InnoPocket Metal Deluxe Case for hp iPaq h4100 Series

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.ipaqcases.com/store/mdc4100.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.ipaqcases.com/store/mdc4100.htm</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/mdc4100.jpg" /><br /><br />"Metal Deluxe Case for HP iPaq h4100 series Pocket PC is 100% made of anodized aircraft grade aluminum and molded according to the profile of the iPaq h4100 handheld. The neoprene lining on top, bottom and side holds your handheld securely in place. The lock on the side closes the case tightly together and prevents it from opening and getting your handheld scratched. This form-fitting metal case protects your Pocket PC investment."<br /><br />Mmm. Metal. 8)

[jeasher]

Any difference between these guys and Proporta? My Piel Frama case for my h4350 needs to be returned and I saw Proporta is coming out with a metal one for it.

[rugerx]

I have been looking at this case for my 4155.

I like the metal look and I assume protection.
The only part I dont like is the book type flip open of the top.
I wonder if it is removable. I carry my PPC around alot in server rooms to keep up with email and online needs via wifi at work.

Does anyone know if the top cover is removable for those long stints using the PPC ?

[Sven Johannsen]

The flip top is not removable. At least it is not intended to be, I suppose you could bend the hinge portion and pull the pin.

I have the Innopocket and I believe the big difference between it and the proporta is that the innopocket has a removable stud in the back and comes with a belt clip. Unscrewing the stud leaves a little bump on the back, but nothing that would interfere with anything.

I actually had my 4155 in a proporta 1900 case for a while until a real 4155 case was produced. First available got my money.

[Bren]

You can see real picture of it in this hebrew site:

http://www.pocketpcfreak.com/archive/00001939.htm

[Pat Logsdon]

Does anyone know if the top cover is removable for those long stints using the PPC ?
I removed the cover of my Axim case with a dremel tool to cut away the pieces that held the pin in, and then pulled the pin. Then I just turned the Axim around in the case so the the screen faced the back.

A little less protection, but it made it easier for me to get at the Axim quickly...

[EricMCarson]

So how does the 4150 attach to this case? Is it through the stylus hole, and if so, where does the stylus go? Anyone have pictures of the interior of this case (the pocketpcfreak site linked above is missing several of the pictures).

[ctmagnus]

I would assume friction. The inside looks somewhat grippy yet soft, and there are the four arms on the corners to hold it in as well. Check the seventh picture on the aforementioned site. Also, it appears to have been reviewed by Helio, who visits these forums from time to time, so he may be able to answer that better.

[Sven Johannsen]

It is held in by friction and two little tabs/bumps that fit into the two little screw holes at the top of the back of the 4150. It is actually extremely snug, to the point of being difficult to get it out of the case. If you get this I suggest you get comfortable with the idea of a sync cable. Pulling it in and out of the case to use the cradle will get old fast.

The Axim idea of cutting off the lid and flipping the PPC around won't work here because of the two little tabbed bumps. They would scrape all the way down your screen when putting it in or out. If you like the idea of just a cover for the front, look at the iHolster stuff.
http://www.iholster.com/

[rob_ocelot]

I have been looking at this case for my 4155.

I like the metal look and I assume protection.
The only part I dont like is the book type flip open of the top.
I wonder if it is removable. I carry my PPC around alot in server rooms to keep up with email and online needs via wifi at work.

Does anyone know if the top cover is removable for those long stints using the PPC ?

Doubtful.

What I'd really like to know is how the HP Micro thumboard fits on the 4150 (it was originally designed for the 2200 series). I'm hoping there's gap left around the bottom of the PPC that would let me fit the keyboard over a metal case like this.

I'm not above some shaving with a hobby knife or dremel to get it to fit. It would be a *real* PITA to have to slide it out of the case to use a clip on thumb board. From the looks of most photos the keyboard should clear the door hinge when the door is open.

[Talldog]

I recently bought the Innopocket case for my new 4155 (it's actually been available for about 3 weeks), and I really don't like it as much as I thought I would. I would prefer a brushed aluminum look rather than the satin finish, the belt clip stud is constantly loosening up (if you're going to use it all the time, you should loktite it), and most importantly, it's not comfortable (for me, anyway) to hold with the cover open. OTOH, the fit is perfect, and you couldn't ask for better protection.

[jeasher]

I recently bought the Innopocket case for my new 4155 (it's actually been available for about 3 weeks), and I really don't like it as much as I thought I would. I would prefer a brushed aluminum look rather than the satin finish, the belt clip stud is constantly loosening up (if you're going to use it all the time, you should loktite it), and most importantly, it's not comfortable (for me, anyway) to hold with the cover open. OTOH, the fit is perfect, and you couldn't ask for better protection.

As far as holding it with the cover open, that's my biggest concern. Think about a metal case with the keyboard on a 4350. Would that even fly? I'm thinking a good metal case would have a break-away hinge so the cover can flip around 180 degrees and get out of the way. I doubt it will be available.

[Sven Johannsen]

What I'd really like to know is how the HP Micro thumboard fits on the 4150 (it was originally designed for the 2200 series). I'm hoping there's gap left around the bottom of the PPC that would let me fit the keyboard over a metal case like this.

I'm not above some shaving with a hobby knife or dremel to get it to fit. It would be a *real* PITA to have to slide it out of the case to use a clip on thumb board. From the looks of most photos the keyboard should clear the door hinge when the door is open.

Nope, not gonna happen. I have the case and keyboard. The keyboard certainly doesn't just fit with the case on. The case is just about as wide as the keyboard so you'ld be dremeling the entire side off the keyboard leaving no stability at all. The connector in the keyboard is also very short meaning that it likely wouldn't make connection even if you could get the case down into the keyboard.

Love to know what Carly did with all the Jornada engineers. My Jornada came with an integral cover. Never needed to buy anything that made the unit bigger, or interfered with slots, or buttons, or cradle, just to protect my Pocket PC in my Pocket. When I got the thumboard for it, the cover snapped off and the keyboard snapped on, and lo-and-behold, it had an integral cover on it too. What genius. Guess it is just the way it goes. Today we can no longer figure out how they built the pyramids or how they put a cover on a PPC.

[bbarker]

Love to know what Carly did with all the Jornada engineers. My Jornada came with an integral cover. Never needed to buy anything that made the unit bigger, or interfered with slots, or buttons, or cradle, just to protect my Pocket PC in my Pocket. When I got the thumboard for it, the cover snapped off and the keyboard snapped on, and lo-and-behold, it had an integral cover on it too. What genius. Guess it is just the way it goes. Today we can no longer figure out how they built the pyramids or how they put a cover on a PPC.
Excellent point. I know some of you prefer a cover, but I'd rather not increase the size of my PPC to protect the screen, and I want screen protection. I don't think the iPaq team can bring itself to do an integrated cover, even as an extra purchase (and extra profit) item. It might make the unit look too much like a Jornada. They seem to just be philosophically opposed to flip covers.

[Sven Johannsen]

Excellent point. I know some of you prefer a cover, but I'd rather not increase the size of my PPC to protect the screen.

The Jornada would have suited you just fine, the cover came off, and only left a couple of little dimples on the sides. They even sold replacement covers in 'designer' colors. A marketing opportunity piddled away.