Sena Florence iPad 2 Case: Style Marries Function, Lives Happily Ever After [Review]

No doubt, leather requires some sacrifice. Those who want their iPads wrapped with animal hide usually have to make do with considerably more bulk, less usability or less money in the bank account — or, most often, all three. But Sena’s new Florence iPad 2 case ($70) is a surprising exception.

What’s Hot:

There’s nothing to give up with this case; it offers all the prized features an iPad user might want in a classy case — with very, very little downside.

Want style? Hand-crafted Napa leather and high-count stitching oozes sophistication. The case looks handsome and feels supple, in a no-nonsense, let’s-get-down-to-business kind of way.

How about practicality? The Florence can be used just like Griffin’s IntelliCase and its ilk, thanks to a tab sewn into the case’s back. Just open the lid and slide it under the tab and the case transforms into a two-position stand. And of course, the lid is magnetized and activates/shuts off the iPad’s screen when opened/closed. Getting the iPad in and out of the case is pretty easy, as the iPad is held securely in place with a simple velcro tab.

Afraid your iPad will suddenly get too portly? Not with the Florence — it’s one of the slimmest leather iPad cases we’ve seen, and as slim as some plastic cases, thanks to a simple, uncluttered design.

The kicker is that it’s only about ten or fifteen bucks more than many other plastic cases that are similarly designed.

What’s Not:

Sometimes the cutouts don’t line up quite as precisely as they do with something like Griffin’s IntelliCase, and a little shifting is in order; a very minor issue though.

The suede interior lining tends to attract marks like breadcrumbs attract birds.

Verdict:

Practical, minimalist, elegant: The Sena Florence manages to pull off an almost faultless trifecta.

[xrr rating=90%]

Eli Milchman

When he was eight, Eli Milchman came home from frolicking in the Veld one day and was given an Atari 400. Since then, his fascination with technology has made him an intrepid early adopter of whatever charming new contraption crosses his path. He calls San Francisco home, where he works as a journalist and photographer. Eli has contributed to the pages of Wired.com and BIKE Magazine, among others. Hang with him on Twitter.