Marianne Schultz

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Review: Treegloo case for the iPad 2

June 20, 2011 by Marianne Schultz Leave a Comment

Have you been looking around for a moleskine-style notebook case for your iPad 2? If so and Treegloo has been one of the cases on your list to consider, check out my video review of it.

I ordered this case in April and received it in early May and have been using it since then as my “travel” case for my iPad 2.
My review is kind of long (it’s thorough, I swear!) so if you’re not interested in watching the whole thing, you can skip through to my pros, cons, and conclusion starting at around 9 minutes and 24 seconds. Or, you can just read them right now:
Pros:
  • “Base models” fairly inexpensive (start at $35 plus shipping)
  • Handmade in USA using materials from USA
  • Wide range of customization options
  • Kinetic latch is unique and works well
  • Holds iPad snugly
  • Looks nice overall
Cons:
  • Not as neat and tightly made as Portenzo or DODOcase (corners, alignment)
  • Sleep/wake switch cut-out is very off
  • Hard to get to lock orientation/mute switch
Conclusion:
  • It’s a nice case overall but if you’re looking for very neat/tight construction go with Portenzo or DODOcase
  • I like it and have been using it without issue
  • Be patient when ordering – manufacturing takes time
You can order the cases at Treegloo’s site here: http://treegloo.com/
If you have any questions about the case, email me through my site’s Contact form.

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Filed Under: reviews

Video Review: DODOcase BOOKback for the iPad 2

April 26, 2011 by Marianne Schultz 1 Comment

I’ve finished my video review of the DODOcase BOOKback skin for the iPad 2 and it’s now available on my YouTube channel:


This skin costs $19.95 plus shipping directly from DODOcase. It covers the rear of the iPad to protect it from scratches while still allowing you to use a screen cover like Apple’s own Smart Cover.
Overall, I really like the BOOKback and it’s a keeper for me. It adds good grip to a naked iPad, protects the back from scratches, and is an ideal companion for the Smart Cover if you’re interested in maintaining the iPad 2’s thin profile and don’t need any drop protection. Watch my review to get my full list of pros and cons.
Next up on my review schedule is a Treegloo case for my iPad 2. Treegloo makes hardcover book-style cases for the iPad much like those sold by DODOcase and Portenzo. However, Treegloo offers some unique customization options not available through other companies, like custom images on the inside cover, suede lining for the wood frame that holds the iPad, and more. I chose a standard black exterior, the London Underground map for the interior, red suede lining for the wood frame, and a new closure called the Kinetic Latch. It’s scheduled to arrive this week and I’m already far too excited to receive it.

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Filed Under: reviews Tagged With: cases, iPad 2, review

Review: Gazelle Gadget Recycling Service

March 21, 2011 by Marianne Schultz Leave a Comment

I almost always sell my old gadgets to upgrade to new ones and going from the iPad 1 to the iPad 2 was no different. I usually sell my old gadgets online through eBay, Craigslist, or the forums at MacRumors and everythingiCafe. However, I saw that nearly all of these venues were flooded with first-generation iPads for sale as most people seemed to have the same idea as me to get funds to put toward the new iPad. So, I decided to try something different.

The one podcast I listen to regularly (aside from the everythingiCafe podcast I do with Chris every week, of course) is Leo Laporte’s MacBreak Weekly. Gazelle, an electronics recycling service, has been a sponsor of that podcast and since I generally trust that Leo would not lead his listeners to an organization that scams customers, I decided I would go through Gazelle to sell my iPad 1.

Gazelle either resells or recycles the gadgets they buy from customers. To get a feel for what Gazelle does with electronics that are still usable and in good condition, you can see their eBay store here.

The very first thing you need to do with Gazelle is submit information about the gadget you’d like them to buy from you. All I did was enter ‘iPad’ into the search bar on their site and I was given a list of models from which to choose. I chose the 64GB Wi-Fi + 3G model that I had and then I needed to answer a few questions about its accessories and overall condition. It was in flawless condition with no scratches or other marks thanks to a screen protector and the many cases I had for it. After submitting this information, Gazelle gives you a quote on how much they will pay for the item if you accept their offer and send it to them within 30 days (and they verify that the item’s condition matches what you described).

