Brando Toshiba e800 Series Cases

Gadgeteer Hands On Review by Julie

March 05, 2004

Product Requirements:
Device:
Toshiba e800/e805 Pocket PC

Owners of Toshiba's latest e800 series Pocket PC will be happy to learn that Brando is now offering two styles of leather cases for this popular PDA. Available in both a flip style and book style, these cases offer storage for memory cards, business cards and a removable ID card holder.

The flip style case comes with an optional black plastic belt clip post, screw and clip. For those of you wanting to wear the case on your belt, you just need to screw the post into the brass fitting on the back side of the case with a Phillips screwdriver. Since the post is made of plastic, it is conceivable that tightening the screw too much might crack the post. The actual belt clip is the typical plastic rotating pinch type.

When the PDA is in this case, access is allowed to all features including memory card slots, jog dial, hold switch, navigation pad, reset switch, etc. Except for syncing and charging with the cradle, there is really  no need to ever remove the Toshiba from this case.

The holster holds the PDA securely, and has accurately sized cutouts for the display, side buttons, navigation pad, status LED and microphone.

The padded and stiffened flip cover has 3 business card slots and 2 molded SD card slots. A removable ID card holder with a plastic see through window is also included. This holder slides into one of the 3 business card slots. It also doubles as a screen protector that keeps the business cards and SD cards from touching the display while the flip cover is closed.

The cover is held closed with a strong snap magnet. Because of this fact, it is not recommended that you store credit cards or other cards that utilize magnetic strips in the card slots. The magnetic snap will likely damage them.

The book style case differs very little from the flip case. It has all the features that the flip case has, while adding a stylus holder in the inside spine. Also, instead of having 3 business card slots, this case has 2 slots and a large pocket behind all of the slots. This is the same pocket that the ID holder uses.

As far as styling and construction are concerned, these cases are made very well and with quality materials. I could find no defects in the two cases that I was sent to review. I think both the flip and book style cases would fit well into any environment, be it corporate or casual.

While the Brando cases do add some bulk to an already large PDA, they will protect it from everyday abuse. At $32, you really get a quality case.

 

Price: $32.00

Pros:
Play through
Removable belt clip
Lots of storage

Cons:
None