Colored Stainless Steel Bodies for Pocket PRO - Page 2

Javed · 01-19-2010, 03:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solicitous

I think the engraving of the buttons would be a great solution

Like Theducks and Solicitous, I think this would be an excellent idea.

The buttons on the rubber coated PEZ currently match each available color of body available; I am wondering if this would be the case with the stainless steel models? Perhaps corresponding metal or metal-like buttons with the markings would be suitable?

Solicitous · 01-19-2010, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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

I wonder about only replacing the front cover with SS (the bezel around the screen). Perhaps that would be a good trade off between having SS and saving on weight/strength. Then again there are many devices out there that mix SS and plastic for their covers *cough* kindle *cough*.

Javed · 01-19-2010, 03:50 AM

@ AJ
Maybe they could also make a Blue PP in stainless!

Sweetpea · 01-19-2010, 07:20 AM

I wouldn't get one. I just love the soft feel of my Mini.

But, a casing, made of SS, might be something to be had. An extra protection to my device, for example when I want to put it in my large backpack or bike bags/trailer (in case we're on a biking holiday).

omro · 01-19-2010, 08:45 AM

Brushed aluminium. It's light, durable, and if it works for Macs it'll work for an eReader.

Engraved buttons are a great idea or if the screen of a new eReader is touchscreen, buttons may be irrelevant except for on and off.

If you have a plain brushed metal body, you can sell the colours as custom silicon skins.

Sweetpea · 01-19-2010, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by omro

Engraved buttons are a great idea or if the screen of a new eReader is touchscreen, buttons may be irrelevant except for on and off.

For me, buttons will never be irrelevant. I don't like touching the screen to go a next or previous page...

nimblem · 01-19-2010, 09:39 AM

I think that SS would be a good seller. The weight is an issue, however if well made I would think it provides better protection to the inside of the unit. It would need to be non-reflective steel so that night time reading with a light wouldn't blind ya with the refection. The copper ones seem to have a large amount light coming off the unit however the darker colors don't appear to have that issue. As far as patterns go it really a personal choice. I would prefer to have a simple pattern that does not overwhelm the unit. Denting and scratching would also be a concern for me, however being that the company provides a case for it, I do not see many instances arising where the unit could be scratched or damaged. I would also like to suggest going with a stainless steel that is the same color all the way through the steel. This will help eliminate bright silver from scratch standing out on a black unit. Another thing to consider is textured Stainless Steel. I feel that the textured steel does not scratch as easily as the smooth and if it does scratch it is far less noticeable. With this being said the button on the units would need to be smooth and engraved, to prevent wearing on the buttons and allow the user to easily see their selection.

While stainless steel is not for everyone I would be willing to pay an extra fee for the SS casing, even if the unit was a bit heavier. Cleaning the reader would be as simple as using a SS wipe. Being able to easily clean it is a big issue for most people, to be honest a lot of ebook readers end up putting the book in a book bag, satchel, or purse, we use it while eating, drinking coffee, traveling, at the beach ect. The point is that they are used in just about every environment and subjected to getting dirty. I use my reader anywhere from 8-10 hours a day, my five year old also loves to read with it so it doesn't always stay as clean as I would like for it to. No one wants to spend 200.00 on something that will not be easy to maintain, stainless steel would make this issue irrelevant.

Needless to say, I personally feel that SS would be a good choice to add the many casing options that astak already has available. I would be willing to go without my reader for a SHORT TIME (addicted to reading… it would be too hard to part with my reader for too long :P ) to have the plastic casing replaced with the SS, if the warranty would not be affected. I do not feel that it would be fair to remove the warranty on the devices since astak would be serving the units. I would love to try one of these out if the opportunity ever arose to test it out.

nimblem · 01-19-2010, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sweetpea

I wouldn't get one. I just love the soft feel of my Mini.

But, a casing, made of SS, might be something to be had. An extra protection to my device, for example when I want to put it in my large backpack or bike bags/trailer (in case we're on a biking holiday).

I normally put my reader with the case into an old VCR case, then throw into my bag if need be. It's hard plastic is a great way to protect it and it's cheep... just an idea

AJ Starr · 01-19-2010, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Javed

@ AJ
Maybe they could also make a Blue PP in stainless!

