[HOW TO] Modify the Asus Transformer Sleeve to stay on while docked Video & Pictures
Disclaimer: I am not responsible for any damage you do to your case or Transformer attempting this. Proceed with caution. If you are willing to possibly ruin an over priced $40 case, then go for it.
So like many of you, I was annoyed about having to take the official Asus Transformer case on and off when wanting to dock the Transformer. I took some time to look at the hinge on the keyboard dock and decided that there is no way the front of the case could go down in the hinge and the dock to happen. There is just no room. So I decided the best way was to allow the front and back of the case in the front of the Transformer that docks in the hinge to slide over the hinge.
In order to do this, I needed to cut more material out of the flap that has the cut out for the power port. The flap that folds up underneath the Transformer into the case. I cut it a little longer than the width of the hinge on the docking station. This leaves about an inch of leather on the corners to hold the Transformer in.
At first it was hard to get to dock. Mostly because it was hard to tell where the hooks and connector were. Over time, the case got a few pinches in the flap where the hinge ended on each side so it actually gave me markers to where I should press down to dock.
Positives about this mod: Allows you to keep your sleeve/case on while docking.
Negatives about this mod: It is not the most elegant looking. The front bezel of the case will bulge a little over the hinge. You are permanently modifying the case so you cant return it. You may be weakening the case in the area where it pinches at the hinge.
After using this for a day, I am positive another case manufacturer will develop a case that is a better solution to stay on while docking. If the bezel part of the case, especially at the bottom, was made of material more pliable, maybe neoprene, there wouldn't really be a bulge like there is on the stiffer bezel on this case.
If you really get annoyed, like me, about having to take the sleeve on and off, then go ahead and try this. Keep in mind it is not a permanent solution and eventually the case will wear out. But, the good news is the case is still perfectly fine by itself if you decide you don't want to dock it anymore.
Related
This is a review for
VERTEKS (TM) Asus Eee Pad Transformer PRIME TF201 10.1-Inch Android Tablet Wi-Fi Multi Angle View Leather Folio Case Cover (Black)
PICTURES
The case shipped out of Anaheim, California. As this not is shipped from Amazon at the moment.
I received it in 1 day (shipped via USPS) and the packaging was nicely done, not cheap.
The case some with a 100% satisfaction guarantee card, which is a nice touch. It came with a foam insert to keep case integrity during shipping.
Upon removing from the packaging, the case has a nice leathery smell. The leather is very nice, and has a slight rubbery texture. It is more sturdy than a soft case, but less than a hard case.
It has openings for control of the TFP on top, left right when the case cover it closed. Sadly, the USB plugin is not available when the case is closed (i just charge with the cover tucked back). It also has holes front/back camera, light sensor and the little charging arrow at the bottom of the device
The case is designed to have stand-up support (as seen in the amazon pictures) It is really nice, and uses velcro to stay in place. I played with my TFP considerably with it standing upright and it was very stable.
The inside is coated with a nice, soft, fabric, perfect for encasing the fragile TFP back.
All-in-all, i found this to be a PERFECT case, just what i needed.
Wrap Up
Pros:
Durable leather exterior
Soft, plush interior
Access to top,right,left buttons and slots
Front and back camera/light sensor holes
Stand-up support
Front and back cover
Full access to device touch screen
Cons:
No charging access while screen is fully closed
Feel free to ask any more questions or request any more pictures!
I am very happy to hear this mine just shipped Friday so I should have it soon and I got it for $9.99!
Does it have a closing flap (that is to be wrapped around to the back of the tablet) from the side, where you insert TFP into the case? Do you get what I mean? and where the Velcro exactly is?
Yes and in the form of two 1.25" wide strips that border the charging port giving about a cm of birth on each side of it. It is one solid of piece of leather.
All in all this is a great case the only "flaw" would be that you cant charge it when its closed. But if it was designed the opposite way the web cam and camera operation would be upside down.
