I'm loving the Speck PixelSleeve Plus for my full-size Android tablet. A 10-inch Android tablet is too big to put in a pocket. For a lot of folks, the screen real-estate is more important than portability, so a 10-incher is the choice. Since you can't stuff one into the cargo pocket on your pants, you'll need a way to carry it around once you venture outside. If you're like me, that means a backpack filled with other gear that can (and will) scratch up the screen and do other ugly things to your expensive tablet computer, so you'll need some protection. Click through and have a look.
The Speck PixelSleeve steps up to offer exactly what you need. It's a stretchy neoprene sleeve, with a soft fleece lining and enough padding in-between to keep things safe and secure. There's a flap inside to keep the zipper from scratching things, and the zipper itself gives full access to one side for quick and easy removal when you need to pull your tablet out. An extra bonus is that the fleece lining even cleans your screen when you insert and remove the tablet.
Up top there's a carrying handle if you don't need to stuff your tablet into a backpack or briefcase, which allows for easy carrying that doesn't make you look like a dork. The PixelSleeve is big enough to carry any 10-inch tablet, even ones with a clamshell keyboard dock like the Transformer Prime. It's perfect for taking your work with you, but leaving the laptop on your desk.
There is a point of concern that may affect some of you, and that's the "dirt-magnet" properties of the case itself. It's textured neoprene, which not only means a sturdy grip but a great place for lint, fuzz, cat hair and everything else to get stuck to the exterior. This doesn't affect the operation of anything or the protection level, but if you're the OCD type who can't stand white fuzzy stuff on 11-inches of black neoprene it's worth a mention. Even a thorough once-over with compressed air (which I did for these pictures) won't get rid of all of it.
If you're in the market for full-sized Android tablet protection, the Speck PixelSleeve is worth taking a look at. You'll find it at ShopAndroid.com.
Pros
- Easy to insert and remove the tablet
- Fleece lining cleans screen during insertion and removal
- Carrying handle lets the PixelSleeve act as a stand-alone carrying case
- Padded zipper keeps metal away from the tablet surface
- Ample size allows the use of keyboard clamshell docks
Cons
- It's fairly thick, and adds an extra half-inch or so to the profile of your tablet
- It's a lint magnet
The bottom line
The PixelSleeve is a great way to carry your 10-inch Android tablet when out of the house or office, as well as when traveling. The case is padded enough to keeps things safe and secure without being too bulky, and getting the tablet in and out is dead simple. If you're not put off by the inevitable white fuzzy things that will be stuck to the case, it's a no-brainer.
