Review: A Skeptic No More; The Origami Case is Great
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 28, 2014
After purchasing my 7" Kindle HDX last fall I immediately set about searching for a case for my new device. Amazon of course recommended the Origami Case which is seemingly the companies own brand of HDX case. I was immediately put off by the price. Despite how innovative the design may be I just couldn't justify spending $60 on a case (the price at the time). The price has no dropped and I was recently afforded the chance to try out the Origami. So here are my thoughts:--------------------DESIGN:Amazon has every reason to tout the design of the Origami Case. This is really a neat and innovative product. At the end of the day, yes, it's still just a case but how it gets the job done is wherein lies the difference. First, the HDX is held in place entirely by magnets that are built into the back cover. The magnets are sufficiently strong to prevent the HDX from moving around or slipping in the cover. This feature is great because removing the HDX doesn't require prying it loose from a plastic (or another material) back cover. I also have a Belkin case that uses a plastic snap-in style back cover that is difficult to pry loose. No such problems here.The front flap fits perfectly over the HDX and also has built-in magnets to secure the cover to the device. The front flap has multiple uses too. It protects the HDX, obviously. The magnet secures the front flap while also serving to automatically awaken or put the HDX to sleep. Waking the HDX is as easy as opening the flap. Putting the device to sleep (or shutting the screen off) is as simple as closing the flap. I love this feature and in over a week of constant use it has worked perfectly every time! Lastly, the front flap folds (the origami part) and is held in place by more magnets to form a stand. The folding action is simple and intuitive and after doing it once you'll get it immediately. It's a matter of simply pressing both sides of the front flap so that it folds along the creases, then flipping the flap back until it secures.--------------------USE:As I mentioned earlier the sleep/wake function that's accomplished by the built-in magnets has worked perfectly every time for me. I understand that at least initially some folks were having issues with the device shutting down when the cover was folded back in what I call "reading mode". That has not been the case with me.In stand mode the case has performed similarly well. The device is held securely and doesn't slide even on surfaces like granite counter-tops. The magnets in the case are sufficiently strong to hold everything in place while giving easily when you want to change the configuration.--------------------WHAT I LIKE:(+) Cool looking, innovative design(+) The extras that separate this case from the pack, mainly the built-in magnets, work perfectly.(+) I love the auto sleep/wake function(+) The case provides a good level of protection for the HDX(+) Polyurethane construction seems rugged and built to last and still pleasant to the touch(+) The price is finally right. Especially compared to other cases that are significantly inferior yet priced comparatively.--------------------WHAT I DON'T LIKE:(-) When the back flap is folded back (reading mode) it's impossible to reach the power or volume buttons without loosening the magnets on the back first.(-) Not sufficiently rugged enough to protect the HDX from major drops, bumps, spills or toddlers.--------------------CLOSING:Amazon's Origami Case is much more than a simple case or stand. The innovative design carries beyond how the case folds into a stand and integrates perfectly with the HDX. Most definitely recommended!