In this review we get our hands on four unique Zune cases from Speck. From left to right the Executive Leather, Toughskin, Active Sport Lite, and Canvas Sport are shown.
It's hard to choose between the cases, we'll check out each style in detail.
Here's how they look in the box. Each has a nice Zune sized foam insert to maintain the correct shape during shipping and handling.
Executive Leather
It's all about detail with the Speck Executive leather case. The leather is soft to the touch and has a nice texture. Check out the word Speck embossed on in the belt clip.
The LCD screen is fully protected by a clear screen and the buttons are exposed for easy clicking. We've reviewed enough cases to know covering the buttons with a protector is a bad idea. Speck made the right decision by leaving an open space for easy access.
The buttons are most responsive this way.
Believe it or not this puppy was a Christmas gift and her name is Zune. She demonstrates how leather is great for preventing unwanted scratches.
Overall the Speck Executive case is a winner. The form and function are spot on, and it looks great. Colors are available in Black and Brown and the case MSRP is 44.95
Canvas Sport
The canvas sport case is the coolest in the lineup. The style (thoughtfully stolen from converse shoes) looks even better up close than in photos.
White rubber with diamond texture surrounds the perimeter while thick stiff canvas forms the front and rear of the case.
The screen is protected by an invisible protector and the buttons are easily manipulated through the oval shaped opening.
The Zune is inserted in the rear of the case, which snaps shut with a single button. Although the belt clip is not removeable, it is slim and didn't get in the way when we placed the device in a pocket. The Canvas Sport comes in black and has an MSRP of $29.95.
ToughSkin
The ToughSkin is the only case we've tested for an extended period of time. Hint: it's the case we've actually been using every day for the past 2 months. That should say a lot about how much we like it. The ToughSkin is probably the most protective case out there. It comes with a hard thick screen protector (probably acrylic or polycarbonate) which not only protects against scrathes, but shields against impact as well.
The rubber is thicker than any other silicone based case on the market. ToughSkin comes with a fully removeable belt clip which in our case we have removed for a slimmer profile. Oddly enough access to the buttons is not inhibited at all by the silicone covering. We've seen some silicone cases with small holes cut out for the buttons, but this actually makes them harder to get to. The only downside to ToughSkin is that it gets more attention than the Zune itself when showing your Zune to friends. Toughskin is available in black and the MSRP is $34.95
Active Sport Lite
The Active Sport Lite is a well made neoprene case that feels like a wetsuit, and comes with a removable armband. Although the case is marketed for athletic activities we suggest that neoprene is a great material for any setting, and it's a nice case to use even without the armband.
Access is available to the headphone jack but not the lock switch on top or USB port on the bottom of the Zune.
This case has a sewn in protector over the LCD screen and the primary button. One thing we like about this case compared to other neoprene cases is that there is no hard backing or belt clip rivet. This keeps the form factor slim and the feel uniform. The Active Sport Lite comes in black and the MSRP is $29.95.
Conclusion
Speck offers a solid lineup, functionally the cases are sound (with the exception of the USB port being covered in the Neoprene Active Sport armband case). It is apparent that Speck chose quality over economy with the designs, and each is a case an owner can really love rather than just like. If you're curious about how the Zune gets inserted and removed from each case check out the video below.
