindle case has the recharging and HD slots in the right place to be able to use them with the case closed, is completely enclosed even round the edges providing better protection and has grids over the speakers to ensure no muffling of the sound. Both allow use of control buttons and the earphone socket when closed. The Kindle case also looks and feels much nicer than the Marware. Of course, it’s nearly twice the price so should be better.
So for me the perfect case would look, feel and work like the Kindle case but have the better stand functionality of the Marware – the search is still on. Overall though this is a good case, let down by a couple of small design flaws.
Edit: I’ve now also had the chance to try the Belkin Glam Tab Case and while it’s still not perfect, it is now my favourite case. Like the Marware, the slots are to the inside, but the stand works as well as the Marware and it both looks and feels much nicer and better quality. It is quite a bit more expensive though so the Marware remains a very good option for the price.
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|Meets my needs,
I needed a cover for my new kindle fire hd to be able to throw it into my handbag without damage. Purchased this one because it was lighter than many of the others. Well made, looks good, and protects my kindle – cant ask for anything more!
Was this review helpful to you?
|