For the other parts of this series: Part #1 (

[graye]

For the other parts of this series:

Part #1 (The unpacking) http://www.tabletpcbuzz.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24798
Part #2 (Likes/Dislikes) http://www.tabletpcbuzz.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=24807

Many of you have figured out that the LE1600 comes with no case or protective cover.

I've ordered the new Executive Portfolio for the LE1600, but it hasn't arrived yet. However, I don't think I'm gonna like it much because it's not a zippered case. I liked the zippered Executive Portfolio for the M1400 because I could leave it unattended for a few minutes... it didn't look like a computer was inside.

So, I found an alternative for $14.88 at Office Depot. No, that's not a typo! (it was $16.11 after tax)

http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?level=SK&id=499431&N=4294950871&An=browse

It is a perfect fit for the LE1600... when I say perfect fit... I mean it! This case has the exact interior dimensions to match the LE1600. It's easy to zip up (no binding or tight spots)... when zippered up, there is no wiggle room for the LE1600 inside. I was more than pleasantly suprized.

Samsonite Model 950025:
http://www.tabletpcbuzz.com/forum/uploaded/graye/2005620154137_IMG_0743.JPG
52.04Â*KB

The inside has a document pocket, a spot to put a PCMCIA card, and a place for a business card. I didn't do anything to alter the case (other than I removed the writing pad)

Interior shot:
http://www.tabletpcbuzz.com/forum/uploaded/graye/2005620154248_IMG_0744.JPG
46.42Â*KB

It's actually smaller and thinner than my older Executive Portfolio for my M1400

LE1600 on top, M1400 on bottom:
http://www.tabletpcbuzz.com/forum/uploaded/graye/200562015454_IMG_0742.JPG
47.88Â*KB

Samsonite case is thinner:
http://www.tabletpcbuzz.com/forum/uploaded/graye/2005620154545_IMG_0745.JPG
49.29Â*KB

$16.... I can hardly believe it!

[mad2fly]

Thanks again graye. Those are great photos. I called my local office depot and they said that the item was discontinued. I'm sure that's why it is so inexpensive. So I went online and ordered one delivered to my local store and saved shipping.

[jorobo]

I have been using the same case and it fits exactly snug. I sewed 2 nylon strips onto the sides of the zippers on the side opposite the solid side. These make excellent handles and just "mold" down agains the zipper area when I don't need them.

[terriblue]

Will this case also hold the M1400, or is the M1400 too large?

Terri

[graye]

Actually, the M1400 is kinda loose in the case... too much "wiggle room"

[dds2009]

What's the prediction on how the tablet + hardtop cover will fit in this case?

[graye]

Uh... since there is no hard cover for the LE1600, that'd be a little hard to answer! :)

If you're asking about the Convertible Keyboard, I'd have to say that the fit would probably be very tight. (I'd give it about a 50% chance of fitting nicely)

I'll check it out in mid July when I get my Convertible Keyboard and post the answers

[Dozer]

graye,

Thanks so much for your posts! Although I don't have a Motion tablet, I've been looking for an "executive" type case for mine. It's not exactly the same size (11.3 x 8.5 x 1.06) so none of the brand specific ones would fit. It looked like your solution would, though, so I ordered the same binder from Office Depot and it fits perfectly!

The only modifications I've made is to add a sheet of thin plexiglass to the left side (fits perfectly under the flap) for added protection and two velcro "belts" to the right side to hold the tablet firmly in place.

Thanks again!

[dds2009]

I was just looking for a prediction on the fit for the hard cover.

[xguima]

Can I use the M1400 Executive case in the new LE1600 ?

[graye]

xguima: No, the LE1600 does not fit at all in the M1400 Executive Portfolio
robrahm: The LE1600 doesn't have a hard cover (Are we talking about the same thing?)

[dds2009]

graye,
Yes we are. I'm asking the hypothetical question. :) Hopefully they'll make one for us. If they do, do you think it would have room to fit in the case when it's protecting the tablet? I like the idea of this inexpensive way to just carry the tablet. However, I'd be more at ease with the hard cover on it. Does this make sense?

[graye]

Sorry, I wasn't following...

Yeah, there's enough room for some addition thickness and perhaps height. There's practically no room in width direction (the short axis).

Since the previous hard cover attached to the top/bottom (the long axis) I think it the design was similar, that it would fit in this case.

[terriblue]

quote:Originally posted by graye

Actually, the M1400 is kinda loose in the case... too much "wiggle room"


So if you left the actual paper pad in place would that eliminate the wiggle room sufficiently?

Terri

[graye]

terriblue: It might help...

I suggest you do the same thing I did... I took my TabletPC into the local Office Depot store and did a "fit test" on every portfolio they had. BTW: They had a huge selection! (over a dozen that were in my ball park).

