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Best Apple MBPro 15" Bag/Sleeve

M

maplestar

macrumors member
Original poster
Oct 16, 2008
73
0
OK, so I'm set to get a mid-end Macbook Pro (2.66 Ghz, everything else standard). I'm ordering from Amazon to avoid sales tax and will hopefully receive it by May.

I was wondering, what are the best brands for Macbook Pro cases and Sleeves out there? I took a look around Apple's website and it seems that the Incase Neoprene sleeves seem to be very good as well as some of their sling pack bags. However, it seemed that some people also reference Marware as well as Belkin.

My question is: I need a nice protective sleeve as well as a good bag to carry my new Macbook Pro. The bag needs to provide decent protection as well as be light. I don't need a humongous bag that can carry all the books in the world, by areas to hold the laptop charger + some accessories would be nice. Anyone have some suggestions for good brands?
 
InCases are OK, some people report the zipper scratching the corners though. I've recently investigated the Tucano Second Skin, which has a little flap that covers the corners to prevent scratching. I eventually declined to buy it, because my InCase doesn't scratch the corners of my MBP.
 
Yes

According to reviews at Apple's store, you are right. Some buyers report that Incase sleeves might scratch the computer. In that case, any better sleeves that don't have such reviews?
 
i have the tucano second skin elements. comes with a separate pouch for the power adapter/accessories.
 
iBecks said:
Speck see-thru shell and a Booq Vyper M2 case has kept my MBP looking brand new for over 2 years. :D
Click to expand...

Booq FTW!
I kept my Unibody MBP in an InCase sleeve before and it scratched my MBP.
Then I moved on to a MBAir with Booq Taipan Skin. MBAir Taipan skin is only 200grams or something.. so... light!

Vyper is foamy and strong while taipan series is light and thin/small.

I also ordered the Booq BoA Slimcase S90 for my MBAir and expecting it to be here soon.

Booq seems a little expensive but my apple products are my precious investments so I don't mind spending some extra money to protect it well :)

I actually used Speck's See-Thru Satin case with MBP too. The reviews were better than the InCase's... But it added lots of weight and thickness...

Don't get hardshells... just go with a nice light sleeve.

http://www.booq.com
 
I was in the same dilema as to finding a decent sleeve (I put my MBP in a sleeve in a backpack, rather than a dedicated laptop bag).

The best by far (although expensive) are from Curmpler. Look for the Hard Suit, which is a low-profile padded sleeve with extra protection in the corners. Plus they look pretty cool too;

image_small1193216680.jpg
 
maplestar said:
I was wondering, what are the best brands for Macbook Pro cases and Sleeves out there?
Click to expand...

Some surprising places to look for sleeves are TJ Maxx & Marshall's - I got a Timbuk2 sleeve for $14, when retail was $30 at the time.

I also second the recommendation for the Speck Hard Case - very nice protection against scratches & dings.

Good luck & congrats on your new machine!
 
Alright

Personally, while I understand that cases for the MBPro (or iPhone...) really protect the product, I personally don't like that it pretty much covers up your computer. It's definitely a personal opinion, but I never like my iPhone being covered up with some sort of leather/black case because I don't get to view it in all its beauty at all (I get a few scratches, but that's ok).

However, it seems like a majority of you support Booq laptop sleeves? I took a look, and the Vyper M3 looks like a nice sleeve, albeit slightly expensive.

I was wondering if there are any recommendations for a sleeve-like bag that is quite thin/light but provides a very basic amount of storage (At least the magsafe and a cable or two). So like a sleeve with an extra inch or two of pouches on it?
 
I was in your shoes just a few months ago. I was looking for a case that would protect my mbp and also offer some storage. I didnt want a large backpack style bag, but i wanted something that could serve as a stand alone case, and also fit inside my backpack when i had to travel. After buying and returning about 3 different cases I finally found what i consider to be the perfect case (at least for me.) It is the Incase Nylon Sleeve with Handles. The bag has two pockets for accessories like a charger or iPod charger and plenty of room for pens etc. There is also a back pocket that will hold a notebook and some papers. It is perfect for me and I think it would work very well for you as well.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/TL998LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA2Ng&mco=Mjk5ODEyNA&p=3&s=topSellers
 
Looks Good...

