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Best case for 13" MBA?

O

Openbook

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 20, 2011
19
0
Any one have opinions on the best way to protect/travel with your MBA?
 
I second interest in this topic. I looked at some bags and sleeves at TimBuk2.com, but couldn't find exactly what I wanted. Or find something not too overly priced.

I want a small bag for the 13" Air with a pocket big enough for the power adapter and possible a pouch for an iPad 2. Cocoon seems to have the closest bag that I want for $70, http://www.cocooninnovations.com/product_info.php?cat_id=50&product_id=226.

Any other suggestions?
 
stephenvaughn said:
I second interest in this topic. I looked at some bags and sleeves at TimBuk2.com, but couldn't find exactly what I wanted. Or find something not too overly priced.

I want a small bag for the 13" Air with a pocket big enough for the power adapter and possible a pouch for an iPad 2. Cocoon seems to have the closest bag that I want for $70, http://www.cocooninnovations.com/product_info.php?cat_id=50&product_id=226.

Any other suggestions?
Click to expand...

It's odd about this company (Timbuk2). I have around 3 laptop cases that I bought a few years ago that are really nice, but I went and looked again yesterday, and they no longer make anything like them: (padded, brief style). They have messenger types only now.

strange ( although a GREAT company :) )
 
I need a case too but a rugged one for my travels. I wish there was a really thin one made out of titanium/carbon fiber with foam on the inside or something. I don't even care if it cost 300

All I found so far is this.. I'll keep looking. Might have to make my own.

http://www.hardcandycases.com/bubble-sleeve-macbook-air-case.html

UPDATE::
Just found this company.. They make 4 different ones for the MBA and you can customize the colors..

http://vajacases.com/

UPDATE 2 !
Exactly what I was looking for but they don't have the MBA version out yet.. only the MBP. So i'll have to wait.

http://www.mach3composites.com/cases.html
 
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The bookbook is very nice and unique too but I really was hoping to get something I can carry the charger in as well but bookbook seems nice
 
I think the biggest prob with all of Apple's aluminum laptops are dents and slips.

Unlike the plastic laptops my biggest concern w/ a metal body is knocking it & leaving a permanent dent. And I find the aluminum surface is slippery. So I have always gone for a full-body hardcase like a Speck case:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/H4634ZM/A

It adds a bit of bulk & weight but I don't need any other sleeve or bag. It improves the grip, and I can throw it anywhere and pull it out & open it right away to use.
 
^Would you put a plastic cover over a spankin' brand new Ferrari? Let that MBA show teh sexiness :D
 
I just got this case and I am LOVING it:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004ZAAFJ2

Only $20 too! It fits very nicely, and the insides are made of some sort of faux velvet that feels comfortable on my wrists. You can leave it on the computer too since it stays on when you open and close it. For this price, it's a great intermediary case while I wait for something better (but this case might actually do as the best case for a while).
 
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wildonrio said:
I just got this case and I am LOVING it:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004ZAAFJ2

Only $20 too! It fits very nicely, and the insides are made of some sort of faux velvet that feels comfortable on my wrists. You can leave it on the computer too since it stays on when you open and close it. For this price, it's a great intermediary case while I wait for something better (but this case might actually do as the best case for a while).
Click to expand...


That looks interesting.. however I see a couple of gotchas.

1) heat dissipation
2) how easy/hard is it to get in and out
3) weight?


blumpkin said:
Definitely this one.

http://www.amazon.com/Speck-Product...6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1312805440&sr=1-6

And this is after I tried the $80 Knomo one they sell at the store, and the neoprene Incase one.
Click to expand...

There are a TON of neoprene cases just like that on ebay for < $10. The stitching may not be 'as good' but they are soft and work well.. a lot of the neoprene stuff you see is rebranded mass produced, rebranded, and super profit margin.

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/quality-carrying-bag-for-13-laptop-black-red-33968

I use a smaller version of that for iPad.. it's fine. It's 90% of the incase sleeves at 1/4 the cost. I actually just ordered the 13"

Don't be put off by the open end bulge in the customer photos, they are horrible photos and just didn't tuck it in. If there's any interest I'll take some photos when it arrives.
 
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mac jones said:
It's odd about this company (Timbuk2). I have around 3 laptop cases that I bought a few years ago that are really nice, but I went and looked again yesterday, and they no longer make anything like them: (padded, brief style). They have messenger types only now.

strange ( although a GREAT company :) )
Click to expand...