We could call it SSPPB

Acrimonus · 01-19-2010, 10:35 AM

Stainless might but nice, but however as it was mentioned prior in this post, stainless does require some sort of decent gauge so it doesn't crumple. Also, if you assume that loss of strength of structure is at the point in which the material bends, breaks, cracks or changes shape, plastics have a better impact resistance than stainless of the same weight. Plastics will break, but they will not bend, if the stainless bends you could easily put a lot of torsional pressure on the screen. Not a good idea imo.

You could try an designing a case that used a thin layer of aluminum or titanium on top of a plastic body so you get the lightness of the plastic with the durability of metal plating.

I would just put metal plating in the faux leather case to make it more solid or offer an optional metal plated leather case (the leather is sandwiched in the centre of the leather).

Davimee · 01-19-2010, 12:21 PM

I kind of like the idea of a metal case to put the Pocket Pro in... I have a metal case for my Palm and it's nice when traveling. Although I rarely use it... Nimblem, I love the idea of putting it into a plastic VHS case when traveling! What a great idea!

I think The Muppet's Christmas Carol would be the perfect case for this!

nimblem · 01-19-2010, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davimee

Nimblem, I love the idea of putting it into a plastic VHS case when traveling! What a great idea!

I think The Muppet's Christmas Carol would be the perfect case for this!

Yeah, it works very well, and if the VHS case gets cracked it's not a big deal since you can pick them up for just a few cents

polly · 01-19-2010, 01:10 PM

I agree that a stainless steel carrying case might be nice, but I really like the rubberized feel of my maroon reader. I read it outside quite a bit and the glare off of the stainless steel would be really distracting. Please don't go down the Kindle route and make the bezel bright and shiny.

Elfwreck · 01-19-2010, 02:07 PM

I love the copper samples, and would prefer a metal body to a plastic one. I like my Sony; the Jetbook & Kindles I've handled have seemed fragile to me.

Metal body would be a nice push in the direction of buying an Astak reader. I want a Pocket Pro. Can't afford one; have a perfectly good PRS-505 that I use constantly. I'm sure that eventually I'll decide I need the smaller reader, or Astak will come up with the perfect enhancement that convinces me to switch.

(Cannot sell PRS-505 to get Pocket Pro; the Sony was a gift from my husband.)

RichyRich · 01-19-2010, 02:12 PM

A stainless steel cover would definitely be pretty interesting. The whole disassembly and reassembly of the unit isn't that difficult as long as you are careful and even the keys came off and went back on, if positioned properly, although I am still waiting to get my camera back to add the pictures of the keys apart from the cover.

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01-19-2010, 03:50 AM	#18
Javed Grand Sorcerer Posts: 10,270 Karma: 1126878541 Join Date: Oct 2009 Device: Astak Pocket PRO, iPod Touch, PRS-650	@ AJ Maybe they could also make a Blue PP in stainless!

01-19-2010, 07:20 AM	#19
Sweetpea Grand Sorcerer Posts: 9,707 Karma: 32763414 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Krewerd Device: Pocketbook Inkpad 4 Color; Samsung Galaxy Tab S6	I wouldn't get one. I just love the soft feel of my Mini. But, a casing, made of SS, might be something to be had. An extra protection to my device, for example when I want to put it in my large backpack or bike bags/trailer (in case we're on a biking holiday).

01-19-2010, 08:45 AM	#20
omro Addict Posts: 375 Karma: 452000 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Hamilton, On Device: Kobo Aura HD	Brushed aluminium. It's light, durable, and if it works for Macs it'll work for an eReader. Engraved buttons are a great idea or if the screen of a new eReader is touchscreen, buttons may be irrelevant except for on and off. If you have a plain brushed metal body, you can sell the colours as custom silicon skins.

