We’ve seen literally hundreds of iPad and iPad 2 cases over the past year, but this is certainly a first: Incase’s Origami Workstation for iPad and Apple Wireless Keyboard ($30) is a case made specifically for Apple’s Bluetooth keyboard. Rather than just protecting the battery-powered, metal and plastic keyboard, Origami also transforms into a stand for either generation of iPad. This is a novel idea and actually works out pretty well — a nice alternative for people who use cases without integrated stands, and for fans of Apple’s best iPad typing accessory.
Origami is composed of a reinforced synthetic rubber material.
When closed, the case is just a bit bigger than than Apple’s compact keyboard, with two Velcro straps to keep the halves shut. Attached to the inside of the bottom flap is a plastic bridge with a pair of clips that hold the keyboard securely in place, raising it slightly but not changing the angle.
When Origami is open, the corners of the top half fold backwards and connect to each other with the Velcro, forming a sturdy stand to rest the iPad or iPad 2 on.
The gap between the plastic clips and the stand provides the right amount of space so that either tablet stands at an angle similar to that of a notebook computer’s screen. You can also place either iPad in landscape or portrait orientation as you prefer; both are properly supported by Origami’s frame.
Incase’s Origami turns out to be a very practical solution when used with an iPad in a shell or other case without a built in stand—in fact, this review was written using Origami and the Wireless Keyboard together. There’s certainly value in an accessory that offers both an iPad stand and travel-ready protection for Apple’s keyboard without adding much bulk, so although the $30 asking price is a bit steep given what’s included here, it’s not totally out of the ballpark.
