iLounge

Company: Sena Cases

Website: www.senacases.com

Model: Borsetta

Price: $150

Compatible: iPad 2

Sena Cases Borsetta for iPad 2

By Nick Guy

Accessories Editor, iLounge
Published: Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Category: Cases - iPad

As we've seen with numerous and increasingly fashionable iPad-ready bags over the past year and a half, there's definitely a market for carrying cases that hold an iPad alongside other daily necessities. That's where Sena Cases' Borsetta for iPad 2 ($150) comes in: made for women, it's a combination of a leather folio and a purse. Available in black, red, pink, or gold, it may well appeal to those looking to carry one less bag, though the premium price tag may be daunting for some people.

It looks like a bag, but Borsetta’s basic structure is actually the same as many folio-style cases. Apple’s tablet slips into a leather frame on the right side; a small flap of leather with Velcro holds it in place at the center of the left edge. The top, bottom, and left edges are covered in the same material with breaks for the headphone port, microphone, Sleep/Wake button, side switch and volume rocker, speaker, Dock Connector, and corners. Borsetta could be more protective if those corners were not exposed, but overall it is better than some cases we have seen. About three-quarters of the iPad 2’s front bezel is covered, with scoops for the front-facing camera and Home button. The latter was not centered properly on our review unit, but the button was still usable. On the rear, there is an overly-large opening for the second camera.

Inside the cover opposite the iPad 2 are two built-in stands, held against the surface by snaps. The smaller of the pair creates a typing angle, while the larger allows for landscape viewing. Unlike some other cases that use the same kind of stands to less positive effect, Borsetta is rather sturdy, and we felt comfortable in its ability to remain standing even when pressure is applied. Both angles are appropriate and comfortable for typical use.

On the other side of that cover is the purse component. The front features a neat woven leather pattern, and like the rest of the leather used in the case, it feels very nice. A two-pull zipper runs along the outer edges, revealing a compartment with segmented spaces for a collection of different items. There are separate holders for a cell phone, three pens or pencils, six business cards, and two pockets: one with a zipper and another without. Nothing too thick can be carried, though—for example, an iPad Power Adapter doesn’t fit. A braided leather tab extends out from the front cover to the rear and holds the case shut with a snap. Also on the back are two metal D-rings, used to connect the included leather shoulder strap.

Sena Cases achieved part of its goal with Borsetta; the case is a stylish and somewhat practical way to carry and use an iPad 2. While the purse component is a nice idea, some users will find that it lacks in overall storage capacity. Being able to carry small, thin accessories is nice, but lacking the size to even carry an iPad power adapter—or something similarly thick—may be a problem. Additionally, Borsetta’s price is as high as one might expect from a designer-labelled product, and though Sena has continued to build its brand name up in the gadget accessories space, it’s a toss-up as to whether people will be willing to shell out the cash given what’s here. If you’re willing to sacrifice a degree of purse storage space in the name of fashion, Borsetta may be the right choice. For everyone else, there are less expensive iPad 2 bag options that will do the trick with additional capacity inside.