Poetic leather clip-style folio cases for Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 and Asus Transformer - $18.95 and free shipping

Everybody has their preferred type of tablet cover. With all the tablet cover threads lately, I thought I'd give a shout out to my current favorite.

Here is the Galaxy Tab 10.1 version. http://www.amazon.com/Poetic-Leat...B005ECHQ4C

Here is the Asus Transformer TF101 version. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005ECB3PU

Why I like this type of case...

It's thin and minimalistic. If thickness was one of the more important factors in your decision of which tablet to buy, then it's likely going to be an important factor in which case or cover to buy. You probably didn't buy a thinner tablet just to hide it inside a thick case.

But this type of case is still thick at most of the places it needs to be. It's made of either leather or faux leather (not sure which)...basically something thick but with some give to absorb some shock, unlike the microfiber-only covers like the Sikai on eBay. When closed, this case offers ample protection for both the front and back of your tablet, which is important, as we've learned from Apple's Smart Cover which offers no protection in back and minimal protection in front. The sides of the tablets are a bit exposed though, so that is a drawback with this case.

The exterior material is also very easy to wipe and clean.

Cutouts for the cameras are not an issue with this case.

Unlike the cases where you fold the front cover towards the back to make a stand, the inside cover of this case never touches any outside surfaces. This keeps a separation between the outside and the inside, so no dirt is brought into the case and onto the screen. Again, those with experience with Apple's Smart Cover know what I'm talking about here. (The Apple Smart Cover collects dust and dirt and then deposits them onto the iPad screen.) The drawback with this type of case is that it takes up a larger footprint on the table than those cases which curl their front covers back into a stand.

For Asus Transformer owners, this case will allow you to plug in your docks while your tablet is still in the case. Refer to these XDA threads (lots of pics). http://forum.xda-developers.com/s...?t=1194069 and http://forum.xda-developers.com/s...?t=1191079 You won't be able to close the case with the dock in it though. If you want a case that carries both the tablet and the dock, you'll need a different case.

And now for why this is a Hot Deal or at least a good one...

These Poetic branded cases appear to be the exact same cases branded by rooCase and Acase but at much lower prices.

See these links for the comparable rooCase and Acase for the Galaxy Tab 10.1. Check out their prices. http://www.amazon.com/Acase-Samsu...B0057I6ZVI and http://www.amazon.com/rooCASE-Sli...B0056CPUAC

See these links for the comparable rooCase and Acase for the Asus Transformer TF101. Check out their prices. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005D1Q6J0 and http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0058DLAA8

The rooCase listings do come with a capacitive stylus, but, if you really need one, you can get the same stylus off eBay for a dollar.

Credit goes to the folks at XDA for pointing out the Poetic alternatives.