Using a case, or going it bare?

People take chances with their devices, some care and others couldn't give a hoot, instead taking each day as it comes and waiting for the inevitable day something goes wrong, insurance aside. Is it better to appreciate things as they are, for as long as you can, or live slightly less satisfied, but happier in the long run?

Thankfully I'm not the owner of this Samsung Infuse

When you're as obsessive as I am over protecting anything you buy, you tend to buy all the necessary protection for it without any second thoughts. Just about every single device I have owned has almost immediately found itself some sort of case and screen protector. My Galaxy Nexus spent its first two weeks at home in its box, because the assortment of Cruzerlite cases and screen protectors hadn't arrived in-line with the handset (bought locally). Similarly, for the first month, I rarely moved around with my Nexus 7, which I pre-ordered, and because of this, it met only with eyes of those who came to our house before an appropriate case was designed for it.

I have friends who share my beliefs, and others who don't seem to care. My sister, for one, who from my recollection has never gone to the effort to protect anything she's ever owned. In her entire history of being one of the clumsiest individuals on the face of the earth, only one device gave into her ways and 'spiderwebbed' the screen – her HTC Legend. Although the damage was still only minor, and the touch-screen was still functional and it continues to be used as a bedside alarm clock.

It's incredible to think about how much and how often we tend to obsess over the design of a device, and are happy to fork out the coin for a beautiful piece of hardware, yet the moment it's in our hands – we cover it up from the world with bulk, and completely lose the essence of the device in the process. Moving up from an already bulky Defy for instance, I knew a RAZR would be stunning to behold (despite its admittedly petite screen), and its Kevlar backing and Gorilla Glass would add some durability, but I still couldn't help but feel that it wouldn't be able to withstand nearly as many knocks as the brute Defy. I also immediately saw no point in coming from something so light and durable, to something that appeared the opposite.

We read all the time about experts praising the build and design of the iPhone yet I struggle to find anyone who is actually stupid enough to not only own it, but show it to the world outside of a case. I'll admit, seeing just about any phone outside of a case excites me in the idea its owner appreciates the design enough to rock it bare, then my thoughts follow straight on at how careless and idiotic they are for it.

What's your stance on the matter? Would you rather enjoy something as it was intended to be, or take the steps to ensure that your device will avoid the trips to the medical room?