Has anyone dropped their MBP with the Incase hard case?

[DoNoHarm]

I am thinking of ordering an incase hard case for my MBP. While part of me is really hesitant (it feels a little OCD, kind of like the people who put plastic on their couches), my recent experience with the applecare people made me realize that if I had even dropped the macbook slightly, the warranty would be void! So I'm going to use an incase hard case not for cosmetic protection for me, but for financial protection of my warranty.

That being said, does it actually protect your macbook? I mean say your macbook falls right on to the corner from a desk, anyone have pictures of what happens when one's using an incase hard case?

 

[getz76]

I am thinking of ordering an incase hard case for my MBP. While part of me is really hesitant (it feels a little OCD, kind of like the people who put plastic on their couches), my recent experience with the applecare people made me realize that if I had even dropped the macbook slightly, the warranty would be void! So I'm going to use an incase hard case not for cosmetic protection for me, but for financial protection of my warranty.

That being said, does it actually protect your macbook? I mean say your macbook falls right on to the corner from a desk, anyone have pictures of what happens when one's using an incase hard case?

Those cases will protect against stratches and not much else. The laptop is not designed for falls; inertia is your enemy.

 

[Snowbound]

If you're trying to protect it from a drop, I'm not sure you're getting your money's worth. It will be a little bit stiffer, but any drop that's going to damage your laptop is probably still going to damage it. That said, I still use a speck case and it's possible that it's helped. If it gives you piece of mind, it might be worth it anyway.

 

[w00t951]

I've dropped my iPod Touch with an Incase, and it made the accelerometer work better!!! But I don't think that you should try doing that with something as large, heavy, and expensive as your Mac.

 

[NewMacbookPlz]

Nothing short of a padded compartment will protect the laptop from drop damage.

Even then, it requires a LOT of padding to absorb the energy of a drop.

 

[Disavowed]

Nothing short of a padded compartment will protect the laptop from drop damage.

Even then, it requires a LOT of padding to absorb the energy of a drop.

Exactly right. My computer is going into a Zero-Shock 111 Sleeve with that polurethyne memory foam and then into a Incase backpack.

http://shinza.com/zeroshock-laptop-notebook-sleeve-case

ZS + Incase = SAFETY

 

[Gregintosh]

Yeah, it's quite OCD. If your computer falls, you will be screwed anyway.

Enjoy the computer as its meant to be and be careful and you should be alright. The beautiful Macbook Pro exterior design was not meant to be hidden under an ugly case. If you wanted an ugly computer, you should've gotten a PC.

A better analogy would be to marry a really hot chick and making her dress in full body armor everywhere to protect her looks (and as a consequence never getting to enjoy them yourself).

 

[Cboss]

Actually, my Blackbook was dropped/thrown about 5 feet onto a sidewalk while in an Incase sleeve. I might have gotten lucky, but it didn't hurt my laptop at all.


Edit: I just saw your post said "hard case". Not sure how that would compare to the soft sleeve which I have.

 

[Gregintosh]

If anything I would think that a sleeve protects it more due to the soft nature of the cushion. Wouldn't the shock of the fall conduct through a solid surface and not so much for a cushioned one?

I'm no physicist but I think a cushioned sleeve is probably as good as it gets.

 

[NewMacbookPlz]

Most definitely.

A soft case/padding is FAR more capable of protecting from falls as compared to a hard case. A hard case will merely transmit the energy into the computer whereas the foam/soft case will be able to absorb some of the energy in the foam's structure.

 

[thegoldenmackid]

Those cases will protect against stratches and not much else. The laptop is not designed for falls; inertia is your enemy.

It's really good at preventing dents if you run your computer into a wall. It will protect against short falls, but nothing is made for a full on six feet drop. But, it does not hurt.

 

[DoNoHarm]

I see what some posters mean about the transmission of the shock. My primary purpose in getting the hard case is not so much for looks or because I have OCD, but for warranty protection. If there are obvious dings on my mbp classic, they won't honor the warranty. Getting a hard case will increase the distance from which I can accidentally drop the computer.

While I see the point that the hard case being rigid might transmit the force better than a soft case, you can't use a soft case while the computer is open (on your desk). Also, the hard case may shatter, absorbing some of the force. Even if it doesen't shatter, it will presumably absorb lots of force before it bends, protecting the macbook pro.

I think what I need are photos. Only through those will i be able to observe the characteristics of the impact. Actually, it would be really cool to see what happens in a slow motion video....

 

[fpar]

I have had lots of drops with my old mbp, the speck was a life saver. The falls cracked the speck case but protected the mbp from dents, but if it takes a serious fall the laptop will still die. Enjoy your hard case.

 

[Panzo]

They killed billy mays again.....

Nothing will help you save your laptop from that huge of a fall, ive hadn an ncase neoprene case inside a regular swissgear laptop bag, fell about 4 feet
and it survived unscathered.

 

[mikes70mustang]

Most definitely.

A soft case/padding is FAR more capable of protecting from falls as compared to a hard case. A hard case will merely transmit the energy into the computer whereas the foam/soft case will be able to absorb some of the energy in the foam's structure.

Really? i mean c'mon. Where does this logic come from. If your talking about body armor to protect a living thing it makes sense. But it doesnt apply so much for computers. The harder the case the better. The plastic will take the impact, prevent dents/scratches and possibly break or crack instead of breaking the laptop. Those sleeves are minimal protection. The weight to padding ratio is not very good on those sleeves.

 

[getz76]

Really? i mean c'mon. Where does this logic come from. If your talking about body armor to protect a living thing it makes sense. But it doesnt apply so much for computers. The harder the case the better. The plastic will take the impact, prevent dents/scratches and possibly break or crack instead of breaking the laptop. Those sleeves are minimal protection. The weight to padding ratio is not very good on those sleeves.

