The Silicon Case adds less than 1/16 of an inch to the nano's sleek design. And it has a "non slip" texture, which allows you to perch it on a car dashboard without it sliding all over the place -- at least as long as you're not taking curves on two wheels or performing other "Dukes of Hazzard" stunts.

Besides the slit for inserting the nano, other openings in the Proporta case offer full access to all iPod nano controls. And the gorgeous color screen isn't obstructed at all. The Silicon Case comes with a removable belt and clip system and is available in white, charcoal, pink and blue.

Choices are nice, but therein lies (for me) the rub. The Proporta case covers up the body of the iPod nano, a device too handsome to be concealed. I also wish you could arrange to have the iPod nano hang upside down with the clip system so that you could simply glance down and read the screen without having to "flip" it right-side up.

Overall, the Proporta Silicon Case for iPod nano is a well-designed nano case that will help keep scratches, dings and fingerprints from the Apple device.

Macsimum rating: 7 out of 10

-- Laura Sellers