Review: Great keyboard case
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 5, 2014
I like this case a lot.  I've been using various versions of the Kindle devices since the original first generation Kindle eInk reader.  I'm a huge Kindle fan.  Having owned so many of these devices for so many years (especially with a family of five), I've had a lot of experience with literally dozens of covers.  Some of them I loved, and some I hated.This one is a winner.  Like anything else, it has strengths and weaknesses, but overall I really like it.___________________Strengths:* The cover provides great protection for the Kindle Fire HDX device.  That really is the first priority for any case.  It needs to protect the Kindle from damage if you drop it (which I've done) and from scratches in your briefcase or bag.  This cover protects all four corners very well (something that many cases fail to do) with wrap-around solid plastic.  I'm not certain that this would completely protect the device if you drop it on its corner (which is how most of my electronics usually get damaged).  I can't tell if the hard plastic would absorb the shock or just transmit it to the case.  The keyboard cover also protects the screen.  I keep a microfiber cloth between the screen and the keys just to make sure the keys don't scratch the screen.  There are two big rubber feet on the bottom of the keyboard (near the spacebar) to keep the keys from touching the screen, but I need a cleaning cloth with me anyway, so I might as well keep it between the keys and the screen.* Great keyboard!  The keyboard itself is really fantastic.  It's simple to type on and the keys are easy to reach.  The keys and functions are also very well integrated with the device.  The Home key takes you to the home page, the Mail key opens the email app, etc.  Some of the buttons aren't so obvious.  The box with lines through it pops up the Options menu if there is one.  There are copy/cut/paste buttons.  One nice button is the Lock; it actually shuts off the Kindle as if you pressed the power button (it just locks it, it doesn't completely shut it down).* Nice access to the devices controls (power button and volume up/down).* The "wake up" functionality wakes up the device as if you tapped the power button.* One big issue for me with any cover is how easy is it to fold it completely behind the device so I can hold the Kindle with one hand while I read in bed.  This case is just OK in this regard.  The keyboard is naturally bulky, so it tries to kind of flop around when you have it flipped behind the Kindle.___________________Weaknesses:* No swivel!  This is really a shame.  There's no way to flip the orientation of the Kindle when you have it opened in the standing position.  If I want to stand my Kindle up and use it as a cookbook in the kitchen (something I do at least once or twice a week), I'm out of luck.  I have to either use it in Landscape mode (which many apps don't support) or just lay it flat on the counter and rotate it manually.* Bad/minimal documentation:  There is a quick-start card that tells you how to charge it, how to put the Kindle in the case, how to turn it on, and basic instructions for pairing it with the Kindle.  I looked on their support site and there wasn't much more info there (just a basic FAQ).  It would have been nice if there were more detailed info, like what the different colors of the charge indicator mean, etc.* It's heavy.  I think this case actually weighs more than the device itself.  Luckily the Kindle Fire HDX is very light, so the device + the case are still lighter than a Kindle Fire HD with an average case on it.All in all, I'm happy with this case and will probably use this as my everyday case, even though I don't use the keyboard function more than a couple of times a week.