How to remove the stylus clip from ZenPad S 8.0 TriCover case

We’ve had a few interesting questions about the official Asus TriCover case for the ZenPad S 8.0 tablet. In particular, people have asked whether there is a version of the TriCover case that does not have the stylus clip. Afterall, the Z Stylus isn’t compatible with the Z580C model and having a case with the clip is completely unnecessary.

We have some terrific regular visitors who have been very helpful regarding various questions and finding information before we do. In this instance, one particular visitor discussed and explained the removal of the stylus clip on the ZenPad S 8.0 TriCover case. With the ZenPad 10 TriCover having the same clip, this solution should also work on that case.

This method is a bit crude, but you can decide for yourself if you want to do it. At the very least you can contemplate it before buying the case. A visitor to our site, Jason, was kind enough to send along a couple of photos so you can see the results of the removal.

Here are the instructions and tips:

“The stylus holder can be removed from the case if you use a little muscle. It’s just held on there with some adhesive. It’s decently strong adhesive but I just kept pulling on it slowly until I had it off. Removing the stylus holder left a dark spot, and I haven’t been able to remove it. It’s possible the adhesive stained it, but no big deal. It looks worse in pictures than in person.”

Here are a couple photos of the results:

zenpad-case-stylus-holder-removal

zenpad-s-tricover-case-stylus-clip

 

Official Asus ZenPad S 8.0 Tricover case available to buy in US

It has been quite a long wait for the official Asus Tricover case for the ZenPad S 8.0 tablets. This is the style of case that is most reminiscent of the Apple Smart Case and for my money it’s the best case on the market. It’s tight fitting, slim, light and will provide enough protection around the corners of your ZenPad S 8.0 that it should be safe in the event of a drop on a hard surface. The Tricover case also folds easily to allow for a couple ideal positions for your tablet. It sells for $17.00 US. You are able to add to cart and order right now, but shipping date is undetermined. It looks like we’re a day or two away but we will update when new details emerge.

Shopping Link: Order Now – Asus ZenPad S 8.0 TriCover Case – $17.99 from Amazon.com

We are also tracking other online retailers and stores that are stocking and selling the TriCover for the ZenPad S 8.0 and will post details as we get them. At times the Asus US online store has had stock, but they have been selling out very quickly.

Photo Gallery:

More ZenPad tablets headed to India – Still no Z580C or Z580CA

I know that people are asking about the ZenPad S 8.0 and when it’s headed to India. At this point, it’s unclear. In fact it may not come at all. However there are some other ZenPad tablets headed into India retailers based on importer listings. These are the models we see and in good numbers.

  • ZenPad 8.0 (Z380KL) – 4G LTE phone calling capable model powered with a Snapdragon processor. Will be more expensive that Rs. 11,999
  • ZenPad C 7.0 (Z170CG) – budget priced model (cheapest) with 3G phone calling capable model. Will be cheaper than Rs. 11,999
  • ZenPad 7.0 (Z370CG) – 3G voice calling capable, already available at Flipkart so this is a restocking. Price is Rs. 11,999

India has a ZenPad 7.0 bundle with the Audio Cover accessory. It’s unclear at this point if the Z380KL will also be bundled with the Audio Cover or possibly the Power Case.

more-zenpads-headed-to-india

Stop worrying about battery life. Buy an external battery!

With Black Friday coming and the hot shopping season, there will be many deals. One accessory that I highly recommend is an external battery pack. Asus sells the ZenPower which is just $19.99 for a 10050mAh portable battery. You can get smaller external battery packs which are lighter and more portable. In fact you can get an external battery charger that is the size of a lipstick! These types of accessories see huge discounts and sale prices. One issue to consider is how long these external batteries can hold their charge. If you go with the super small battery banks, it means they will drain while sitting around your house and if you grab it and head out, there is a chance that it may be at 50% charge or worse. It becomes a bit tricky. However if you go for a bigger capacity there is more room for error, or you can afford to lose some of the charge while it sits and you will still have enough charge left if you take it out with you. Most times when you grab the external battery you’re in a rush. If you end up out of battery on your device and plug into your external charger only to find that it’s dead too, imagine the frustration!

Here is a quick rundown and shopping guide:

  • A 12000mAh battery bank is heavy, but it’s very useful. The model that I own has two usb ports so you can charge two devices at one time. This is about the maximum size that I would recommend and it is heavy. For long trips though you can’t beat it.
  • The Asus ZenPower is a 10050mAh external battery so it will be slightly lighter but will still have enough charge to fill up a couple devices.
  • A 6000mAh battery is an ideal weight and size. Going smaller than this means you will need to worry more about battery drain while it sits.
  • Mini portable chargers with 3200mAh are obviously the lightest and most convenient. However you’re going to need planning so that you charge this up so that when you really need it there is some charge left on it.

Price wise you shouldn’t have to pay anything more than $30 and most of the 12000mAh battery banks should be around $20. It’s a wise investment because it’s useful for more than just your ZenPad. Smartphones also require constant charging especially if you’re pushing them with HD video and or video games.

Canada appears poised to get ZenPad S 8.0 (Z580CA) in stores any day now

Black color ZenPad S 8.0 tablet.

Black color ZenPad S 8.0 tablet.

For a lot of markets, the wait for the Z580CA flagship model has been long and somewhat painful. Certain markets may not even see the release of the Z580CA. We can report that Canada should be getting the ZenPad S 8.0 in stores this week. In fact it could be any day now. The price in Canada is $399 which is largely due to the exchange rates. The US market gets the Z580CA for a $299 US price tag.

If you’re from Canada and thinking it’s better to buy from the US, this is largely dependent on whether you can escape the taxes and duties. With the Canadian dollar being so low there really isn’t savings if you just add one tax on top of the $299 US. We’ve looked at variables and concluded that with the current exchange rate it’s not worth ordering from a US retailer if you going to end up paying taxes and duty on it.

We will update this post with the retailers selling the Z580CA. We hope this happens within a day, but we’ve already seen ETA dates pushed back, and then back again. Hopefully this time it’s for real. Stay tuned!

Cheapest price so far for Asus Z Stylus Pen (Z580CA or Z300 Series)

zenpad-stylus-pen

Update: Oct 27, appears to be sold out for now, but you can check the other Z Stylus listing here.

We’ve posted previously about an Ebay seller from Taiwan who is selling the Z Stylus. In fact we bought ours from that seller. Turns out they have upped their price, but we have found an even cheaper option. For $44.99 you can get one shipped from Taiwan with free international shipping. It’s definitely a better price and we still don’t know when the Z Stylus will be available to buy in markets like the US and Canada. Definitely give this some consideration. They aren’t showing many in stock, so best to act quickly on these. Here is a link: