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Help Pick Out My Macbook Case!

bobber205

bobber205

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Nov 15, 2005
2,183
8
Oregon
I need a good macbook case.

I want to spend about 80 dollars, maybe up to 100 on a good case. I want the ability to carry everything in this thing (a few books, notebooks, power adapter, and small mouse).

Any recommendations? Links are greatly appreciated.
 
You should go to the Apple store and look at the Wenger (Swiss Army knife people) backpacks. They are kinda big (designed to hold up to 15.4", but they can certainly hold plenty of stuff. I bought one but haven't used it yet cause my Macbook is still in the mail. Although you probably shouldn't buy it in the stiore because you should be able to get them much cheaper onlione. I know that Apple charges twice what they pay for them (yes, I know this is standard retail practice just saying you can probably get it cheaper online).
 
i just bought this for my macbook pro. its simple but not tacky and is very protective.

SC_Metro_View1-Black.jpg


http://www.brenthaven.com/catalog-metro-black.html#
 
miles01110 said:
You might consider using a plain old backpack and a Neoprene sleeve such as those designed by Incase: http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APP...re.woa/wo/10.RSLID?mco=438D297&nplm=TJ702LL/A

I have one for my MBP, and it works wonderfully. I don't like to advertise that I am carrying around an expensive piece of technology like I would be carrying a laptop bag.
Click to expand...

Please don't rely on neoprene sleeves to protect your laptop. I've seen too many with dents and cracks that were supposedly "safe" in a Tucano Second Skin or suchlike inside normal backpacks. They don't give enough shock absorption.

The Brenthaven suggestion is much better in this respect.
 
miles01110 said:
"
I don't like to advertise that I am carrying around an expensive piece of technology like I would be carrying a laptop bag."
Click to expand...

Yes, I read you the first time.

You can use the Brenthaven as a sleeve if you think it advertises anything - put that in a backpack or whatever.

I'll repeat - the neoprene cases over little to no shock protection. Don't use them for transporting laptops unless they're also inside a properly padded bag.
 
drlunanerd said:
I'll repeat - the neoprene cases over little to no shock protection. Don't use them for transporting laptops unless they're also inside a properly padded bag.
Click to expand...

That's simply just not true. Neoprene cases offer good, thin protection. I put them in a Jansport backpack with other books (the backpack is probably 1/4 of an inch thick), and as long as you are careful with the pack it will be fine.
 
I use a $10 walmart bag and a $40 incase.

And I don't think you can dent the PVC the macbook is made of...
 
Badandy said:
That's simply just not true. Neoprene cases offer good, thin protection. I put them in a Jansport backpack with other books (the backpack is probably 1/4 of an inch thick), and as long as you are careful with the pack it will be fine.
Click to expand...

It is true.

Let's try a test: drop your neoprene-clad laptop from waist height onto a hard surface. Go on, I dare you.

Cases need to protect from accidents - it doesn't matter how careful you are.

Your backpack has 1/4 inch thick padding, is that what you're saying? If so that's better than nothing.

I'm just offering some sage advice from the frontline, hopefully it'll save someone an expensive laptop repair bill.
 
That's pretty sweet SuperSnake. Only problem is they want to charge $9.44 for shipping. Hopefully Amazon gets it in stock in October since they'll have free shipping. Once I find somewhere I can get it without paying a lot (or any) for shipping I'll get one.
 
The Neoprene case offers protection depending on how you drop it. If it lands on the flat face or at an angle less than 45 degrees on the flat face there will be virtually no chance of major damage, since the force of the fall will be distributed over a fairly wide area. If you drop it on the narrow side there is more chance, but again the sleeve is fairly well padded so I still think major damage is unlikely.

Of course, you could just solve the problem by never dropping it.
 
Any recommendations for a affordable macbook case that would have room for a few books too?
 
drlunanerd said:
It is true.

Let's try a test: drop your neoprene-clad laptop from waist height onto a hard surface. Go on, I dare you.

Cases need to protect from accidents - it doesn't matter how careful you are.

Your backpack has 1/4 inch thick padding, is that what you're saying? If so that's better than nothing.

I'm just offering some sage advice from the frontline, hopefully it'll save someone an expensive laptop repair bill.
Click to expand...
I dare you to drop your laptop from waist height in ANY case. Go on, I dare you.
 
xfiftyfour said:
I dare you to drop your laptop from waist height in ANY case. Go on, I dare you.
Click to expand...
Exactly. Nicely said. Not just only a laptop, but any electronic device you drop has a potential to break. If I was looking for a bag, I'd look for something that has good paddings on the bottom, but it's hard to come by.

Moving away from this quote, why would you drop your backpack in the first place? I'm assume your books needs to be in good condition too. So having some padding (such as a neoprene case with your books in your backpack) would provide sufficient protection for an unexpected drop. Otherwise why would you drop and attempt to destroy your investment?
 
any experience w/ the slim vertica booq bag? i'm thinking about getting one for my mbp but don't know if it provides enough protection
 
scott523 said:
Otherwise why would you drop and attempt to destroy your investment?
Click to expand...
Well that wasn't quite his point, nor mine.

His point was that the neoprene sleeve didn't provide enough padding for an unexpected drop - he wasn't being literal in that you SHOULD go drop your laptop.

My point was that if you dropped your laptop in ANY case from waist height, you're bound to incur some damage.. to me, the point of a case is to provide a BIT more protection than having the laptop bare.. but mostly for scratches, which it will be best at.
 
xfiftyfour said:
I dare you to drop your laptop from waist height in ANY case. Go on, I dare you.
Click to expand...

I certainly would not intentionally do that in ANY case - that's my point. Neoprene-style cases don't give enough protection. Accidents will happen.

I'm not advertising Brenthaven, but this is a good example (although I find him a little freaky!). He intentionally drops a laptop in a non-neoprene case many times over, and the laptop sustains no damage. QED.

Also read these testimonials.

This demonstrates that properly designed impact-absorbent cases are the way to go. Other makes with similar levels of protection will likely be just as good.
 
I have to agree with the above poster regarding the limited protection offered by neoprene sleeves.
Such a sleeve will prevent scratches, and that's about it.

Only some sort of hard shell can absorb shocks properly , a thin (or thick) layer of neoprene just can't provide that.
 
Personally, I highly recommend Burton backpacks (yes as in the snowboard gear company). They make two different backpacks with a laptop sleeve that is compatible w/ up to 15" screens.
I have a model that I purchased last year and I have taken it with a laptop in it on flights 6 times, I carried my snowboard on it on my last ski trip, when camping with it 5-4 times, hiking god only know how many times, and I take it to the gym with me every morning. The things still looks brand new.

Check them out at www.burton.com but buy at www.ebags.com for good deals and cheaper shipping.
 
Abraxsis is totally right.
I used a gravis bag(a company owned by burton)for about two years with my powerbook G4(which got stolen two week ago). It was the perfect bag for it. Padding on all the sides except the top. I carried my powerbook along with myself everywhere i went. When my macbook pro arrives i cant use the same bag cause that was for 12" laptops. I believe my next bag will be "the messenger" by burton. http://www.burton.com/ProductDetail.aspx?pid=445...check it out.
 
I have one of these( http://www.columbia.com/Product.aspx?top=7&cat=710&prod=3621 ) it is waterproof and can hold my biology book and lab manuel, a small three ring binder and a paper note book in the big pocket, my music book and paper notebook in the medium size pocket which is expandable. It has room for my macbook but I just ordered it and it won't be in till later this week I'll try and post pics then maybe.

Edit: the discription on that page is wrong for some reason.
 
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