Sleeve vs Hard Case for 13"?

thriii · Nov 30, 2011, 09:23 AM

Not sure which to get right now so what are the reasons to get 1 over the other?

I have a backpack with a spot for a laptop, but I'm not sure if thats enough to protect my macbook air so I'm thinking about a sleeve.. but then I worry about the macbook air when i take it out of the sleeve because of scratches and stuff like that.

The hard case I'm thinking about getting is the Incipio Feather:

does anyone have this case? how is it?

are there a such thing as a sleeve i can use while still keeping the hard case on?
(please dont say bookbook

)

Smileyboy · Nov 30, 2011, 09:30 AM

Nice case!! I have a invisible shield and a bookbook on mine.

Risasi · Nov 30, 2011, 09:37 AM

I prefer a naked laptop with a sleeve. Right now I've got a thing for Booq Vyper sleeves...

ArchiMark · Nov 30, 2011, 09:59 AM

Can go either way....but sleeve with right material shouldn't scratch your MBA....ie, micro-fiber suede, neoprene, etc...

aeboi · Nov 30, 2011, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArchiMark

Can go either way....but sleeve with right material shouldn't scratch your MBA....ie, micro-fiber suede, neoprene, etc...

I believe he's referring to scratches while it's out of the sleeve.

UKmacman · Nov 30, 2011, 10:15 AM

Call me paranoid but I am going for both! Really like the new air but I am still feeling like I need gloves to hold it with so I don;t scratch it. Just ordered the incipio feather and also have the slimline speck sleeve. Great combo me thinks!!!

shadowjeff · Nov 30, 2011, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArchiMark

Can go either way....but sleeve with right material shouldn't scratch your MBA....ie, micro-fiber suede, neoprene, etc...

I always wonder, would the material on WOOL sleeves scratch the mba?

Love the look of the wool sleeves though.

ArchiMark · Nov 30, 2011, 11:57 AM

I wouldn't think wool would be a problem....

iRCL · Nov 30, 2011, 12:01 PM

You do realize the laptop is already made out of metal that doesn't really scratch unless you drag your keys along it... go walk around a university campus and you'll see 90% of MBP/MBA have no covers and 1% of them have any meaningful amount of scratches

I have kept my MBP/MBA's in a similar backpack or bag compartment for years, no problems. Who wants to buy a thin laptop anyhow, just to bundle it up in something thicker

ArchiMark · Nov 30, 2011, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iRCL

You do realize the laptop is already made out of metal that doesn't really scratch unless you drag your keys along it... go walk around a university campus and you'll see 90% of MBP/MBA have no covers and 1% of them have any meaningful amount of scratches

I have kept my MBP/MBA's in a similar backpack or bag compartment for years, no problems. Who wants to buy a thin laptop anyhow, just to bundle it up in something thicker

To each his own, but I'd much prefer to have at least a minimal amount of protection (ie, neoprene sleeve, etc...) on such a valuable device, especially if I were to accidentally drop it...

Just my 2¢....YMMV.....

thriii · Nov 30, 2011, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UKmacman

Call me paranoid but I am going for both! Really like the new air but I am still feeling like I need gloves to hold it with so I don;t scratch it. Just ordered the incipio feather and also have the slimline speck sleeve. Great combo me thinks!!!

I thought about that but still not sure if thats the route I want to go in are you putting the macbook air inside the sleeve with the incipio feather still attached or do u plan on removing it before sliding it into the sleeve?

Quote:

Originally Posted by iRCL

You do realize the laptop is already made out of metal that doesn't really scratch unless you drag your keys along it... go walk around a university campus and you'll see 90% of MBP/MBA have no covers and 1% of them have any meaningful amount of scratches

I have kept my MBP/MBA's in a similar backpack or bag compartment for years, no problems. Who wants to buy a thin laptop anyhow, just to bundle it up in something thicker

I think I'm just a bit paranoid at the moment.. if I didnt get a hard case, what would be a great sleeve to get? Looking for something minimal in detail.. black.. if possible no big logo that stands out

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArchiMark

To each his own, but I'd much prefer to have at least a minimal amount of protection (ie, neoprene sleeve, etc...) on such a valuable device, especially if I were to accidentally drop it...

Just my 2¢....YMMV.....

Dropping it is my biggest concern

dmk1974 · Nov 30, 2011, 04:33 PM

I always put a clear skin from bestskinsever.com on my Macs (currently on my MBA). Makes me less paranoid about scratches and gives it a nicer grip than the bare aluminum.

thriii · Nov 30, 2011, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmk1974

I always put a clear skin from bestskinsever.com on my Macs (currently on my MBA). Makes me less paranoid about scratches and gives it a nicer grip than the bare aluminum.

thats a good idea! I was wondering if they had 1 for macbook airs.. so it seems it covers the whole thing.. does it also cover the screen?

Mayo7 · Nov 30, 2011, 05:50 PM

If you're going to get a sleeve, I highly recommend the Sleevecase from Water Field. They are probably the highest quality and most protective sleeve out there with their 6mm neoprene padding(unless you go for a hard sleeve case, like the booq viper).

