RichardKAthena
20-06-2007, 01:30 AM
Now they've seen them, I don't mind posting these.
Essentially, of the cases I've seen for the Athena - the standard one, the PDair (also marketed by Brando), and Piel Frama, the Piel Frama is the best case available, although all of them have compromises.
Where the Piel Frama scores points is in the lightweight construction, high quality materials, and choice of finish and colour range. It is the least bulky of the cases, and looks and feels like a high quality product. By comparison, the standard case is sloppy and doesn't seem to allow the keyboard to sit correctly flush with the screen, and the PDair feels like it was made with materials General Motors would have deemed suitable for Cadillac... in the 1970s.
The push stud to secure the clasp means there is a small bump under the keyboard, which will make it irritating to use if you spend a lot of time typing with the system on a desk. It does clip the case shut securely, however.
Fit and finish varies, as each case is hand made. Consistent issues are a partially blocked headphone port, "tight" clearances for the stylus and camera button, and sometime misaligned status window - it WILL work, but how much angle you will need on the case seems to vary from machine to machine. Assume 80% of users will probably get it to work in an acceptable fashion, and it probably won't be far off the mark.
The lightweight construction of the Athena case means there is a degree of flex and variation in the screen surround. This is the tradeoff for a slim, tight-fitting case instead of the solid, flat area presented by the PDair cases. In use it can sometimes be an issue, but no more so than the tendency of the main unit to slide out of the PDair, pushing the joystick - cosmetically it doesn't look as "perfectly aligned", which is a disappointment in a case of this cost, but doesn't actually interfere with the function of the machine.
The new case will be slightly tight; this will cause it to tilt a little forward when the keyboard is attached. Be patient and let it fold right back on itself, and this will cease to be an issue! Whilst looking at the keyboard, the magnetic attachment is as good as the standard case, and lines up with the status display perhaps a little TOO well - the stiff edge is perfectly aligned, and raises slightly presenting an increased wear possibility, unless you jiggle the fit a little before putting it in a pocket.
Ultimately Piel Frama have made a very good effort with the case. Whilst it's frustrating, in some ways, to consider this a 75 Euro "Good Effort", instead of "perfect" case, it's clear that the Athena presents some unique design challenges.
I think that the real proof of my opinion of it comes from the fact that I intend to buy another one, this time in blue - and I have the option of using my PDair case which I have since modified to lose the awful plastic keyboard sleeve.
Essentially, of the cases I've seen for the Athena - the standard one, the PDair (also marketed by Brando), and Piel Frama, the Piel Frama is the best case available, although all of them have compromises.
Where the Piel Frama scores points is in the lightweight construction, high quality materials, and choice of finish and colour range. It is the least bulky of the cases, and looks and feels like a high quality product. By comparison, the standard case is sloppy and doesn't seem to allow the keyboard to sit correctly flush with the screen, and the PDair feels like it was made with materials General Motors would have deemed suitable for Cadillac... in the 1970s.
The push stud to secure the clasp means there is a small bump under the keyboard, which will make it irritating to use if you spend a lot of time typing with the system on a desk. It does clip the case shut securely, however.
Fit and finish varies, as each case is hand made. Consistent issues are a partially blocked headphone port, "tight" clearances for the stylus and camera button, and sometime misaligned status window - it WILL work, but how much angle you will need on the case seems to vary from machine to machine. Assume 80% of users will probably get it to work in an acceptable fashion, and it probably won't be far off the mark.
The lightweight construction of the Athena case means there is a degree of flex and variation in the screen surround. This is the tradeoff for a slim, tight-fitting case instead of the solid, flat area presented by the PDair cases. In use it can sometimes be an issue, but no more so than the tendency of the main unit to slide out of the PDair, pushing the joystick - cosmetically it doesn't look as "perfectly aligned", which is a disappointment in a case of this cost, but doesn't actually interfere with the function of the machine.
The new case will be slightly tight; this will cause it to tilt a little forward when the keyboard is attached. Be patient and let it fold right back on itself, and this will cease to be an issue! Whilst looking at the keyboard, the magnetic attachment is as good as the standard case, and lines up with the status display perhaps a little TOO well - the stiff edge is perfectly aligned, and raises slightly presenting an increased wear possibility, unless you jiggle the fit a little before putting it in a pocket.
Ultimately Piel Frama have made a very good effort with the case. Whilst it's frustrating, in some ways, to consider this a 75 Euro "Good Effort", instead of "perfect" case, it's clear that the Athena presents some unique design challenges.
I think that the real proof of my opinion of it comes from the fact that I intend to buy another one, this time in blue - and I have the option of using my PDair case which I have since modified to lose the awful plastic keyboard sleeve.