Wallet Boy
08-09-2003, 02:39 AM
I just received my 2200 series case from Casesonline a few days ago. Since I haven't seen any real in-depth reviews for this case I figured that a mini-review would be helpful for someone looking into buying a case from Casesonline (http://www.casesonline.com).
Overview
I was extremely excited when the case I ordered from Casesonline finally arrived. I choose Casesonline since they were a HP Business Partner and was the only case manufacturer that offered cases in different colors then black or black/tan. I wanted something that stood out a bit more. My previous case had been Piel Frama for my Toshiba E335. I opened the package and was treated to a simple white box, nothing like the fancy red/green box that the Piel Frama came in. I wasn't worried, since the pictures on the Casesonline site promised a well-built and protective case.
http://home.comcast.net/~jmgutzman/overview.jpg
It's the case and color I ordered!
When I opened the package I was pleased that it was the case I wanted. I ordered the "slim" style case in the "verona" leather and "marine blue" color. I was expecting a little darker blue then what my case actually is, and it threw me off. It's not too bad in daylight or under florescent lighting, but in some indoor lighting situations it looks kind of purple . . . ugh.
http://home.comcast.net/~jmgutzman/overview2.jpg
The open view.
Upon opening the case I saw that Casesonline gave me two SD cardholders, a place to put some credit cards/business cards, and a side pocket to hold other small thin items. At this point I was pleased with case even though the color was not what I expected.
Materials and Construction
Once I picked up the case the leather surprised me. I choose the "verona" leather since I didn't want something shiny. The leather feels like soft suede and is easy on the hands. One thing that was odd was the missing smell of leather. It's there, but not overpowering. My guess this is due to coloring process, but it's only a guess. Stitching is well done for the most part and all the seams appear to be strong. Now comes my biggest beef with this case. It's doesn't use a "solid" construction. What I mean by this is the top part of the case, which holds the PPC is attached to the base by the same stretchy material as what the OEM slipper case sides are made of. I am not sure why Casesonline used this method, maybe to ensure that the PPC does not slip out? With the rubber grip sides of the 2200 I doubt there would've been a problem with the PPC falling out by accident.
http://home.comcast.net/~jmgutzman/sideview.jpg
The "stretchy" material.
Since the top is not firmly attached to the base of the case it allows the top part to move around. So far I have been unsuccessful in keeping the 2200 in the case so all the cutouts match. On mine they seem to want to slide to the right no matter how much I try to shift the PPC in the case. Also the top and bottom of the free-floating top are molded and I cannot push the 2200 far enough in the case to allow full access to the top portion of the screen. If I manually lift the bottom section then jam the 2200 in it will fit, but soon it works it way out due to the stretchy material. Perhaps this will become less of an issue as it gets broken in.
http://home.comcast.net/~jmgutzman/overview3.jpg
Slipping to the right.
Due to this free-floating design the sync connector is partially hidden. To connect the sync cable to charge the unit in the case you have to hold the top portion of the case up then plug the unit it. Again this may be because the case is not broken in, but the cutout is small and could've been made larger without compromising the design. You cannot use the 2200 in the case with the cradle, it will not fit.
http://home.comcast.net/~jmgutzman/bottomview.jpg
Cannot connect!
Also in the above picture you can see how the case closes. It is not a tight fit. Be aware, I have nothing in any of the pockets. Perhaps if they have a couple of SD cards it will close tighter?
You cannot access the stylus while the 2200 is in the case. I did not have a problem with this until I started using the case during my workday, then some shortcomings were evident. First the built in stylus holder is on the left side, once you get used to the OEM placement on the right side it takes a bit of practice to start using the holder. Second is that the stylus, when in the holder, is not protected at all. Anything could bump against the side of the case and potentially damage the tip. Other then this the holder is made of the stretchy material and I doubt the stylus would ever fall out by accident.
http://home.comcast.net/~jmgutzman/sideview2.jpg
Too bad they didn't make the flap run the entire length.
Conclusion
In this case, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. I liked the materials and workmanship with the stitching, along with the storage options. The sloppy construction and general loose feeling I got from the case disappointed me. I will be trading this case in once some better designs are available.
Overview
I was extremely excited when the case I ordered from Casesonline finally arrived. I choose Casesonline since they were a HP Business Partner and was the only case manufacturer that offered cases in different colors then black or black/tan. I wanted something that stood out a bit more. My previous case had been Piel Frama for my Toshiba E335. I opened the package and was treated to a simple white box, nothing like the fancy red/green box that the Piel Frama came in. I wasn't worried, since the pictures on the Casesonline site promised a well-built and protective case.
http://home.comcast.net/~jmgutzman/overview.jpg
It's the case and color I ordered!
When I opened the package I was pleased that it was the case I wanted. I ordered the "slim" style case in the "verona" leather and "marine blue" color. I was expecting a little darker blue then what my case actually is, and it threw me off. It's not too bad in daylight or under florescent lighting, but in some indoor lighting situations it looks kind of purple . . . ugh.
http://home.comcast.net/~jmgutzman/overview2.jpg
The open view.
Upon opening the case I saw that Casesonline gave me two SD cardholders, a place to put some credit cards/business cards, and a side pocket to hold other small thin items. At this point I was pleased with case even though the color was not what I expected.
Materials and Construction
Once I picked up the case the leather surprised me. I choose the "verona" leather since I didn't want something shiny. The leather feels like soft suede and is easy on the hands. One thing that was odd was the missing smell of leather. It's there, but not overpowering. My guess this is due to coloring process, but it's only a guess. Stitching is well done for the most part and all the seams appear to be strong. Now comes my biggest beef with this case. It's doesn't use a "solid" construction. What I mean by this is the top part of the case, which holds the PPC is attached to the base by the same stretchy material as what the OEM slipper case sides are made of. I am not sure why Casesonline used this method, maybe to ensure that the PPC does not slip out? With the rubber grip sides of the 2200 I doubt there would've been a problem with the PPC falling out by accident.
http://home.comcast.net/~jmgutzman/sideview.jpg
The "stretchy" material.
Since the top is not firmly attached to the base of the case it allows the top part to move around. So far I have been unsuccessful in keeping the 2200 in the case so all the cutouts match. On mine they seem to want to slide to the right no matter how much I try to shift the PPC in the case. Also the top and bottom of the free-floating top are molded and I cannot push the 2200 far enough in the case to allow full access to the top portion of the screen. If I manually lift the bottom section then jam the 2200 in it will fit, but soon it works it way out due to the stretchy material. Perhaps this will become less of an issue as it gets broken in.
http://home.comcast.net/~jmgutzman/overview3.jpg
Slipping to the right.
Due to this free-floating design the sync connector is partially hidden. To connect the sync cable to charge the unit in the case you have to hold the top portion of the case up then plug the unit it. Again this may be because the case is not broken in, but the cutout is small and could've been made larger without compromising the design. You cannot use the 2200 in the case with the cradle, it will not fit.
http://home.comcast.net/~jmgutzman/bottomview.jpg
Cannot connect!
Also in the above picture you can see how the case closes. It is not a tight fit. Be aware, I have nothing in any of the pockets. Perhaps if they have a couple of SD cards it will close tighter?
You cannot access the stylus while the 2200 is in the case. I did not have a problem with this until I started using the case during my workday, then some shortcomings were evident. First the built in stylus holder is on the left side, once you get used to the OEM placement on the right side it takes a bit of practice to start using the holder. Second is that the stylus, when in the holder, is not protected at all. Anything could bump against the side of the case and potentially damage the tip. Other then this the holder is made of the stretchy material and I doubt the stylus would ever fall out by accident.
http://home.comcast.net/~jmgutzman/sideview2.jpg
Too bad they didn't make the flap run the entire length.
Conclusion
In this case, the disadvantages outweigh the advantages. I liked the materials and workmanship with the stitching, along with the storage options. The sloppy construction and general loose feeling I got from the case disappointed me. I will be trading this case in once some better designs are available.