I handle my 13" Air somewhat rough (tossing it on the table, shoving it in my backpack full of stuff, tossing the backpack) when it's in the sleeve and it's been great so far.

elpmas · Nov 30, 2011, 05:53 PM

Hardshell will get annoying later since you won't get to enjoy the design. I say get a sleeve. Doesn't have to be a specific one since they all do the same thing--protect your Mac.

thormarketing · Nov 30, 2011, 05:59 PM

I got the speck clear case (so you still get to enjoy looks) and their sleeve. The sleeve is a bit tight and hard to put on sometimes, but it fits.

I'd like to try the incipio as well. The speck clear case would benefit from being a bit lighter on the display assembly. I wonder if the feather is much lighter?

dmk1974 · Nov 30, 2011, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thriii

thats a good idea! I was wondering if they had 1 for macbook airs.. so it seems it covers the whole thing.. does it also cover the screen?

No, their skin does not cover the screen. It covers the outer lid, bottom, trackpad, palm rest areas, and a few of the thin edges. I actually like leaving the screen as-is since I don't ever touch it.

Funkymonk · Nov 30, 2011, 09:13 PM

I'm getting the incipio feather case and the switch easy thins. can never be too careful

PathVu · Dec 1, 2011, 04:21 AM

I use this sleeve....perfect

AIR-S · Dec 1, 2011, 08:54 AM

I have got a incipio feather case on my 11" air and I can't think of anything bad to say about it!

It doesn't make my air feel any bigger than it did before and provides plenty of protection! Plus it fits snug enough so that no dirt gets behind it!!

I also bought a incase sleeve from eBay and it still fits in it with the feather Case on!! Obviously it is a bit tighter than before but it does still fit!! I Use the sleeve mainly for when it's in my backpack!

I just like to know that it isn't going to get damaged easily I know they are pretty hard machines anyway but I'd rather be safe than sorry!! especially as its my pride and joy!!

Rich

macb0y · Dec 1, 2011, 11:21 AM

i'm using this at the moment.,
http://www.uniqcases.com/index.php/c...okair-105.html

Pedro Julio · Dec 1, 2011, 12:01 PM

I tend not to be very rough on my laptops, so I just use a sleeve. I figure the designers and engineers would have added another case if it really needed one.

Got this sleeve for my MBA for $10:

Kendo · Dec 1, 2011, 07:18 PM

This is what I use for my 13 and it is AWESOME.

http://www.themacherald.com/2011/08/...ba-review.html

thriii · Dec 1, 2011, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PathVu

I use this sleeve....perfect

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kendo

This is what I use for my 13 and it is AWESOME.

http://www.themacherald.com/2011/08/...ba-review.html

Image

Both very nice sleeves! I have been looking for one that completely covers the laptop but these are pretty nice.. I like the booq viper so far and think I'm going to go with a sleeve instead of a hardcase after thinking about it and some of the replies here.

just wish it was a bit more simple.. not looking for much just a simple design that offers great protection all around. Is there anything that would protect my air as much or close to the booq viper that is minimal in design?

footprints07 · Dec 1, 2011, 08:17 PM

Hi, got a question for people using the Booq viper 13" (I suppose all the viper series are hard case?) for the MBA, does the Air sit nicely inside the case or can you actually hear noise as you carry it around? I am asking because I think viper is for unibody so it fits a MBP which is thicker in height.
Thanks in advance

Nov 30, 2011, 09:23 AM	#1
thriii macrumors 6502 Join Date: Feb 2007	Sleeve vs Hard Case for 13"? Not sure which to get right now so what are the reasons to get 1 over the other? I have a backpack with a spot for a laptop, but I'm not sure if thats enough to protect my macbook air so I'm thinking about a sleeve.. but then I worry about the macbook air when i take it out of the sleeve because of scratches and stuff like that. The hard case I'm thinking about getting is the Incipio Feather: does anyone have this case? how is it? are there a such thing as a sleeve i can use while still keeping the hard case on? (please dont say bookbook )
	0

Nov 30, 2011, 09:30 AM	#2
Smileyboy macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2008	Nice case!! I have a invisible shield and a bookbook on mine. __________________ 2011 MBA 13" i5 480GB, iP5 64GB White VZW, iPad mini 32gb BLACK VZW LTE, ATV 3
	0

Nov 30, 2011, 09:59 AM	#4
ArchiMark macrumors 6502 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Silicon Valley	Can go either way....but sleeve with right material shouldn't scratch your MBA....ie, micro-fiber suede, neoprene, etc... __________________ Silicon Valley Digerati MacBook C2D & iPad
	0

Nov 30, 2011, 11:57 AM	#8
ArchiMark macrumors 6502 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Silicon Valley	I wouldn't think wool would be a problem.... __________________ Silicon Valley Digerati MacBook C2D & iPad
	0

Nov 30, 2011, 04:33 PM	#12
dmk1974 macrumors 65816 Join Date: Sep 2008	I always put a clear skin from bestskinsever.com on my Macs (currently on my MBA). Makes me less paranoid about scratches and gives it a nicer grip than the bare aluminum. __________________ 2012 13" MacBook Air i5 1.8 MD231LL/A \| iPad Mini Wi-Fi 16GB Black \| iPhone 5 64GB Black \| Apple TV3
	0

