Twelve South SurfacePad for iPad Mini, White | Ultra-Slim Luxury Leather Cover + Display Stand for iPad Mini (1st, 2nd, 3rd gen.)

I really LOVE this cover for my iPad Mini. If you are on the fence about whether or not you should purchase it, let me tell you - it is worth every penny! Twelve South has never skimped on quality, so you know what you are getting when you buy one of their products. They put every bit as much care into their accessories as Apple does into their hardware itself, if not more.Now, this cover is not for everyone, I will say that. If you are a little bit "rough" with your iPad Mini, or if you stand a decent chance of dropping it, you should probably look into a full case with a bit more protection (may I recommend the Twelve South BookBook for iPad Mini?). But for the person who takes careful care of their device and desires the sleekest, sturdiest cover option only, look no further than the SurfacePad.The leather feels very soft to the touch - every bit as soft as Apple's own leather case. And yet, it is also very sturdy. The front cover portion, in particular, is rigid like a hardback book cover (though much thinner), and does a great job of keeping itself attached to the front face via magnets when closed. Needless to say, the magnets also control the smart cover wake/sleep features of the iPad Mini as well.The back is considerably thinner than the front, though still protects it very well, and is necessarily flexible to allow for precise placement when you stick the cover onto the back of your iPad Mini. Yes - you stick this cover on, which means that once it's on, you will probably want to keep it on. Twelve South says that the adhesive they use will leave no residue if removed - a claim I can back up as true from my own experience. But in reality, once you stick this cover on, you really should never have a reason to take it off anytime soon.The smartly-positioned magnets in the sides of the cover on the front double as a grip for locking the iPad Mini into two different "standing up" angles for viewing in landscape mode on a desk or tabletop. This is where the features of the cover get really good. Standing the iPad Mini up for viewing videos or slideshows in this cover feels so much more sturdy than Apple's own Smart Cover / Smart Case, and I think this is probably one of the nicest features of the SurfacePad overall. That being said, I wish they would have added in one or two more incremented magnet levels for shallower viewing angles. Basically, you can prop it up magnetically at 70º or 60º, or lay it down with a kickstand at a very shallow angle of approx. 20º for typing (more on that in a moment). While 70º and 60º are two very nice options, I would have liked to see maybe a 50º and 40º magnetic option as well. I understand the design reasons for choosing not to do this though - it would probably add some considerable weight to an already weighty cover (more on that in a moment too). Also, at shallower angles, the magnets probably become less effective at gripping the iPad Mini and might make it more likely to collapse - such as if using in a bumpy car or plane ride. But at 70º and 60º, the grip is so solid and sturdy that even a really bumpy scenario would not be enough to make it collapse.The kickstand - used when propping the iPad Mini at a shallow 20º angle for typing, does put it at a perfectly-comfortable angle for the task at hand (pun intended). Unfortunately, the kickstand is slightly stiff, and so you may find yourself sliding your pinkies in to push it back a little more the first several times you use it, to prevent it from collapsing while you type. I've found that over time as it breaks in, if you use it frequently, this becomes less of an issue to deal with.The last area I want to comment on about the SurfacePad for iPad Mini is it's weight. Now, first, let's just talk iPads for a moment: I use this SurfacePad cover with an iPad Mini w/Retina Display. In case you don't know, the iPad Mini w/Retina Display is already 23 grams heavier than the original iPad Mini. For reference, 23 grams is about the weight of a AA battery. This actually makes a noticeable difference in your hand - even with no cover installed. Whereas the original Mini was light and pleasant to hold, the Mini w/Retina feels a little heavier than it should considering it's a second-generation device. Usually, Apple reduces weight for subsequent models - but not this time. The SurfacePad for iPad Mini is very slim, but the multiple magnets and solid front cover do add a little heft as well - about 168 grams (the same as about 7 AA batteries). All told, this means that your iPad Mini w/Retina + the SurfacePad cover will weigh in at about 500 grams in total (that's about 22 AA batteries, or 1.1 lbs!). Does that make it uncomfortable to hold? I'd say no, not really. But it borders on coming close, for a device that is this small. That's as much as the original 1st-Gen iPad weighed.Overall, I still heartily recommend this cover. Despite the slight issue of added weight, you have to face the fact that with the exception of Apple's own Smart Cover (which is lighter), anything else you get is going to add as much, if not more weight to your iPad Mini than this SurfacePad will. If your goal is to protect your iPad Mini on the front and back, while being as sleek as possible -- and you are not worried about drops (especially edge-first drops) -- then this is the cover for you. I love mine, and wouldn't use anything else!

