Hey all. I am going to be picking up my very first MacBook Pro with retina tomorrow. I invested in a very nice Samsonite bag for transportation, no my concern is a case. I see a lot of people with the Speck cases; however, I have heard that any type of these shell casings can cause the MacBook to overheat? I was also told this by a geek squad rep as well. What is your opinions on this matter. I just have a hard time spending $1500 on a laptop and not offering it some protection; however, I certainly don't want anything to overheat. Thanks all, and have a great weekend!- Ricky
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Quick question for you guys....? Case, or no case?
- Thread starter rc1988
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I prefer no case. I put mine in a sleeve when not in use. And the sleeve in a briefcase for traveling to and fro.
If I had plans for selling my rMBP in the future, I would put a case on it.
However, I prefer let it wear naturally. I even write my name on it with a pen for DVD labeling as a theft prevention measure (I also have Orbicule's Undercover and firmware password enabled).
However, I prefer let it wear naturally. I even write my name on it with a pen for DVD labeling as a theft prevention measure (I also have Orbicule's Undercover and firmware password enabled).
No case for me. When transporting it goes in my well padded backpack. At home it sits in a stand in clamshell mode. On the road it only gets used on desk or table. The only scratch on it could not have been prevented by a case. The speaker grill is dented when my wife dropped something on it while open. I just don't like the look of a case.
No case, but do use a silver/aluminum wrap from slickwraps.com
Keeps it from scratching, especially in tables that have debris on them.
Side not: I did just get my first knock (super tiny) on the bottom of my computer when it fell on my file cabinet. But it is barely noticeable.
The wrap allows modest protection while still keeping it super thin. I'm glad I went with it vs. a speck case that I used on my previous machine that always got dirty and seemed to break early on.
Keeps it from scratching, especially in tables that have debris on them.
Side not: I did just get my first knock (super tiny) on the bottom of my computer when it fell on my file cabinet. But it is barely noticeable.
The wrap allows modest protection while still keeping it super thin. I'm glad I went with it vs. a speck case that I used on my previous machine that always got dirty and seemed to break early on.
the thing for me is that cases are way bulky, it makes my 13" rmbp feel like a 13" cmbp. Putting a sticker on doesn't protect the edges, which is where most of the damage is going to get done.
I just sigh and deal with it. Most of the "damage" you'll do is at the corners and near the ports. Just grin and bear it!
I just sigh and deal with it. Most of the "damage" you'll do is at the corners and near the ports. Just grin and bear it!
No case, but I got the Thule gauntlet for transport.
I plan to use my Macbook until it no longer functions at all or falls apart.
I plan to use my Macbook until it no longer functions at all or falls apart.
I've had three MBPs but never seen the need for a case. I've never damaged one of them, and I don't baby them either. Worst damage is two small nicks on the front edge of my current MBP.
I think cases add quite a lot of weight and thickness, and as I said, I haven't ever seen the need. I transport it in a protective cover, but it's always caseless in use.
I think cases add quite a lot of weight and thickness, and as I said, I haven't ever seen the need. I transport it in a protective cover, but it's always caseless in use.
I put a case on my 2010 MBP for like 3 months. It was nice because it was new color, but I doesn't really do anything. I ended up taking it off because dust would accumulate on the sides and the hinge loosened a bit. The dust was annoying because it gets hard to remove as it had been on the machine for a couple of months due to the case. Also, machine gets considerably heavier.
I had that computer for 4 years and I never dropped it. I think it only has one minor scratch, which I think is fine for a four year old computer.
I used the speck case around 2 years ago. Who knows, maybe they're better now. Never putting a case on it again though.
I had that computer for 4 years and I never dropped it. I think it only has one minor scratch, which I think is fine for a four year old computer.
I used the speck case around 2 years ago. Who knows, maybe they're better now. Never putting a case on it again though.
No case. I use a carbon fiber skin for scratch protection and put the notebook in a Rickshaw Bagworks custom sleeve inside my shoulder bag when I need to take it anywhere.
I use a neoprene sleeve with my 13" and it works perfectly - it's an "Acme Made" one that I bought on the apple online store, but it doesn't seem to be listed there any more after a quick search.
It's open at one side and you slide the MBP in and hold it in place with an elastic strap that loops over. It's a great design with no zips or metal pieces, so no chance of scratching it.
When it's out of that sleeve I have no other covering on it though.
It's open at one side and you slide the MBP in and hold it in place with an elastic strap that loops over. It's a great design with no zips or metal pieces, so no chance of scratching it.
When it's out of that sleeve I have no other covering on it though.
I don't use a case, but I do put it in a sleeve before throwing it in a bag if I'm taking it out of the house.
I think cases do more harm than good, a lot of the time specs of dirt will get trapped between the case and the laptop causing even more scratches than if you didn't have one on at all.
I think cases do more harm than good, a lot of the time specs of dirt will get trapped between the case and the laptop causing even more scratches than if you didn't have one on at all.
I've been using a case for about the last year - no complaints about temperature, and it hasn't caused damage to my machine (I remove it about once a month to clean). I know the aluminum is pretty durable, but I'd much rather add a bit of cheap protection against dents or scratches.
Although the cases do add bulk (and some newer versions from Speck and others are slimmer), it's probably personal preference, especially on machines like the rMBP and Air. As for overheating, if it was a problem, I doubt Apple would be carrying them in their stores, much less Speck/Incase/Uncommon/etc. continuing to sell these.
Most of the cooling on MacBooks is through the hinge area (on Airs and non-Retina MacBook Pros, air is sucked in that area and also vented out, on Retina MacBook Pros, the vents on the sides are the intakes, while the hinge is the exhaust). Most cases accommodate this. The aluminum _could_ help in some circumstances, but if the body of the computer was a true heat sink, the palm rests and keyboard area and sides would be nasty-hot if you were playing a Flash video.
Although the cases do add bulk (and some newer versions from Speck and others are slimmer), it's probably personal preference, especially on machines like the rMBP and Air. As for overheating, if it was a problem, I doubt Apple would be carrying them in their stores, much less Speck/Incase/Uncommon/etc. continuing to sell these.
Most of the cooling on MacBooks is through the hinge area (on Airs and non-Retina MacBook Pros, air is sucked in that area and also vented out, on Retina MacBook Pros, the vents on the sides are the intakes, while the hinge is the exhaust). Most cases accommodate this. The aluminum _could_ help in some circumstances, but if the body of the computer was a true heat sink, the palm rests and keyboard area and sides would be nasty-hot if you were playing a Flash video.
I prefer a "clamshell sleeve" design like the Thule and Vatuka sleeves. They give you better drop/shock protection than a hard shell, keep the computer clean, don't overheat (the Vatuka in particular is well ventilated), and are super easy to take off/put on if you don't want to commit to obscuring your shiny aluminum with ugly plastic 24/7.
I don't have a car so Speck hard case is a must because I carry my precious rMBP with me in my messenger/backpack. I took a ride Metro Train and there are several stations come with gate turnstiles that abused my rMBP. 