If you really wanted to you could cut a notch in the spine area and give it a run on a sewing machine for strength. Then problem would be solved.
I've dropped it a couple times and it was very protective.
I took my device out of my Caseen case in order to do my downgrade/root...yes I know I didn't need to take it out, but I did.
I forgot how light and nice it is to have such a thin device. It got me thinking that I might not want to use a case that often. What do you think?
I'm a kind of a no case guy, but since it is my favorite expensive toy I'm going to try to keep it in the case as much as possible. The good thing about cases like the one you have, is that it is wonderful to use when you are on a flat surface, no need to hold the tablet or break your neck looking straight down.
I think the answer is both. For home use, I prefer not to have it in a case, enjoy the tablet for what it is. If you plan on taking it on a trip or to work, then put it in a case for that extra protection.
I plan on getting one of the ones posted in another thread where it holds both tablet and dock but other than that, no. I would but it would be annoying having it on and off to use the dock
The best case is the keyboard dock
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA
I just got the 300 and I'm loving it. I agree that the best case is the dock but it worries me that some people have posted about the screen getting cracked when docked. I wonder if this happens when you put the tab with the keyboard in a bag and pressure is applied to the screen. If you read the tf201 forums some users have attached rubber or silicone bumpers to the dock to spread the pressure along more points. As for me I'm going to add the silicone bumpers and leave it docked. My ideal case would be a snap on hard plastic case for the back of the tab and leave it docked so that the back is protected by the case and the screen by the dock. I have yet to see a snap on case for the 300
I'm thinking of buying the Roocase or the Poetic case and cutting off the case in half so I can then use the part that covers the back only and leave the tab docked. Not sure how it will look but its the only way I can think of getting what I want.
I don't like cases. I got a good bag to carry it around in. When it's in my hands I want it as light as possible. Ruins the comfort and functionality of having a tablet if you increase the weight with a case, IMO.
^^^^^yup
Il just get a carrying bag
Sent from my SGH-T989 using XDA
No.. no case! This light, thin tablet placed in ugly thick case..
Agree with Raul69.atl, best case is dock and just take care of device)
The main reason I get the case is to use it as a kickstand for watching movies or if i using at a table or desk. but i got one thats fairly easy to take out, so if I'm carrying it around the house, I take it out.
I ended up just encasing mine with Armorsuit gear and carrying it around like that. I much prefer it without the case. I would like a stand though. Any suggestions for a stand?
churraman said:
I just got the 300 and I'm loving it. I agree that the best case is the dock but it worries me that some people have posted about the screen getting cracked when docked. I wonder if this happens when you put the tab with the keyboard in a bag and pressure is applied to the screen. If you read the tf201 forums some users have attached rubber or silicone bumpers to the dock to spread the pressure along more points. As for me I'm going to add the silicone bumpers and leave it docked. My ideal case would be a snap on hard plastic case for the back of the tab and leave it docked so that the back is protected by the case and the screen by the dock. I have yet to see a snap on case for the 300
I'm thinking of buying the Roocase or the Poetic case and cutting off the case in half so I can then use the part that covers the back only and leave the tab docked. Not sure how it will look but its the only way I can think of getting what I want.
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Click to collapse
Yeah, there were some screen cracking issues with the Prime but that was a fault of a bad weight and pressure distribution when docked. If you compare the two docks side-by-side, you can tell that ASUS redesigned the TF300's so as not to have that problem. and as for a case I love sleeves. exactly like those laptop sleeves that lots of people get, but in 10" size. thats what I recommend.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T
Case = Piece of mind for me since I am so clumsy. I also agree that it is good to use as a stand for movies and surfing.
I went back and fourth myself over this issue. What I ended up doing with my 7” HTC Evo View 4G tablet was to get a case that's just the plastic part of the 360° style case, without the big hole in the middle to rotate of course. It's lightweight yet protects the corners and back. I'm hoping that type of case will be available by the time my red TF gets here.
