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Here’s an interesting idea for a case. Why not combine the softness, feel and smell (mmm) of leather with the sturdy protection of aluminum together in a case? This is what Proporta has done with their Alu-Leather Case, combining the best of both worlds offering something that will appeal to lovers and fans of a soft case while offering hard case protection.

For those who want to skip over all the detailed review and just want a summary, you can jump to the review summary

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Video of Proporta Alu Leather Case

Video at YouTube

Alternative link: Video at Vimeo

Details from Proporta’s website:

The Proporta Treo 650 Series Alu-Leather Case is beautifully hand crafted to meet the exact specifications of your Treo 650 handheld. It features our trademark ‘Screen Saver System’ which uses a sheet of rigid, lightweight aircraft grade aluminium to line the case, protecting your delicate device screen from crushing and impact shocks.

Our magnetic car kits (magnetic docking mounts) are ideal for use with your PDA/Smartphone and GPS Navigation System (allowing you to quickly mount your PDA GPS system on your car windscreen) and also with your iPod (or other mobile digital audio device) when combined with our innovative Proporta ‘CarLink’ FM Stereo Transmitter (Superior) (which allows you to play your music on your car radio).

The Proporta Alu (Aluminum Lined) Leather Case is a flip style vertical case that offers a slightly different feature than most other similar flip style leather cases in that the front of the case is lined with a thin piece of aluminum. So think of this is a semi hard leather case. Interesting concept.

Being a flip style case, there’s a flap over the front of the case, covering the front of the Treo. As I’ve discussed, the flap is lined with a piece of aluminum to protect the delicate front of the Treo like the screen and the buttons, offering an extra layer of protection that most other flip style cases do not. At the underside of the flap, there are two SD card holders to allow you to carry two SD cards with you. And you can see the embossed Proporta name on the piece of aluminum lining. As well, there are two card slots that can fit business cards or credit cards or other similar objects.

Opening up the case, you will notice a set of side brackets to hold the Treo device securely in place. On the inside of the brackets you will notice a small piece of leather that is meant to help grip the Treo when it’s inserted in the case so that the Treo device won’t slide up or down as easily, thus causing unexpected accidents. I was at first a bit surprised that there wasn’t a similar bracket at the bottom, but then, realized that it would have been redundant and somewhat in the way since the magnetic snap tab closure already wraps around the bottom and snaps over the front to secure the Treo from falling out once in place.

Closing the case and looking at the top, you will notice that the top is completed covered. That obviously means that you won’t have access to the SD card slot, infrared port, SIM card tray, stylus or ringer switch when the case is closed. But then, anyone who has owned or used a flip style case would obviously be aware of this. When you flip open the case, you will have full access to everything.

Looking at the bottom, you’ll notice that the magnetic snap tab closure wraps around from the back over the bottom and snaps into place at the bottom of the case’s front. Since the tab closure is located in the middle, you will still have full access to the headphone jack and microphone, but the connector ports will obviously be inaccessible when the tab closure is snapped into place.

The case I reviewed did not come with a belt clip but you do have the option of selecting it with the Alu-Leather Removable Belt Clip absolutely free. Simply add the belt clip to the shopping cart when making the purchase. To use the belt clip, simply unscrew the blanking screw located at the back of the case and replace it with the attachment post. Now, you can then use it with the belt clip.

Here are my observations. Being a flip style case, it obviously exudes a certain style and charm giving that clean, executive look when closed. Having a flip style also means that when the case is closed that you can’t have access to the SD card slot, SIM card tray, infrared port, ringer switch and even the stylus. Other flip style cases I’ve previously reviewed may offer access to some parts of the Treo but then, when you think that you can’t really access the screen or keys with the case closed, then it may not make sense give up style when the function or access isn’t really there.

As well, when it’s closed, although you do have access to the headphone jack and microphone, you don’t have access to the connector ports. That means that if you need to charge the Treo or place it in the cradle or charger that you must remove the closure tab and get it out of the way.

I always mention this with respect to leather cases. There is a lack of a speaker hole which, in my view, being someone who listen a lot to audio books, is a big deal. A lack of a speaker hole means that any sound that’s emitted from the Treo will likely and often get muffled and blocked. Thus, when that important phone call you’ve been expecting rings, you may not be able to hear it. But, on the other hand, having a hole in the back of an otherwise clean, beautiful, stylish case may ruin the overall look of the case. So, I guess I can understand why there isn’t a speaker hole. But again, I am more of someone who prefers substance over style most times so practicality and function are always something I look for and prefer in cases and accessories.

The lack of a camera access. Again, on the same lines as what I’ve just discussed, having a camera cutout will obviously also ruin the look of the case. Thinking a bit more, it does seem silly to have one when most of the Treo is inaccessible but then, some of us may want to open the flap somewhat and still want to take that picture. Other flip style cases may have it, but again, the style of the case will dramatically be changed.

The side brackets is something new that I have not encountered in other flip style cases I’ve reviewed. It’s an interesting idea and it does work. The brackets do a good job of gripping the Treo and preventing it from sliding or shifting out. And it’s somewhat unobtrusive since there are only the side brackets and thus, you have full access to the side and volume buttons even when the case is closed. A very different design and quite interesting.

Review Summary

Overall, this looks like a very interesting design with the side brackets to hold the Treo device in place. The look is somewhat simple but yet still gives that classic, executive stylish look. The aluminum lining is another interesting idea, giving the case that hard case protection yet still retain the feel and look of the soft case of leather. You get the best of both worlds.

The flip style obviously will mean that there’s limited (if any) access at the top and bottom. In the Alu-Leather case, the top is completely inaccessible due to the flap and the bottom is limited to only allowing access to the headphone jack and microphone. These observations will always be there with regards to any flip style case. Again, this comes back to personal preference. There is little if anything I can complain about with regards to this case. It is very nicely designed and constructed and should appeal to many flip style case lovers who love leather, the flip style design and also those who want something a little different.

Please check out the Proporta Alu-Leather case at our Proporta affiliate store if interested. Use coupon DISCOVER for an additonal 10% savings!

Disclosure: Palm Discovery.net is an affiliate of Proporta and purchases made from the affiliate links provided in this posting as well as on this site will help keep Palm Discovery running. Thanks to everyone for their support! Please check out our Proporta affiliate store here. Use coupon DISCOVER for an additonal 10% savings!

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