Does your PlayBook suffer from Naked PlayBook Syndrome, or NPS? Have you been overwhelmed by these lackluster video reviews of cases, covers, and skins all over the internet? Are you still looking for the perfect PlayBook case? Look no further, the BlackBerry Branded Convertible Case is probably for you. Hit the break to read my thoughts.
Features
Elegantly braced with a black leather cover, the Convertible Case for the BlackBerry PlayBook is a combination of style, elegance, protection, and function coming to the rescue where most cases for the PlayBook fall short. Once you take this puppy out of the box, it is just pure bliss.
Waiting for you once you open the cover flap is an ultra-fine (and super soft) black lining and a polyurethane casing for housing your PlayBook tablet. You can see from the picture above that the Convertible Case uses a “tongue-n-groove” type system used to help prop up your tablet; not quite what I had expected, but it really gets the job done.
You get three port hole openings on the bottom of the 1/8″ thick polyurethane inner housing, a camera slot that tapers outward, allowing for maximum camera lens access, and 2 covered (polyurethane) buttons up on the top of the housing – a volume +/-, Play button and a power button – and an opening for the headphone jack and two microphones on either side of the center buttons.
Folding out your Convertible Case in typing mode, you can see how there will be no additional creasing or bending of the leather on the outside of the case – everything is creased and ready to roll. Using the outer-most groove to set your case upright allows for comfortable typing angles and use of all fingers on the QWERTY keyboard in landscape mode.
Viewing mode, utilizing the inner-most groove to prop your tablet up, allows for glare reduction and a comfortable viewing angle for your tablet when watching movies, or browsing the internet. For listening to music, I prefer this angle as it projects a little bit better (more surround sound feel) than leaving the tablet in typing mode (seems to project forwards and not “around” the tablet).
You can see here, a BlackBerry branded spine, as when the tablet is placed inside, this case carries almost exactly like a book in your hand. All the creases are the bend points for your PlayBook and it really makes for a great all-around experience.
Overall Impression
After using the case for about 2 weeks, it has really grown on me. The polyurethane housing inside of the case is recessed about 1/16″ inside the leather flaps which gives you some leeway if you were to ever drop your tablet. Now mind you, this is NOT an OtterBox so I doubt it would survive a great fall, but it really seems like if you were to drop it on its side from a reasonable height, I doubt you’d see any damage to the outside of the tablet. Now for a direct drop on the screen or back of the tablet, there is a little bit more padding if you were to drop it on its back rather than the screen, but I am confident a reasonable fall won’t harm the tablet.
Viewing mode and typing mode are a real treat and the main reason why I love this case so much. The case is easy to convert, simple to flip open and close and it really makes for quick, on-the-fly use. I hated struggling and fumbling around with the included neoprene case, not only that but it also didn’t tuck away anywhere neatly. I always found myself stuffing it in my pocket, or behind the tablet which made for a slippery situation. I really like that the convertible case not only houses the PlayBook but it doesn’t inhibit ease of use.
Unfortunately you can’t really use the PlayBook in Portrait mode and stand it upright using the case and also trying to hold it in portrait mode without standing it up allows for a some-what clumsy experience as the two leather surfaces glide against each other and cause some slippage while typing.
I don’t understand why they decided to make the ports inaccessible when in either of the two viewing modes but what really doesn’t make sense to me is why they couldn’t make notches on the back of the polyurethane housing so you could flip the case and the ports would face up allowing you to prop it upright and charge the tablet. What I did as just stick a thin strip of double sided tape on the back of the housing and it worked out real nice.
To summarize, some key points I found about the case include the following:
Pros
- Little to no extra added weight
- Minimal added bulk
- Gives the tablet a great, sleek, professional look
- Prevents smudges on the screen when carrying the tablet
- Provides very minor drop protection (1″-3″ height, anything else and I’d worry)
- Adds a bit of padding and protection from the casual toss or drop on the desk
- Speakers are fully exposed allowing for full audio experience
- Wonderful, hands-free use for video chats
- Grooves in the lid are made of some kind of flexible plastic so it seems they won’t wear out
Cons
- All exposed ports at the bottom of the case can not be accessed when the tablet is in typing or viewing mode – truly a downside for use in presentation mode
- If you have pets, be prepared to have pet hair cling to the lining of the case (and lint/dust)
- Can’t flip the orientation of the PlayBook to Portrait mode and have it stand in the case
- Could scratch the case easily if you’re not careful of the surface you place it on
- Lid doesn’t latch close – I personally think a magnet latch system would work here
- Power button and volume buttons are somewhat difficult to press – but really nothing to complain about
Conclusion
With a few thoughful considerations, this case truly could have been the be all, end all of cases for the PlayBook. Unfortunately, it has a couple of misconsiderations that really hurt the overall performance of this case.
With that being said, it is still a great case to own if you’re a working professional or student. It is form-fitting, light, and ultra versatile which allows for uninhibited use when away from the charger or HDMI cables.
I was not able to try this with the rapid charging dock, but I would imagine there may be a small issue with the rapid charging port being recessed a bit behind the 1/8″ thick polyurethane housing.
In my opinion, I love this case and won’t see myself leaving home without it. I have never been put in a spot where this case hasn’t helped out immensely; on the other side of the coin, I have never regretted bringing the case on any trip. I would seek a little bit of extra added protection like a screen protector or a skin, but I am not sure how well it would fit into the Convertible Case.
To purchase the Convertible Case I recommend Amazon. You can also stop by your local PlayBook retailer and pick it up there if you’re the impulsive type.
If you have any questions about the case, feel free to drop us a comment or tweet. Or you know, you can always say thanks for the review…