Nov 30, 2011, 09:37 AM	#3
Risasi macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2011	I prefer a naked laptop with a sleeve. Right now I've got a thing for Booq Vyper sleeves...
	0

Nov 30, 2011, 10:15 AM	#6
UKmacman macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2007	Call me paranoid but I am going for both! Really like the new air but I am still feeling like I need gloves to hold it with so I don;t scratch it. Just ordered the incipio feather and also have the slimline speck sleeve. Great combo me thinks!!!
	0

Nov 30, 2011, 12:01 PM	#9
iRCL macrumors 6502 Join Date: Nov 2011	You do realize the laptop is already made out of metal that doesn't really scratch unless you drag your keys along it... go walk around a university campus and you'll see 90% of MBP/MBA have no covers and 1% of them have any meaningful amount of scratches I have kept my MBP/MBA's in a similar backpack or bag compartment for years, no problems. Who wants to buy a thin laptop anyhow, just to bundle it up in something thicker
	2

Nov 30, 2011, 05:50 PM	#14
Mayo7 macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2010	If you're going to get a sleeve, I highly recommend the Sleevecase from Water Field. They are probably the highest quality and most protective sleeve out there with their 6mm neoprene padding(unless you go for a hard sleeve case, like the booq viper). I handle my 13" Air somewhat rough (tossing it on the table, shoving it in my backpack full of stuff, tossing the backpack) when it's in the sleeve and it's been great so far.
	0

Nov 30, 2011, 05:53 PM	#15
elpmas macrumors 68000 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Where the fresh snow don't go.	Hardshell will get annoying later since you won't get to enjoy the design. I say get a sleeve. Doesn't have to be a specific one since they all do the same thing--protect your Mac. __________________ 13" Macbook Pro '10 27" iMac i5 TV3 iPhone 5 32gb
	0

Nov 30, 2011, 05:59 PM	#16
thormarketing macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2009	I got the speck clear case (so you still get to enjoy looks) and their sleeve. The sleeve is a bit tight and hard to put on sometimes, but it fits. I'd like to try the incipio as well. The speck clear case would benefit from being a bit lighter on the display assembly. I wonder if the feather is much lighter?
	0

Nov 30, 2011, 09:13 PM	#18
Funkymonk macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2011	I'm getting the incipio feather case and the switch easy thins. can never be too careful
	0

Dec 1, 2011, 04:21 AM	#19
PathVu macrumors member Join Date: Dec 2009	WaterField Smart Case I use this sleeve....perfect Attached Thumbnails __________________ Mid 2010 27" iMac i7 8GB Ram 1TB drive 1GB Mid 2009 17" c2d 2.8Ghz Macbook Pro 8GB ram 256GB SSD 64gb White Wi-Fi iPad 2 Mid 2011 MacBook Air 13" 1.867Mhz i7 256GB
	0

Dec 1, 2011, 08:54 AM	#20
AIR-S macrumors newbie Join Date: Dec 2010	I have got a incipio feather case on my 11" air and I can't think of anything bad to say about it! It doesn't make my air feel any bigger than it did before and provides plenty of protection! Plus it fits snug enough so that no dirt gets behind it!! I also bought a incase sleeve from eBay and it still fits in it with the feather Case on!! Obviously it is a bit tighter than before but it does still fit!! I Use the sleeve mainly for when it's in my backpack! I just like to know that it isn't going to get damaged easily I know they are pretty hard machines anyway but I'd rather be safe than sorry!! especially as its my pride and joy!! Rich
	0

Dec 1, 2011, 11:21 AM	#21
macb0y macrumors newbie Join Date: Oct 2007	i'm using this at the moment., http://www.uniqcases.com/index.php/c...okair-105.html
	0

Dec 1, 2011, 12:01 PM	#22
Pedro Julio macrumors member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Sometimes NC, Sometimes PA	I tend not to be very rough on my laptops, so I just use a sleeve. I figure the designers and engineers would have added another case if it really needed one. Got this sleeve for my MBA for $10: __________________ 1)08 15" MBP - 2.6 GHz / 4 GB RAM 2)11 13" MBA - 1.8 GHz / 4 GB RAM 3)iPhone 4 - 1st Batch / 32 GB / AT&T 4)iPad 2 - 64 GB / WiFi only 5)Apple TV G2
	0

Dec 1, 2011, 07:18 PM	#23
Kendo macrumors 6502a Join Date: Apr 2011	This is what I use for my 13 and it is AWESOME. http://www.themacherald.com/2011/08/...ba-review.html
	0

Dec 1, 2011, 08:17 PM	#25
footprints07 macrumors newbie Join Date: Nov 2011	Hi, got a question for people using the Booq viper 13" (I suppose all the viper series are hard case?) for the MBA, does the Air sit nicely inside the case or can you actually hear noise as you carry it around? I am asking because I think viper is for unibody so it fits a MBP which is thicker in height. Thanks in advance
	0

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