Sent from my Sprint Evo View 4G (PG41200) using Xparent Purple Tapatalk 2
With case! It's a €400,- device and would hate to get it broke or lots of scratches on it. But depends which kind of case because you got really thick ones which I think dont hold as good. The thin ones I think are better.
A advantage of a case (not all of them) is that you can use it as a stand for the tablet.
If you want to use it without a case but want to store it safely, why not use a 10" sleeve.
I just use a sleeve. Its easiest, and unless I get an otterbox like case this thing is gonna break if I drop it anyways. I just use sleeves and padding for when its in my bag
I love how sleek my TF300 is and I tried a couple of different cases but did not like the bulk they added. I agree that the keyboard dock is the best solution for docking and I bought one of those sleeves from Amazon and use it when i have to carry it around.
i just purchased a moko case and let me tell you. when i was on a plane flying back home from NTC, i wish i had done so sooner. lol
I actually went a few days without a case when i first got my Pad....i usually dont use a case for any devices as i am usually VERY careful with them. however, the Pad almost seemed to thin and light without a case and i was always very scared of dropping it. day 1, walking from my work to my car, i had a death grip on the thing...lol
needless to say, i got a case (moko slim multi-angle one off amazon for $15...well worth the $$ IMO) and it has been great. Gives that extra protection when i want it, a great multi-angle stand for watching videos or normal use (placed it on my lap and browsed with it last night) and it is actually fairly thin and light still. even without it on the "stand" it is easier to hold due to the grooves on the back.
it's so nice i may never take it out of the case again....especially since i have Tile floors throughout my entire house....lol
Sure glad I had a case on mine when my 2 year old threw it straight down onto the hard wood floor the other day! It's a Moko case.
I recently received this case after having been sent a similar one that was meant for the TF Prime. While not yet generally available, the Dual-Axis was a nice step up for a couple more dollars. All the ports are very much available including the earjack. The cutout on the cover for the camera is still insufficient in my opinion. This could because the thickness of the sleeve makes it a bit distant from the cover and even though aligned, I think the camera lens has more of a wide angle and still picks up the edge of the outer cover. Not a big deal as you can remove the inner sleeve as it is held by velcro and take a photo that way and then put it back in the leather cover.
The whole case feels sturdy and thick and the leather is nice. It also has magnets in the flap to keep it secure. None of the tablet sticks out so I feel confident if I drop it that the tablet inside would come to no harm.
The positions available from the ridges on the inside cover really work well.
One other drawback is the outside cover had no cutout for the speaker though the inner sleeve does. So basically you do have to extend out the sleeve to avoid muffling the sound. However, I have a pair of earphones and with the jack fully exposed that is not much of an issue.
In summary, while this case has a couple of shortcomings, they can be worked around easily enough and in whole I really enjoy this case. Kudos to PC Micro Store on Amazon for sending me this new case in exchange for the one that was for the Prime.
It says on the description that all open ports are available, does that mean you can use the keyboard dock with this?
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda premium
I don't own the keyboard but the bottom of the detachable sleeve has the charging port and the two keyboard attachment slots exposed but not sure that it will still work with the sleeve installed.
If the case still goes around the bottom at all then not likely it will not work as the tablet goes down into the dock quite a bit.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF300T using xda premium
Hi all,
Here is my review of the Sikai leather/plastic case, as sold by Amazon. For comparison, I have had my Prime in the Poetic cover since I got it. It was okay, but didn't have a charging slot in the spine so it had to be open to be plugged in - plus the nearly-flat angle was nearly-useless because the cover kept slipping out of the tab you tucked it into. I had ordered the GreatShield folio case, but returned it because I didn't like the way the case gripped the tablet, plus I didn't like that to close the cover I had to put pressure on the screen to slide the clip past the edge.
Onto my review...
