Jun 242013
Kindle Fire Lightweight MicroShell Folio Case Cover by Marware, Black (does not fit Kindle Fire HD)
- Official “Made for Kindle” accessory (Kindle Fire)
- Hard polycarbonate back piece with a soft protective lid for protection against scratches and impact
- Soft fabric lid folds to function as a stand for viewing
- Convenient elastic strap holds the protective lid in the open or closed position
- Designed specifically to be lightweight and slim-fit
Among the thinnest, lightest covers for the Kindle Fire, the MicroShell Folio is more than you’d expect with an advanced, ultra-low profile design. The MicroShell Folio combines a thin, hard polycarbonate back with a soft front lid to protect both the back and the front of your new Kindle device from scratches and impact. It snaps easily to your Kindle tablet, and quickly transforms from a protective cover to a fold-behind stand for hands-free viewing or display. For added convenience, the Micro
List Price: $ 39.99
Price: $ 15.99
Just As Described,
I am a little surprised by the reviews. When I read them yesterday, I was ready to return my case when it arrived today.
I bought this because I wanted the lightest case possible that would provide protection. It is very light. As the product description explains, the case is polycarbonate (an impact and scratch resistant PLASTIC) which has been rubberized on the outside, and the cover is a soft fabric (rubberized with a felt layer on the inside. Yes, the elastic strap is glued, but so what? Glue is a good thing.
It feels “cheap” because it is very light (so light I thought the package was empty). According to my postage scale, it weighs a tad over 3 ozs. The stand does not stay in place unless it is weighted with, of all things, a Kindle Fire inserted into it. Then it works perfectly.
It is exactly as advertised: a very light, form-fitting case that offers good protection for the device with a simple display stand. Nothing fancy. Certainly doesn’t have a designer name. But, it does what it is intended for and I am very happy with it. Obviously, I can’t comment on durability, but the materials seem of high quality and the finish is excellent.
UPDATE 20 Nov 11:
It is time for an update because I have been using the case for almost a week of intensive enjoyment of the Kindle Fire. It is really an outstanding case! If you are looking for a good balance between weight and protection, I can’t imagine there is a better choice. I will address myself to a few issues based on use:
1. The stand function is very simple. You insert the leading edge of the folded cover into a slot on the back. This has worked well for me, although I notice a number of reviewers have commented that it doesn’t work well for them. I am not sure about the discrepancy, but it may be related to the hinge stiffness. I noticed that it is more stable as the hinge side (on which the device rests when in the stand position) softens with use. It is rather stiff at first. If you massage it a while it becomes more pliable and flattens, which improves stability. As for falling out of the slot, I haven’t experienced that problem.
2. The quality of materials seems to be excellent. “Light” means “cheap” to some people. But this seems to be made of high quality polycarbonate and rubberized fabric. I haven’t noticed any degradation of the materials. The case is very well constructed, including the elastic strap, which is heat sealed to the case body. I tried to pry it off, and it is really bonded well to the case body. BTW, the space between the case and the Fire is a great place to store a microfiber screen cleaning cloth, which you will need.
3. It is light and the Fire is heavy (especially if you are used to the Kindle e-reader). Any weight savings should be appreciated and this case delivers. Did I mention it is light?
I would buy this case without hesitation, but everyone has different needs. My objective was to find the lightest case possible that was made of high quality materials and which would provide sufficient protection in case I dropped it (I seem to drop things a lot). This case meets my needs as well as I could expect. At the new lower price of $29.95, I think it is well-priced for protecting a $200 investment.
UPDATE 29 Dec 11:
I carry my Fire everywhere, everyday in my coat pocket and recently returned from a two week trip to Europe and Africa, where it got bounced around a lot. The case is in great shape. There is some scratching of the outer hard case, but just minor. Most importantly, I have dropped my Fire many times and this case has provided absolutely rock-solid protection. I would have thought that the front cover might fray at the edges or the flexible hinge might become worn. But it is still just like new. The only difference is that the case has become a lot more stable in the viewing position as the cover has become more flexible on the hinge edge. I stand by my original review even more positively.
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|Basic Tour of the Microshell Folio Cover by Marware,
Customer Video Review Length:: 2:14 Mins
Just a basic look at the case, so you know exactly what it is you’re getting into.
Also, I didn’t talk about the inside of the flap at all. It’s felty, so it kind of doubles as a screen cleaner as well. I’m kind of a spaz about finger smudges, but they mysteriously go away due to the inside of the cover flap.
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|I actually like this case!,
I am puzzled with all the bad reviews for this case. I was expecting something terrible to show up when I saw the reviews start popping up yesterday. The case is basically a plastic shell on the outside for the back, and a thin synthetic type material for the front, very similar (but thinner) to Apple’s smartcover for iPad 2. The device fits inside the plastic shell perfectly. There is no room for it to move around at all.
The plastic part has a elastic band on the bank which can be used to insert your hand and hold the device when reading on it, or it can be brought to the front to securely close the front flap on the case. Overall it is a slim profile case that adds only marginal bulk to the device. The front flap has in inner velvet lining which comes in contact with the screen and keeps is safe.
Parts that could have been better – the front flap is slim, but a little too thin. I’m sure it will protect the device adequately, but it feels lacking in terms of protection. Not a big deal for me personally because I use the device only at home and am fairly good with keeping my devices safe. The second, the most important drawback of this case is that the stand just plain and simple – sucks! It is very flimsy, again because of the thin material on the flap. There is no way the device can be held on the stand when reading on the Kindle in my lap, for example. The only way the stand stays firm is if it’s kept on a flat surface like a table or something. I think if they wanted to keep the material thin, that would be fine, except they should have added some weight in the middle part of the front panel that folds around – this part takes the weight of the stand, and if it was made slightly thicker, it would have worked very well.
Other than these two drawbacks, I like this case and I would recommend it if you’re looking for a light-use case. For those who paid $39.99 in pre-orders, Amazon automatically put in a $10 gift card in my account for the price difference, I didn’t even have to contact them. I am assuming everyone received the credit. If you didn’t, you can probably contact them for assistance.
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