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Please, please, please recommend a notebook case for my new MBP, please?

I have the Booq sleeve and Axio sleeve for my 15" MBP, but recently ordered a Case-Mate Signature Suit in Carbon Fiber which will be here on Friday. I like the ability to keep the laptop protected at all times, without having to put it in/out of the case. Both the Booq and Axio products are well designed and constructed. For me personally, I prefer full time case/sleeve and was not to keen on the Speck products.

I will post some pictures early next week.

Regards,
Enzo
 
RaceTripper said:
I got my Booq Slimcase XL90 bag. It is very nice, but I think it's too expensive for what it is. It's also a bit bulkier than I wanted, but that's my fault. In retrospect I might have gotten the Slimcase XL. I wanted to order both and return one, but the shipping cost was too high (almost $30 inbound for two bags, plus return shipping for one).

My big gripe is the shoulder strap doesn't include a grippy shoulder pad, so you can't use it without it sliding off your shoulder all the time. I complained to Booq, and they say that is an accessory for $12. WTF??? That's extremely lame of them after charging $145 for the bag. Even cheapy $30 bags have them. It would also be nice if it had a built-in key fob. It seems even the cheapest bags these days have those too.

In the end I think it's a pretty good bag, but overpriced.
Click to expand...

Wow, I wish I would have read this before I ordered it. I just received my booq slimcase XL90. I think the name slimcase makes it seem a little more slim than it really is. Its not slim at all. It's almost as big as the brenthaven profile III briefcase.

you nailed it. I'm surprised there is not a key holder, and the strap is measley. In fact, it's held together by velcro on one side which scares me a little.

Overall, I like the bag enough where I don't want to take it back, but I wish it was a little more engineered and a little less expensive. I did order via pivotgear which was awesome.

I still am deciding whether to keep the case. There are so many GREAT cases, that I don't want to settle. I really wanted to like the slimcase. It's just a little big. But, with a 17" case, i figure big is what I'm going to get.

I saw some incase sleeves at the Apple Store, and there was one that I was very tempted to get. http://goincase.com/products/detail/17-nylon-sleeve-plus-cl57067

Basically, it can hold the cord, maybe a small to medium sized book, and the laptop. That's it. It was very compact. The problem is I wanted something a little bigger. the booq slimcase is a little too big. I need something in the middle.

I also wish that bbp bags would sell just the strap to convert any messenger bag into a backpack. I think that would a great design.
 
scott9s said:
I saw some incase sleeves at the Apple Store, and there was one that I was very tempted to get. http://goincase.com/products/detail/17-nylon-sleeve-plus-cl57067

Basically, it can hold the cord, maybe a small to medium sized book, and the laptop. That's it. It was very compact. The problem is I wanted something a little bigger. the booq slimcase is a little too big. I need something in the middle.
Click to expand...
I have that Incase sleeve. I like it, but it is a bit too spartan for my needs. If I just need my laptop mouse and power adapter it's perfect. Otherwise, things start to sill out of it.

Like you say, the Booq is a bit too big. It is not a slim case. And there's that cheesy shoulder strap.

I would return my Booq if it didn't mean eating inbound and outbound shipping charges.
 
I Told You Guys Crumpler

scott9s said:
Wow, I wish I would have read this before I ordered it. I just received my booq slimcase XL90. I think the name slimcase makes it seem a little more slim than it really is. Its not slim at all. It's almost as big as the brenthaven profile III briefcase.

you nailed it. I'm surprised there is not a key holder, and the strap is measley. In fact, it's held together by velcro on one side which scares me a little.

Overall, I like the bag enough where I don't want to take it back, but I wish it was a little more engineered and a little less expensive. I did order via pivotgear which was awesome.

I still am deciding whether to keep the case. There are so many GREAT cases, that I don't want to settle. I really wanted to like the slimcase. It's just a little big. But, with a 17" case, i figure big is what I'm going to get.

I saw some incase sleeves at the Apple Store, and there was one that I was very tempted to get. http://goincase.com/products/detail/17-nylon-sleeve-plus-cl57067

Basically, it can hold the cord, maybe a small to medium sized book, and the laptop. That's it. It was very compact. The problem is I wanted something a little bigger. the booq slimcase is a little too big. I need something in the middle.

I also wish that bbp bags would sell just the strap to convert any messenger bag into a backpack. I think that would a great design.
Click to expand...

I told you guys CRUMPLER but no one listened. They are worth every penny of the cost of the bags! The Sleeves ARE NOT bulky either. These guys know how ot make bags!
 
ansella said:
I told you guys CRUMPLER but no one listened. They are worth every penny of the cost of the bags! The Sleeves ARE NOT bulky either. These guys know how ot make bags!
Click to expand...
I like Crumpler bags. I have one for my light set of camera gear (I use Domke for packing heavier). But I don't see a Crumpler bag that suits me for my 17" MBP in a price range I like.
 
Ok, this is the best case/messenger bag I've found so far:http://www.targus.com/us/product_details.asp?sku=TSB109US. I initially bought this for a 15" Penryn MBP, but I ended up trading for the 17" Hi-Rez instead.

This bag is made for a 15" laptop, but it fits the 17" MBP perfectly! This side opening is great for airplane overhead bins. It has nice big pocket and smaller pockets on the inside to store the power adapter, Bose QC2 headphones, iPhone on the shoulder strap, ticket pocket in the front, etc. It even has side pockets for water bottles. It's not too big for a 17" laptop bag. If anyone wants pictures let me know and I'll snap a few.
 
ansella said:
I told you guys CRUMPLER but no one listened. They are worth every penny of the cost of the bags! The Sleeves ARE NOT bulky either. These guys know how ot make bags!
Click to expand...


