PRS-T1 To buy a case?

Hi folks! It looks like I'll be the winning bidder on a T1 on eBay, so I just wanted to ask around about the necessity for a case. I've been snooping around the covers and cases thread, and I already know that when I get a case I'm going to get one of the Tuf-Luv hemp cases, but I have a very limited amount of casual spending money on a regular basis, and this lot of spending money is going to my T1.

Anyway, how necessary is a case? I understand that all readers are made with pretty much identical screens, so they are fragile to a degree, but the T1's screen is buried fairly deep down in the bezel, isn't it? Are they fairly solid on their own, or do they break easily without a case? I'm using a fabric sleeve for my Kindle at the moment, which wouldn't provide any protection if I sat on it, but I'm gentle with my electronics.

[JSWolf]

A case is very necessary. It not only protects the T1 but it also makes it easier to hold.

[filmo]

I only want a case that provides strong screen protection (not soft case) or use bare ereader so I know it is my responsibility to prevent damage.

Really looking forward to flexible screens not easily damaged.

Originally Posted by filmo

Really looking forward to flexible screens not easily damaged.

As am I! The feeling of a naked ereader is so lovely!

[ATDrake]

The screen is not particularly fragile (at least, no more than your Kindle screen would be) and the bezel around it is reasonably sturdy.

But if you're going to take the PRS-T1 outside your home, or otherwise carry it around, or have a tendency to stack papers and things on top of other things, then wonder where the other stuff you put down just a few minutes ago went, then a case is a must.

I have a hard-sided generic plastic file case to carry and keep mine in, but otherwise I read it naked when I'm actually using it (it goes right back into the case when I'm not).

That said, I would kind of like to get a bookstyle cover for my PRS-T1, mainly because I'm paranoid about losing the stylus and would like to have some place to permanently put it where it would still be convenient to take out and use. I'd still stick the entire arrangement back into the hard plastic carry-case for going around on public transit and so forth when it would be in its own compartment of my backpack away from the heavier stuff.

[JSWolf]

There is not really enough space on the bezel of a T1 to properly hold it without touching the screen by accident. Besides, with a case, it's easier to hold and more comfortable.

[Flip Martian]

The T1 feels inherently less strong than its predecessors (since Sony made the decision to make the case from plastic to keep the weight down). I took mine away on hos before I had chance to buy a case and put it in a neoprene 7" Android tablet "wallet" thing just for a bit of protection but now I'm back I'm going to get a case asap before I take it anywhere.

[carpetmojo]

Originally Posted by Flip Martian

The T1 feels inherently less strong than its predecessors (since Sony made the decision to make the case from plastic to keep the weight down). I took mine away on hos before I had chance to buy a case and put it in a neoprene 7" Android tablet "wallet" thing just for a bit of protection but now I'm back I'm going to get a case asap before I take it anywhere.

Wasn't the other reason to facilitate the wifi better ?

Anyway, don't know if their name is truly representative, but if "PC World" - or, presumably, any office/computer-type big store - is in yo neck of the woods, they do handy little wallets, very reasonably priced, exactly the right size for a T1, very slim yet good protection, and side pocket for notes/stylussss etc...
Purely for lugging and slinging around though, not a "book" type one.

Incidentally, if you want to beef-up any cover's protection, a piece of plastic - like the side of a 5L wash-up/orange juice/etc.. container is ideal - cut to size and slid in, on at least the screen side, but can be both, works wonders, and has helped mine survive a very nasty incident !

[Latinandgreek]

Originally Posted by Flip Martian

The T1 feels inherently less strong than its predecessors (since Sony made the decision to make the case from plastic to keep the weight down).

It really does. The T1 is still my favourite reading device, but I was looking at my husband reading the 505 last night and thought "wow, the 505 really was built like a tank". I do appreciate the weight loss and added WiFi of the T1, but I would prefer a metal case, like before.

Originally Posted by carpetmojo

Wasn't the other reason to facilitate the wifi better ?

Anyway, don't know if their name is truly representative, but if "PC World" - or, presumably, any office/computer-type big store - is in yo neck of the woods, they do handy little wallets, very reasonably priced, exactly the right size for a T1, very slim yet good protection, and side pocket for notes/stylussss etc...
Purely for lugging and slinging around though, not a "book" type one.

