When choosing a case to upgrade the included stock Palm TX flip cover, a user is usually is faced with the decision of prioritizing either protection or aesthetics. Proporta sends us their Palm TX Alu-Leather case, which combines the qualities of an aluminum and leather case.

The Proporta Palm Tungsten T5 / TX Series Alu-Leather Case [Book Type] ($US34.95) is beautifully hand-crafted to meet the exact specifications of your Palm Tungsten T5 / TX handheld. It features Proporta's trademark ‘Screen Saver System’ which uses a sheet of rigid, lightweight aircraft grade aluminium to line the case, protecting your delicate device screen from crushing and impact shocks.

PRODUCT SPECS:
- Includes the unique Proporta Aluminium “Screen Saver” System
- Vehicle mountable - perfect for GPS and in car audio systems
- 2 x Secure internal MMC/SD memory card storage
- Secure magnetic clasp closure
- Hand made with elegant contrast overstitching
- In-the-case access to mobile device ports and controls
- Optional and removable belt attachment system

Using a caliper, I measured the dimensions of the Alu-Leather Case. As a reference, I also got the actual measurements of the flip case that was included with the Palm TX.

Alu-Leather Case for Palm TX:
- Length: 124 mm
- Width: 86.5 mm
- Thickness: Front - 8.5 mm; Back - 7 mm

Original Flip Cover:
- Length: 117 mm
- Width: 66 mm
- Thickness: 5.4 mm

At first glance, the Alu-Leather book type case looks just like most leather cases that are available on the market. The case comes in black-color soft leather, with white stitching. It has a leather flap attached to the backside that locks with the front side via a magnetic button (magnetic clasp closure).

I do appreciate the use of a magnetic button lock (magnetic clasp closure) instead of the snap button usually found in some leather or canvass cases. First, with the magnetic button, you just have to align the two button halves, and the magnet will automatically engage the lock. Snap buttons, on the other hand, require some downward pressure, which is potentially dangerous to the touchscreen underneath. Second, from my experience, cases with snap buttons are prone to wear and tear at the case area near the button halves. This problem is practically eliminated when a magnetic button is used.

Opening the case reveals the most unique feature of the Alu-Leather Case: an aluminium plate is embedded inside the front cover. The inside front cover has a 43.5mm by 8.7mm window that lets you peek at the aluminium plate.

Also, the inside front cover has integrated pockets where you could probably fit in some I.D. cards, credit cards, or even cash. Personally, I prefer not to make use of these pockets since I believe that doing so will just result in unnecessary bulk.

At the middle portion of the inside of the case, you will notice a stylus slot built-in this area. This would be useful for storing an extra stylus, or as an alternate stylus storage area.

Attached to the inside back cover of the case is the flap where you attach the TX. It had a firm grip with the side of the handheld, removing any worries that the PDA might accidentally slide off the case. Also, the placement of this flap is straight and well centered. This definitely shows that the case was built to properly fit the TX.

Further inspecting the inside back cover, I noticed that it sports a felt-like material, as opposed to the smooth-grained finish of the rest of the case. This actually provides a softer pad for the back of the handheld. Located at the lower part are two SD/MMC card slots. This is great if you frequently change memory cards in your PDA. You will have quick and easy access to two extra cards, without you having to fumble inside your gadget bag. I would guess that this would be a welcome feature, especially to users who use their handheld as a multimedia player.

For people who want to carry their Palm TX at their waist, or would like to clip it on their gadget bag, you can do this by attaching the included belt clip to the backside of the case.

Using the Palm TX with the Alu-Leather case did not feel much different when compared with using it with the supplied flip cover. The case was definitely heavier than the flip cover, but the possible burden of the added grams would surely be outweighed by the additional benefits: backside (and to some extent, even all around) protection, and more rigid touchscreen guard. I can confidently slip my TX inside my gadget bag without worrying that another gadget could scrape and scratch it accidentally.

Data and charge ports are still easily accessible, as well as the IR port, memory slot, and audio jack, without the need to remove (or even open) the case.

The only disadvantage I noticed with the case is that it muffles the speaker area (located at the back) of the Palm TX. This would be bad news for people who use their PDAs as an alarm clock.

CONCLUSION:

The Proporta Alu-Leather Case for the Palm TX is an outstanding case that uniquely blends the classic look and feel of leather, and the new-age protection and rigidness of aluminum. Highly Recommended.

Thanks to Katrina Lincoln of Proporta for the providing the Palm Tungsten T5 / TX Series Alu-Leather Case.