I looked at the crumpler. the bags "style" just seem too college for me.

I'm sure you'll find one or two bags that look great for a business meeting.

The website is just a pain to navigate and see pictures.
 
I just decided on this one and made the purchase through ebay...a lot cheaper than retail. I have a larger Bag, similiar to this:
http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:item.detail?GroupID=38&Code=73P3598&current-category-id=9FEE1EB0A846410E8D31ED47BDA13EC8
But I really wanted something small to carry back and forth to work. I was using this with my macbook and loved it and the incase was a close second:
http://www.semsons.com/ramacabycila.html
Too bad civilian doesn't make Macbook Pro cases yet!

paenguin said:
picked this one out of the apple store. didn't one the olive so i went with the classic black look.
http://www.goincase.com/products/detail/15-nylon-sleeve-plus-cl57066

front.jpg


i think they also have a tan colored one. and a leather version too.
Click to expand...
 
for a time i was using this slim/ thin cases like this incase.
but when you get in trouble like accidentally drop them or someone foolishly put something heavy on top of your MBP at all..

i've been through a lot of cases/sleeves etc nothing comes close to this one,

http://www.brenthaven.com/catalog-metrolite-black.html

for the price and the protection you get, this is worth it!
it's cheaper on the net compared to your local apple store.
 
ScottSyrNY said:
anyone have a link to the ALL black Isis sleeve (w/memory foam) for 17" MBP with none of the silver looking logos and whatnot? Trying to decide between the Isis sleeve and the Booq Vyper XL2.
http://www.booqbags.com/s.nl/it.A/id.99/.f?leadsource=BAGFINDERCAMP

Will either of these sleeves work well with the Acme Made The Clyde ?
http://www.acmemade.com/theclyde.html
Click to expand...

Here is the website. I just got the isis "nouveau" in the mail a couple of days ago. I actually ordered it through Amazon but it was actually sold by Isis Dei. I was pleased at how quickly they sent me the product which arrived in perfect condition. Also, from what I have seen in the local stores (Best Buy, Circuit City, etc.) it is much more protection in a sleek package for the $$$.

Anyway, it fits nicely, with maybe a 1/2" of extra room on the sides. I am not going to do a 'drop test' on it :), but it is certainly more protective than the neoprene sleeves, and it is both sleek and attractive. You could not fit anything else in the sleeve, but my idea of buying a true 'sleeve' is to protect the laptop itself, not to store the peripherals. I bought a Tumi briefcase into which the sleeve will fit; I purchased this partially because it does not scream "laptop" yet has some nice compartments, an awesome shoulderpad on the well-made strap, very decent padding, and I got it for 1/2 price at a local Nordstrom Rack :) :)

If I were not so 'paranoid' as I am a petite female, I would have seriously thought of going with the Brenthaven bag (forgot which model...the one with the maximum protection) but still would have gotten a sleeve.

(For what that's worth......)

http://www.isisdei.com/list.php?class=memoryfoam&item=Original
 
basqarl said:
Here is the website. I just got the isis "nouveau" in the mail a couple of days ago. I actually ordered it through Amazon but it was actually sold by Isis Dei. I was pleased at how quickly they sent me the product which arrived in perfect condition. Also, from what I have seen in the local stores (Best Buy, Circuit City, etc.) it is much more protection in a sleek package for the $$$.

Anyway, it fits nicely, with maybe a 1/2" of extra room on the sides. I am not going to do a 'drop test' on it :), but it is certainly more protective than the neoprene sleeves, and it is both sleek and attractive. You could not fit anything else in the sleeve, but my idea of buying a true 'sleeve' is to protect the laptop itself, not to store the peripherals. I bought a Tumi briefcase into which the sleeve will fit; I purchased this partially because it does not scream "laptop" yet has some nice compartments, an awesome shoulderpad on the well-made strap, very decent padding, and I got it for 1/2 price at a local Nordstrom Rack :) :)

If I were not so 'paranoid' as I am a petite female, I would have seriously thought of going with the Brenthaven bag (forgot which model...the one with the maximum protection) but still would have gotten a sleeve.

(For what that's worth......)

http://www.isisdei.com/list.php?class=memoryfoam&item=Original
Click to expand...

I've been to that link already (thanks :)) and check boxes next to the sleeve sizes are 'X' out so no order can be placed. I've googled also, but no luck finding the all black Isis sleeve. I think they may have discontinued it. For the purpose of my MBP 17" sleeve, I prefer minimal graphics and/or highlights. Like you, I prefer a sleeve that contains only the computer and provides solid 'bump' protection without getting too crazy in size, cost or color. I'm an adult Grad student and will be carrying it with me periodically and would like to place my MBP/sleeve in a messenger bag...not at all interested in a backpack or a fancy professional appearing bag...just something middle of the road that doesn't stick out too much and scream laptop.

Suggestions are welcome...
 
I use a Speck Macbook Pro 17" Polycarbonate Hardshell,

For Carrying around I use a Targus XL Laptop Backpack as its super protective and has back support for when I have to lug around uni stuff.

Also has a geeky raincoat that comes out of a hidden pocket on the bottom that disguises the backpack completely (no openings)

I prefer my set up over some of the ones posted as I don't want my laptop stolen (hence no leather attractive bags or blatant laptop messenger bags or sleeves. The Speck polycarbonate case does the job, because I'm crazy I also have invisible shield films attached on the inside and top case!
 
basqarl said:
Need to get a sleeve and/or notebook case for my new MBP. I see a lot of possibilities online, but I don't know which one(s) are most durable, protective and easily carried.
Click to expand...

Crumpler's Cheesy Disco. I've had two now, one for a MacBook and the second for a 15" MacBook pro. I wouldn't use anything else.
 
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