[Review] CaseCrown 10.1" slim case - Eee Pad Transformer Accessories

I found this little gem for $3.21 on Amazon. The dimensions looked good, I know CaseCrown makes a solid product and for less than $10 with shipping it was worth a try. In my opinion it's very nice fit, quality build and looks a helluva lot better than your average black messenger case.
Here's the link if anyone wants to grab one
Instead of just saying "yah it's nice!" I wanted to post some pics and a little review for those interested. Some of the pics aren't the greatest but they still get the idea across. I'm still waiting for my dock to arrive and once it does I'll update this post accordingly.
My needs: I carry my tablet daily and actually do use it for work. Up until now I had been using a very solid neoprene sleeve from BUILT NY (10" hardback "hoodie") but it wasn't terribly convenient to carry or open and remove the tab on the fly. I needed a case that would protect my tablet, allow me to carry a few smaller items (phone, memory wallet, etc) but still gave me easy access to the tablet with as little bulk as possible.
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The Fit: The tablet slips in the case nicely without the corners or sides rubbing against the zipper. Overall It's a comfortable fit, not overly snug like forcing it into an iThing case nor is the tablet flopping around inside while I walk. Like most laptop and netbook cases there are elastic straps on the bottom corners and vinyl straps on the top corners for holding the base and the screen in place. The tablet slips under the elastic ones just fine, hopefully with the dock in place it will be a snug fit. I don't plan on getting a folio but there does seem to be enough room to accommidate one if you just wanted a slim carrying case for your folio'd tablet.
There is an odd little padded "flap" along the seam that must serve some purpose for the device this was designed for. I fold it down over the screen for the extra bit of protection. Folding it under the tab does prop it up by a few degrees but doesn't really improve the view of the screen.
The front pouch accomidates my phone (Evo with an Otterbox Commuter case), memory card wallet, keys and a pack of gum pretty well. The Transformer's charging brick does fit but it distends the vinyl to a point where I think it would leave a permanent imprint over time. I haven't tried it yet but the pouch looks big enough to hold a 7" tablet if you really wanted to geek out.
The Quality: CaseCrown makes a solid bag. I've owned two of their products in the past and both times I was quite happy with the build quality for the price. The stitching isn't frayed or loose (no dangly ends or loose threads) and the material itself doesn't feel cheap or chintzy. The zipper pulls, strap rings and buckles on the shoulder strap are metal so I'm not worried about something wearing out or suddenly snapping.
The memory foam padding is a few mm thick and absorbs daily bumps and dings well. I wouldn't toss it out a window or anything but if I happened to drop it on concrete or marble I wouldn't be concerned with the survival of the contents. The front pouch has a thinner layer of padding inside the flap; it's enough to be there but not enough to add any bulk. Assuming you don't put anything too fragile in the pouch it should be enough.
The strap is just over 1" wide and feels like the same webbing they use to make seatbelts. There is an adjustable shoulder pad on the strap but so far the case is light enough that the pad becomes an annoyance. As I mentioned before the buckles and adjusters are metal and feel very solid. I prefer to have messengers like this land just below my hip bone but with the strap at maximum length it lands directly on my hip (6'2" 160lbs, for a frame of reference).
I think the big downside to this is the vinyl outside. It feels thick and looks good but if you manage to puncture or cut it you'll have a permanent hole in your case (short of some E-6000 and a patch kit) which could lead to problems down the road.
The Overall: If this is the style your looking for you won't find a better bag for the money. It's not extremely rugged but I'm not the sort to take my tablet hiking, into combat or around a construction site. Hopefully it's still useful once my dock arrives.
I took more than enough pictures and you can find them all here.

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Id be all over that if it were black!

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Baconstrip said:
Id be all over that if it were black!
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They do have black variations floating around. I have the exact same bag except in black and without the shoulder strap. I originally got it for my netbook a year ago or so. I realized that when I got my tablet that many of my carrying accessories for my netbook would also fit my tablet. Works wonderfully.

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Baconstrip said:
Id be all over that if it were black!
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In Black
This is what I'm going to pick up for my Transformer & dock.