Speck mini skin review (the good and bad)

[pyromancer]

A few days after getting my silver mini, it had it's first drop from pocket to asphalt. No mechanical damage, but a couple nasty scratches along one side. I decided to get a Speck Mini Skin from my local Fry's Electronics. $20.

http://www.speckproducts.com/mini/singleindex.htm

Initial reaction: I thought the one I grabbed was colorless, but it's actually light blue. That's fine.

Installation: Slides on easily and fits snugly without any fear of sliding out or moving out of alignment. Screen is unobstructed (but unprotected) and controls are the same.

"The Good": I feel very comfortable with my mini in the Speck Mini Skin. Considering the light weight of the mini and the thickness of the skin, I am comfortable in that my precious will be protected from normal drops and wear. Access to ports is not blocked at all. The price of protection is worth the $20 payed out.

"The Bad": The skin offers no protection for the screen and controls, so I still have to be mindful to keep my keys/change in a different pocket. The hold switch is even harder to operate and requires growth of finger or thumbnail, which is rare for me (being a UNIX systems admin. Others would understand.) The skin also makes the mini too fat for it's belt clip. My attempted homebrew solution: I never did use the neck lanyard (too obnoxious,) but attached a climbing clip to a keyring run through the same little plastic nub. This, I clipped to my belt. That didn't stay because slight snags pulled the nub right out of the hole.

The mixed blessing: The mini skin has much more "grip" texture than the mini itself. This makes it much more difficult to slide off a table or slip from your hands, but it also seems a bit TOO sticky. It turns your pockets inside out when you retrieve it and tries to pull my mount off my dash when I remove it. (I have an adjustable vent-attached cell phone mount in which the mini fits perfectly.)

How I'd make the "next generation" mini skin:
1: Include a belt clip. That's a no-brainer
2: Reinforce the lanyard clip too, but keep it removable.
3: Include some cover for the screen at least, and maybe controls.
4: Offer a smoother texture. The skin makes my precious feel cheaper than it is.

That concludes my review. Hope others find it helpful.

[Asian_N02]

It seems that there are more bad than good with this product. You are correct about not protecting the screen or controls. If you're going to have a case, it should at the very minimum protect the screen. Also, to have a product that is too sticky that it turns your pockets inside out? I think I am going to go with the DLO Jam Jacket. That seems like a more superior product. Your review was very helpful! Thanks!

[toddjb]

I just posted this somewhere else, but forget where and don't feel like searching for it....


I have the speck case and i like it.

Only complaint is it makes the mini look a lilttle bigger, but I bought it for protection which is what it does.

Still though, the iskin mini looks like a superior product. But, since I don't use or want a belt clip, I like the simplicity of the speck product and i don't care about a screen protector. i'm only concerned about drop damage. Screens get a little scratched on occasion, sh*t happens.

-todd

[pyromancer]

Asian_N02: Glad you found it helpful!
toddjb: You're absolutely right. The $20 price tag is a small price to pay for the additional level of protection to the expensive iPod mini. I am certain the Speck product can take a significant beating and keep on protecting, but it just "wasn't for me."

"So... beautiful..."