Proporta Kindle Case Review

May 17, 2013 by Leave a Comment

David Lumm is a professional programmer and all round geek with a passion for making technology simple.

Proporta Kindle CaseThis review of the Proporta Kindle cover is the second of two reviews of cases supplied by the device protection experts at Proporta.co.uk.

I really love books, real books, with the smell and the feel and the print and the turning pages. I know that makes me a bad geek, but I can’t help myself. Maybe it comes from having worked in a library or being married to another book nut, but my first choice for reading material would usually be in the printed form. But I also really like my Kindle.

I find myself very conflicted over that sometimes. I love that there’s all the free books and that you can read a ton between charges. I love that you can take an entire library’s worth of books with you. I find that there is a place in my heart for the kindle and the other e-readers out there, but I do like the attempts to make them look more like their analogue counterparts, this product included.

When the case arrived, equally as well packed as the previous review item, I was surprised to see that it wasn’t real leather. Let me clarify, I wasn’t disappointed with what I found, I was surprised that what I was looking at and touching wasn’t the real deal. It’s a very high quality leather-effect finish, including some clever printing that makes it look like a fairly old book. In fact it doesn’t look too dissimilar to an Italian leather notebook that I have.

There is one other way this is similar to my leather notebook, this was handmade. It’s surprising to think that this is priced competitively to standard mass produced covers, often made of a much lower quality material. To make the package even more competitive than it already is, Proporta also throw in a lifetime guarantee!

The case is really lovely to look at; it doesn’t look out of place on a shelf next to your real books and it is nice to hold. It’s a great all-rounder and does everything you expect. It includes the internal pocket that all good eReader cases incorporate, although I’m yet to find a good use for that.

I think it’s safe to say that I really like it, but I do have one small complaint and that is the lack of any mechanism to keep the cover closed. It’s not a big problem, but I would’ve like to have seen an elastic strap or even better some sort of clasp.

So just short of perfection perhaps, but a great way to keep my Kindle reading a secret!

What about you? Are you all digital, or do you still like a sneaky paperback once in a while? And do you prefer you e-reader covers closable?

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Barbour Quilted Galaxy S3 Case Review

May 13, 2013 by 1 Comment

David Lumm is a professional programmer and all round geek with a passion for making technology simple.

Barbour Galaxy S3 phone caseThis review of the Barbour Samsung Galaxy S3 Case is the first of two reviews of cases supplied by the device protection experts at Proporta.co.uk.

I’ve never used a folio case before I started reviewing this particular model, in fact as I thought about that fact it occurred to me that I’ve never really protected a phone quite as much as I feel the need to now. I reckon I’ve owned a mobile phone for the last 12/13 years; and whilst some of those early models were adorned with the “leather”-edged, plastic-fronted and elastic-sided type cases that were the norm as the time, most have lived in my pocket without any additional protection. The S3 I’m currently using started out unprotected, but I found it made me feel nervous much more than any previous phone had done.

Given all of that, I started this review not expecting to be blown away by the product. It didn’t matter to me much that it was a brand name either. I did not expect to find myself actually liking it.

So let’s start from the beginning; I was really pleased with how the case arrived. It was well packed and in a good quality Barbour branded display box. But what really pleased me was the inclusion of a little gift of tea. I’d imagine the gift itself wouldn’t be up everybody’s street, but the fact it was included, even with a product for review, adds a personal touch which is welcome.

The case itself appears to have been made to a high standard, including real-leather panels and a style that wouldn’t look at all out of place on any of Barbour’s famous jackets. The inside is trimmed with a Barbour exclusive material.

At first I found the magnetic closure a little confusing, but this may be due to my inexperience with this type of case; it connects at the back of the phone rather than the front. Presumably this is so you can attempt to hold and open the case with one hand, but for me a phone this size is nearly always a two handed device.

