Home > Consumer Reviews > M-edge Genuine Leather Executive Jacket for Amazon Kindle First Generation (Pebbled Black)

The following observations adjust the score from 3 stars.

Negative (-2 stars):
There is a color transfer from the edges of the pockets stitched on the inside front cover. This is especially noticeable on the selection wheel and the bezel next to the indicator window on the right hand side of the Kindle. This would be unacceptable (-5 stars), especially considering the cover's price, but the dye cleans off easily and the transfer is preventable by placing a soft cloth or foam insert over the face of the Kindle when the cover is closed. I rarely close the cover except when transporting anymore, so I barely notice the problem. Note: my cover is black--other colors may not have this problem.

Neutral (+/- 0 stars):
I thought the pockets, especially the ones designed to hold memory cards, would be useful. What was I thinking? Even a single 1GB SD card allows for so many documents that the Kindle's simple file navigation system is overwhelmed. And I don't see myself popping off the Kindle's back cover to change cards all the time, though that would be a simple answer to library management. Maybe in future versions of the Kindle, if they place the SD card slot where we can easily get to it, the pockets will add value. For now, your mileage may vary on this feature, depending on how you use your Kindle. Also, be aware that this cover is appx 1/2" wider and 1/16" taller than the original cover. This doesn't affect me, but it may impact someone else's buying decision. It also feels heavier than the original, but I haven't had a chance to weigh both on an accurate scale so I can't give solid numbers. Finally, the slip-in leather tab for securing the cover takes a bit of getting used to, but it is preferable to any kind of hard snap or buckle. I don't want metal near my Kindle screen! I'm not sure about the magnetic closure another reviewer mentioned--once again, I don't want any hard metal surfaces near my screen and I'm not sure about the effect a magnet might have on the e-paper screen or the Kindle's other electronics.

Positives (+ 3):
As others have said, this is a solid cover that holds the Kindle VERY well. You don't even need the elastic on the upper right corner--the other 3 corner pockets hold the device absolutely secure. In the same way that the original cover adds to the Kindle's useability, this one does so even better. When the cover is folded back, you are given a nice, 1", easily held ridge on the left that makes one-handed reading a breeze. The heavy leather construction is a pleasure to handle and is a perfect mount for a good reading light.

Summary: (3 - 2 + 0 + 3 = 4) I'm fairly bothered by a $50+ accessory transferring black smudges to my white $400 toy, so if I had a 3.5 star option, I'd give it that. The cover should protect the Kindle from the elements...I shouldn't have to protect the Kindle from the cover! M-edge really needs to ensure a higher quality lining material is used. Rather than pockets, I'd like to see a built-in leg I could use to prop up the Kindle for hands-free reading. Other than that, I'm impressed and feel this product improves the Kindle experience.

My cover, which I had ordered from M-Edge and received in December 2008 after originally being on backorder, appears different from earlier versions. The interior is a suede-like fabric almost identical to the standard Kindle cover (and I doubt it will stain the Kindle), and the pockets, while not robust, are sewn on. In all, the overall quality of the cover, especially the pebbled leather, is quite nice, and reminds me of something Coach would have made if it were in this business. I also got the M-Edge light, which works well with this case (and won't with any other). It's a small LED light that provides plenty of light if you are in a low-light situation. A few thoughts about the cover:

-It's bigger than the standard cover. This is part due to the padded cover, but also in part due to the space in the "spine" area that M-Edge created so that the M-Edge light can fit with the cover closed. (The light is attached to a flat, rectangular piece of plastic that slides into a slot sewn into the cover, behind where the Kindle sits. It's a pretty tight fit, so you'd just want to leave it there, and taking the light out does not make the cover any narrower. Also, with the light attached, the pen loop in the cover becomes unusable.) It's probably 3/4" wider than the regular Kindle cover, and feels as if the whole package is thicker. If you want the sleekest set-up, this isn't the right cover. If you want something that is more luxurious than the regular cover, this is a good choice.

