I was rather pleased with the Metal Deluxe Case. I have no doubt that it keeps my Palm Tungsten T2 safe and secure. I'm one of those people that don't wear a suit and doesn't carry a briefcase. My handheld is my total mobile computing solution, so wherever I go, it goes. In the winter, that isn't much of a problem as it resides in the breast pocket of my jacket. But as the weather gets warmer, it becomes a bit of a problem because it has to go into a pants pocket. This puts it at risk for damage from sitting down with it in my pocket, slipping out and falling to the ground, keys, and the like.

I feel a lot more secure having it in the Metal Deluxe Case. Did I intentionally drop my Palm while in the case to test it? Heck no, I'm not stupid. But I'd like to think it would survive a drop with no damage while in this case.

It's a great product and will definitely keep a Tungsten T/T2 safe, but I did have a few issues with it.

The first problem I noticed was with the desktop charging/sync cradle. The Palm unit won't make contact with the connector in the cradle while in the case, even though there's a cutout for the Universal connector. The case adds just enough to the profile of the Palm that it won't sit completely in the cradle. The same was true for my Palm Portable Keyboard. It wouldn't make the connection there either.

I really don't see how this could be changed though as the case is as low profile as it can be. About the only solution I see is if the Universal connector opening on the case were expanded to allow the unit to sit a little deeper in the cradle. You would have no problem using a charging/sync cable instead of the cradle though, and this may have actually been the manufacturer's intent. Wireless keyboard users should have no problem at all, as the cutout on the top exposes the IR port.

The second problem I found was in using the Palm while it was in the case. The case's lid is attached by a hinge on the right side. I'm right handed and had a bit of trouble holding the unit in my left hand with the case open due to the lid being in the way. I think it would be impossible for a left handed person to use the Palm while in this case as the thumb of their right hand would rest directly on the hinge, preventing it from opening. I think this could be solved by having the case open flip-style, with the hinge on the top instead of on the right hand side. It's entirely possible the manufacturer never intended for the Palm to have extensive use while in the case.

I have no doubt whatsoever that the Metal Deluxe Case will keep your handheld safe and secure during transport or travel. I will certainly continue to protect my T2 with it whenever I'm away from home. It does present some problems with trying to use the handheld while still in the case. Namely, that the Universal connector can't make contact with a charging/sync cradle or Palm Portable Keyboard. The lid and hinge also have a tendency to get in the way when trying to use the handheld while still in the case.