Cases, covers or sleeves

[Jack Tingle]

I get a little mentally disjointed (OK, a little MORE) in 'things to protect your electronic device' discussions. I think most (but not all) people mean this:

Cover = A flat, folded sheet with two flaps and a closure that looks kind of like a book cover and protects the front and back, but not the edge of your device. Usually flexible, like a magazine's covers. Often made of flexible leather or leather-like plastic.

Sleeve = A closed-ended pouch with one edge open that you slip your device in to protect all but the one exposed edge. Some have zippers and other closures to protect that edge as well. Some are stiffer material, some merely padded. Some have one stiff face, with an insert to protect the screen against pointy things.

Case = A fully closed enclosure, usually zippered on 3 sides, made of stiff, strong material to protect the device from any direction, even from pointy things. Usually aluminum or hard plastic.

Is this the most common nomenclature?

Personally, I use cases, but not covers. I have sometimes used sleeves, if one came with the device. I still think $10 Casio calculators have the best system, with the little reversible lid you can slide off the front and slide on the back, but no eReader offers them, AFAIK. I haven't even seen any on the aftermarket. God knows what we'd call them.

[pidgeon92]

I agree with your definition of a cover and a sleeve. However, I would refer to them all as cases. They all encase the device in one way or another.

[NickyWithNook]

I have a sleeve for my Kindle PW and a cover for my Nook GlowLight. I think I prefer the sleeve and I might get one for the Nook. It's easier to hold them without a cover because of weight and because there's nothing to hold open.

[Froide]

Don't forget the cases that protect a device's sides and rear only, leaving the face/screen exposed. I use such a case (the Zagg Arsenal) for my Samsung Galaxy S4, in combination with the invisibleSHIELD EXTREME screen protector and a full-enclosure zippered case that also holds earbuds. (I've used such redundant protection for my devices ever since a leather cover and screen protector failed to prevent my Treo 755p's screen from cracking, while in my purse.)

I now use both a cover and a sleeve for my NOOK Tablet, NOOK HD, and laptop. Each NOOK has a BN screen protector and lives in a cover (the leather trifold Soho for the NT - my fave, unfortunately discontinued - and the faux-leather folio Lautner Cover with a magnetic closure strap for the HD), and when I take a NOOK on-the-go I slip the entire NOOK/cover ensemble into a 10" M-Edge Touring Sleeve that has a zippered, external accessories pocket. In contrast, I use my laptop bareback, but when on-the-go I slip it into a sleeve, which I then pop into a carrying case that has a shoulder strap or into the protected computer slot of a rolling tote.

[jscarbo]

I use a Poetic silicone case and a zipped sleeve for my Nook HD+ and like it much better than the folio style case I was originally using. I continue to use folio style cases on my 6-inch e-ink readers.

[Tarana]

I call them all cases. Your delineation only describes how each case works. No, not all 'enclosed' cases are hard. Lots of different materials, some spongy, some quilted, as well as plastic or metal.

I have a sleeve for my Kindle in my purse to protect it from car keys and such. I have a leather like case for my Kindle HD because the thing is heavy and I was afraid of dropping it. The case gives me a better grip, but unfortunately, it is heavier than my ereaders. I mostly use it to play audiobooks and read pdf files now. Anyway, I otherwise do not use a case for the ereaders. One of the advantages of an ereader is that it is lightweight. That said, if I was using my Kindle or Nook for a commute, I'd have a case since chances of dropping it are higher.

[Purple Lady]

I use a Ziploc bag to put my tablet with it's cover on when I put it in my work bag. I have food and drink in my bag and use the Ziploc to protect it from spills. I guess the Ziploc is a case by your definition? It's not a hard case but it is completely enclosed.

[nausica]

I use covers for all my readers, and I think that in this way, they are more protected from breaking the screen.

Originally Posted by Jack Tingle

I still think $10 Casio calculators have the best system, with the little reversible lid you can slide off the front and slide on the back, but no eReader offers them, AFAIK. I haven't even seen any on the aftermarket. God knows what we'd call them.

There was once the PocketBook 360° Plus , but they stopped producing it. Too bad, because he had the perfect protection and did not need any cover

[susan_cassidy]

Your definition of cover doesn't seem to include cases that have hard fronts and backs. I consider that to be a cover/case. I think of cover and case as interchangeable terms.

[Jack Tingle]

Originally Posted by susan_cassidy

Your definition of cover doesn't seem to include cases that have hard fronts and backs. I consider that to be a cover/case. I think of cover and case as interchangeable terms.

I'd intended that to be covered by 3), I suppose. My current EVA* zip-cases are hard-ish, so were my PDA Rhinoskin aluminum cases.

I've never seen a cover that looks like a hardbound book, with inflexible front & back and a book spine. Are you thinking of the cover/stand thingies that have multiple hinges. I'd consider those covers 1), since they don't really prevent edge intrusion. I hate it when the ballpoint pen in my briefcase gets between the cover and the screen. [shudder]


*EVA = Ethylene Vinyl Acetate; technically just the resin, the matrix is usually some kind of cloth or fiber.

[susan_cassidy]

My Kindle covers are both like that - hard side and top and bottom. I think most covers are like that, rather than flexible. They both have elastic to keep the cover closed, which is common, but some covers have a tab that snaps or otherwise seals.

[Dngrsone]

I wonder how an Otterbox classifies...

[Jack Tingle]

Originally Posted by Dngrsone

I wonder how an Otterbox classifies...

Full enclosure 3)*. I don't give extra credit for waterproof to 20 m.

*The KPW has a Defender series case with a front cover.

[NickyWithNook]

Originally Posted by susan_cassidy

My Kindle covers are both like that - hard side and top and bottom. I think most covers are like that, rather than flexible. They both have elastic to keep the cover closed, which is common, but some covers have a tab that snaps or otherwise seals.

My Nook Simple Touch cover was like that too. Hard front, hard back, hard spine, opened like a book. But I have to say I've changed my mind about those kinds of covers. One of the benefits of an e-reader is how much easier it is to hold - one handed and lighter. To add something that adds weight and forces you to still hold it open makes it less desirable to me so I'm on team sleeve now. Protect while in the purse but read with it not connected to anything.

[Jessica Lares]

I have a Texas Instruments calculator from the 80's that has the same feature. Brilliant. I wish we could get stuff like that for our new tech.

And yeah, those are pretty good descriptions of each.

I like cases that just protect the back. I have a few covers too, but only because they double up as stands.

Sleeves tend to be made for a snug fit and I don't like that aspect of them because they put too much pressure, especially on laptops. Plus, they're kinda stupid, especially for laptops and tablets because they don't keep in mind that you might want to take the charger along with you. So you have to carry another bag just for that, or be like me and carry them in your coat pocket.