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Apple iPad Case Review – Griffin Elan Sleeve and Passport

April 14, 2010 By 8 Comments
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The launch of the Apple iPad almost two weeks ago has created an explosion of iPad accessories.  In this article we will be taking a closer look at two executive look cases for the iPad from Griffin. The Griffin Elan Sleeve and the Griffin Elan Passport !

Both sample we have received are in a nice black leather with a leather grain structure on it. The packaging is great. No hassle to get it out of the package. Just slide your case side ways out of the packing.

Click on image for larger view

The Griffin Elan Sleeve

The Griffin Elan Sleeveis the simplest of it all but has a great feature that allows you to pull on the closing strap, which elevates the Apple iPad out of it sleeve to allow easy access to the iPad to remove it completely from the sleeve.

The Leather is nice and doesn’t leave any prints behind or picks up any dust. The stiching in in grey which gives this sleeve the nice executive look.

The Griffin Elan Sleeve cost $49.99

The  Griffin Elan Passport

The Griffin Elan Passporthas the same materials as described above for the Elan Sleeve. The Elan Passport model is a notebook model. The cover opens up like a notebook and has storage for business cards, bank cards and a sleeve for larger notes. The Apple iPad is inserted first into two secure straps on the right of the case and locked with two elastic straps on the left side. The case is not designed to have it function as a display for the digital picture frame, but in my video I show you that it is still possible.

The case doesn’t protect the outside edges of the iPad like other cases do, menaing it is more exposed.

The Griffin Elan Passport cost  $49.99 as well.

The video below will show you the both cases in action, enjoy.

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Filed Under: Apple iPad Tagged With: , , ,
About Johan van Mierlo

Johan van Mierlo has been writing and reviewing for the online communities since the launch of the handheld computer Palm IIIe and Compaq iPaq in 1998. He owned and tested many mobile devices including Windows Phone, Windows Mobile, Palm, Symbian, Android, Apple iOS iPhone, iPad and many different GPS and other Mobile products.

Johan was awarded MVP Windows Phone Consumer (Previous MVP Windows Phone and MVP Windows Mobile Devices) by Microsoft in 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 for his community activities.

You can follow Johan on Twitter

  • Pingback: Griffin Elan iPad Sleeve and Passport iPad Case | iPad Case Depot

  • jDeppen

    I like the Passport better but I doubt you can stand it up and work with it (see 2:23). It seems like it would slip. I think the bend is the best feature of the Apple case. I like the bank card / business card slots in the Passport (maybe I can finally stop carrying a wallet). Thanks for the review.

  • http://ranger9.net Ranger 9

    I ordered the Passport because I wanted something that would let me use the iPad without taking it out of the case, and because the Apple portfolio case still is in very short supply.

    But I think the Passport is an unusually bad design compared to most Griffin products. The corner straps that hold the iPad in the case also cover up the orientation lock switch, one of the three speaker holes, and the display-off button (although you can still actuate it by pressing on the strap.)

    The strap closure is inconvenient because there’s no place for it to go when you have the case open — you either have to leave it sticking out, which is awkward, or fold it back under the case, which makes a lump.

    The case has a nice, simple, office-appropriate appearance, and the padded front and back feel nice in the hand. But overall I suspect I will be using it only as a stopgap until I can get the Apple case — which means that what I spent on the Passport case will be basically a waste of money.

    • Gladstone

      “But I think the Passport is an unusually bad design compared to most Griffin products. The corner straps that hold the iPad in the case also cover up the orientation lock switch, one of the three speaker holes, and the display-off button ”

      Griffin fixed this issue. The straps no longer block the switch or the speaker opening.

      I return the Apple case and bought this one. The Apple case is sleek but not practical. It’s attract dust, print, scratches. The flap never close properly once you use it as a stand.

  • Studer

    Hello,

    Nice review but I have a question, is it possible to put a paper writing pad in the pocket and still close the folio ? If not, what is, approximatively, the maximum thickness I can put inside ?

    • Gladstone

      It’s for a couple bills and evelops… not meant for paper pad.

  • Neil Tevepaugh

    I purchased the passport in September and someone at Griifin appears to be listening to their customer complaints. In the video and in some comments, it has been said that two of the straps which hold the iPad cover the mike and power buttons. But in mine this Is no longer the case. These straps have been reduced in size.

  • http://www.cellphoneshop.net/ipadaccessories.html Brynn Jones

    Nice Ipad accessories. I have found one of this in Cellphoneshop.net but it have some protection on the side, which more convenient and have high regards for safety. I guess, they have to upgrade a little bit on that matter.