July
14th
2011Clamcase First Impressions

I recently purchased a Clamcase to house my iPad, after growing tired of my makeshift InCase and Apple bluetooth keyboard setup for my creative writing sessions. Due to the case not being available in Canada, I purchased the item on eBay with a markup on the cost. It was worth the price.

Versatility of the Clamcase

What I am enjoying the most about the Clamcase is the many uses. My favourite mode is what I refer to as Netbook style. I had my Clamcase-sporting iPad out on my desk typing at work, and my coworker asked if I had bought a new netbook. It really looks like a netbook in appearance. I use it in this mode when working in Apple Pages, Manuscript, BlogPress, or other text-based applications on the iPad. The hinge is very sturdy and can hold the iPad up at many angles.

When watching movies, I’ve positioned the Clamcase as a stand. Its width makes it very stable. When surfing the internet lying on my stomach in bed, I’m able to prop the case up comfortably.

Tablet mode feels a little strange because of the thickness of the Clamcase. (The thickness and weight is required so that it can support the iPad without falling over in the other positions.) It does feel a little bulky, plus the keyboard is exposed on the underside. Be sure to turn off the keyboard when using it in this mode otherwise you might inadvertently tap keys from below.

For my needs (a lightweight game machine that doubles as a creative writing productivity suite that I can easily toss in my purse), the Clamcase is perfect.

The Keyboard

The main feature of the Clamcase is the keyboard. I was previously using the the Apple bluetooth keyboard. I prefer the Apple keyboard’s keys over the Clamcase keyboard. The Clamcase keys feel very close together. The keys are nicely
laid out. I find that the space bar is very small. On the Apple keyboard, the space bar stretches from the letter C to M, but on the Clamcase, it’s a few millimeters closer on either side. I’m sure I’ll get used to this quickly. The Clamcase itself is less wide than the external Apple keyboard, which also contributes to its small feeling. (Apologies for the terrible image quality below:)

The Clamcase comes with many keyboard shortcuts:

• Home: acts exactly like your Home button on the iPad. A single press takes you out of your current application. Press it twice to multitask.
• Lock: acts like your lock key at the top of your iPad. Strangely, if you hit it a second time on the keyboard shortcut, it does not make you unlock the iPad by swiping your finger. It loads right back up.
• Search: takes you to the iPad application search function. This is handy if you have a lot of apps on your iPad.
• Cut / Copy / Paste: This is a handy little feature. Although you can easily use CMD+X, CMD+C, or CMD+V respectively for those same features using the keyboard, if you have a hard time remembering them it could really help. It’s certainly faster than using the on-screen methods.
• Slideshow: Instantly brings up a slideshow from images in the Photos application.
• Keyboard: Brings up the iPad onscreen keyboard, if for some reason you feel like using that.
• Music Controls: Previous, next, play, pause, volume up, volume down, and mute; everything you need to run the iPod application.
• Power: Turn the keyboard on and off by holding the key down until the blue light flashes. I prefer this method so much more than the Apple bluetooth keyboard, which seemingly liked to turn itself on and off in my purse constantly. So far, I have run into no issues since the power key is enclosed in the Clamcase when traveling.

Because the Clamcase resembles a netbook so closely, I kept on experiencing Phantom Touchpad Syndrome: my thumb strays to where a touchpad would be located on a laptop. The experience is tricking my brain a little bit, but after a few days, the desire to use a touchpad to manipulate the screen has all but disappeared.

Downsides

Since the case is expensive, it seems a shame that it will get scratched. I scratched the case the second day I got it and felt down about it. I pondered sewing a sleeve for it, but now I’ve just accepted that it’s a case: whatever happens, happens. At least it’s not affecting the iPad itself.

Pinch alert! I had the Clamcase closed on my lap. I opened it from that position into netbook position. Argh! My leg got pinched in the hinge! It hurt a lot and it left a big welt on my leg for an hour. Be careful when opening it like that.

Is it Worth it?

I do not regret purchasing this case. It really improves my productivity. While I do play a lot of touch games on the iPad, I do a lot of document creating while blogging and working on my writing. If you are word-happy, get a Clamcase or similar device. It will give you the experience of a netbook with an operating system that doesn’t bog you down. Yes!