It is simple physics, actually. Inertia. Drop a notebook on its edge... the reason it gets damaged is because the edge stops moving but the rest of the machine continues to move.

A soft case offers much better protection because it actually absorbs the energy of the impact. It will slow down the contents instead of causing a sudden stop.

The hard plastic might prevent cosmetic damage, but it useless for any impact that would normally damage the machine itself. The smart money would be on a soft case actually preventing damage.

 

[DoNoHarm]

It is simple physics, actually. Inertia. Drop a notebook on its edge... the reason it gets damaged is because the edge stops moving but the rest of the machine continues to move.

A soft case offers much better protection because it actually absorbs the energy of the impact. It will slow down the contents instead of causing a sudden stop.

The hard plastic might prevent cosmetic damage, but it useless for any impact that would normally damage the machine itself. The smart money would be on a soft case actually preventing damage.

I don't think this is the whole story (i'm not trying to bash your comment, I'm just proposing an alternate theory). If you were to drop your mbp on the ground, say on a corner or something, the impact occurs over a very small area. If you have a hard case, that spreads the impact over a much larger area.

Also, the solid case has the property of shattering like a bicycle helmet would. By the logic of your post, bicycle helmets should be made of soft, rubber materials instead of hard, brittle materials.

 

[getz76]

Also, the solid case has the property of shattering like a bicycle helmet would. By the logic of your post, bicycle helmets should be made of soft, rubber materials instead of hard, brittle materials.

Right. Good thing they are. The important part of the bicycle helmet is the medium density foam. The shell is for aerodynamics and cosmetics, really.

It is basic physics. There is nothing mysterious about this. You cannot cheat physics.

A hard shell is nice, but the kind of shells that you put on a Macbook are nothing like a bicycle helmet.

 

[DoNoHarm]

Right. Good thing they are. The important part of the bicycle helmet is the medium density foam. The shell is for aerodynamics and cosmetics, really.

It is basic physics. There is nothing mysterious about this. You cannot cheat physics.

A hard shell is nice, but the kind of shells that you put on a Macbook are nothing like a bicycle helmet.

this thread stands to benefit considerably from photos of mbp's dropped with hardshell covers. Anyone?

 

[mikes70mustang]

Right. Good thing they are. The important part of the bicycle helmet is the medium density foam. The shell is for aerodynamics and cosmetics, really.

It is basic physics. There is nothing mysterious about this. You cannot cheat physics.

A hard shell is nice, but the kind of shells that you put on a Macbook are nothing like a bicycle helmet.

Well, until i see your physics diploma im gonna call your theory bunk. Those cases are too thin to be even the lest bit effective. The computer is too heavy for that thin of material. The way a hard shell would transfer energy across itself would be very effective. And we are trying to protect against cosmetic damage. Not like a fall is going to affect anything inside. Unless you have eggs inside yours.

 

[mikes70mustang]

this thread stands to benefit considerably from photos of mbp's dropped with hardshell covers. Anyone?

well mine fell 4 ft w/o a case so im not sure. Mine has had some hard smacks and stuff dropped on it though. But if you have a uni....i think your screwed, the glass pretty well ruins the party.

 

[getz76]

Well, until i see your physics diploma im gonna call your theory bunk. Those cases are too thin to be even the lest bit effective. The computer is too heavy for that thin of material. The way a hard shell would transfer energy across itself would be very effective.

I never received a physics degree, but I did take 6 classes as an undergraduate as electives. However, this is basic high school physics.

I am not saying a sleeve case is ideal, but it is much better than a hard case. You stand a chance with a sleeve. A hard case would require a miracle.

Not like a fall is going to affect anything inside. Unless you have eggs inside yours.

I am not trying to be patronizing, but this statement shows a basic lack of understand of inertia. You seem like a gearhead, so it is the same problem you have in an auto accident;

1. car goes 70 mph
2. car hits reinforced brick wall and come to a stop
3. driver continues to move 70 mph until he hits something to stop him (hopefully a seatbelt or an airbag))

The same thing happens with in innards of electronics. Unless you are talking about a Panasonic ToughBook, which is engineered for a fall by mounting the components with shock-absorbing materials.

 

[DoNoHarm]

I wish Macworld would do a story/review on this to settle the controversy once in for all.. Plus they should have slow motion videos. Imagine the coolness..

 

[HLdan]

I wish Macworld would do a story/review on this to settle the controversy once in for all.. Plus they should have slow motion videos. Imagine the coolness..

Just curious, why are you so concerned about dropping it? Will your notebook (when you get it) be taken into harms way? Most people might be more concerned about denting it from being inside of their backpack so they buy the hard shell case to protect it from stuff hitting it in their backpack but dropping it? It's not something that happens unless the user is just plain careless. As others have said, you are much better off getting a very well padded soft case if dropping it is your main concern.

 

[DoNoHarm]

Just curious, why are you so concerned about dropping it? Will your notebook (when you get it) be taken into harms way? Most people might be more concerned about denting it from being inside of their backpack so they buy the hard shell case to protect it from stuff hitting it in their backpack but dropping it? It's not something that happens unless the user is just plain careless. As others have said, you are much better off getting a very well padded soft case if dropping it is your main concern.

While there are lots of careless people out there, there are also plenty of careful people who for one reason or another dropped their macbook pro's or damaged them in some way due to impact. For example, what got me thinking about a case was the other day, I slammed on my brakes in my car and my MBP started moving towards the dashboard. If I had slammed on my brakes harder, or if there weren't books on top of my MBP increasing the normal force (and concomitant static friction between the MBP and carseat), the MBP would have hit my dashboard, potentially damaging it. Such an event would void the warranty, something I'm more concerned about than mere scratches or even dents.