Having now used the case for about two weeks I’ve found myself getting quite fond of it, not least because it impresses people. I’m genuinely impressed by the level of protection it offers, I’ve dropped the phone at least twice onto pretty hard surfaces and had no problems.

What I’ve also enjoyed is the fact that I tend to take the phone out of the case more, admittedly that is more to do with the type of case than this particular model, but it’s become a bit of a selling point to me. I generally take it out at work to place on my desktop stand and also at night, so that I don’t have to fiddle with the case if it goes off. What this means is that I get to enjoy the S3 as designed occasionally, whilst also getting the protection I require the majority of the time.

Even though I take the phone out at least twice most days, the case seems to be holding up well. I have seen some cheap cases start to show the strain after just a couple of attempts of taking a phone out and putting it back in again.

Overall I found myself really impressed with the quality and design of the case, in a fashion sense (something I’m not at all motivated by) it seems this would go with most outfits for most occasions. Some gel cases and the like can leave your top of the range phone looking a bit naff, not so with this premium product from a premium brand.

This wasn’t really a product I expected to like, not that I didn’t expect it to be high quality, but I wasn’t sure I would like the form factor. However I was pleasantly surprised and I’m a convert!

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Galaxy Note 10.1 Ultra Thin Folio Case [Review]

April 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Galaxy Note Folio CaseI’ve always said you can’t beat sitting down with a proper, old fashioned, paper book. There’s something about the smell of a new book, and the physical feeling of turning the pages that’s just missing from the current range of eReaders and tablet devices.

Having said that, I do find myself being slowly and irresistibly drawn to reading on my Galaxy Note tablet because the books are cheaper and quicker to buy than their physical counterparts. There are some books I just won’t buy electronically (like my collection of Terry Pratchett novels), but more and more of my reading is becoming electronic.

One of the books I bought recently was a technical manual, but every time I tried to prop my tablet up on my desk, it would fall over. That made it really difficult to have the manual open at the same time as trying to work on the computer, so I started to look around for a case that would hold my Galaxy Note upright,  and this is what I found: a Galaxy Note 10.1. Ultra Thin Folio Case.

I had a bit of a giggle when the package arrived and, written on the back was, “We are specializing in producing leather case”. It reminded me of some of the funny mistranslations I’d seen online, and sort of highlighted the fact that this case was made in China. Nothing wrong with that, I just mention it because I happened to notice.

The product description wasn’t kidding when it says this case is “ultra thin”.  It’s maybe 4 or 5mm thick, so it doesn’t add unnecessary bulk to your tablet. This matters to me – I travel quite a lot, so I don’t want something that’s going to take up too much room in my bag.

While thin, the folio case is also hard, so will offer a good degree of protection to your device. I don’t think it would fare too well if dropped – there’s not much padding – but if you’re just looking to protect against scratches and general wear & tear, this is a good bet.

The Galaxy Note 10.1 is attached to the case by means of a large sticky pad which, if I’m honest, I found quite difficult to use. If you don’t line your tablet up perfectly first time, you have to pull pretty hard to get it off again.  That’ll turn out to be important later on, but it was a real hassle at first. There are holes in the case for the microphone, camera, and headphone jack, and the best I’ve managed is to get two out of three of these lined up (the microphone lost out). You might say I just didn’t do it right, but I think the microphone slot is actually slightly out of place.

But how does this case do at what I wanted from it? Does it actually make it easier to read and type? Well, yes. Just fold half of the case up and it becomes a little stand that’s actually quite sturdy. The sticky pad that caused me some grief earlier now turns out to be well thought out and holds the Note in place while upright.

So, what’s the verdict? I think this is a good buy – the quality pretty much matches the £15 price tag. Let that guide your expectations – this isn’t a premium leather case, but represents good value protection for the money.  It certainly stands up well to other Galaxy Note 10.1 cases I’ve tried, and it fulfils my primary requirements of being able to prop my electronic books up while working.

