There are drop tests, and then there are drop tests.
In the above video, the Kindle Fire HD is dropped. On the corner. On the back. And on the front. On asphalt. I don’t think you could ask for a better real-world test.
Now in case you don’t want to watch the video above, here’s how the Kindle Fire fared out.
On the back drop, the chassis separated, but it was able to be snapped back together and still worked.
On the side drop, just scuffs, and the unit survived.
On the front drop, busted screen.
What can you learn from this? Well, the chance of this happening to your smartphone or tablet is actually a lot more likely than you’d think. This could happen even in your driveway if your phone fell out of your coat pocket, or you were carrying the tablet to the car and it slipped out of your hand (hey, it can happen and it happens a lot).
The lesson to be learned here: Put a case around your smartphone or tablet, and make sure the screen is covered. If not, an unhappy accident can happen and your screen can get busted, ruining your whole day.
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Yes, things can happen. I dropped my tablet twice already in 2 months. I did have a good padded case for it. (If you buy a 7″ tablet, try the Targus case for the Kindle Fire at a Radio Shack and see if it works for yours–it fit my Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 very well!).
I also purchased a warranty from Square Trade that includes accidental breakage, etc., in addition to electronics failure. I hope I don’t have to use the warranty, but I have used one of theirs before on a LCD TV and they paid me the purchase price of the unit.
It probably goes without saying, whether it’s a phone or a tablet, carry it carefully and hold on tight. Get a case that protects the corners well, as this is where you need protection the most–where all of the force is concentrated in one small area instead of over an entire side or back. And the screen is also in need of protection. A padded case can make the difference between a scuffed case and a broken piece of electronics.
Donald