Proporta Aluminum Cases

Aluminum hard cases for PDAs have become quite popular thanks to their lightness and rigidity. Proporta's line of aluminum cases is no exception: they're highly protective yet very light and add little bulk to you PDA. We received the hard case for the Sony Clié NX series and tested it on our NX70V. It weights only 2.8 ounces and is made of 100% anodized aircraft grade aluminum.

The case, which is also available for the Dell Axim X5, iPAQ 3xxx series, iPAQ 1910, and Sony Sl/SJ series PDAs, is attractive, stylish and scratch resistant. The inside of the case is lined with neoprene which offers a bit of shock protection for your PDA and prevents scratches. It has cutouts for all controls and ports: jog dial, headphone jack, capture button, sync port and more. The back has a mesh covering over the speaker hole, so sound isn't blocked by the case. The top has a cutout for the WiFi card so you can carry your NX with the WiFi card installed, and a cutout for the Memory Stick slot. The camera area is covered, so you'll have to take the unit out of the case to take pix with the NX70V. It's good to know the camera is protected, but if you're a constant shutterbug this may be a drag. Keep in mind most NX cases do cover the camera though.

How do you get the PDA into the case? It's a form-fitting case, and the unit snaps in snuggly enough that you know it won't fall out of the case. You can use the Clié in clamshell mode, tablet mode and swivel the display while it's in the case.

We also received the Palm caes which fits the Palm m505/m500/m515/V/Vx. What makes the Proporta case different is the cut-outs in the case that allow you to easily access the SD card slot and stylus while the PDA is in the case. Very handy! And this case is the lightest aluminum case on the market today. You won't notice any perceptible change in size and weight— and you didn't buy the slimmest, lightest PDA on the market just to have it become a brick when housed safely in a case.

All in all, a great case that's protective, stylish and allows you to use every port and control.

www.proporta.com, prices starting at ~$31 US/£23 UK

Above, NX in case. Below, Palm V and m5xx case.

Proporta Sport Cases

Need a stylish, well-padded case for your Psion Series 3, 5, 5mx, Palm, Pocket PC or WinCE HPC? Check out Proporta's (formerly Palm-Tec and Scribble) neoprene soft cases (both companies are owned by Proporta.com and there is some overlap in product lines). They look cool, are available in several colors, cushion your PDA, and have rigid inner inserts to protect it from bumps and scratches. Inside compartments accommodate business cards, credit cards and memory cards. Great for protection inside your purse or briefcase. The chunky zippers are jam-resistant and look hip. They're also available to fit the HP Jornada 680/690, HP Jornada 720, Sharp HC4600 and Compaq 2010 WinCE HPCs. Sturdy zipper closure.

www.proporta.com, prices starting at ~$30 US/£19.95 UK

Proporta neoprene soft case for Jornada

Proporta Shell Cases

Have a Psion Series 3, 5 or 5mx you wish to protect? Proporta's Shell hard cases are made of high impact, injection molded ABS plastic (the type used to make crash helmets, according to Proporta) and the case is lined with foam. While it's hard to say if these are quite as durable as the Otter Boxes described above, I'd say that the case is up to most damage you can throw at it. I've personally stepped on mind, sat on it and dropped the case with a 5mx from a height of 2 feet to the hard ground with no ill-effects to either PDA or case. I doubt that it's very waterproof, lacking rubber gasket seals. What you do get is a perfect glove fit for your Psion. The case fits snugly (with room for CF cards), and can accommodate the opened Psion, so there's no need to take it out to work. There are even cutouts for the sync port and stylus. The Shell cases are designed for the Series 3, 3mx, 5, 5mx and Revo. Price: $50 US

www.proporta.com prices vary with model

Proporta Chameleon Hardcase for Palm

We've always been fans of this UK company's line of hard cases for the Psion line, and now they've brought the same durable and stylish design sense to the world of Palm cases.

The Chameleon m1 fits the Palm m100 series as well as the m125 and m130. The m5 hard case fits the Palm m500 series. They're made of injection molded ABS plastic, which means your PDA will be incredibly well-protected. The inside is lined with padded foam to lessen shock and protect your PDA's finish. You'll appreciate an SD card holder in the m5, and the clear-windowed clock door on the m1 model (just press the Scribble logo to turn on your Palm's clock).

Super-protection doesn't always mean good looks, but these are very smart looking cases. The dark silver finish looks serious but hi-tech cool, and the colored inserts really give the cases their look. And if you can't make up your mind which color insert you like, you can buy their optional colored inserts (now you see why it's called the "Chameleon"). The review units we received had blue inserts and may just be our favorite out of the box, but you can decide which colors suit you best.

Both models are available with an optional back panel and belt clip if you prefer wearing your PDA on your hip.

www.proporta.com ~$23.95 to $29.95 US

Proporta Chameleon Hardcases for Palm V and m500 series (left) and Palm m100 and m125/m130 (right)