Incidentally, if you want to beef-up any cover's protection, a piece of plastic - like the side of a 5L wash-up/orange juice/etc.. container is ideal - cut to size and slid in, on at least the screen side, but can be both, works wonders, and has helped mine survive a very nasty incident !

Great tip, thanks!

Well... The T1 was "sniped" from me in the last few seconds of the auction , but thanks for all the advice, anyway! If I do end up getting a T1 (Maybe they'll go down in price when a new one comes out!), I think I'll just bite the bullet and go for a case or a sleeve - one of the things I like about my K3 is how sturdy it feels, so if the T1 has a tendency to feel "flimsy" compared to its predecessors (not that I've used an x50), I'll probably feel more comfortable with something wrapped around it when I'm not using it.

[AndrewH]

The T1 doesn't feel flimsy, it just doesn't feel as "rugged" (for lack of a better word) as it's predecessors.

I think the necessity of a case is dependent upon where you're going to use your reader. My old PRS-600 never left the house, and almost never left my bedroom. I was quite happy with the simple neoprene sleeve it came with; though it provided almost zero protection, it kept the dust off when I wasn't reading. My T1, however, travels with me to and from work. I have a hard-sided book-style zipper case that protects it very well, and wouldn't dream of taking my reader anywhere unprotected...

Unlike JSWolf, I find the T1 much more comfortable to hold without any cover. Half the reason I upgraded from the 600 to the T1 was it's so much lighter, though this advantage is negated by the case.

[schorsch-lukas]

No. I would not recommend a case.

One of the main advantages of the reader is, that it's one of the lightest on the market. With the cover, it suddenly weights twice as much.

It's not that great to hold, naked, it can be a little edgy, but the back feels nice. A cover doesn't improve the feeling imo either. With the covers you usually have the problem that, if you clap the cover on the back, you're holding this sweaty leather plastic. if you hold it like a book, usually the flap or it's button is in the way.

If you take care, the prs-t1 is quite stout. I read of people who always cary it around unprotected and have no problems. I wouldn't do that, but i think it's robust enough. Just get a big sd-card for your music / books. that's probably the best investment.

And maybe a light, if you want to read in the dark. Although still looking for a good one.

[sabredog]

Originally Posted by schorsch-lukas

No. I would not recommend a case.

I certainly do recommend a case.

Accidents happen, they can be dropped, sat on. They get dirty and dusty. That would be just in a home environment.

A decent cover protects a reader from all of that, plus the added weight increase is negligible. Many paperbacks or hardcovers weigh more.

[schorsch-lukas]

I bought one and am hardly using it because of the above. It protects the reader of course. But is it really that necessary? People buy screen protection foil and what not, but amazon user reviews highly differ about the necessity.

When i move out with it i take care that the screen doesn't get pressured + put it in a plastic bag.
The cover weights at least as much as the reader, and 300gram in your pocket are a big difference to 150gr. The latter you can carry without a problem in your jacket, the first suddenly is too big and too heavy. Those covers look neat and all, it's true, but there's not a single one that improves the holding experience imo. There is always some plastic or lug in the way. Well, just my experience.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by schorsch-lukas

I bought one and am hardly using it because of the above. It protects the reader of course. But is it really that necessary? People buy screen protection foil and what not, but amazon user reviews highly differ about the necessity.

When i move out with it i take care that the screen doesn't get pressured + put it in a plastic bag.
The cover weights at least as much as the reader, and 300gram in your pocket are a big difference to 150gr. The latter you can carry without a problem in your jacket, the first suddenly is too big and too heavy. Those covers look neat and all, it's true, but there's not a single one that improves the holding experience imo. There is always some plastic or lug in the way. Well, just my experience.

Stick on screen protectors serve a purpose you don't need here. They serve to help protect the screen from scratches and from fingerprints. When you have your T1 in a proper cover, when the cover is closed you don't get scratches and you don't need to protect against fingerprints on eink. So really, it's not needed.

A cover is needed. It makes it easier to hold the T1 and it provides some measure of protection.