The Galaxy Note 10.1 Ultra Thin Folio Case is available from GearZap.com for £14.95 at the time of writing.

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Hama 110 Colt Syscase DSLR Bag [Review]

August 13, 2012 by

Hama 110 Colt Syscase camera bagBack in February, LoveCases asked me to review the Hama Rexton 170 DSLR Camera Bag. In that review, I mentioned that my usual bag was something much larger, but that it was handy to be able to call on a smaller bag when the occasion called for it (i.e. when I didn’t want to lug all my kit around with me).

Well, LoveCases have sent me another bag to review, and it’s even smaller again. This time it’s the Hama 110 Colt Syscase.

I’m using this with a Canon EOS 1000D, which has now been superceded by the 1100D. They’re the same size, though, so if it works with my camera, the Hama 100 will do as a Canon 1100D case as well. So, how does it perform?

The fact is, this is a very small, snug case. It comes with a padded divider but I found no use for that. With the divider in place, I couldn’t fit the camera’s body in the case. I could fit a couple of lenses in there, but it seems to me that there would be little point in using a case like this just to transport lenses around. If I wanted to carry a couple of lenses I would use a larger bag (I seem to be building quite a collection of DSLR camera bags at the moment). So I took the divider out and used the case without.

That makes enough room to stick a camera in with the lens attached. Not a huge lens, admittedly – I struggled to fit a 250mm lens in, but it was fine with the 18-55mm kit lens my camera originally came with. There’s also a small pocket on the front of the bag for you to slip a couple of extra memory cards, maybe a battery and a cloth in… and that’s it.

You might be thinking it all sounds very basic. It is – but I think that’s the point. This is a relatively cheap bag for those times when all you want to do is head out with your basic kit and make sure it’s at least a little protected. If you need to put your camera down, for instance, you’ll most likely feel much happier doing it in a padded bag than just plonking it down on the ground. And while you could just wear your camera on your shoulder using it’s strap, you’ll be a little less worried should you get caught in a rain shower with a bag than without.

Having said that, it’s important to note that the bag is not listed as being waterproof, so don’t expect it to keep everything safe in a downpour. It is small enough, though, to slip inside your jacket, so maybe that’s not a concern!

The Hama 110 is a great little bag for those times you don’t need to take much with you. It’s comfortable to wear, and offers that extra bit of protection over choosing to forego a bag altogether. At the time of writing is is priced at £14.95. Check it out on LoveCases.co.uk.

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Gumdrop Drop Series Case for iPhone 4 [review]

July 11, 2011 by

It’s a standard question when buying a new mobile phone: “Do you want to take insurance on that?” On the one hand, it’s an extra expense and, of course, you’re planning to be very careful with your new gadget. On the other hand, accidents happen… unfortunate meetings between toilet and telephone, children getting hold of your handset, or whipping your phone out of your pocket to answer a call and having it tumble from your hands only to land on the unyielding pavement below.

I have always preferred my mobile phones “naked”; that is, without a case. But having dropped several phones and seen how quickly they get scuffed and scratched I now always use a case. So when MobileFun asked me to look at one of their Gumdrop offerings, I jumped at the chance.

The Gumdrop Drop Series Case for iPhone 4 gives a very distinct impression. If you were looking for a single word to describe it, I’d go for “rugged”. It looks chunky and as if it could be made from a piece of tyre!

The Drop Series case is made up of several layers of protection. A hard inner layer clips around your iPhone very snugly. In fact, it is so snug it can be hard to open again but I would rather that than something that doesn’t fit properly. The nice thing is that the inner layer includes an integral screen protector too, so there is pretty much all-over protection.

Hard cases do still have a tendency to crack if dropped, though, so the Drop Series Case has a rubber outer section. This is what makes it look like a tyre, and what adds to the size of the case. It will absorb the shock of a drop and makes the whole affair very, very grippy.