I am a extremely picky person when it comes to my electronics cases because most cases either make using the device more difficult or makes it look less attractive. This case by Twelve South does neither... it makes it better.OPENING THE BOX AND APPLICATIONThis is a premium product from quality of the materials down to the packaging. I had a similar excitement opening this product's packaging as I did opening any of Apple's products. The box it came in had a sturdy build, so I knew it would be protected from dings and bends in shipping.Unlike other iPad cases that you snap your iPad into or magnetically attach to the side, this cover attaches to the back with a non-permanent reusable adhesive. Before removing the adhesive's backing, I spent some time trying to line up the cover perfectly so that the corners of the cover would align perfectly with the screen. Did I get it right the first time? No, but that's okay because the cover can be taken off and reapplied with no issue aside from the fact it is very sticky (which is actually a good thing).QUALITY OF MATERIALSThis case looks, feels, and smells fantastic if you like the smell of new leather. Holding the iPad with this cover feels like holding a premium genuine leather-bound journal or Bible to the touch. Along the edges, I found that the cuts were sealed perfectly, and so far has not separated or frayed anywhere. The felt inside is nice too and helps to clean some of the finger smudges off the screen each time I open and close the cover.FUNCTIONALITYThe best part of this case is the ingenious use of magnets inside the cover. The side of the iPad that normally attaches to Apple's own smart cover now will magnetically attache to one of three places along the inside cover for three different viewing angles. Now when I want to prop up my iPad to watch a movie or type on a desk, it now takes less than one second to do so. It's so effortless now I hardly remember this was ever a problem with other cases. For typing, there is even a little flap inside the back of the case that you can fold out to prevent it from collapsing while typing on the keyboard. Otherwise, the magnetic attachment is not strong enough to hold it up with continued typing on the screen.Like many other cases, the magnets also activate the screen when opening the case and locking it when closing it. They are strong enough and placed in the right locations that I've never had a problem with this feature.The adhesive backing is so secure that I could dangle the iPad by the cover without fear of it detaching. The corners of the backing have not peeled up in the slightest either.PROTECTIONThis is a cover, not a case. It protects the screen and the metal backing from scratches during normal use. This does not protect the sides or corners of the iPad. I'm a pretty careful person, so I don't worry about dropping my iPad. With this case, if the iPad landed on the corner, I think the screen would still break.BREAK IN PERIODThere is a break in period with the product. Because it is made of real leather and a thick backing, the fold on the side is rather stiff, so my cover did not align well until about a month of use. Once it was broken in, the top cover would stay where I wanted it on the screen. Also, the small flap would not stay extended out when typing to support the iPad until it too was broken in.CONCLUSIONThis is a premium product in all aspects... unfortunately this also includes the price. It is competitive to Apple's own offerings in cost, but far superior in functionality, quality and beauty. This is the iPad cover Apple should have made in the first place. I'd recommend this cover hands down to anyone.

This case is awesome. If you want to protect all sides, then this case is not for you. It's great as a front and back cover for simple scratches. This case keeps the minimal and thinness of the iPad Mini. It looks GREAT and feels great as well. There are hidden magnets in the cover that act as a stand. It also has a hidden flap to be used for "writing mode" - it works well. From some reviews on youtube, people say it doesn't work that well. I want to reassure people that it does work well, you just have to "break in" the leather. What I did was just push the flap back a little bit and slowly but surely it is starting to really break in and it works great - when it is in place, the iPad is completely solid - it doesn't rock or sway at all - it is literally solid. Great purchase if you want something sleek while also being able to type or view at your leasure, but protect from general scratching during general use. It will not be protected from any falls.

I've been using this for a few months now and I like it. Very slim profile, the magnet locks the screen as expected, and the stand is very useful except in the lowest angle where it tends to collapse. The case was easy to install.I've put my iPad mini in my duffle bag and it jostles around a bit but this case has been enough to keep it safe, and the case itself doesn't have any scratches on it from contacting my keys or anything in while in the bag but I'm not rough with my bag or anything.The case doesn't quite cover the chamfered edge so if you need that sort of protection you may want to look for a different case.

