Review: The Alu-Leather Proporta case for the
N95
[NOKIA
N95 Leather case/Book type/aluminum insert/magnetic closure/2 pockets/black]
RATING **** (4/5 stars)
By Geoffrey Baker
Of all the devices I've ever owned, the
n95 probably ranks the highest in one single category: hardest to build a case for it!
The
n95, after all, is a two piece design that slides both up AND down. And from the power button on top, to the camera controls on the right side and the microSD holder and IR port and headphone jack on the left side, and the power charger and the USB port on the bottom, and a camera on the back (and front) and buttons galore on the top... well, how the heck DO you build a case for it?
The answer is very carefully!
I've researched the various designs. There are the silicone/plastic covers that snap onto front and back. These allow the slider to work in both positions, give access to the camera and the front screen is easily viewed. But of all the cases out there, these may be the least shock resistant.
Then there are the pocket cases, made of leather and other materials. Advantage: maximum protection.
Disadvantage, you have to take the phone out of the case altogether to use it. My previous case was this kind.
Then there are various other varieties: neoprene covers, waterproof cases etc.
I think it is true to say that no matter what, each case will have its different supporters. Some may prefer protection to ease of access; others want style above all.
In my case, I settled on the Proporta Alu-Leather case, for the following reasons:
I wanted as much access as possible.
I wanted a case that had a belt clip, and a method of attachment for other uses (in the car particularly).
I wanted a case with pockets so that I could store my microSD cards with the phone.
And I wanted as much protection as possible.
As I indicated earlier, all cases are a tradeoff between ease-of-access and protection. So how much of a tradeoff is the Alu-Leather case from Proporta?
The answer, I think is, it does a surprisingly good job in both ways.
Firstly: access.
The camera can be accessed and used while the case is completely closed, an excellent feature that I find very useful (my
n95 is a computer first, a camera second, and a phone, a distant third). Additionally, by flipping open the clasp and opening the case, almost all other functions are immediately
accessible. The slider opens both ways easily, the charger and usb ports can be used while the case is on, and the microSD card can be changed.
The single function that cannot be accessed while the
n95 is in the alu-leather case, open or closed, is the infrared port. That is covered by the left-hand clasp that helps hold the
n95 in the case. As I don't have any device with an infrared port (no laptop, camera or printer of any kind) this doesn't bother me a bit; and even someone who has, say, a laptop or a printer with an infrared port would, I think, not find this a problem. After all, the
n95 comes with a whole range of different ways of connecting aside from the IR
port... it connects wirelessly, by Bluetooth, by serial cable, and by transferring data via microSD card. So I don't really see this as a drawback - in fact, I've always wondered exactly why Nokia thought an IR port would be useful... why not use the space on an internal FM antenna instead?... anyway...
(To remove the battery, I should also add, you must remove the
n95 from the Proporta case)
Every other function can be accessed while the Nokia is in the case.
THE CASE FOR THE CASE: FIT, FUNCTION, FEEL...
The Proporta case itself stands up very well to the best cases out there. It is made of a very supple, soft leather which is just beautiful to the hand and the eye. Stitching is in contrasting thread and is of a very high quality.The leather is soft, but strong and solid, not thin ... exactly what you want in a good looking, durable case.
The most eyecatching part, perhaps - and the best selling point - of the Proporta Alu-Leather case is the Alu part... the fact that in both front and back, between the fine leather, is sandwiched a sheet of aircraft grade aluminum. This gives the case a protective factor that you won't find in anything short of a heavy waterproof case like an Otter box... nothing less is capable of handling the kind of damage this case can. Your
n95 screen, in particular, is protected in a way that you just won't find anywhere else... certainly not in a cheap cardboard'n'vinyl case...
The case closes with a leather clasp and a magnetic snap. Closed, with the
n95 inside, I could NOT force the clasp open by merely pulling on the case.
All in all, I was very impressed.
I said earlier, that the
n95 is just about impossible to build a good case for: well, the Proporta people have done just that.
Now, lets talk about the negatives.
Mostly, I think they are in the eye of the beholder. If you don't like this kind of case (where the
n95 is held in a bracket, and you need to unclasp and open the case to use it for most functions) well, that's fine. You may go for a different design. But you probably won't find one as sturdy.
Like any leather case (with or without a belt clip), they do add considerably to the thickness, heft and weight of the phone. Personally, I find this somewhat comforting, but I have heard others complain about it detracting from a phone's portability. This type of case is perhaps more common for devices like PDA's; but the
n95, after all, is nothing less than a PDA that looks more like a phone than a PDA...
This kind of 'sandwich' or 'book' case leaves the three edges of the the
n95 somewhat exposed. This is handy for access, but some may worry about protection. My feeling is that the heavy leather and the hidden aluminum, which project a little past the sides of the
n95 in all directions are more than enough protection from anything except perhaps falling from 30 feet onto a sharp spike (in which case I think you have other things to worry about... )
Personally, the only thing I feel negatively about the Proporta case is that there is no way of using the headphone jack while the case is closed. I think they should cut a hole so that you can listen to music with the case closed... other than that, I feel the Proporta Alu-Leather case is an excellent compromise and a very well made product.
But enough on the negatives. Back to the details...
Price: $34.95 plus shipping and handling. (Anybody who thinks $34.95 is too much to pay for the $750.00 phone they have just bought - not mentioning the microSD cards and the third party software they've bought- then all I can say is ... remember the old phrase "penny wise and pound foolish?" I think it might just apply...)
The case comes with a small screw in the back which is removed to use the removeable belt clip. This clip is free but you must order it separately... it does not ship with the case. It can also be mounted in a vehicle
using the same clip and the separate Proporta Vehicle Docking System.
On the cover (at least in the book type, reviewed here) there are two inner pockets, perfect for credit cards or microSD chips.
I rate this case very highly - 4/5 stars. My only critique - as mentioned earlier: I would like to see a hole cut for the audio OUT cable and perhaps the lefthand speaker; this would facilitate listening to the music player with wired headphones, for instance, with the case closed).
The Proporta Alu-Leather case comes in two types: flip type or book (the book type opening sideways, like a book, the flip type opening topwards, like a steno pad) and comes in one color: black. It is designed in Europe and manufactured in China.
For more information go to
PDA Cases Cables PDA Accessories | MP3 player Smartphone Gaming Cases Cables | PDA protective case manufacturer - Proporta.com
1 888 331 0803 toll free (US callers only).
Proporta.com Ltd
Unit 3, Woodingdean Business Park
Brighton, East Sussex
BN2 6NX
UNITED KINGDOM
Review and pictures copyright Geoffrey Baker 2007
photos:
To see more photos (I'm limited to 4 in the text) click these links.
http://www.desertdivers.com/proporta/case_open.jpg
http://www.desertdivers.com/proporta/case_open2.jpg
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