| Just got that new iPod? Or just thinking | | | | it. None of them, however, offer much |
| about buying one?Here's something else to | | | | protection from that nose-dive onto |
| think about. Whatever else you do with your | | | | concrete.Leather or Vinyl CaseLeather and |
| iPod, protect it. The average iPod owner | | | | vinyl cases are gaining in popularity. They |
| spends $40 on iPod accessories like external | | | | range from plain vanilla all the way to |
| speakers, alarm clock docking stations, FM | | | | Bling! They provide some shock protection but |
| transmitters, and car chargers. Many of them | | | | not such good scratch protection unless they |
| are not spending any of that money on | | | | have some other type lining and a clear panel |
| protection. There are any number of iPod | | | | to protect the screen. Fashion seems to be |
| skins and cases on the market. There's bound | | | | the key with these cases.Hard CaseTypical |
| to be one to suit you.Why does your iPod need | | | | hard cases are made of plastic or aluminum. |
| protection?Because, as great as they are, | | | | Again, they range from the cheap "junk," |
| iPods are notorious for screen scratches, | | | | through the medium priced "adequate," all the |
| click wheel scratches, mirrored back | | | | way to "iPod armor." They also cover the |
| scratches and even faceplate scratches.Just | | | | gamut from "boiler plate" to elegance in |
| handling your iPod can cause scratches. And | | | | appearance. Naturally, the aluminum cases |
| they are somewhat fragile when dropped on | | | | tend to be better protection than the |
| hard surfaces.You want that brand spanking | | | | plastic. But some plastic cases are quite |
| new iPod all scratched up? You want to risk a | | | | strong and shock absorbing. Pay particular |
| million pieces if you happen to drop it on | | | | attention to how the case fastens. Armor is |
| the sidewalk? Of course not, so give it a | | | | not much good if the latch won't stay |
| good case. At least a quality "sleeve" or | | | | put.SummaryWith any sort of case, you'll |
| "skin."Silicone skinThis is one of the more | | | | probably want to access the headphone jack, |
| common types of skin. They come in a variety | | | | docking port, lock button, etc. without |
| of colors, sizes, textures and even a few | | | | removing the iPod from the case. Most of the |
| different shapes. The good ones are pretty | | | | good ones allow all that, but look carefully. |
| tough and the really cheap ones are ... well | | | | Some, believe it or not, cover them up. Buy |
| ... really cheap. The cheapies tear easily | | | | the best protection you can afford. Your iPod |
| and never seem to fit like the good ones. The | | | | deserves it. |
| good ones are a bit more expensive but worth | | | | |