What it does:
*Protects your Palm Tungsten E
*Looks good. Sleek brushed aluminum with black plastic trim (not all plastic as has been mentioned)
*Holds 2 expansion cards

What it does not:
*Provide quick access to stylus, power button, expansion slot, or hotsync, power, headphone jacks
*Provide storage for anything other than Tungsten E or 2 expansion cards

This case is for PROTECTION of the Palm Tungsten E. It is a hard shell. Period. People argue about whether it is plastic or aluminum, it is aluminum outside with a plastic interior. With the case closed, there is no access to any part of the Tungsten.

If you are a person who like to flip out the Palm for a quick second and stow it away again, or needs a case to be able to carry things other than your Palm, or if size is an issue then this is not the case for you. You would be better served with one of the leather cases with minimal padding, but with holes to access things like stylus, expansion slots, or power button. Just realize that those cases are not as durable.

I use this case because i am very clumsy with small objects like PDAs and needed the extra protection to keep my shiny new Tungsten free from dents and scratches which the included flip cover could not provide. I accepted that it is significantly thicker (about a half inch thick instead of a quarter inch) and that access to certain items was not immediate.

I have never had a problem opening the case, but it is secure in that it won't open accidentily. It clicks open with a slight push on the arrow on the lower half of the shell. Some have said you can open with one hand... I tried, and while it is possible, I wouldn't recommend it unless you're trying to impress friends. I always use 2 hnads (one to hold, the other to open) and it never occured that it was an issue until reading some of the posts here.

I use one of those combo stylus/pens and so i never have to get the stylus out of the case. it also gives me a nicer writing instrument.

I do take it out of the case when charging and syncing. It seems to me that the weight of the Tungsten is propped on the jacks if you leave it in the case. Since the Tungsten is light, it is probably not an issue, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. I usually take it out at night when i get home, and place it back again when i walk out the door in the morning. Once again, it didn't occur to me that this might be an issue until readin some of the posts here.

I also don't listen to MP3s using this so not being able to access the expansion port while the case is closed isn't an issue for me.

Long story short... if you want protection for your Tungsten, then this is for you, otherwise get a leather case that has more convenience features


Unequaled protection in an elegant package   January 16, 2004
 112 out of 115 found this review helpful

I went over many of the reviews posted here before placing an order for a Tungsten E and its accompanying hard case. Admittedly, because of the many negative and mixed reviews, I had my doubts on the quality of the case, but since I didn't like any of the alternatives, I went ahead and purchased it.

I've been using my Palm on a daily base for a month now. During this period, I've dropped it around 5 times, once in a stream of water in a roadside. Not a scratch on the PDA, it looks exactly as it did on the day it arrived.

Despite my best efforts, I am careless and forgetful (hence the need for a PDA), thus I find this case to be perfect for my needs.

CLARIFICATION. Many of the mixed or negative reviews here are from people that haven't learned to use the case properly. As another reviewer pointed out, the hard case has a hinge that matches with a slot on the PDA, a perfect fit. The PDA doesn't flop or shake around at all. The cover is most definitely NOT made of plastic, but some type of aluminum. The inside is plastic, and has 2 slots for memory cards.

Opening the case is extremely simple and takes 2 to 3 seconds: you hold the case in your palm, top cover facing outward, press the bottom lid in (there's a small triangle that indicates exactly where) with your thumb, the case then clicks open, you then use your free hand to open the lid (which rotates 360), swing the PDA and pull the stylus out and voilà ... brand new Tungsten E. I hardly ever use the power button to the unit on since I have 4 alternate power keys on the front.

By the way, you do NOT need to pull the PDA out to charge or hot-sync it, I do it daily and haven't had to do this once. On the other hand, as one reviewer pointed out, you won't be able to listen to mp3s while the case is closed. Is this important? There are excellent mp3 players out there, with up to 30 GB storage, so I find buying expensive memory to play mp3s on your PDA ridiculous.

For it's elegant appearance, slim fit, unequaled protection, and relatively cheap price (on Amazon) this case deserves 5 stars.


A nice, sturdy case for your Tungsten E.   November 29, 2003
 41 out of 43 found this review helpful

I read some of the reviews here, but went ahead and purchased the hard case. I was pleasantly surprised how nice it was given the very negative reviews here.

First, the case exterior is most definitely aluminum, not plastic as one reviewer mentioned. Only the interior is plastic. As for the difficulty some folks mentioned on opening the case, all I can say is they are opening it wrong. Although this is a clam-shell type design, the latch mechanism works by sliding the lower half of the case toward the hinge. I have no difficulty opening the case with one hand, using my thumb to slide the lower half. If you try to open the case like a book, you won't be able to open it. I believe that's why folks are complaining about "how difficult" it is to open. It's not so don't believe it.

Lastly, regarding the issues of not being to access the power switch or stylus, that's kind of a nonsense issue. The design of the lower half of the case surrounds the Tungsten E. To access the power switch or stylus, just swing the unit out slightly to gain access. The unit is attached to the case via a hinged rail that your Tungsten E slides onto.

Again, all I can say is I'm rather pleased with the hard case. It's stylish and protects the Tungsten E like an armored car, which is what I was looking for. If you want a quick access case, you're probably either better off with the Palm zip-case or one of the generic flip or holster type cases


great protection for you new palm   January 18, 2004
 19 out of 22 found this review helpful

I bought this case the day after I got the tungsten e. Do not use the built-in flip cover that comes with the palm. The flip cover ACTUALLY SCRATCHES THE PALM. I found that out the hard way. Other people complain that they can't get to the stylus or power button with this case, umm there was a piece of foam inside the packaging to prop the palm up inside the case. The foam puts pressure on the palm so that it doesn't rattle around in there, it also makes accesing the stylus and power button a cinch. Use your heads people. The case is very sexy looking being that it is sparkley aluminum, and it is slim and sleek, adding barely no weight or bulk to the palm. I think this is a great product that serves it's primary purpose to protect the palm, as well as adding a sexy look to an already sexy looking handheld.


You get what ya paid for (and you got something pretty nice)   January 10, 2004
 17 out of 20 found this review helpful

Just got the case today. Cheap plastic? umm, no, it's not. Personally, i think some of these people complain too much. You paid $20 for the thing, how much do you expect?! It's super protective (major plus when it's gonna be thrown around in a bookbag most of the time) and it's sleek. Like some other reviewer said, if you cant open it, you're opening it wrong. okay, so maybe you'll need TWO hands to open it. not a big deal. I thought that the unit fits pretty nicely in the case. It has a hinge rail that the E slides on, so there's no chance of it falling out. To get the stylus out, you WILL have to tilt the E forward which takes all of 2 extra seconds. I can open the case, get the stylus out, AND turn the power on in like, 3 seconds. if you dont have 3 seconds to spare, you've got problems. As for being "big and clunky" the case is about 3 1/2 inches by mmm...4 1/2? And im thinking it's a little under a half inch thick. WOW! thats HUGE, considering the unit is maybe 3 by 4 1/4 inches itself. ANYWAYS, i would personally reccomend it to anyone looking for an inexpensive protective (not cheap plastic) case. If you're one of those people who obsolutely NEED to whip out palm and stylus RIGHT AWAY with no delays or maybe have some motor disabilities....find something else. For everyone else, this is a steal. The main idea is to protect your palm so it doesnt get broken. Okay, okay, the design COULD be better (that's why it gets a 4) but it's flaws arent disabling. I dont think you could buy anything better for this price. If you have hundreds of dollars to waste on a superior case, go ahead. I dont and i am PLENY pleased with this. BUY IT, YOU WONT REGRET IT. (at least i didnt)