[Hitchikr]

Be careful when you are selecting a portfolio case in this fashion. Many of then have a zippered pocket on the inside that could potentially scratch your screen.

[mikep]

This looks like a great concept. How strong/stiff is the case? Any idea if the insert is cardboard or plastic?

[graye]

The samonsite case is fairly stiff (about the same as the M1400 Executive Portfolio). I suspect it's reinforced with nylon fiberboard.

BTW: I finally got around to trying this case with M1400 with the hardtop keyboard. It fits fairly well... If you recall, I tried the M1400 by itself, and there was too much "wiggle room".

[MetsFan]

I picked this case up last night. The online price is still listed as $39 but the store had it for $15. I'm curious if it'll hold the LE1600 with the extended battery on it though.

[CameronTM]

Well, I just got my LE1600VA purchased from Dell. I did as Graye said, and went to OfficeDepot. I looked online, and the $39.00 price tag fooled me, so I just went to the local store. Sure enough, there the case was, $15.77 with tax! I cut out the pen holder as the Motion pen is in the tablet itself, and two strips of industrial strength velcro from Sam's Club, and we're in business. I kinda got tired of the tablet slipping outa the case when i was using it in bed propped up. I'm ordering the Screen Protectors, just in case the stitching on the left side of the case rubs against the screen. Other than that, I'm excited! I love it! Thanks Graye for the tip. I'm glad I didn't get the Exec. Portfolio, as it's too bulky for my needs, and I really don't want anywhere for to hold papers as I want to be paperless!

[maryjos]

BTW - the online price is $39 but if you select store pickup when you checkout, it will switch to the lower price. Saves you a trip to the store to see if they have it, and they can have it ready for you at the checkout counter. Well, hopefully...my store had the wrong one saved, and took forever to locate the right case!

Thanks so much for sharing this great tip! I'll have to look into that velcro...I usually take it out of the case when using it, but the heat can be a bit much on my lap.

[graye]

Just a note to say that the LE1600 with the external battery attached fits just fine in the Samonite Case.

[dds2009]

That's good to hear.

[Blair]

quote:Originally posted by CameronTM
and two strips of industrial strength velcro from Sam's Club, and we're in business.

Hi CameronTM,
Where exactly did you attach the Velcro strips? I'm expecting an extended battery, and wonder if this is viable in that case.

Thx,

[maryjos]

I was curious about the velcro too. However, I noticed that using the tablet still in the case blocks the vent on the back and lets it overheat until it shuts down. Not a good thing! So I think I'll skip the velcro and continue taking it out of the case when using it.

[graye]

Hey, I've always used my tablet while inside the case (not zipped up of course!) and I never had any heat problems

[maryjos]

It was unzipped when this happened, yes. But definitely had overheated, I was really surprised at the intensity of the heat. Really bad particularly considering now hot this tablet gets normally.

[graye]

Just a note to say that the LE1600 with Convertible keyboard attached does NOT fit in the Samonsite case

http://www.tabletpcbuzz.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=26108

[DKozzie]

quote:Originally posted by graye

For the other parts of this series:

Many of you have figured out that the LE1600 comes with no case or protective cover.

......

So, I found an alternative for $14.88 at Office Depot. No, that's not a typo! (it was $16.11 after tax)

http://www.officedepot.com/ddSKU.do?level=SK&id=499431&N=4294950871&An=browse

$16.... I can hardly believe it!


The price today is $38.79 - so you were very lucky

Update - it has been discontinued according to OfficeDepot, but they haven't removed it and their website says it's in stock. Bummer.

Yet another Update - apparently there's been some bug on their website. While comparing a number of padfolios I went back too see the samsonite again. Just for the heck of it I tried ordering it, and much to my surprise I succeeded. I'm picking it up tomorrow. Price? $16.07 including tax. Great.

[MetsFan]

When I bought mine, it was listed as $38-ish online but I went to the store and they had it marked at $15.

[wald_mix]

HI everbody! Cam enyone help me by making some photos to his le1600 but front, left, right, top, bottom, back. I will like to have this images as big as possible.

Thank you a lot!
Vladut

[yojimbo]

Hi all,

I hope that by posting this, I'm not hijacking this thread. If you think I am, let me know and I'll start a new one.

Since purchasing my LE1600, I have been looking for a zippered case without any luck.

Since winter is coming, I have decided to incorporate the bracket from my existing Motion Executive Portfolio into one of the zippered portfolio.

To that end, I spent 15 minutes this morning carefully removing the stitches to get to the back of the bracket. For anyone who's interested, here's the image of how the back of the bracket is secured to the folio.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v109/yojimbowabbit/DSC00010.jpg

At this time, I'm still pondering as to how best to remove those "rivets". Any suggestion is appreciated; and I'll keep you updated on this little project of mine.

Cheers