They've gone the way of North Face--commercial. Their quality seems to be much worse than before. Their old bags had laptop sleeves that were so well padded, it was awesome.

Patagonia is next on deck. They've exploded in terms of commercial quality. Before them was Mountain Hardwear.
 
i0Nic said:
I love the Hard Graft cases and bags but they're so expensive!

http://www.hardgraft.com

Anyone know of anything similar and cheaper?
Click to expand...

I asked this in another thread but thought I would try here. Is the 13" size meant to fit both the MBA and the MBP? They only have one 13" listed in their site but have a custom size for the 11"
 
broboore said:
I asked this in another thread but thought I would try here. Is the 13" size meant to fit both the MBA and the MBP? They only have one 13" listed in their site but have a custom size for the 11"
Click to expand...

I asked Hard Graft that on Twitter. They are coming out with a new case specifically for the new 13" Macbook Air in September.

The leather 13" case will fit the Air but it won't be a tight fit.
And the Heritage felt case doesn't even come in 13".

I can't wait until September so I'm going with the Pack and Smooch case.
 
I have tried 3 so far

First of all, I normally need to bring more than my 13" MBA so I usually need a bigger bag than one that accommodate the MBA alone. I use a sleeve with a backpack that has a large hydration pocket. Laptop backpacks will work too, but they tend to be too boring for my taste. Below are my short reviews of the sleeves I tried.

1. Hammerhead case http://hammerheadcase.com/_/img/products/sleeves/macbookair13.jpg

It is a really nice case. There is a bit of padding, plus the leather, so my guess is that it's enough for most situations because the MBA is pretty solid to start with.

2. Incase neoprene sleeve

http://store.apple.com/us/product/H5197ZM/A/Incase_Neoprene_Slim_Sleeve?mco=MTY3ODQ5OTY

It's a decent neoprene sleeve which costs almost as much as the Hammerhead leather case but doesn't look as good in my opinion. I am not sure if it is any more protective than the Hammerhead case. Neoprene feels soft and compresses so easily that I am doubtful as how much shock the material would absorbs. But again the MBA is pretty solid so unless you are going to throw your pack around a lot, I suspect it would survive. I picked it up from the store because it is a vertical sleeve which is simpler to use in the hydration pocket of my backpacks. The pullover top does take a bit more effort but eliminates the need for a zipper.

3. Be-ez LA robe Air 13

http://www.be-ez.com/la-robe-air-black-addict.html

This is by far the most protective sleeve of the 3. It appears to be just slightly thicker than the Incase neoprene sleeve, but is a lot more protective I think. Unlike neoprene, the memory foam stuff that it's made out of is pretty light yet appears to be able to absorb more shock at least several times better than the neoprene material for the same thickness. I could tell by putting my hand inside it and pounding on it. There's a muffled feel as the hand is hit through the bag, unlike the neoprene where you can feel most of the force. the Be-ez also looks better in my opinion: somewhat like neoprene, but much denser in appearance. I got the Be-ez last because I wasn't sure I wanted the zipper top, but now that I tried it out, I prefer the zipper to the pullover top of the Incase.

I am going to keep the Be-ez as it is nicer and more protective than the Incase. I am undecided on the Hammerhead. While it is really nice, it's not as protective as the Be-ez, and the side enclosure means I have to remove it from my backpack to get to the MBA. It would work better in a messenger bag.

The bottom line is, if you want protection, I can't think of a better sleeve than the Be-ez La robe. On the other hand, the MBA feels pretty solid, so if you are reasonably careful, any added protection will do I think. So if you like leather, a leather sleeve will probably be enough. On the other hand, if you decide to go with a neoprene type sleeve, I think the Be-ez la robe is cheaper than most name brand neoprene case, looks better, and is many times as protective from my fist pounding experiment :)
 
I have a Speck Clear Case for my MacBook Air 13". It looks pretty good except for the Speck logo on the case. It is easy to put on, but hard to get out. I would not recommend using your bare hands to take off the case. I got cut and bled for like 2 weeks and it stinged. I use a small cloth put it between the cracks and slide it all over the case.
 
If heavy duty protection is not a concern Amazon's $29 leather envelope is a neat trick. Looks and hefts exactly like a paper mailing envelope.
 
I ordered a speck tuckpack from amazon and I likey it a lot.

Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk
 
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