Samsung Note 8 BookCover vs MiniSuit Case Review (with Photos)

[Mr_Armageddon]

I had the chance to try out 2 different "Folio" type cases this week, and decided to do a review comparing them. Here are the competitors:

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 BookCover - $49.99

[URL="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BPXOBCY/ref=cm_cr_rev_prod_title?t=androidcentral00-20&tag=hawk-future-20&ascsubtag=UUacUvbUpU2721686]MiniSuit Classic Standing Case with HandStrap - $14.95[/URL]

Both cases are generally good, but with weaknesses that would have been easily fixed with more forethought. To start off I will show a few pics comparing the general size and thickness of the two cases.
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[Mr_Armageddon]

Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 BookCover

Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 BookCover

Samsung BookCover is the thinner of the two but also offers less protection. It was only available in white when I purchased is, but there should be other colors available shortly. The BookCover is easily removable, and cutouts allow for access to all ports, buttons, sensors, etc except for the MicroSD slot. There is what I assume to be a magnetic sensor towards the left side bezel of the device, because there is a ?Sleep / Wake? feature with the BookCover which seems to work well to lock and unlock the device. Unfortunately there are no magnets that hold the cover closed against the front of the screen, or when flipped to the back to the device. Cover flap is a soft material that will do well protecting the screen, but will also most likely get dirty over time as I have seen with other covers of this type.

The smaller of the two angled views (around 30 degrees) works very well, and stays in place while navigating and typing on the device.

The more upright angled view is a pain to deal with. If you don?t have a perfectly flat surface, forget about using this one. Even when on a flat surface, the back kept wanting to kick out, as it seems the tablet isn?t heavy enough to hold it in place. They really should have developed a method for this view what would attach the folding flap to the body of the case, using a slot or magnets, because the current method does not work well at all.

Pros:

• Light and Thin
  
• Sleep / Wake function built in
  
• Access to all ports and buttons
  
• Easy to hold, comfortable feel

Cons:

• Little protection from drops / spills
  
• Angled views are difficult to maintain in active environment
  
• No magnets or strap to keep flap closed over front of screen
  
• No S Pen holder

 

[Mr_Armageddon]

MiniSuit Classic Stand Case with Handstrap for Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0

MiniSuit Classic Stand Case with Handstrap for Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0

I actually purchased the MiniSuite before the Note 8 was even available in the US, and it was at my door the day before the Note 8?s release (thank you Amazon Prime). I purchased the Navy Blue, but there are many other colors currently available. Overall it has been a good case, and has done an excellent job of protecting the device in a household that has 3 children under the age of 5. There are magnets to keep the flap closed on the front of the case, but there is no Sleep / Wake functionality with this case. I also like that they included an elastic band to hold the S-Pen. I personally like using the larger Samsung S-Pen that has the eraser function on the back, and it fits perfectly in the elastic loop. There is another elastic loop on the cover flap that allows you to insert your and when flipped around to the back, and hold the device more secure one-handed. I personally haven?t used this much, but I can definitely imagine some scenarios where this could come in handy. It is thicker than the Samsung option, but the added bulk doesn't make the device any more difficult to hold. The fake leather isn?t slippery and is somewhat soft to the touch.

The smaller of the two angled views isn?t as stable as the Samsung cover, but the more upright view is much better and stable. This is largely due to the fact that the cover slides into a slot that keeps it from moving. I have not had any issues with the device falling over while in this position, even when sitting on my bed with kids jumping around me.

Pros:

• Magnets to keep flap closed over front of screen
  
• Built in S-Pen holder
  
• Access to all ports and buttons
  
• Easy to hold, comfortable feel
  
• Will hold up to drops / spills fairly well
  
• Angled views are difficult to maintain in active environment

Cons:

• Does add considerable bulk to the device
  
• No Sleep / Wake function built in

Of the two cases, the MiniSuit will be staying on my device, and the Samsung BookCover is going back to Best Buy. I could have overlooked not having magnets to keep it closes, and no S-Pen holder, but not being able to watch movies while propped up unless sitting absolutely still killed any chance of me wanting to keep this accessory. The MiniSuit has been great up to this point, and I have found an application that mimics the ?Sleep / Wake? function when the cover is used, so my main gripe has been satisfied. Plus the fact that this case is $35 less than the Samsung option, makes the decision a lot easier.

Feel free to ask any questions that I may not have covered above. Thanks.

 

[jdub1981]

How is not having an spen holder a con? Our device has it built in. Other than that, nice write up.

Sent from my Galaxy Note 8.0 using Tapatalk

 

[Mr_Armageddon]

I am primarily using a larger Samsung Digitizer S-Pen with the Note 8. Not only is it easier to actually write with being that it is longer and thicker than the stock one (about the size of an actual Pen), but if you flip it around the back functions as an eraser on applications like S-Note and Papyrus. It also seems to be a tad more accurate than the stock S-Pen that comes with the device.

I have found myself taking a lot of notes during phone calls and WebEx meetings for work with this device, an the larger S-Pen makes doing so a lot more enjoyable. About half the cases I have seen on Amazon have a holder for an additional / larger S-Pen, and I hope the trend continues as more accessories start to come out for this device.

 

[Andy847]

I never bought the Samsung Cover for my Note 10.1, because of the price and the inability to prop up as a stand well. I have a Moko slim folio case that folds similar to the Minisuit case and like that form and function much better. I've ordered the Moko slim Folio case for my GN 8 when I finally buy it. It was only $5.99 for the Black cover on Amazon, plus has a S Pen holder on the back near where the front sticks in the flap and sleep/wake function. I agree the Amazon offerings are better options, especially since the samsung book cover case really sucks as a stand and is so overpriced. One question though, I read that the S Pen loop in the position that it's in on the MiniSuit case, can block the Signal of the IR blaster for the TV. Did you find that to be true? Although, not everyone uses the IR blaster for anything on their Galaxy Notes. Good Review!

