Speck SeeThru Case For Macbook Pro - Mini Review

darrengreer · Oct 24, 2006

I received my new Macbook Pro See Thru case from Speck on Monday. I promised I'd post some of my thoughts on the product.

Installation:
Installation was a snap...pun intended. There are two plastic sections, the top having 4 tabs that snap over the edge of the screen, the bottom having 2 tabs, and some hooks that grab on to the back.

The installation also brings my first concern. These tabs, as they are sliding over the end of the MBP could potentially scractch the edge, as it is a _very_ snug fit. I've not seen any scratches on mine, but I would not get this if you plan on taking it on and off. Put it on, and leave it on.

Protection:
I am very happy with how the case protects the macbook pro. I don't think it will provide much, if any, impact protection, but I feel much safer lugging it around in my bag, without worrying about picking some new nicks. The case covers just about all of the MBP, with the only openings on each button or port, and section of the back where the vents are.

Aesthetics:
I really like the way the MBP looks in this case. It gives it a bit of a shine, and doesn't seem to make it look much bulkier that normal. I went with the clear case, but am interested as to what the red version would like like on the MBP.

Heat:
This was my biggest concern. I used the MBP for about 1-2 hours last night, and didn't notice an increase in the heat on the MBP, and iStat didn't show any significant increases in CPU temperature. The case seems to dissipate the heat through the vent holes, as well as through the plastic itself, so it feels about the same as not having the case on at all.

Overall:
For the price, I think it is a great buy. Outside of the tab scratching concern, I think this product is solid, and definately provides a benefit to those of us who are very wary of getting scratches on our MBPs.

Here are some pictures of my MBP with the case installed:

http://photography.greerfam.com/seethru/IMG_5085.jpg
http://photography.greerfam.com/seethru/IMG_5086.jpg
http://photography.greerfam.com/seethru/IMG_5087.jpg
http://photography.greerfam.com/seethru/IMG_5088.jpg
http://photography.greerfam.com/seethru/IMG_5089.jpg
http://photography.greerfam.com/seethru/IMG_5090.jpg
http://photography.greerfam.com/seethru/IMG_5091.jpg
http://photography.greerfam.com/seethru/IMG_5092.jpg
http://photography.greerfam.com/seethru/IMG_5093.jpg
http://photography.greerfam.com/seethru/IMG_5094.jpg

Bill Gates · Oct 25, 2006

FYI, I called Speck this morning and they said that they will have an updated version of the case available in a few weeks for the new MacBook Pro.

interlaced · Oct 25, 2006

Bill Gates said:
FYI, I called Speck this morning and they said that they will have an updated version of the case available in a few weeks for the new MacBook Pro.

Wait, so the SeeThru case they sell now won't fit the new MBPs? Hm..

Bill Gates · Oct 25, 2006

marissaaa said:
Wait, so the SeeThru case they sell now won't fit the new MBPs? Hm..

It should fit, but remember they changed the ports a tad since it now has FW800 in place of one FW400 port. I'm not sure if that port is useable or what the deal is exactly when the current case is used.

interlaced · Oct 25, 2006

Bill Gates said:
It should fit, but remember they changed the ports a tad since it now has FW800 in place of one FW400 port. I'm not sure if that port is useable or what the deal is exactly when the current case is used.

Ah yeah. Silly me, I totally forgot about the added port. Well, there is only one FW400 port on the Rev. A MBPs so I guess the case needs a new hole for wherever the FW800 is. Well, the percentage of me keeping my current MBP has just gotten higher. I need to stop wanting the newest things.

suwandy · Oct 26, 2006

darrengreer said:
I received my new Macbook Pro See Thru case from Speck on Monday. I promised I'd post some of my thoughts on the product.

Installation:
Installation was a snap...pun intended. There are two plastic sections, the top having 4 tabs that snap over the edge of the screen, the bottom having 2 tabs, and some hooks that grab on to the back.

The installation also brings my first concern. These tabs, as they are sliding over the end of the MBP could potentially scractch the edge, as it is a _very_ snug fit. I've not seen any scratches on mine, but I would not get this if you plan on taking it on and off. Put it on, and leave it on.

Protection:
I am very happy with how the case protects the macbook pro. I don't think it will provide much, if any, impact protection, but I feel much safer lugging it around in my bag, without worrying about picking some new nicks. The case covers just about all of the MBP, with the only openings on each button or port, and section of the back where the vents are.

Aesthetics:
I really like the way the MBP looks in this case. It gives it a bit of a shine, and doesn't seem to make it look much bulkier that normal. I went with the clear case, but am interested as to what the red version would like like on the MBP.

Heat:
This was my biggest concern. I used the MBP for about 1-2 hours last night, and didn't notice an increase in the heat on the MBP, and iStat didn't show any significant increases in CPU temperature. The case seems to dissipate the heat through the vent holes, as well as through the plastic itself, so it feels about the same as not having the case on at all.

Overall:
For the price, I think it is a great buy. Outside of the tab scratching concern, I think this product is solid, and definately provides a benefit to those of us who are very wary of getting scratches on our MBPs.