01-19-2010, 09:39 AM	#22
nimblem Addict Posts: 304 Karma: 7102 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Pocket Pro, Kindle Dx	I think that SS would be a good seller. The weight is an issue, however if well made I would think it provides better protection to the inside of the unit. It would need to be non-reflective steel so that night time reading with a light wouldn't blind ya with the refection. The copper ones seem to have a large amount light coming off the unit however the darker colors don't appear to have that issue. As far as patterns go it really a personal choice. I would prefer to have a simple pattern that does not overwhelm the unit. Denting and scratching would also be a concern for me, however being that the company provides a case for it, I do not see many instances arising where the unit could be scratched or damaged. I would also like to suggest going with a stainless steel that is the same color all the way through the steel. This will help eliminate bright silver from scratch standing out on a black unit. Another thing to consider is textured Stainless Steel. I feel that the textured steel does not scratch as easily as the smooth and if it does scratch it is far less noticeable. With this being said the button on the units would need to be smooth and engraved, to prevent wearing on the buttons and allow the user to easily see their selection. While stainless steel is not for everyone I would be willing to pay an extra fee for the SS casing, even if the unit was a bit heavier. Cleaning the reader would be as simple as using a SS wipe. Being able to easily clean it is a big issue for most people, to be honest a lot of ebook readers end up putting the book in a book bag, satchel, or purse, we use it while eating, drinking coffee, traveling, at the beach ect. The point is that they are used in just about every environment and subjected to getting dirty. I use my reader anywhere from 8-10 hours a day, my five year old also loves to read with it so it doesn't always stay as clean as I would like for it to. No one wants to spend 200.00 on something that will not be easy to maintain, stainless steel would make this issue irrelevant. Needless to say, I personally feel that SS would be a good choice to add the many casing options that astak already has available. I would be willing to go without my reader for a SHORT TIME (addicted to reading… it would be too hard to part with my reader for too long :P ) to have the plastic casing replaced with the SS, if the warranty would not be affected. I do not feel that it would be fair to remove the warranty on the devices since astak would be serving the units. I would love to try one of these out if the opportunity ever arose to test it out.

01-19-2010, 10:35 AM	#25
Acrimonus Enthusiast Posts: 27 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jan 2010 Device: none	Stainless might but nice, but however as it was mentioned prior in this post, stainless does require some sort of decent gauge so it doesn't crumple. Also, if you assume that loss of strength of structure is at the point in which the material bends, breaks, cracks or changes shape, plastics have a better impact resistance than stainless of the same weight. Plastics will break, but they will not bend, if the stainless bends you could easily put a lot of torsional pressure on the screen. Not a good idea imo. You could try an designing a case that used a thin layer of aluminum or titanium on top of a plastic body so you get the lightness of the plastic with the durability of metal plating. I would just put metal plating in the faux leather case to make it more solid or offer an optional metal plated leather case (the leather is sandwiched in the centre of the leather).

01-19-2010, 12:21 PM	#26
Davimee Happy Wife & Momma Posts: 532 Karma: 1634 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: USA Device: Purple Astak Pocket Pro! :)	I kind of like the idea of a metal case to put the Pocket Pro in... I have a metal case for my Palm and it's nice when traveling. Although I rarely use it... Nimblem, I love the idea of putting it into a plastic VHS case when traveling! What a great idea! I think The Muppet's Christmas Carol would be the perfect case for this!

01-19-2010, 01:10 PM	#28
polly Evangelist Posts: 454 Karma: 270240 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Sony PRS 650, PocketBook 360, Astak PocketPro (RIP), Tungsten T3	I agree that a stainless steel carrying case might be nice, but I really like the rubberized feel of my maroon reader. I read it outside quite a bit and the glare off of the stainless steel would be really distracting. Please don't go down the Kindle route and make the bezel bright and shiny.

01-19-2010, 02:07 PM	#29
Elfwreck Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,187 Karma: 25133758 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SF Bay Area, California, USA Device: Pocketbook Touch HD3 (Past: Kobo Mini, PEZ, PRS-505, Clié)	I love the copper samples, and would prefer a metal body to a plastic one. I like my Sony; the Jetbook & Kindles I've handled have seemed fragile to me. Metal body would be a nice push in the direction of buying an Astak reader. I want a Pocket Pro. Can't afford one; have a perfectly good PRS-505 that I use constantly. I'm sure that eventually I'll decide I need the smaller reader, or Astak will come up with the perfect enhancement that convinces me to switch. (Cannot sell PRS-505 to get Pocket Pro; the Sony was a gift from my husband.)

01-19-2010, 02:12 PM	#30
RichyRich Connoisseur Posts: 72 Karma: 511678 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: EZ Reader Pocket Pro	A stainless steel cover would definitely be pretty interesting. The whole disassembly and reassembly of the unit isn't that difficult as long as you are careful and even the keys came off and went back on, if positioned properly, although I am still waiting to get my camera back to add the pictures of the keys apart from the cover.

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