Brando WorkShop O2xda mini Pro Metal Case Review
As part 5 of our 7 part HTC Wizard case shootout review I'll be looking at the Brando WorkShop O2xda mini Pro Metal Case for the HTC Wizard. The Brando Workshop hosts a wealth of high tech gadgets and gizmos. You don't get much more high tech than aircraft grade aluminium. Wouldn't you like to cover your phone in it?
Read on to find out!
Special thanks go out to Brando from Brando Workshop for supplying us with a review sample.
Remember, the direct case comparison review will be posted on Wednesday 1st March after the last of the individual reviews.
For your delectation all photographs are thumbnails which may be clicked on to load an image.
Supplier: Brando
Product: Brando WorkShop O2xda mini Pro Metal Case
Cost: $28 (£16 approx)
Supplier Web Site: http://shop.brando.com.hk/
Supplier Product Web Site: http://shop.brando.com.hk/bwmetalcase_details.php?i=54
Introduction
I'd definitely recommend taking a look around the Brando workshop website. You'll find a plethora of gadgets and gizmos. In the shop you'll find some excellent accessories for your device. Not surprisingly you'll find a metal case among their offerings. Covering your Wizard in metal is a sure fire way to prevent damage from errant collisions, but not everyone wants to lug about Robocops phone. Can Brandos use of the strong but lightweight Aluminium balance strength with style to fashion a shell that will serve the public's trust? Read on.....
NOTE: The Brando Workshop Mini S Pro metal case and the Boxwave Armor Aluminium Case featured earlier in the week are almost identical. Other than the slightly different packaging you would receive the same product. I decided to post a review for each case rather than one double sized review as it wasn't either Boxwave or Brando's fault that I hadn't done my homework, and the guys were very helpful.
Aesthetics
Sometimes it seems everything these days is silver. Cars, HiFi equipment, electronics and Windows Mobile device websites to name but a few. The brushed aluminium look is everywhere, and personally I like it a lot. There's more to design than materials alone though, and while the Brando case isn't ugly, it would benefit from a few slimming custom lines.
The only real issue I would have visually, is that the Armor case makes the Wizard look big. I've found that Wizard cases in general seem to overly exagerate the percieved size of the device, and the aluminium seems to be more guilty than some others. In part I think that's because of the excellent way HTC have used colour and the tapering sides to make it look smaller than it is. The metal also feels a fair bit weightier housing than its leather brethren, and becomes a bit of a burden in a pocket. If the case could have possibly followed the taper of the device I think it would look much better.
Phone Functionality
The Brando Workshop case really IS functionality personified. I'll get onto the security later, but the amount of functionality retained when the Wizard is seated in the housing is excellent, and quite unusual. Almost all of the controls are accessible, the stylus, many of the buttons, and most surprisingly both the screen and d-pad. With the new operations provided by the OS buttons added into the WM5 today screen a carefully selected set of applications will give you good control of your device from behind its bullet proof exterior.
You can't use the keyboard when the case is shut, but upon opening it you can slide the Wizard apart, and use it in portrait mode. The bottom half of the aluminium forms a nice rest on your index fingers and usage of the thumboard is as HTC intended. The foam insert secures the phone into the bottom of the case very tightly indeed. Tight enough even to turn the case over a give it a shake before it comes lose.
One minor inconvenence is the absence of any SD storage. Ordinarily there would be a facility to store at least one extra card. Unfortunately the Brando case fits so snugly there is no space.
Physical Security
This case is so safe, I half expected to find a combination on the side of it. The two Aluminium halves fit together like a suit. The metal fully surrounds the Wizard with no exposed corners, meaning if you dropped the device the Aluminium will take the impact and the foam insert will help cushion the blow. The clip used to fasten the two halves of the case is solid, and looks like it will last the test of time, as does the hinge. I get the feeling I could drive over this case without even denting it..... in a tank.
The clip is of the usual design, a plastic one that has a slight hinge to attach around a belt or to grip to a trouser/skirt etc waist. You connect the clip to the case using the obligatory special knob. The knob is then screwed into the case, and the clip then attached. To be honest, I'm bewildered about the decision to use a plastic knob with an aluminium case. As the old adage goes, a chain is only as strong as its weakest link. I think the weak link here has to be the knob.
Value
Cost $28. (approx £16)
For $28 this is a bargain. Whether or not you like the Aluminium exterior it's almost worth buying one just on the outside chance you decide to take up extreme sports.
Pro's
Rock solid Aluminium construction.
Complete device coverage.
Excellent access to controls.
Plexiglass window to see the screen while in use.
Cushioned foam interior.
Con's
Connecting "knob" is made of plastic.
Weight.
No SD storage.
4WM Rating
80%
Conclusion
There's no disputing the excellent value for money the Brando WorkShop O2xda mini Pro Metal Case represents and from a functionality standpoint the plexiglass window and d-pad cutout are a stroke of genius. Also, the snug fit of the foam interior allows you to open the case and use the keyboard while retaining a measure of confidence that the device is still safe. That said, I'd definitley have liked to see a metal knob holding the clip in place rather than a plastic one, as no matter how safe it is in the case, I'd like to make sure it stays by my side, especially with its extra weight. Basically, the Brando Metal case's aluminium exterior is about as close as you're likely to get to locking your Wizard in a vault, without requiring an elite team of safe crackers to get at it. Safe as houses!
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