So many bags/cases, so hard to evaluate and choose (well, that's the part I hate)! Need to find some good ones for my family's SP2's.
I started off just looking for a small sleeve without extra bulk/pockets, something they can drop into a bigger bag for travel (but should still fit the Type Cover as well as a folio, Incipio Feather, or FreedomCase).
But then I started wanting such a case to still have enough space to comfortably slip the charger in (impossible with many sleeves), as well as having a handle and/or shoulder strap for situations where family members will carry it stand-alone.
Then I started thinking, hmm what about extra pockets for other stuff as well...
Anyways, here's what I'd bought back in Jan-Feb, thanks to forum members. Still need to evaluate more, but for ones we like I'll buy several qty for each family member. Ones voted down will just get dumped in the closet (not worth returning, especially since many are under 20 bucks).
The trick is to find a case with device compartment long enough without being too tall at the same time. The SP2 is around 10.8" x 6.8", and a lot of tablet cases don't have ample clearance for the 10.8" length (much less the side-mounted pen or any USB dongle), but have more height than necessary.
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Amazon.com: Kensington Soft Carrying Case for for iPad 4/3/2/1, Nexus 10, and Surface Pro: Computers & Accessories
Good fit for the SP2. A slim neoprene sleeve with fleece lining, but also has handles and a front accessories pocket that you can stuff the charger in a pinch (though it'll stretch into a bulge which I'm nervous about). Some reviewers also claim the handles can break.
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Amazon.com: AmazonBasics iPad Air and Netbook Bag with Handle Fits 7 to 10-Inch Tablets (Black): Computers & Accessories
Similar neoprene sleeve with handles and front pocket, at a throw-away price. But it's too tall for the SP2 by, like a couple inches! Quality built but not rigid enough to stand up on its own when leaned against a wall (unlike the Kensington).
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Amazon.com: Case Logic VNA210 10.2-Inch Netbook/iPad Attache (Black): Computers & Accessories
A
thicker case with two front pockets that can comfortably fit the charger, etc. Handles plus removable shoulder strap. Tablet compartment is 10.5" x 7.7" which is about an inch taller than necessary (it's also designed for 1.5" but the SP2 is only 0.5" thick). FWIW the extra thickness did let me squeeze in multiple SP2's at the same time (not that you'd need to do this on a daily basis)
Here's the kicker though, Case Logic apparently revised the VNA-210 model, and the
previous iteration had a compartment measuring 10.6 x 7.1 which would've been a much better fit for the SP2 (it's also slimmer, being designed for 1")! Anyone knows where we can still buy the previous model??
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Incase Chromebook Briefcase CL60460 - Best Buy (benjitek)
Just as thick and tall as the Case Logic VNA-210 (current model), but even longer by a couple inches. Similar assortment of pockets and space to fit the charger and a lot of other things. Too large for what I was originally looking for, though it's easier to carry documents.
Interestingly the device compartment is further partitioned with a fleece-lined pocket, but even the area outside that pocket is
fully cushioned around the perimeter. I guess you could put a tablet in the pocket while a laptop occupies the rest of the space in the device compartment (if you're not using an all-in-one like the SP2)?
Funny enough I used this one day to carry 4 of my family's SP2's at the same time! Not a good idea though, as I felt that squeezing 2 SP2's into the fleece pocket stretched it too much
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SkyTab: Deluxe Black Hard Shell Case with Zipper for Microsoft Surface, Microsoft Surface
Interesting EVA hard shell case, but
too tight-fitting. The SP2's corners where they flare out towards the front barely fit when pushed in, much less if using something like the Incipio Feather. They claim the mesh pocket can fit the charger but I don't see how you can even close the shell that way.
P.S. I now want to evaluate the bigger bags as well...