Colored Stainless Steel Bodies for Pocket PRO

[Robertb]

Dear All:

We are talking with a company that makes Colored Stainless Steel eBook Reader bodies. At this stage it is just talk.

I would like to ask your opinion. I have attached a photo of the materials. The benefits would be: no fingerprints, no wearing of painted surfaces, really snazzy look.

These would likely have to be installed at the factory. They could be installed by a few of our forem members I am sure... but Astak would have to buy 500 of them and send most of them to the factory!

I MIGHT be able to get them to do a few samples... but do not bet on this!

I want to get some discussion from all of you on whether this would be great, just good, no big deal, or "the Horror that ate Detroit".

I think it is good to get learned feedback BEFORE such a move is further discussed! Sound off!!

[RobbK]

I think a SS case would go over great as long as it is not to heavy. I know when i spend a couple hundred dollars on something I want it to feel solid and a metal body does that.

[theducks]

Originally Posted by Robertb

Dear All:

We are talking with a company that makes Colored Stainless Steel eBook Reader bodies. At this stage it is just talk.


I want to get some discussion from all of you on whether this would be great, just good, no big deal, or "the Horror that ate Detroit".

I think it is good to get learned feedback BEFORE such a move is further discussed! Sound off!!

SS is heavy if it is thick enough not to crumple. I have heard the howls here about weight of the cover :/, Stainless, Oh My!

Maybe a Hybrid. Stainless Face, plastic body?

What I see as important is the markings are durable. Most of my buttons now show wear to the point of un-readability. I do use my PEz every day so this is not a warranty claim Just a suggestion for placement And probably filled engraving.

[jusmee]

My input would be that there's not much point to a more harder rugged body when the main vulnerability is the breakable glass screen.

Also, one strong point of the PP is it's light weight - don't compromise that.

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by theducks

SS is heavy if it is thick enough not to crumple. I have heard the howls here about weight of the cover :/, Stainless, Oh My!

Maybe a Hybrid. Stainless Face, plastic body?

What I see as important is the markings are durable. Most of my buttons now show wear to the point of un-readability. I do use my PEz every day so this is not a warranty claim Just a suggestion for placement And probably filled engraving.

Dear theducks:

I appreciate the feedback on how the buttons can reach unreadability under very frequent use. I will have the factory work on that in any case.

Also, I hear you on keeping it LIGHT. That is a great question when we meet to talk. Great feedback!!

[Solicitous]

Originally Posted by theducks

What I see as important is the markings are durable. Most of my buttons now show wear to the point of un-readability. I do use my PEz every day so this is not a warranty claim Just a suggestion for placement And probably filled engraving.

I think the engraving of the buttons would be a great solution. I havent had the markings on mine wear out (or show signs of) yet.

Robert, I like the idea of a SS body. From the pic you showed I like the titanium satin finish. So would these bodies be a replacing the plastic cover or an add-on cover?

[Robertb]

Originally Posted by Solicitous

I think the engraving of the buttons would be a great solution. I havent had the markings on mine wear out (or show signs of) yet.

Robert, I like the idea of a SS body. From the pic you showed I like the titanium satin finish. So would these bodies be a replacing the plastic cover or an add-on cover?

Dear solicitous:

I think it would be hard to make them an add-on. Most people (not all) would not want to take apart their unit and then it might impact warranty and such perhaps.

I envision that they would replace the plastic right at the factory. Of course, we will know more when I talk with them. I would like to get 2-3 and perhaps offer them to MR members that feel up to the challenge... to get their feedback.

I like the idea of doing something really attention-grabbing but I also need to keep the weight down. I agree that the pleasure of the Pocket PRO is that it is light and easy to hold.

[Davimee]

Ooh... how would one get on the list to test one out? *lol* j/k So would the metal case be anything like the Sony pocket? When I tried both out in the stores, I really preferred the softer case of the Astak than that of the Sony. The Sony just seemed so hard and cold... Maybe it's just me, but I really like the softer feel of the Astak case.

[tamzilla]

Those sample look nice! I like the copper samples.

I like the feel of the rubberized coating, but I'm finding it difficult to keep clean (I have a white unit). If given the choice now between the rubber coating or a metal cover, I'd probably go for the metal cover.

[Acreo Aeneas]

Rob,

Would it be possible to manufacture a SS cover for the reader instead of replacing the rubberized shell?

I think that would appeal to some of us a bit more since it offers us a option of having more rugged protection versus the faux-leather covers currently included. So those of us worried about weight could just forego the heavier steel covers.

[AJ Starr]

One caution to consider, metal will bend and twist, thus twisting the screen. The solid plastic/acrylic cases now do not twist, at least I haven't had that happen.

Metal also scratches, and the weight would definitely be a consideration.

Personally I did not like the rubberized coating. It feels strange in my hand, but the slick areas (I had one of the originals and did not return it) stick to the "leather" case.

The metal would probably always feel cold to the touch.

Just some thoughts to consider.

AJ

PS I love my Blue PP

[colinsky]

I would be concerned that too much pattern or design in the reader body (especially if parts were reflective) would be distractive while reading.

[basschick]

if the body were solid enough, without adding too much weight, i'd have loved to have gotten that for my hubby for xmas instead of the rubberized one. for one thing, he loves stainless and for another thing, i just keep waiting for the rubber coating to start coming off. not sure that he'd want a design particularly.

[HarryT]

Robert,

I'm not sure I see the benefit of this. You've said repeatedly that there is absolutely no "wearing" issue with the colours of your devices, since the colour is a part of the resin itself, not "painted" on. If this is the case, why do you need to change anything?

[Javed]

Robert, I rather like the idea of a stainless steel body and think I would prefer it to the rubberized coating. My only queries/concerns would be about the weight not increasing and if there would be any adverse effects caused by any contraction/expansion of the more thermally conductive material.

An opportunity gained with the stainless steel body is the possibility for owners to laser engrave/etch names (for id purposes or gift messages) or even pictures/images upon its surface if they so choose.

It would be preferable to me if there was no heavy design/pattern on the surface, as in some of the images you have provided (as I too feel this may be rather distracting and to me less visually appealing).

At the Sandvik site they also mention that the material is scratch resistant, which would also be excellent.

Would there be any idea yet if there would be a higher cost involved with the stainless steel body? If so is there any idea yet what price difference this would make to the PEZ?