If you’re going to own a premium tablet, then there are two additional things you need in order to protect it: a good screen protector and a good carrying case.
I decided on the Belkin MultiTasker F7P177B1C00 for my Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 edition tablet because it has a premium feel, much like the tablet itself. Additionally, this case doesn’t use elastic straps to keep the tablet in: it is custom-molded for an exact fit. It also has a smooth interior lining and has grooves that allow the case to double as a stand with multiple viewing angles.
The case is made especially for with the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition tablets and features a smooth interior lining with grooves that allow you to easily view your device at a comfortable angle.
Product Features
- Made for Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 2014 Edition tablets
- Business-card pockets keeps cards neatly organized. Pen/stylus slot makes it easy to keep accessories close at hand
- Natural-grain leather material offers durability and a stylish look
- Smooth interior lining safeguards your tablet’s screen and features grooves to position your device at multiple angles
- Doubles as a stand
- Strap closure and protective corners
The cover isn’t magnetized like Samsung’s OEM tablet cover, but does feature an elastic strap that you use to keep the cover closed. I actually prefer this method, as it looks more attractive and the case actually stays closed, even if dropped. Because there’s no magnets, you don’t have access to the “cover screen mode” of the tablet (a lock screen that lets you immediately jot down notes and displays your calendar and other things).
The spine of the case has a hole cut out for the USB port, so you can easily charge the unit with the case closed. Unfortunately, there’s not an easy way to charge the unit while it’s functioning as a stand, as there is no clearance to attach a cable in this mode. You can, however, attach a cable in “keyboard” mode, as the tablet’s orientation is flipped upside down.
The case also features a cloth loop which you can use to carry an electrostatic stylus, bigger S-pen (my personal recommendation), or an actual pen if you so choose. I find that anything in this loop just gets in the way. If you’re carrying this tablet around the office, then you’ve already been labeled a nerd. Go ahead and break out the pocket protector for real pens. Here’s another little fun fact: you can transform the box of office PENS into hilarity with a strategically-placed “i”.
The case works as a stand but pulling out the plastic tray and placing the two bottom grooves in one set of notches in the inner flap of the case. You can enjoy multiple viewing angles in this way, but only in a horizontal orientation. There is another “keyboard mode” accessed by rolling up the crease of the cover and placing behind the plastic tray. In this mode the tablet is inverted (the home button is on top and the “back” and “context” buttons are reversed).
The inside of the case has a smooth interior lining which has a nice feel, but we can easily tell this is a synthetic material, and it distributes any oil on your screen into a nice little pattern that’s easily noticable. There are two pockets for business cards, but honestly adding more than one or two will make the case bulge a bit. I think the real reason for these pockets it to etch out an area of negative space so the home button cannot be accidentally pressed while the case is closed.
One of the biggest advantages to a case made specifically for your tablet is that it fits like a glove and looks like it’s part of the system. The polycarbonate plastic is molded to fit the exact contour of the Galaxy Note 10, so it snaps in and doesn’t have any annoying leather straps around each corner. This is especially important for a tablet that features writing capability, so your wrist is not frequently snagging these straps.
The molded plastic also allows ample room around the audio jack and S-pen area so they are easy to get to and do not interfere with the tablet’s operation. Generous room has also been awarded to the volume rocker switches and USB port, and do not get in the way at all.
There is another version of the Belkin MultiTasker Case which is $10 cheaper, but it uses elastic straps at each corner and has a tri-fold cover. I personally prefer the custom-fit of the polycarbonate tray, which along with the black leather and elastic strap makes you look professional and smart, despite what your mother-in-law claims.