Tablet Insight: Portfolio

Do you ever feel like you have four or five different bags? Bags inside of cases inside of pockets? Why not simplify your life with a single case for everything. If you are looking for something a little extra for your tablet experience, then the portfolio tablet cases is just what you need.

In this week’s editorial, I’ll take you through four different portfolio-styled cases to get a taste of what is out there and what is most suitable for your everyday tablet needs and wants. From tons of pockets and zippers to simple leather designs, there is a case out there for every taste.

Belkin’s “Access”

Belkin is a major benchmark-maker in the tablet case world, so we’ll start with their portfolio as a measuring stick for others. The “Access” portfolio for the Apple iPad 2 features a front pouch for cables and extra bits and bobs plus the case converts into a stand—not much extra besides that. In general, a pretty simple portfolio style case, which is certainly not a bad thing. So what is missing from the Belkin tablet case? What more could we add to a portfolio case? Let’s look to Happy Owl.

Happy Owl’s “Clutch”

Happy Owl Studio portfolio case “Clutch”, in my opinion, is one of the best cases out there in any style. This portfolio case really has it all: a full office suite that is made for women but just as suitable for men. What’s so cool about it?

The Happy Owl Studio tablet case combines high functionality with elegance and practicality, a very difficult task in portfolio design. When you walk into a room with this portfolio, everyone is sure to be jealous. The case converts into a tablet stand when needed and has plenty of pockets for pens, notebooks, mobile phones and accessories. All of this can be zipped up in a trendy, purse-like case.



But maybe this is TOO much? Need something not so bulky and not so busy as the Clutch or Belkin’s Access? Then let’s check out a less urban and more outdoorsy portfolio style.

Rustico

For an old-fashioned take on the portfolio design, leather tablet cases from Rustico are made to satisfy the urban retreat to rural simplicity. Suitable for Indiana Jones, this portfolio doesn’t have a bunch of zippers and clasps like of most portfolio cases. Instead, the case is made from rugged leather and that is somewhere between a tablet sleeve and a portfolio. It is the anecdote to overwhelming multitasking. Plus, it comes with a cool pen-holder on the outside—useful for when your tablet just can’t capture your ideas like the good old pen’n’paper.

Brookstone

If rural simplicity isn’t your style, then something like Brookstone’s portfolio might be better suited to you. This portfolio is best for the online shopper—with places for your multiple credit cards, the case looks more like an oversized wallet than an iPad sleeve. It comes fitted out with pockets for notebooks and can easily be converted into a stand for browsing online.



So, by taking a look at all these designs, we know that portfolio cases should at least be able to be to satisfy most the basic needs of most users. Portfolios give you the highest functionality of any case design out there—your need for another bag for your gadgets and belongings is all wrapped up in one single design.

Tablet Insight is a weekly column by Thomas Andersen that focuses on the innovative tablet uses and considers what is the most compatible and necessary tablet case.