-Biggest Drawback (for me): The cover is not designed so that the front cover can be folded back on itself; the inside lining likely will rip if you try. I really liked being able to do that with the regular cover, and it allowed me to hold the Kindle easily with one hand. I'll get used to the M-Edge cover, but it is a drawback for me. If you like to hold the Kindle like a hardback book, this should be irrelevant.

-The M-Edge cover holds the Kindle much more securely than the regular cover. Some people have complained that it was hard to get the Kindle in and out of the old version of this cover. Not really an issue with this cover, but I don't think it was designed for folks who like to read their Kindles without a cover. I'd rather get a slip cover in that case. Accessing the switches isn't quite so easy, however. You have to unhook the elastic strap that holds down the upper right-hand corner, and reach behind the unit. I rarely need to do that, so it's not an issue, but it could be for others. As for security, if you really want secure with the regular cover, just buy some Velcro at the drug store to attach the Kindle from the rear, and your Kindle will never fall out.

-The leather latch works fine. I liked the elastic band on the regular cover, but suspect that it would wear out before long. This latch seems sturdy, although it can get in the way sometimes.

All in all, this is a luxury purchase, but a reasonable one if you really use your Kindle a lot and don't mind the restrictions imposed on how you can hold the unit.

I take my Kindle with me everywhere because, well, you never know when you're gonna have to sit and wait for something or someone. After taking it overseas with me and having it spend time in my backpack, the original case wasn't cutting the mustard - the right-side "Next Page" paddle started getting dinged and ever-so-slightly bent. (If you look at your Kindle sitting in that old cover, it slides out about half an inch where that paddle is at the mercy of whatever it bumps into) THAT freaked me out, so I bought this cover, in Saddle Brown. I read earlier reviews & discussion posts that were so overwhelmingly glowing that I thought they had to have been seeded by M-Edge people trying to generate interest. That made me suspicious until I opened up my cover and put my Kindle in. Now I don't care if they were or not - I love the case. It withstood a 3-month overseas trip with me in my backpack and kept my Kindle safe. No staining problem, either.

I have the red leather cover which is indeed handsome: the leather is a slightly-textured, slightly-mottled, bright red and has four leather corners on the inside right that grasp the Kindle and prevent it from falling out. The upper right corner also has a bit of elastic, along with the leather, to make it easy to flex that corner and get to the two switches on the reverse side of the Kindle. On the inside, left side of the cover, there is a space for a pen or pencil as well as pockets for notes. I place 3 X 5 note cards in the larger pocket and a few business cards and postage stamps in the smaller pockets.

The leather itself is lovely: shiny, smooth and feels pleasant and comfortable to hold. When the cover is closed and the clasp inserted in its slot, a very handsome notebook-style emerges: The Kindle and M-edge cover together present a very professional appearance. The cover LOOKS expensive. It IS expensive. Costs close to $60. And worth every cent IMO.

This is an elegant and beautiful morocco grain cover for the Kindle. The four corner pieces hold the Kindle far more securely than the original cover supplied by Amazon. While I didn't have any problems with the plastic tab not remaining in place, my Kindle did fall out of the original cover several times. This is not a problem at all with the M-edge cover. I have also not experienced the corner pieces causing any trouble with the next page or previous page tabs.

Overall, I'd say that the slightly increased size of this cover makes holding the Kindle and reading easier. It also still fits into the leg pocket in a pair of 'cargo' pants. I clamp the Mighty Bright Book Light to both the front and back covers when open to avoid marking the outside of the cover and the light works fine.

I was surprised when my cover arrived to find that the lining was gray. This , of course, eliminated the problem of staining the Kindle. The only drawback to the light lining is that it may be prone to accumulating stains.

I can't praise this product enough. I looks and feels wonderful. If you like understated elegance, this is the accessory for you.