 

[Mr_Armageddon]

I haven't noticed any issues with the S-Pen holder blocking the IR blaster. It looks to be positioned right below the IR port, so I wouldn't think it would block.

Granted I have only tried out the remote functionality of the Note 8 on a limited basis as it works with my Sony TV and DirecTV DVR, but not my Yamaha Receiver which controls my surround sound speaker volume.



Sent from my SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2

 

[jackwagon06]

Thanks for the review! Definetly helping my decision.

sent from my supercalaphablet-noteyexpeealadocious

 

[Optimus Prune]

Nice summation of the pros and cons of the two covers.

I bought the Samsung book cover and will likely stick with it. It is thin enough that I can still fit the tablet into my back jeans pocket, but ANY additional width and it won't fit. So, since it is hands-down the thinnest cover I have seen, it looks like it's the cover for me.

The horizontal stand configuration is a bit tricky at first, but it is not too bad once you get the hang of it. I watched Fellowship of the Rings on a rather turbulent cross country flight this morning and it didn't collapse on me, so that's pretty good. Really depends on the tackiness of the surface.

Sent from my GT-N5110 using Tapatalk HD

 

[jlmtorch]

I have been using a white version of the Mini Suit bought on eBay - no regrets.

 

[jlmtorch]

I am primarily using a larger Samsung Digitizer S-Pen with the Note 8. Not only is it easier to actually write with being that it is longer and thicker than the stock one (about the size of an actual Pen), but if you flip it around the back functions as an eraser on applications like S-Note and Papyrus. It also seems to be a tad more accurate than the stock S-Pen that comes with the device.

I have found an application that mimics the ?Sleep / Wake? function when the cover is used, so my main gripe has been satisfied.

What is the name of the application you used?


I have found myself taking a lot of notes during phone calls and WebEx meetings for work with this device, an the larger S-Pen makes doing so a lot more enjoyable. About half the cases I have seen on Amazon have a holder for an additional / larger S-Pen, and I hope the trend continues as more accessories start to come out for this device.

 

[Mr_Armageddon]

CaseSensor for Tablets

So far its working very well with the Note 8, as long as its calibrated correctly.

 

[jdub1981]

I have white book cover. I am not a fan. I got it because it was the only option and I felt I had to protect the screen while on a buisness trip. Thing what I hate most about it is that the front cover isnt secured in some way. like the smart cover for an ipad that is the magnetic grip. Because the screen isnt secured just a slight movement on the front cover causes the screen to activate.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2

 

[somdave2005]

I have white book cover. I am not a fan. I got it because it was the only option and I felt I had to protect the screen while on a buisness trip. Thing what I hate most about it is that the front cover isnt secured in some way. like the smart cover for an ipad that is the magnetic grip. Because the screen isnt secured just a slight movement on the front cover causes the screen to activate.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2

It doesn't have a magnet that keeps it closed? I was considering getting the samsung book cover since I heard it's the thinnest case .

 

[unashamedgeek]

I got a grey Samsung book case and while I'll keep it because it suits my purposes, I have to say it is a pretty weak case. The stand set up is not well thought out and is pretty easy to tip or collapse. I can't even get it to hold the high angle on my desk because I think my desk is too slick. I can get it to hold the lower angle and that works well for me. I like the sleep/wake function, but whatever magnet triggers that, it isn't very strong and doesn't assist in keeping the flap closed.

I guess I have a pretty negative view of it, but my main purpose in the case was something that would just cover the screen while I carry it in my bag and I wanted it as thin as possible. I will rarely ever try to use the stand feature so on my two requirements, the case is perfect. If you want a case that doubles as a sturdy stand, I would recommend looking elsewhere.

 

[Optimus Prune]

It doesn't have a magnet that keeps it closed? I was considering getting the samsung book cover since I heard it's the thinnest case .

I have one and it is the thinnest. Don't know how a case could be any thinner than this one. But the other weaknesses cited are viable weakness. For me, it's worth it because the tablet can still fit into my pocket with this case attached. But it sure ain't full of features for fifty bucks. Thin and sleep/wake. That's about it. If those are the two most important things to you, it's the right case. If not, it's not.

Sent from my SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

 

[droidtypeofguy]

Great review! Very thorough~

I think they are running a promotion because I just picked it up for less than $14.95

 

[somdave2005]

Great review! Very thorough~

I think they are running a promotion because I just picked it up for less than $14.95

$6.95 , not bad. It looks thick though. I want a thin case because I'm going to put it in my white coat pocket. I don't want to spend $50 on the Samsung bookcover case though

Amazon.com: MiniSuit Classic Stand Case with Handstrap for Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 N5100 (Navy Blue): MP3 Players & Accessories

 

[unashamedgeek]

$6.95 , not bad. It looks thick though. I want a thin case because I'm going to put it in my white coat pocket. I don't want to spend $50 on the Samsung bookcover case though

Amazon.com: MiniSuit Classic Stand Case with Handstrap for Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 N5100 (Navy Blue): MP3 Players & Accessories

You can get the Samsung case cheaper on eBay (that is how I got my grey one before the stores by me had that color), but nothing even remotely close to that $7 for the other one listed.

 

[somdave2005]

how much did you get it for on Ebay? I might look into it if the poetic Case doesn't work out.

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