As mentioned in other reviews, it is a strange mix of black leatherette and dark brown plastic. The plastic back plate is great - the Prime snaps in and seems to be held quite securely. Similar to many iPad covers, it just wraps over the edge - enough to hold, but out-of-the-way enough to really reveal the sleek Prime look. The main portion of the back plate is the black leatherette material, with only the outer edge showing the brown plastic. It has all of the necessary cutouts - including (apparently) the ability to have the dock attached and still close the cover. That is because the "hinge" pieces that connect the cover to the back plate are elastic. I don't have a dock, so I can't comment much on that.
The leather-ish cover looks to be two pieces glued/sewn together, with two bends in the midde - allowing it to be folded up in a triangle shape. Both angles I tried seem to be reasonably stable while typing. About the two layers of the cover...they might have been able to get away with only one, giving it a sleeker appearance, but they had to account for the strap that slips over the sides to hold the cover against the screen. The strap is fine, and gives it an upscale look, but I would have preferred a more unobtrusive solution with magnets or something similar. Overall, the case is skinny enough - just about the same thickness as my Poetic case. That is actually a bit of a downer since I expected this to be thinner since the Poetic case has that layer around the bezel with the magnets in the corners.
There are a few tiny fit-and-finish things that I didn't expect to see in a $30 case. The leather part of the back plate doesn't always make a perfect fit with the plastic border. I'm really nitpicking here, but when this costs three times as much as my Poetic case, I was expecting Ferrarri-quality stuff. I know - it still only $30 so I won't beat them up (much) for it.
Overall, I really like the Sikai. It has a superior look to the Poetic - that one hid all of the nice features of the Prime underneath the protective layers of the front/back/cover. When all that is exposed is the center part of the screen, it almost doesn't matter anymore what Asus designed it to look like. The Sikai shows the Prime's lines and curves much better than the other cases I have seen. The plastic seems tough enough to not break or wear any time soon, so as long as the leatherette holds up, I say this is the best case available for the Prime under $30...
By the way, when ordering from Amazon, it ships from Hong Kong. I placed the order on June 18th, and got a confirmation within 24 hours that it had shipped. However, the confirmation email said my ETA was JULY 31st! Needless to say, I was very happy when it arrived today instead...
I figured there were already better pictures available than my crappy phone can provide, but I can take some close-ups of specific features if requested.
Thanks!
swordsman74 said:
It has all of the necessary cutouts - including (apparently) the ability to have the dock attached and still close the cover. That is because the "hinge" pieces that connect the cover to the back plate are elastic. I don't have a dock, so I can't comment much on that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The dock works great with this case!
yeah I've had this case for a few weeks and its very functional. I really like how it doesn't cover the bezel on the prime like the sikai fiber case and you get multiple angles that actually work
My only complaints are that its a bit on the heavy side and because its designed to be put into the dock with the case on, the steepest angle isn't quite as steep as other cases because the flap slides out making the "hinge" not at the fold but an inch out
oh and the case is kind of ugly haha
Hey I'm looking for a case with a hard cover that doesn't bend - like a keyboard case or a case with a kickstand. It also MUST attach to the tablet in a way that allows the tablet to swing freely but it doesn't matter if it's via magnet or hinge.
It doesn't matter if it has a keyboard and the quality of the keyboard doesn't matter as I won't be using it.
The Zagg Folio 8" Auto-fit looks perfect - except it's WAY more than I want to pay. Can anyone please recommend any other cases that are lower priced? The feature that I need is a non-bending cover that attaches well, anything else like keyboard or looks is unimportant. Thanks!
Reason I need a non-bending cover is I want to hang the tablet so it hangs on a monitor with the cover portion laying flat on the top of the monitor so it's at eye level for use on a stationary cycle and so the monitor screen is covered. The two bendy covers that I've tried this with "collapse" and the weight of the tablet drags off the top.
I have an idea: Why not use Velcro stickers so it can hang of the top(back) of the display unit itself? It would be way cheaper if you already have something in mind and can be easily removed. And even the slimmest stickers could be left on the cover without interfering with the screen once it's closed or when held while in use.
Nice idea but it's for a machine at my gym.