This review is subject to 2 product faults. I have received 2 so far and am waiting for the second to be replaced. I think the fact that I have requested replacements is testament to the quality of the product. Sadly it is heavily let down by the fixing mechanism. On both that I have tried so far the adhesive is peeling away from the leather even prior to fitting. Presently I am putting this down to bad luck and possibly a bad batch. The problem with the adhesive is that whilst it is supposed to be re-applicable this seems to only be true for the side facing the iPad. Once the adhesive comes away from the leather there appears to be nothing you can do as it loses all of it's stickiness and just leaves the leather 'flapping'.The score would be 4 or even 5 if it stuck properly - I will revise when I have tried my third (and final) when it arrives.Update:Have now received a third (went for black rather than red) and the adhesive has remained attached to the leather so it is now fixed to the iPad and boy it feels great. Very high quality leather an exactly what I was after. If it stays 'stuck' it is certainly a 5/5. I have left this at 4/5 however because I do think there are issues with the adhesive. Recommended though.After a week or so I am still pleased with this cover. One thing to take into account though is the fact that once this cover is fixed it is more difficult to use another cover unless you are deciding to ditch this one. I used to use 2 or 3 covers or cases, depending on my requirement. A small origami if weight was an issue to the Logitech keyboard folio if I needed to do a lot of typing (or needed a screen with no intrusive virtual keyboard). Unclipping from cases is easy - this cover is adhesive and so if I was to remove it I would (based on previous experience with the adhesive) have concerns regarding the 're-usability'. Just food for thought - if you need keyboards and change cases to meet different situations then this cover may not be for you.

As with most Twelve South products, you get what you pay for. I have never been disappointed and this surface pad is no exception.I was looking for something slimline that did not increase the bulk of my iPad Mini3 but did offer some screen and case protection and also functioned as a stand for typing and watching films etc.. This product fitted my needs perfectly.Please note that this is NOT a case in the usual sense of the word (Twelve South even make the point very clearly on their web site). If you drop you iPad, it will offer little protection. It does however protect the device from scratching etc and still lets the tablet slip easily into your pocket.It fits perfectly and is easily attached to the iPad with an adhesive backing that holds very well. TS claim that the adhesive is multi/use and leaves no marks. I cannot confirm this as I have had no need nor urge to remove it from my device but I have no reason to doubt their claims in this respect.The cover is made of leather so soft and high quality that I almost want to eat it! LOL I chose the light "Camel" version and was a little concerned that it might get dirty from hands, pockets etc. However I have been using it intensively for a month now and it still looks like new (and I am not a person who treats their electronics as if they were made of glass)Another aspect I like is that it does not detract from the Apple design aesthetics. Most cases/covers turn the iPad into a clunky, generic looking tablet. Not so this Surface Pad which gives the impression of adding no bulk. It does add some weight obviously but I would imagine that probably less than most.If you are looking for a cover that looks nice, provides protection form normal wear and tear, keeps your iPad slim and can afford the price, I can strongly recommend this item.

Wow.I recently purchased a retina iPad mini and wanted something to complement the style that Apple had intended; I didn't want to cover it up with a standard case that's nothing special.This is the SurfacePad, Twelvesouth have gone to great detail to market this as not being a case, even stating "Congratulations on not buying an iPad case". Instead this sticks onto the back of the iPad using an adhesive and doesn't leave any marks; i've removed mine and replaced it onto it and no issues at all.What's particularly impressed me is the quality and detail into this SurfacePad, all details have been meticulously planned and executed to perfection. Magnets along the inside allow for landscape angles to be maintained, while not excellent for typing offer perfect viewing for films etc. There's a stand inside that allows for a typing angle; as it's new and the leather hasn't worn fully into shape yet it doesn't maintain this perfectly currently though.Before ordering this I considered whether the red would be over-vibrant, although after having it on for a day I can safely say that it perfectly compliments the iPad mini, looking really impressive.It's a bit expensive for what it is, and doesn't offer much protection to the corners of the iPad - but if i'd have wanted that I'd have ordered a case. Overall an incredible cover for your iPad, and i'd definitely recommend that you invest in one.

Nicely made, but on my first generation iPad Mini it is just a couple of mm too small all around. When first sticking the cover on, if you don't getit exactly square you have to gently pry it off and try again. After a couple of attempts the glued strip tried to separate from the cover. Of course you cannot use this as one cover amongst many, once on it has to stay on. The polished aluminium bezel of the iPad is the widest part all round, and so the edges all the way around are very vulnerable to damage. This also makes the front cover is a little fiddly to open, I have to hook a nail underneath it, as there is no overlap. The stand works great.

Paid about £12 for this from Amazon. Well worth the price. Offers hardly any protection other than to the screen. But it does feel premium.