Here are some pictures of my MBP with the case installed:

http://photography.greerfam.com/seethru/IMG_5085.jpg
http://photography.greerfam.com/seethru/IMG_5086.jpg
http://photography.greerfam.com/seethru/IMG_5087.jpg
http://photography.greerfam.com/seethru/IMG_5088.jpg
http://photography.greerfam.com/seethru/IMG_5089.jpg
http://photography.greerfam.com/seethru/IMG_5090.jpg
http://photography.greerfam.com/seethru/IMG_5091.jpg
http://photography.greerfam.com/seethru/IMG_5092.jpg
http://photography.greerfam.com/seethru/IMG_5093.jpg
http://photography.greerfam.com/seethru/IMG_5094.jpg

Can someone please post a link to this Speck thingie? How much is it? Doesn't it makes it heavier to the already, have to admit, pretty heavy, MBP?

Thanks,

Sesshi · Oct 26, 2006

That looks REALLY nice. Shame they don't do one for the 17.

Is it melt-resistant? Will you end up in a puddle of gooey plastic after a HL2 session?

darrengreer · Oct 26, 2006

Sesshi said:
That looks REALLY nice. Shame they don't do one for the 17.

Is it melt-resistant? Will you end up in a puddle of gooey plastic after a HL2 session?

It does get warm, but actually seems to dissipate the heat across the plastic fairly evenly, making it seem less "hot" to my lap than it does without it.

I don't game, so I can't speak to any melting

darrengreer · Oct 26, 2006

suwandy said:
Can someone please post a link to this Speck thingie? How much is it? Doesn't it makes it heavier to the already, have to admit, pretty heavy, MBP?

It is fairly lightweight, doesn't add much. I'm not sure the exacts, but a few ounces haven't killed me.

http://speckproducts.com/15mac-seethru.html

QCassidy352 · Oct 26, 2006

great looking case. I put an invisible shield on my macbook and am very happy with it, but in the future I might go this route (because the IS is a ***** to get on correctly)

darrengreer · Oct 26, 2006

QCassidy352 said:
great looking case. I put an invisible shield on my macbook and am very happy with it, but in the future I might go this route (because the IS is a ***** to get on correctly)

Yeah, I really like it. Although, I'm thinking of buying the red one next, just to add some color once in a while

somevelvet · Oct 26, 2006

If not impact, what exactly does this protect your computer from?

suneohair · Oct 26, 2006

Looks good. I may have to get one if I get a MBP.

500 posts!

Lucky8 · Oct 26, 2006

somevelvet said:
If not impact, what exactly does this protect your computer from?

I think its for more for scratch protection

darrengreer · Oct 26, 2006

somevelvet said:
If not impact, what exactly does this protect your computer from?

As Lucky8 said, the only thing this will really protect you from is scratches, and maybe a few dings here and there. It is so tightly covered that it gives not major impact cushion.

mowenbrown · Oct 30, 2006

The canvas one might be cool. I am about to get my first MBP, how scratch prone are they?

ImNoSuperMan · Oct 31, 2006

I wonder if something like this is available for the Macbook too? I`d love get something like this for my MB.

Temujin · Oct 31, 2006

Will a Kensington lock still fit?

Zadillo · Oct 31, 2006

vikas soni said:
I wonder if something like this is available for the Macbook too? I`d love get something like this for my MB.

They say "coming soon" for the MacBook, so it's only a matter of time.

darrengreer · Oct 31, 2006

mowenbrown said:
The canvas one might be cool. I am about to get my first MBP, how scratch prone are they?

IMHO they are _very_ scratch prone. And from my reading, once they are scratched, you can't really fix it.

darrengreer · Oct 31, 2006

Temujin said:
Will a Kensington lock still fit?

I'll take a look at mine tonight to see if they included room for the lock.

My concern would be whether or not the added few milimeters of thickness would cause the locks to be useless, regardless if they actually provided a hole for it.

Zadillo · Oct 31, 2006

Bill Gates said:
It should fit, but remember they changed the ports a tad since it now has FW800 in place of one FW400 port. I'm not sure if that port is useable or what the deal is exactly when the current case is used.

Is it just me, or is the FW800 port opening larger than FW400?

http://photography.greerfam.com/seethru/IMG_5087.jpg

It seems like in that case, the current case would be fine, it would just have a bit of a larger opening around the FW800 port.

EDIT: Never mind, I just looked at a photo of an old MBP, and realize there isn't an extra port there.

Temujin · Oct 31, 2006

darrengreer said:
I'll take a look at mine tonight to see if they included room for the lock.

My concern would be whether or not the added few milimeters of thickness would cause the locks to be useless, regardless if they actually provided a hole for it.

Check out IMG_5087.jpg

The added millimeters is my concern too. On my MBP the Kensington lock doesn't leave much room for a case.

stillwater · Oct 31, 2006

Thanks for the close-up pics and review. I'm gonna get one.

darrengreer · Oct 31, 2006

Temujin said:
Check out IMG_5087.jpg

The added millimeters is my concern too. On my MBP the Kensington lock doesn't leave much room for a case.

There is definately not much room around the lock opening. If there is no gap between the lock body and the the laptop when attached, I would be concerned.

Speck SeeThru Case For Macbook Pro - Mini Review

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