That one you recommended me seems almost perfect for my needs.

However, it's made for the 17" MBPro, so while my 15" will probably fit, will it be as protected? (Less snug? Or still OK?)

Also, some reviews say that the power adapter doesn't fit well in the bag? Is this true, because being able to carry the power adapter is definitely a requirement.
 
Got it!

Sorry for the double post, but it seems I found the best bag for me.

Following up from what the person before me said, I surfed on Incase's site and found a similar bag made for the 15" MBPros. Named 15" Nylon Sleeve Plus, it fits my needs perfectly. It is small enough to act like a Sleeve if needed, but big enough to fit a Power adapter, usbs, and a pen if a bag is needed. And the form-factor seems amazing!

If anyone has needs like mine, take a look into that bag. It fits the requirements of being:
  • Pretty cheap in my opinion: ($60 directly from their site, $50 on Amazon, $45 from Apple Store)
  • Light Sleeve or Small Bag (It's both!)
  • Has space for power supply and some other junk, but not too much
  • Fits Macbook Pro 15"!

Places to buy:
 
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maplestar said:
Sorry for the double post, but it seems I found the best bag for me.

Following up from what the person before me said, I surfed on Incase's site and found a similar bag made for the 15" MBPros. Named 15" Nylon Sleeve Plus, it fits my needs perfectly. It is small enough to act like a Sleeve if needed, but big enough to fit a Power adapter, usbs, and a pen if a bag is needed. And the form-factor seems amazing!

If anyone has needs like mine, take a look into that bag. It fits the requirements of being:
  • Pretty cheap in my opinion: ($60 directly from their site, $50 on Amazon, $45 from Apple Store)
  • Light Sleeve or Small Bag (It's both!)
  • Has space for power supply and some other junk, but not too much
  • Fits Macbook Pro 15"!

Places to buy:
Click to expand...

That's what I have, and it does the job well. You can also find them at Best Buys... regarding scratching the laptop... the inside has a plush lining so when you put it in the bag it won't get scratched, and the zipper isn't tight up against the laptop, so I don't know how it can get scratched. Then again I haven't had a lot of scratching issues -- I read someone on the forums who scratched their laptop from a grain of rice, so maybe others are more talented at accomplishing that feat.
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Just a moment...

It does fit the new unibody macs right? (Like, snugly?). Looking at reviews and the images, it looks like it was designed for the old Macbook Pro, which now has a different for factor...

Anyone know?
 
tekilla said:
I was in the same dilema as to finding a decent sleeve (I put my MBP in a sleeve in a backpack, rather than a dedicated laptop bag).

The best by far (although expensive) are from Curmpler. Look for the Hard Suit, which is a low-profile padded sleeve with extra protection in the corners. Plus they look pretty cool too;

image_small1193216680.jpg
Click to expand...

I was in a crumpler store a while back and they told me that certain colors of the hard suit fit the new unibody, while others did not. The crumpler site confirms this. Did you buy the case and, if you did, how does it fit? Any chance you could post some photos?

Love this case - amazing quality and great protection. Exactly what I want, but need to know that it will fit properly.

Thanks!
 
PDE said:
I was in a crumpler store a while back and they told me that certain colors of the hard suit fit the new unibody, while others did not. The crumpler site confirms this. Did you buy the case and, if you did, how does it fit? Any chance you could post some photos?

Love this case - amazing quality and great protection. Exactly what I want, but need to know that it will fit properly.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Did you finally bought this case ? I have MB unibody 13 and I`m planning to buy this case (13" model), but I`m afraid that it will be to big for my mac:(.

Regards,
pewex
 
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