Review: BookBook Vol 2 (for New iPad/iPad 2)

Twelve South's $80 BookBook case looks awesome—it reminds me of the collection of Encyclopedia Britannica's from the 1970s my dad still keeps in his office. Although this folio-style case looks stunning, there are some flaws with the case that the beautiful exterior couldn't make up for.

Let’s start with what makes this case standout: its design.The BookBook case is available in three color schemes; pick between black, brown, or red. A zipper runs around three edges of the BookBook, where the pages would be if this were an actual book. When opened, you’ll see a leather frame on the right hand panel that will support the new iPad or the iPad 2, but putting either iPad model into this frame is a bit tricky. The leather frame that holds the iPad in place unsnaps at the spine and unfolds, revealing a space made to hold your iPad. The problem with the frame is that it's too snug, and the edges don't lie flush to the bezel of the iPad, which caused my thumb to hit the case while typing. Also, the overly tight case makes plugging in the iPad's charger a bit tricky, as the space cut in the leather doesn't match up perfectly with the dock-connector port.

On the back side of the frame, there is a stiff piece of plastic that you can use to prop up the iPad in landscape orientation for typing, but you have to unsnap the leather frame every time want to prop the iPad up. As far as positions for FaceTime and movie viewing go, setting up the case according to their instructions leaves the volume buttons in an inconvenient location.

Taking a picture is inconvenient as well, since you need to unsnap the frame from the body and let the rest of the case dangle below your iPad while you take your picture. It felt awkward holding the iPad with the case dangling below, and my hand kept obscuring the camera by accident while trying to get a comfortable grip.

There are two zippers on the case, which makes it easy to open a gap just big enough for a charger chord or your headphones, without having to unzip the whole case. Convenient as that is, I found it a bit difficult to get the zippers started when closing the case—something I wouldn't want to deal with every time I zip up the case.

The BookBook does do a good job of protecting your iPad, when it's all zipped up. Remember though, that with great protection comes great bulk, and the BookBook makes your iPad more than twice as thick.