The iPod Protector

Product: The iPod Protector
Manufacturer: Other World Computing
Price: $29.95
Review by: Marc Zeedar
Available at the Applelinks Store

Not everyone agrees that the iPod is the best blend of size, features, and price for a music player, but everyone agrees that it desperately needs a carrying case. While the iPod white face and shiny steel back are beautiful, they are also easily scratched. So right after you spend that $400 on an iPod, spend a little more on a good carrying case. Which case you buy depends on your personality and features you require.

OWC (Other World Computing) is one of my favorite Mac online vendors, so I was delighted when they came out with an iPod case. Unfortunately, the case is rather on the minimal side.

It is leather, which hugs the iPod excellently, and there's a clear plastic overlay which allows you to see the iPod's LCD screen. Another opening lets you access the scroll wheel and Enter button. (The buttons around the scroll wheel are partially covered by the case, but still pushable.)

However, I found the clear plastic annoying: it's too easy to get debris under it, trapping it between the plastic and iPod's LCD. Then I'm constantly brushing the screen trying to remove the trapped specs of dust. I found it was almost impossible to get the iPod into the case with a clear screen: every time I tried I managed to trap new particles of dust.

The OWC case comes in two models, with a belt clip ($29.95) and without ($27.95). Unless you really need the belt clip, I recommend getting it without: it's huge and increases the size of the iPod so it won't fit into a pocket. You can remove the belt clip, but the belt clip connector still protrudes a good three-eights of an inch, adding that much to the iPod's depth.

While the case fits the iPod, it's tight: a few people have complained it's so tight they can't get it off! While I didn't have that problem, it's not the kind of case you can put on and take off on a whim. That's disappointing, since keeping the beautiful iPod covered constantly is a shame. It also makes me wonder if overheating could be an issue: iPods do get toasty when recharging or using them as hard drives for an extended period of time.

The end of the case snaps closed, which adds more bumps and bulk to the back. I wish OWC had used Velco instead of metal snaps. There's a hole for you to connect a headphone jack while the case is closed, but I really didn't like that the hold switch and FireWire port were covered: I was constantly opening the case just to flip the hold switch or to connect a FireWire cable (I frequently use my iPod as a hard drive).

As for protection, the leather covering isn't going to do anything to keep shocks from drops from hurting your iPod, but it will help prevent scratches. I really liked the way the leather hugged the case and the way it felt in my hand. It covers the iPod in a second skin, and except for the metal snaps and belt clip knob, without adding much in the way extra bulk.

Conclusion
This is a good, basic case for your iPod. There's nothing wrong with it, but nothing remarkable either. The price is fair, and the quality of workmanship is excellent.

My biggest complaint would be that the belt clip knob is too intrusive, but I prefer to carry my iPod safely in my pocket -- the knob shouldn't bother belt-clip lovers.

Click here for more pictures of
OWC iPod Case.

Check out the Super Dooper iPod Case Review

Available at the Applelinks Store

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