That’s something you want in your phone case, but here it’s almost too much. Having the Drop Series Case in your pocket and trying to get it out quickly to answer a phone call invariably results in an inside-out pocket. It’s not a huge problem but it could become annoying in time.

A few friends also offered their views of the case, and pointed out that it adds nearly a centimetre in every direction over the “naked” phone. That, and the overall styling, makes it seem that this case has been styled more for male tastes than female. It doesn’t have to be that way, of course, but this is the feedback I received from the women I showed it to.

Overall my friends and I agreed that the Gumdrop Drop Series case is a tough piece of kit. It’ll protect your iPhone 4 from drops and knocks very, very well but at the expense of making it slightly chunky and those inside-out pockets I mentioned.

If your primary concern is protection over looks, or if you happen to like the rugged appearance of the Drop Series case, this is well worth a look.

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Leather Style Kindle Case and Light [review]

April 20, 2011 by

The Amazon Kindle is a great little piece of kit, and I’ve been told by a number of people it’s designed to handle the daily rigours of being treated like any other book. I’m not convinced, however, that I would want to toss it in a bag along with keys or leave it lying around the house for the kids to get creative with.

The obvious solution is to invest in a cover, and Mobile Fun recently sent me one of their range of Kindle covers to try out. The cover in question is a black leather style case, with a clip-on LED light.

If I’m honest, there’s not a lot of innovation to be had in device cases. What you’re looking for is something that looks decent, feels good to use, and that actually protects the device it’s covering. The leather styling (note: it’s not real leather) gives this case a classic look which wouldn’t look out of place on a bookshelf.

The Kindle is held in place by elasticated straps that keep it secure without getting in the way. On other cases I’ve used there has been a strap that goes the full width of the Kindle, between the keyboard and screen. While that’s arguably even more secure than being held in by the corners, it does get in the way and sort of draws the case to your attention instead of just letting you get on with your reading.

As for the light, it clips on to the cover and provides decent illumination for night time reading. I found it to be noticeably duller than reading under room light, but certainly good enough. If anything my only complaint would be that the light’s poseable neck is a bit flimsy and given to shaking when you shift position. Still, assuming you’re not trying to read while dancing, you shouldn’t have a problem!

As I said earlier, there’s not a lot of innovation to be had in the case field. I think it’s more a case (boom boom!) of finding one you’re happy with and sticking with it. At a decent price of £15.95, looking good, offering decent protection and coming with a battery-operated light, the Leather Style Kindle Case and Light from MobileFun is well worth a look.

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Using old floppy disks as CD covers

March 9, 2009 by
Floppy disk

I can’t quite remember where I got the idea for this: I think it was here, but it’s been something that’d been rolling around my mind for a while. We used to have a Commodore 64 with a floppy drive when I was little, and it took these 5-and-a-quarter inch disks that are, handily, about the right size to use as CD covers. These disks evoke memories of childhood in me, and so I wanted to take a shot at making these retro CD cases myself.

First, where to get obsolete disks? I managed to pick up a sealed box of ten from eBay for just a few pounds.

Now we want to open the disk up so that we can get at the insides. You can cut your way in with a craft knife (the disk’s skin is a fairly thin plastic layer), or there will most likely be some folded-over tabs on the back side as there are on the ones I bought. If that’s the case, simply unstick one of the tabs. It’s not particularly important which one you undo, but I did the “top” one… opposite the hole the disk would have been read through.

Internal Padding

Inside is the floppy disk itself – a thin magnetic film. Just take it out and you should be left with the casing and some protective padding stuck to the insides. You’ll want to leave that in there as protection for your CDs.

The next step is somewhat unremarkable… put your CD inside. No, seriously, that’s it… you now have a retro floppy disk CD cover. If you want you can put a piece of card in to protect the parts of the CD visible through the holes in the disk’s casing, but if you’re careful you should be able to get away without bothering.

Now to try and explain to people why my CDs are in strange-looking cases.

The finished retro CD cover
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