Any regular reader knows that we are all suckers here for bookbound iPad 2 cases. We love books, we love moleskine journals, and anything that makes the iPad look like a book or journal is quite alright to us. It looks like we aren’t alone either in loving the classic look and feel of a bookbound case for the iPad 2. There are now 4 major contenders in this market, and all of them are worth looking at! Check out our review as we review and compare DODOcase, Pad and Quill, Portenzo, and twelvesouth book bound iPad 2 cases!

DODOcase iPad 2 Case

This case proves that the Dodo is far from extinct. Hand made in beautiful foggy San Francisco, this bookbound iPad case is constructed using traditional bookbinding techniques. The outside of the case is designed to look like a classy moleskine journal. It’s black Moroccan cloth is soft and supple, while still remaining quite sturdy. An elastic band holds the case closed, and magnetic inserts activate the iPad’s auto wake/sleep features. For an additional fee, it can also be monogrammed with up to 3 initials in gold or black foil to further personalize the case. Inside, you will find a tray constructed from renewable bamboo that holds the iPad safely. You can choose from 7 different interior colors of interior cloth as well. This case has won many awards and even been spotted as the preferred presidential iPad case! However, their cases have been known to shatter when dropped, and there is no camera hole built in. The DODOcase for iPad 2 is available for $59.95.

The Good: Beautiful, looks like a moleskine, 7 color choices, optional monograms, presidential approval
The Bad: Bamboo can be quite fragile- if dropped these cases have been known to shatter, no camera hole, no pockets

Pad and Quill Contega Case for iPad 2

Pad and Quill is a family run company based in Minneapolis. Each and every one of their cases is made by hand with precision craftsmanship and lots of love. They are also excellent examples of interacting with their community, you can contact them on twitter or via their website and have actual conversations with real nice people. We have a soft spot in our heart for this Pad and Quill. Their cases are outstanding as well. Outside these cases look like Moleskine journals, even down to the little bookmark that sticks out the bottom (we love this feature!). They are bound with black Italian bonded leather, close with a nice thick elastic strap, and come in 3 different colors of interior bookbinders cloth. There is also an optional pocket that goes on the inside of the front cover for holding documents. The frame is made from rugged but lightweight Baltic Birch. They have a few different options- the Octavo case is very similar in style to the DODOcase (but it does include a camera hole) and is available for $59.99, the College Edition is a lighter version for a lighter price of $49.99. And then there is the Contega Case. Now this case is what truly makes Pad and Quill stand out from the pack. The Contega case doubles as a stand for the iPad 2 and even comes with a secret hidden pocket for storing important documents. It’s a beautiful that is totally unique in the bookbound world. The Pad and Quill Contega case is available for $89.99.

The Good: Excellent customer service, high quality cases packed with features, a variety of cases to fit any budget, has pockets, has iPadAccessories.com approval
The Bad: Not much… though they do lack some of the personalization options that Portenzo and DODOcase offer.

Portenzo iPad 2 Case

The Portenzo iPad 2 cases are made in the USA and feature many of the same features that the DODOcase and Pad and Quill offer. What makes them truly stand out is the shear amount of personalization options they have. We wrote an entire review on the Portenzo cases here, but will recap: They offer 4 different styles of case with just about as many customization options as you can shake a stick at. You can choose from around 9 different colors of cloth or leather for the outside, and there are around 11 different color choices for the interior. You can even choose what color you want the elastic bands to be from 9 different choices. But that’s not all! For an added fee you can choose to have a camera opening drilled into the case, you can get a personal embossing of your choice, you can choose either a magnetic closure or an elastic closure (or both), and you can even choose to get the case with a Stylus compartment that holds most standard sized styli! The choices are almost overwhelming! However, they let you make your case as unique as you are… for a fee. The Portenzo iPad 2 Cases are available from $59.95-$164.75. Check them out! At the very least, it’s fun to use their website to design your dream case!

The Good: Customizable doesn’t even begin to describe it… sooo many choices!
The Bad: Customizing ain’t cheap- these case can get very expensive, no pockets

TwelveSouth BookBook for iPad 2

The Twelvesouth case looks very very pretty. We’ve never been able to review it though since the company won’t return any of our emails. However, this case is a handmade hardback leather case that turns into an adjustable stand using a button and string. The outside looks like a vintage leather bound book, even the spine has the typical embossing you’d expect to see on such a tome. The case zips closed using two red leather zippers that look kind of like bookmarks. Inside the iPad is held in place by three straps- two on the bottom corners and one elastic strap along the top. There is also a soft velvety microfiber fabric on the interior to keep your iPad safe and cushioned. It has been featured (apparently) in Oprah’s magazine and in Vanity Fair. There is no camera hole and it is not smart cover enabled, but it is quite beautiful to look at, comes in two color choices, and virtually disappears on the bookshelf. The Twelvesouth BookBook is available for $69.99.

The Good: Beautiful exterior, vintage design, clever stand, excellent iPad disguise
The Bad: No camera hole, no magnetic on/off functionality, less than perfect iPad straps do not hold the iPad in place very well

So there are four choices for all you bibliophiles out there. Each has it’s own strengths and unique points. Here at iPadAccessories.com headquarters, we all use Pad and Quill’s cases on all our i-devices. We have a soft spot for their company and love their personal approach to customer service. No matter which one you choose, you can be sure you will end up with a great case that will protect and show off your iPad in style!