The best MBP 13" case?

[flexbrah]

I just made my first mac purchase (a MBP '11) and was wondering what the best case is for it? preferably, i want a black one... i'm just not sure where to start as i'm not familiar with the best brands for macs.

 

[c0l3a5h3r]

What kind? A case to hold it in or something more like a shell for the laptop. I have a black incase sleeve and i love it. As for shells i couldn't say but i have heard that the speck products brand and the hard candy brand shells work well for a lot of people.

 

[jav6454]

incase

They make some of the best cases I've seen around.

 

[LogoLunchBox]

I want to know which case is good too!

I'm up in the air between a black Incase or black Speck.

Both are available at Best Buy.

 

[shyam09]

well i googled this and i found a comment from gdgt.com:

LINK
I've had BBP Hamptons for about 6 mos now and hands down it's the best bag I've ever had. Loads of pockets and the carrying system is pretty clever. The bag reminds me of my old Timbuk2 bag so it's pretty durable.

Some other brands and my thoughts since I'm a bag whore. I've probably spent way too much time checking them out at stores and online.

Incase
- Well made and stylish in a techy slick way, but not necessarily thrilled about their high prices.

Brenthaven
- Well made as well, but all their styles are old and tired. Too bad b/c they probably have the most heavily padded bags out there.

Booq
- Pricey, but solid. But what's with only black bags? I'm from NYC and I know black is always in, but a little color selection would be nice. Their backpacks are almost too big. Their bags do look nice but I found the fit to be a bit off.

SFBags
- I would find the styling appealing if I were like 40+ yrs old. Very good construction though and made in the USA ain't bad.

STM
- I would agree with the last post that they're not well made at all. They are cheap tho and if you like getting a bag every year, I guess that's ok.

Crumpler
- Their style is definitely take it or leave it. They were like super hot 2 yrs ago, but not anymore. I just find their bags overpriced.

Caselogic
- This old CD case brand is pumping out some surprisingly fresh designs, but they are cheaply made so I would pass if you're looking for good quality and good laptop padding.

Mobile Edge
- These guys are basically a bunch of former Targus execs. No thank you. Styles are still stuck in the 80's. I see them in Skymall and reach for the barf bag.

Causauri
- Chick bags, but pretty and not too pricey. My GF likes them and they have a nice story.

Built NY
- They crossed over from making wine bags. Their sleeves are designed to fit a wide range of sizes so I find they're not a snugfit for my MBP13". Last year they came out with the ugliest neoprene backpack. There should be some award for something that ugly. They've been at staples for a while now which means my snob side will never buy one.

Tucano
- Euro italian style. Not particularly functional, but clean looking designs.

Acme Made
- Very pricey, but high quality materials and construction. I don't think they're that relevant in this casual age.

Skooba, Roadwired, Belkin (copycats), Sumdex
- I'll just lump these all together as they suck or are ugly

i got a booq that is currently discontinued for pretty cheap [about 25 bucks out the door , you gotta love promo codes ] but i would recommend:
booq Vyper XS3

However if you are interested in the BBP bags, here is the link:
however cult of mac does a mini review on this BBP.
The rest is in ur hands!

Happy Case Shopping. Do tell us your decision [and if possible] a minor review of some sort to help other wandering case finders

 

[mlynchmob16]

I use this and love it. Incase Protective Sleeve Deluxe

http://store.apple.com/us/product/H1784ZM/A?n=macbookpro13&fnode=MTY1NDA2Ng&mco=MTkwNDAzNDk&s=topSellers

It has a separate zippered pocket that you can unzip to charge it while it is in the case. Comes in handy when I get home from school and need to charge my computer. Well protected, I don't even worry about it in my backpack. The faux-leather makes it look really nice. The inside is super soft and will not scratch or hurt your MBP at all. I'd recommend it to anyone with a 13" or 15" MBP.

 

[Kyffin]

I use one of these: http://twelvesouth.com/products/bookbook/

Its well made, offers good protection and I was able to stash it in the college library with piece of mind whenever I popped out for a 'break'. Its been- and still is- a good case.

 

[satchow]

I do not recommend Speck cases. The tabs that hold the case onto the computer on the back left and right break so easily, leaving you with a case that doesn't really stay on unless you support the bottom. The Incase ones do not have these problems. The Incase ones do have a problem where the rubber feet on the bottom wrinkle up and begin to tear though. If you get a cheap knock off chinese one off EBay, the tabs that hold those cases onto the MacBook dig into your wrists while you're typing.

In summary, every freaking case has significant problems but IMO Incase has the least significant one.

I want to know which case is good too!

I'm up in the air between a black Incase or black Speck.

Both are available at Best Buy.

 

[ladytonya]

I have to second the recommendation for the Incase Protective Sleeve Deluxe. It is a very nicely built, high quality case. It is well padded and I never worry about throwing my 13" MacBook Pro in my bag with other things. I LOVE the zipper access to the charging port so you can charge it while it is in the case. I got the white one but they had black and I think brown as well. They are very soft inside and protective, have protection on the inside so the zipper can't scratch the aluminum on your MacBook Pro, and the outside pocket is great for the MagSafe charger or whatever small accessory you might need to carry with you.

Personally, I thought I'd need to carry more because I'm used to always needing my charger with my old HP laptop, but with this MacBook Pro I only charge it at night. For my daytime usage, I have yet to have the batter run low so I never even carry my charger any more unless I'm traveling. It is great! Of course, I will have had mine for a week tomorrow, so I'm kind of still in the honeymoon phase. LOL!