Case for my new(to me) X41 Tablet

[djscoggins]

Im currently looking at these 2 on Ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/CODi-IBM-Lenovo-X41 ... 519050e4fc
and
http://cgi.ebay.com/New-IBM-Thinkpad-X4 ... 45f28c2c2a
The CODI case looks to operate as a standard notebook case and sill open up to work in tablet mode, while the original IBM case looks to be for Tablet mode only.

Does anyone have experience with these cases or have any other suggestions? I would like to be able to use the notebook in the case if possible and I want it to fit as snugly as possible. I am also open to a small backpack or messenger bag as long as the fit is tight.

btw I am enjoying my x41,I got it for good battery life, rugged build and size, and my wife likes it as well for paintshop pro, doodling and all those seek and find games she plays... lol.

[dbowden]

Hey! What timing. I just got the Codi bag yesterday from http://ateksource.com/computer/accessor ... -case.html (cheaper than your ebay one!), and was thinking I should post about it.

It's a fabulous case - as long as it's what you're looking for. I was looking for something small & light that I could use when I take the X41 out somewhere. This one is literally made for this computer. It's got cutouts for all the ports, fits perfectly even with the extended battery, and allows you to use the computer (including the tablet features) without removing the case. There's a YouTube video of it (for the X61, but the same) here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OJrcoLz ... re=related

It's well made, and seems to have adequate padding to make me feel better about toting it around. It looks good on the computer. I'm pretty sure it went for $150 when it was introduced.

The downsides: it is a small, form-fitting case. There's no room for any extras such as a mouse, power supply, or even extra cables. You'll need a separate bag for those if you need them. Although you can access all the other controls or connectors with the case on, you can't get the pen out. However, the case does have a dedicated pouch for the digitizer pen between the handles, so if you use it in tablet mode often, you can just leave the pen in the case. I haven't used that function, but it looks like it's as secure as leaving it in the tablet without a case.

Oh - on the 2nd case you were looking at - it's hard to tell from the ebay photo, but if it's the one I'm thinking of, then I saw some negative reviews on it when I was thinking about buying it. The negative reviews basically said that the case is just a bit too tight, and the zipper doesn't open enough, so it's hard to get the computer in and out. You can use it in tablet mode when it's in the case, but you have to take it out of the case to use the keyboard. It also doesn't have a lot of padding.

Between the two, I'd definitely go for the Codi case.

Hope this helps!

David