Many cases for the iPad Pro add a lot of unnecessary bulk, a problem Pad & Quill’s Oxford Leather Case solves with clever use of adhesive. Featuring a simple book-style design that offers full front and back protection, the Oxford Leather iPad Pro Case uses a strong adhesive to hold the iPad Pro firmly in place while leaving it free for use with the Smart Keyboard.
Design
Opening a Pad & Quill product is fun because the Pad & Quill packaging is great. The Oxford case was wrapped with a plain bit of thick brown paper, sealed with red wax and pad and quill marks. It’s delicious packaging and I always enjoy when manufacturers put a little effort into the unwrapping experience.
Pad & Quill’s Oxford Case, like many of its products, is carefully handcrafted from high-quality leather. In this case, it’s made from a single piece of full-grain bridle leather and comes in two colors: whiskey and chestnut. An expensive, high-quality leather pairs nicely with Apple’s large-screened tablet, and the Oxford’s design looks like it would work equally well in business and casual situations.
This type of leather will change and age over time, giving each Oxford case a unique, broken look to add personality, so keep this in mind when considering this option. Inside the case, there’s a soft leather to protect the iPad’s screen and an internal pocket to hold papers and the Apple Pencil.
I wasn’t a fan of sticking the Apple Pencil inside the Oxford pocket because it adds a noticeable bulge to the case, but I generally found it handy for stray papers stuck in my daily planner.
The Oxford is a folio, or book-style case, which means it provides full front and back protection for the iPad Pro when it’s closed. To keep it tightly closed while in a bag or backpack, there is an elastic strap similar to that found in a journal.
Inside the oxford case, there are adhesive tabs on one side. The paper covering the tabs should be removed and the iPad Pro stuck to the adhesive, keeping it firmly in place. Because of the adhesive, the Oxford should be considered a permanent case, not one that should be moved frequently. If the adhesive starts to become less sticky after removing the iPad Pro, the pad and quill sell excess adhesive.
I held my iPad Pro upside down and shook it vigorously for about 10 minutes and the adhesive was solid, but it’s still something that has the potential to fail or degrade over time, so it’s something to keep in mind when using this case. should I wouldn’t go out of my way to shake my iPad Pro or hold it upside down, although the adhesive seems to work well.
Smart keyboard compatibility
The Oxford Case’s cover is designed in a way that allows it to work with Apple’s Smart Keyboard, and I found this feature to be quite clever. On the back of the Oxford case, there is an area where no adhesive is used, which allows the iPad Pro to be removed from the cover. From there, the case can be bent to form a stand for the iPad, which, as it turns out, is also quite handy for watching videos.
Positioned over the back as a stand, the iPad Pro’s Smart Connector is free to connect to the Smart Keyboard. Connecting the Oxford to the Smart Keyboard is a matter of aligning the Smart Connector on the iPad Pro with the Smart Connector on the Smart Keyboard and then sticking the cover on the back of the iPad Pro.
The Smart Keyboard attaches to the iPad Pro and is easy to get in the right position, and as I mentioned earlier, the Oxford Case cover works great as a stand while watching TV or reading in bed with the iPad Pro. Cole’s only downside is that using the Oxford case like this creates a noticeable line on the back — it didn’t bother me, but it’s easy to see and ruins some of the clean aesthetic of the case.
Since it functions as a stand, the Oxford case can also be paired with a standalone Bluetooth keyboard. Having the option to use the Oxford as a stand or pair it with the Smart Keyboard was a pleasant surprise for me, and a feature I appreciated as the iPad Pro is a permanent case that doesn’t have to be moved frequently.
bottom line
Given its slim size, attractive exterior, smart keyboard compatibility, and ability to provide full protection for the iPad Pro, the Oxford Leather Case from Pad & Quill will surely appeal to some users who are looking for these features.
The use of glue is going to be a turn off for other people, positioning the Oxford Leather Case as a love it or hate it product. Holding the iPad Pro in place with glue is a clever way to secure it without adding bulk, but glue is always prone to failure and is going to prevent the iPad Pro from being removed from the case for the most part.
For someone who wants durable all-around protection for the iPad Pro, the Oxford Leather Case is a good option. It’s certainly attractive and it’s not going to add too much extra weight to the iPad. Being able to use it with the Smart Keyboard and as a stand is an added bonus.
For anyone who needs more protection or wants to be able to remove their iPad Pro from the case on a regular basis, the Oxford Leather Case isn’t the best choice. It’s also worth noting that this isn’t a stick it and forget it case – you’ll always want to be careful how you pick it up due to the possibility of the adhesive failing, but overall, it’s a nice, thin case for an iPad Pro that has a lot going for it. there is
Benefits:
- Doesn’t add up to much
- Works with Smart Keyboard
- Attractive design
- Made from quality materials
- The glue is strong
Disadvantages:
- The iPad often cannot be removed without the offending adhesive
- There is always a chance the adhesive may fail
- expensive
How to buy
Pad & Quill’s Oxford Leather iPad Pro Case can be purchased from the Pad & Quill website for $129.95.
Note: MacRumors was not compensated for this review.
