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New Macbook Case Thread
- Thread starter pnewelljr
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Here are a few pics of the Picaso Lab case. I've gotten a few compliments on it when I've carried it round at work...can't complain!
Got the bag off the bay pretty good tbh. I did want a nice leather bag but got annoyed looking and thought I would try this even though it was only £10! ($18 dollars?) Macbook fits in perfectly even with a sleeve over on it. Plenty of space inside, it has 3 parts and 2 inside pockets. Good enough to carry the cables, adaptors and external hdd..
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I got my new Macbook three weeks ago and I've been looking for a case since then, with little success so far. I'm going to be carrying it in my backpack while biking everyday, so I need maximum impact protection, not just scratch protection. Ideally it'd also be waterproof to protect against rain or water bottle leakage.
After reading through this thread, I've narrowed it down to three options:
Booq Viper Hardcase 12
Waterfield Macbook Dash sleeve
Waterfield Laptop Sleevecase
I think I prefer the Viper sleeve as it seems to offer more shock protection than the Waterfield sleeves, however shipping to Canada is almost as much as the price of the sleeve (40$). So I was wondering if anyone was aware of a similar sleeve, or if this is the only one of this sort available right now. For those who have the Waterfield sleeves, how much shock protection does it offer?
After reading through this thread, I've narrowed it down to three options:
Booq Viper Hardcase 12
Waterfield Macbook Dash sleeve
Waterfield Laptop Sleevecase
I think I prefer the Viper sleeve as it seems to offer more shock protection than the Waterfield sleeves, however shipping to Canada is almost as much as the price of the sleeve (40$). So I was wondering if anyone was aware of a similar sleeve, or if this is the only one of this sort available right now. For those who have the Waterfield sleeves, how much shock protection does it offer?
So there was a sale a few days ago on the Brenthaven collins case collection (50% off). I noticed that the Collins tech pack (http://www.brenthaven.com/products/collins-tablet-tech-pack) dimensions might fit the new macbook even though it was made for an iPad. I bought it thinking that if it's too small, I'll just return it. It fits nearly perfectly!! The only very very slight problem is that the rMB is a bit long so it makes closing the case with the buckle a little harder that it would be with an iPad in there, but it's not hard to close at all. It also has a pocket in the front that fits the plug and charging cord. I was previously considering the SFbags cases which I still like a lot, but that were so expensive, I was going to wait. I got 50% off with the sale and my Brenthaven Collins bag was about $35 including shipping and tax, which is 3x less than a similar SFbags case I was considering. I've had a brenthaven bag in the past, and I was pretty happy with it's durability. I've only been using my case for a couple days but the construction seems pretty solid. I'll post pics soon.
As for the guy with the post right above me, this might be a case he could consider, though if he was going to expose it to the rain a lot, getting this case wet consistently might make it smell after a bit since it's constructed from a canvas-y type cloth (probably similar to the SFbags cases above). In terms of shock protection, I think that a few drops in the case, the macbook would be fine, but I wouldn't make a habit of it. It's not superpadded like some other cases out there. Considering the light weight of the computer and bag together, the force of a drop is pretty low, so I wouldn't expect any damage, but I haven't dropped mine (with or without the case) yet and don't plan on it
As for the guy with the post right above me, this might be a case he could consider, though if he was going to expose it to the rain a lot, getting this case wet consistently might make it smell after a bit since it's constructed from a canvas-y type cloth (probably similar to the SFbags cases above). In terms of shock protection, I think that a few drops in the case, the macbook would be fine, but I wouldn't make a habit of it. It's not superpadded like some other cases out there. Considering the light weight of the computer and bag together, the force of a drop is pretty low, so I wouldn't expect any damage, but I haven't dropped mine (with or without the case) yet and don't plan on it
Finally received this a few days ago and it's wonderful - worth the wait. Fits snug like a pillow and traveled to and from the ballpark with ease. Highly recommended. https://www.etsy.com/people/pochettegavotte
Just got the brand new Incase Icon 12" and the sleeve is terrific, very happy. The MacBook fits snugly inside and there is about 1/3rd of an inch of padding running around the perimeter that has a firmness to it, it's not a floppy sleeve. The magnetic closure is very cool and very sturdy, no more zippers to contend with. It's very thin and slim, looks great, and for my purposes in a hotel room safe it's going to be perfect.
Highly recommended.
BJ
Just got the brand new Incase Icon 12" and the sleeve is terrific, very happy. The MacBook fits snugly inside and there is about 1/3rd of an inch of padding running around the perimeter that has a firmness to it, it's not a floppy sleeve. The magnetic closure is very cool and very sturdy, no more zippers to contend with. It's very thin and slim, looks great, and for my purposes in a hotel room safe it's going to be perfect.
Highly recommended.
BJ
I just used it to store it in a hotel safe. It fits neatly.
One caveat for those interested, it increases the foot print of the Macbook by 17% ... if that's ok, it's a great case. For me it's a deal breaker because I like to put the Macbook in the outside pocket of my roller bag when I travel and a case with an extra 3/4 inch on each dimension makes that impossible. :-( but the case will likely protect your macbook from a drop better than any alternative on the market. But I don't make a habit of dropping my Macbook.
Excellent, thanks for the confirmation.
In the hotel I frequent in Hong Kong, the safes are small, they squeeze them in an end-table drawer and I've dinged my past notebooks getting them in/out. The Incase Icon will do just fine in that regard, it's really sleek.
BJ
The Icon is a sleeve, not a case, so it's purpose is to fit inside a briefcase, backpack, ladies tote, or other carrier that does not have a dedicated and padded notebook compartment.
The caveat you talk about is nothing, just a 1/4 inch of EVA foam running around the interior for extra shock/drop protection, hardly a space issue when used for its intended purpose.
BJ
BJ - My understanding of this forum is to express opinions. My opinion was stated. You have no right to invalidate or discredit my opinion. I said the case was a nice one, it just makes the laptop a LOT bigger, which is a fact. I was merely posting my observations based on first-hand experience with the case. Happy to check out any first-hand photos you've taken to show how amazingly thin and form-fitting the case is.... but all I've seen from you are stock photos from incase's website.
Let's fight. You know, because neoprene sleeves for a notebook computer are so binary, so polarizing.
BJ
The safe I used had interior space dimensions of about 6 inches height by 14 inches width (Not exact, but from memory). I can imagine it could fit a 17 inch gaming laptop in there and it will still be deep enough to handle it.
But all hotels may vary.
I go to Disney World and they have these crappy lock boxes built into the wall that won't fit any laptop. The door is flimsy, it uses a key lock. It was useless. Not enough space.
No need to toot my horns. Stock photos is good enough for this thread.
This weekend, I just checked Apple's store in South Shore Plaza (Braintree, MA) and they had the Incase case for the Macbook 12 if you're interested. I would assume it's in stock for all the other Apple Store in the area.
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It's 32cm (12 5/8 inches) by almost 23cm (a little over 9 inches). I just measured it with my measuring tape. It's slightly over 1 cm in thickness but is thicker with the Macbook inside.
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Here's the pictures of my brenthaven tech pack that I promised.
I've been on every page on this thread and the only case/sleeve that appeals to me is the Incase ICON, unfortunately, as is always the CASE they don't seem to care about international customers, from looking online I see that it's easy to get in the US but it'll probably only come to the UK in 6 months or so. Worldwide same week releases are very common for tech (in the first world) these days but we get the accessories very late, anyway I'm going on but it's just something that bugs me.
I have also been looking to get one and have just seen the Incase Icon is available to order from the Apple Store UK, currently Black is 2-3 weeks, Grey is 4-6 weeks.... I did contact Incase UK and they told me they were not going to stock it !!
I'm also thinking of a Acme Made Skinny Sleeve in Grey / Poppy Red.....
Just put one on hold in an Apple store, been waiting for this case after seeing it for the MB pro, I like how slim it is