Now, I will admit I got a little lucky here. I did all of this right on the day after the iPad 2 went on sale and Gazelle offered me $530 plus a $26 bonus (from promo code ‘ipadtoday’ that I heard in one of Leo’s podcasts) for my iPad in flawless condition. Prices can change daily and Gazelle apparently got an influx of first-generation iPads soon after the release of the iPad 2 and the offer price for an iPad 1 in the same condition went down to around $300 on Monday. As I write this post, Gazelle is now offering $328 for the 64GB 3G + WiFi iPad 1. I’m not sure if the promo code I used still works but you’re welcome to try it if you’d like.

So, lesson number 1 with Gazelle: timing is key. If you’re looking to upgrade to a new version of a gadget, it’s best to do so before or right after the new version becomes available to ensure you get the best price, in general. If you wait until everyone and their mother is also selling theirs, the laws of demand and supply dictate that you probably won’t get as much money for it. Of course, this is only a general rule – if you’re selling something that’s very rare and expensive, timing may not be much of an issue for you.

To accept Gazelle’s offer, I had to create an account on their site, which was free, and provide my address and other information. This part was easy and all done on my new iPad 2. Gazelle also provided me with a prepaid shipping label, which I printed out later that day. I restored my iPad as a new device to remove all of my information from it, cleaned it thoroughly, and then packed it up carefully in its original box inside another larger box filled with packing peanuts. I dropped it off at a local FedEx office first thing on Monday, March 14.

A few days later, I checked my Gazelle account online to see if they’d received it. I saw that my iPad had indeed arrived and been checked in and was waiting to be inspected next. The next day, March 17, I received an email indicating that they’d inspected my iPad and that everything “checked out” and that they were giving me the full amount promised in their online quote. The email indicated I would receive payment within 3 to 5 days.

Gazelle offers multiple payment methods, including check, Walmart Pre-paid Visa, Amazon.com gift card, or PayPal. I had chosen PayPal during the registration process. On Saturday, March 19, I received an email letting me know that Gazelle had submitted payment to me via PayPal as promised.

And that was it! The entire transaction was completed in less than a week and I didn’t need to worry about a Nigerian scammer trying to buy my iPad through eBay or haggling with a stranger in a dark corner at a local coffee shop. Overall, I found my experience with Gazelle to be quick and painless and I’d definitely use them again.

Now, I have heard that others have not had good experiences with Gazelle. I don’t think any company is perfect and I’m sure Gazelle isn’t either. From what I’ve heard and seen online, they may not agree with the condition of the item once they receive it and inspect it themselves, or they may not return everything to you if you decline their offer in the end and they ship your item back to you. I can’t speak to how often this happens based on this one experience I’ve had with them, but I would encourage anyone to be honest when you submit information about your gadget. And, don’t send them anything extra that’s not an accessory that must be included with the gadget you want them to buy.

Have you used Gazelle or another gadget recycling service? If so, how did it work out for you?

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Filed Under: reviews Tagged With: ipad

Review of Brando Workshop’s Anti-Glare Screen Protector for the iPad

June 10, 2010 by Marianne Schultz Leave a Comment

I knew it wouldn’t last. The iPad’s gorgeous screen was absolutely delectable to use naked – so crisp and clear, so smooth to the finger. But then after just a few swipes, fingerprints would amass on the screen, driving me crazy faster than Flash crashes Safari. I knew I had to get an anti-glare screen protector, just as I had for my iPhone 3GS and nearly every glossy-screened gadget I’ve owned in the past few years. Initially, I had thought about getting the one from Power Support USA, the same company who made the screen protector I use on my iPhone. Then I saw its price: $24.95 for one screen protector plus $5.55 for the cheapest shipping option. Also, their site warned that they were in such high demand that it was taking more time to fulfill orders than usual. So, I went to see what Brando had to offer instead and ended up purchasing their anti-glare screen protector. And it is fantastic – read my review of it here.

brando-clarity

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Filed Under: reviews Tagged With: iPad, Screen protector

Review of the Cimo USA Silicone Skin Case for iPad

June 6, 2010 by Marianne Schultz 2 Comments

As I mentioned just before I got my iPad, I was thinking that I wanted two cases for it – one to use around the house that added some grip and one for outside the house that provides screen protection plus a bit of camouflaging action. The DODOcase fit the bill for latter and the Cimo USA Silicone Skin case has been working pretty well for me for the former. My review of this Cimo case is now up and it includes a video overview of it as well – you can read it here.

ipad_sil_black
Image courtesy of CimoUSA.com

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Filed Under: reviews Tagged With: Accessories, cases, iPad

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