UK Retina Macbook Pro Accessories

[Serghy]

Hi guys,

I just ordered my new rMBP and I wanted to buy right away some protection in order to be ready when it arrives!

I've been reading the forum about what to buy and especially what not to buy until I realized that most of the good stuff is sold US only or with crazy shipping costs

Hoping to that there are a lot of UK reader like me on this forum I decided to give it a shot and post something

What did you buy to protect your rMBP?

Did you find a UK alternative or did you pay the expansive delivery costs?

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This is what I found after a full day of research:

As it is going to be my 2nd MBP, for my 2007 one and is exactly by looking at the state of it that changed my mind, this is why before today I wansn't familiar at all with what the market had to offer

EXTERIOR PROTECTION:

there are 2 main options to protect the exterior of the rMBP:

HARD CASES
there aren't many option here:

Speck: seems the best option at the moment, very positive reviews.
It is Apple exclusive, it is not available online yet, don't know about in store, anyway the US website ships to London for $18
http://www.speckproducts.com/macboo...atin-for-macbook-pro-with-retina-display.html

Kuzy: only hard case on Amazon.uk but still 9£ delivery. Not a lot of positive reviews, cheap materials, scratches the aluminium when applying/removing and HDMI doesn't fit properly when is on
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kuzy-MacBoo...YIKU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1349038289&sr=8-1

HardCandy: Not out yet (31 Oct) I'm personally a bit sceptic about the new "wrapping" system but it can turn out to be a good time. It is the most expansive head cover and shipping to UK is $42!!
http://www.hardcandycases.com/hard-shell-for-macbook-pro-retina.html

SKIN STICKERS
way more options here, the main thing to choose is between transparent or designed ones

Transparent:

Wrapsol: from the reviews is the best on, it has a matte feeling at the touch, it is highly resistant to scratches and it doesn't attract dust. Website is shipping just in the US (Lifetime guaranteed!!)
http://www.wrapsol.com/macbookpro15-inchwithretinadisplay.aspx

BodyGuards: not great to see but very effective, only one to come with sides cover
Cheap UK delivery, just $12.95
http://www.bodyguardz.com/apple-mac...en-protectors-covers-shields-skins-films.html

Zagg (invisibleshield) Most famous one, but from the review is highly to avoid as it is extremely ugly and overall a poor quality product. UK shipping is just 3£
http://www.zagg.com/invisibleshield...a-display-2012-cases-covers-skins-shields.php

Design:

iCarbons: most popular and everyone seems extremely satisfied with the product.
UK shipping is $8
http://www.icarbons.com/collections/macbook-pro-15-with-retina-display

EXOSkin: good alternative to iCarbons. $12.5 UK delivery
http://www.xgearlive.com/products/macbook/macbook-pro/exoskin-pro-retina


KEYBOARD COVERS:

Moshi: thinnest and most transparent one, thermoplastic and no silicone, it gets easily dirty. Available on Amazon.uk
http://store.moshimonde.com/macbook.html

Rearth: Propetary design, most comfortable to type. $21.45 UK shipping
http://www.rearthusa.com/Apple-Keyboard-Cover_p_258.html


TRACKPAD COVER and PALMGUARD

essential if you go for the hardcover and you wear a clock or jewellery, my trackpad after 5 years is consumed and not very comfortable to use anymore

Moshi: Trackpad cover is slightly textured for a more pleasant touch feeling. US Shipping only but you can find it on ebay for 24£ delivery!!
http://store.moshimonde.com/palmguard-15-unibody-retina.html



PERSONAL CONSIDERATIONS AND WISHLIST

My wish, for a perfect protection would be to get Wrapsol skin and the Rearth KB cover right away and wait for more options for the hardcase (Hardcandy reviews or Incase)
I'm not very convinced by the design skins, I think that in the very near future I want an hard cover and those skins are too thick for the combo while the transparent ones are thin enough for the combo,
On top of this, even if from the users pictures they look gorgeous, I'm worried to easily get bored of Titanium or Wooden effects while I still love the grey MB aluminium.


I hope this helps some of you which is struggling like me to take a decision and that you can share your choices and your thoughts to help me.

Hopefully there are valid UK alternatives that I couldn't find

Let me know guys, apologise for the not perfectly correct English, it is not my first language

Thanks

Giacomo

 

[bridgesldn]

Hey,

I was in the same boat, wanted a speck smart shell but they are hard to come about in the UK, I was in my local apple store the other day and they actually had the see thru and black satin ones for 39.99.
It says on the packaging 'exclusive to apple store' so i presume thats why they are not available online.
My rMBP doesn't come till tomorrow so haven't been able to try it on yet, exciting stuff cant wait to get my hands on it, has been the longest wait of my life lol

 

[*Sonic*]

Hey,

I was in the same boat, wanted a speck smart shell but they are hard to come about in the UK, I was in my local apple store the other day and they actually had the see thru and black satin ones for 39.99.
It says on the packaging 'exclusive to apple store' so i presume thats why they are not available online.
My rMBP doesn't come till tomorrow so haven't been able to try it on yet, exciting stuff cant wait to get my hands on it, has been the longest wait of my life lol

Any update on this / these ?

 

[agaskew]

I bought one of these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B008YDDQ4M/

It's definitely a bit thinner tan an InCase one but not bad.

 

[cooa99]

please also be aware that Fedex (or any other shipping agent ) will rip you off because they will also send you another bill with VAT & admin charge!.

I bought a speck case for my MBPR form states and got an additional £16.65 charge from Fedex !. £10.50 of that was their admin charge

 

[anarti]

Hi, You can buy Speck cases on www.jigsaw24.com for around £35 which a good price and it's UK based company.

I bought mine, Satin version, and very happy with it.

These cases can be bought at apple.com/uk as well but are £5 more expensive and I guess that you pay for shipment as well.

Don't bother with keyboard cover, do you actually need it?

I bought HiRise stand for my retina + HDMI cable for output to monitor and thunderbolt to gigabit ethernet extension and that's about it.

 

[Dyno-Mike]

I bought a lid and bottom skin from icarbons for £35 Cost me half the price again in customs fees.
Then a week after installing it my retina screen went bad so had to take it in to get screen replaced.
I attempted to peel it off first to re-use it when i get my new screen but it ruined it so had to get rid of it. - gutted

 

[will0407]

I'd suggest saving some money on the speck and get this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370692755695 (other colours available)

I've had speck cases on my macbook airs (11 and 13), and pro 13". I got one of these cases from this seller for my g/f's 13" air and have never looked back. they're alot more sturdy than the speck cases, the clips are also much stronger. I have that transparent one on my retina pro and couldn't be happier. I also have this case for it:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281028324536

I'd check out the sellers items. he regularly gets a lot of incase sleeves in at very good prices, i've bought from him a few times.

As for trackpad/palmguard, I got the moshi one from here:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321010076277

it's currently in transit, and I emailed the seller to mark it as a gift and put $8.99 which he was more than happy to do.

I've regualrly considered skins, and almost pulled the trigger on a zagg shield when they were 50% off on monday, but with this case, I have no need for anything else. I'm considering getting a vinyl sticker design to go on the top case although that's something that can wait.