PDA Pak Road Warrior

Review by George Rosenberg
February 28, 2004

Total Score

  8 out of 10 Stylii

The PDAPAK Road Warrior from Officeonthegogo, is a large PDA case with many compartments. This case is purse size with outside dimensions of 12"x7"x1.5". Other models have dimensions 8"x7" and 8"x14". It is large compared to PDA dimensions, but it is small compared to some other "road warrior" alternatives, such as an attaché case. It has many compartments which will meet a variety of needs. The unit I am reviewing is black nylon. It is also available in leather.

It has a handle and a removable shoulder strap. It has three outside compartments and a pocket. There is a zipper along three edges. When unzipped it opens book style revealing the inside. The inside has five compartments plus the main compartment. One of these is inside access to an outside compartment. The inside main compartment also has a stylus holder, a key ring, a small zippered mesh pouch, and three credit card size pockets.

The outside front left compartment is a pouch. It has a top flap with antenna notches suitable for holding a cell phone or radio.

The outside front middle compartment also accessible from the inside is for holding a PDA. This will be described in more detail later.

The outside front right compartment opens book style to reveal a pad of paper.

The outside back has a large zippered pocket. It is gusseted on the left side. You may note that an 8.5"x11" piece of paper is too large for the 12"x7" dimensions of the case. If one folds that piece of paper in half to 8.5"x5.5" it can be put in this pocket with some effort.  A very slightly larger pocket would be a big improvement. 

The inside main compartment contains the other inside compartments and can hold items itself. As previously stated it also has a key ring and stylus holder.

The inside front left contains the three card pockets, and small zippered mesh pouch. Each pocket can hold one plastic credit card or perhaps several skinny ID cards. They are just barely too narrow for business cards in their normal "landscape" orientation. They will accommodate business cards rotated to a "portrait" orientation.

The inside front center is the inside access to the PDA compartment.

The remaining four inside compartments are pouches with top flaps. They are approximately 5 3/8" high and approximately 3/4" deep. The inside top right pouch is approximately 3" wide. The inside bottom right pouch is approximately 2 3/4" wide. The other two inside bottom pouches are approximately 4" wide.

The PDA compartment can be accessed from either the inside or outside. The outside access is a slightly padded book style flap with a stylus holder inside. If the screen is facing outside the touch screen can be used normally.  Some buttons may be inaccessible. If the screen is facing inside a clear vinyl window covers the screen. The screen can be viewed through the window. The touch screen can also often be used through the window. This access has a different feel and precision than direct access. I am also concerned about the wear from repeated use. Some buttons may also be inaccessible from the inside. I prefer the outside facing for more immediate access and direct contact with the screen. The inside facing may provide better protection for the screen.

The PDA can be inserted or removed only via the inside compartment.  There is an elastic strap that helps hold the PDA snug. Expansion sleeves may be too large to fit in this compartment. Naturally any lid should be opened or removed if the PDA screen is to be used while in this compartment. The approximate compartment dimensions are a pliable 3 3/8" x 5 3/8" x 3/4".

Note: Linear dimensions are in inches. Most compartments are pouches with top flaps that provide slight adjustment in height capacities.

-- George Rosenberg