Macworld: Mobile Mac Weblog: Sleeves in Brief: ...

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Macworld.com

1,900 posts since
Feb 6, 2004

Aug 13, 2007 7:50 AM

Mobile Mac Weblog: Sleeves in Brief: Soft covers and hard shells

Dan Frakes clears out some office space by covering a slew of laptop sleeves. In the first installment of Sleeves in Brief, he looks at soft covers and hard shells. more

Toe_MW

68 posts since
Sep 23, 2004

1. Aug 13, 2007 11:29 AM

in response to: Macworld.com

Cheaper solution

If you're not interested in fashion and just want to keep your MacBook from getting scratched and dented, then a much cheaper and arguably more effective solution is to use a padded "bubble mailer" envelope. You can get one at Kinkos for about $1.

In case you don't know what I'm talking about, here's a twelve-pack of them from Staples:
http://www.staples.com/webapp/wcs/stores...p;cmArea=SEARCH
(which still costs about half as much as other solutions in the article).

vegasmunkeh

12 posts since
Jan 11, 2007

2. Aug 13, 2007 11:55 AM

in response to: Macworld.com

Re: Mobile Mac Weblog: Sleeves in Brief: Soft covers and hard shells

DId you try the incase sleeve? (seemingly very popular on the online apple store) I'm in the market for a sleeve, and it looks better than the LArobe (protextion wise that is!) Any thoughts from anyone??

Dan Frakes

3,644 posts since
Apr 14, 2003

3. Aug 13, 2007 11:57 AM

in response to: Toe_MW

Re: Cheaper solution

Sure, that would work, as would packing foam and duct tape -- but I probably won't be covering such options here

Dan Frakes | Senior Editor, Macworld

Dan Frakes

3,644 posts since
Apr 14, 2003

4. Aug 13, 2007 12:02 PM

in response to: vegasmunkeh

Re: Mobile Mac Weblog: Sleeves in Brief: Soft cove

Quote:<hr />
DId you try the incase sleeve? (seemingly very popular on the online apple store) I'm in the market for a sleeve, and it looks better than the LArobe (protextion wise that is!) Any thoughts from anyone??

<hr />

Incase hasn't sent us a sample, but I have taken a look at them at the Apple Store. My impressions: typical Incase fit and finish (i.e., it fits well and looks great), although it's made of neoprene so it doesn't offer as much impact/shock protection as the LArobe and Macessity sleeves I covered here.

Dan Frakes | Senior Editor, Macworld

Ronald_Schoedel

374 posts since
Jul 11, 2005

5. Aug 13, 2007 4:05 PM

in response to: Macworld.com

Re: Mobile Mac Weblog: Sleeves in Brief: Soft covers and hard shells

Anyone know of something like the See-Thru hard shell, but for a 15" Aluminum PowerBook G4??? I see some for the 12" PowerBook, but not the 15". Any thoughts or leads?

A million thanks in advance,
Ron

smax013

2,408 posts since
Jul 6, 2007

6. Aug 13, 2007 5:26 PM

in response to: Dan Frakes

Re: Cheaper solution

Quote:<hr />
Sure, that would work, as would packing foam and duct tape -- but I probably won't be covering such options here

<hr />

Yeah! Another use for duct tape!

Member of the "Crazy Mac Users who run Anti-virus on their Macs" club - come join us and you too can be snickered at!

Wizzard

4 posts since
Jan 6, 2007

7. Aug 13, 2007 9:31 PM

in response to: Macworld.com

Re: Be.ez

The be.ez classic looked great, but can't find any US dealers who carry it for a Macbook Pro 17". Seems like a very good product, just limited US distribution.

Dan Frakes

3,644 posts since
Apr 14, 2003

8. Aug 14, 2007 2:57 AM

in response to: Wizzard

Re: Be.ez

Wizzard, it looks like Mac-Pro.com has it:

http://www.mac-pro.com/Mac-Pro-Online-Store?search=larobe

Dan Frakes | Senior Editor, Macworld

dombett

3 posts since
Apr 4, 2001

9. Aug 14, 2007 7:56 AM

in response to: Macworld.com

Re: Mobile Mac Weblog: Sleeves in Brief: Soft cove

I'm fairly partial to the sleeves from Waterfield Design at http://www.sfbags.com

I've had a sleeve for my iBook for a couple of years and just bought one for my MacBook Pro. It's nice thick padding and they have a few available options like a flap and a shoulder strap.

Their customer service is top-notch. Every email is answered personally and professionally and they genuinely care whether you're satisfied.

It's not as sleek as the neoprene or hard shells, but it keeps the MBP safe. And it lets me use any bag to carry my laptop not just a super padded laptop bag that screams "Laptop inside! Steal me!"

Skybolt

482 posts since
Jul 23, 2002

10. Aug 14, 2007 9:48 AM

in response to: dombett

Re: Mobile Mac Weblog: Sleeves in Brief: Soft cove

I absolutely agree with dombett -- Waterfield sleeves rock! I bought one for my son a few years back (for Christmas), then later I got an iBook, and bought one for me. When I got the MB last year, I bought another. Each time I did business, they remembered me and made me feel like a very valuable customer. Service is great! Sleeves are top-notch! I wouldn't buy any other brand!

Dan Frakes

3,644 posts since
Apr 14, 2003

11. Aug 14, 2007 11:52 AM

in response to: dombett

Re: Mobile Mac Weblog: Sleeves in Brief: Soft cove

You'll get no argument from me about WaterField's sleeves; I know at least a couple Macworld editors that use them. That said, this wasn't an exhaustive roundup; as noted in the article, it was a way to cover a number of products we haven't yet had a chance to cover. (We've actually covered WaterField sleeves several times in the pages of Macworld.)

Dan Frakes | Senior Editor, Macworld

daneb

524 posts since
Dec 1, 2006

12. Aug 14, 2007 3:09 PM

in response to: Macworld.com

Re: Mobile Mac Weblog: Sleeves in Brief: Soft cove

I currently use an Incase sleeve, but my favorite case has always been the Crumpler. Hard shell, you can work while it's in the case, stylish.

thebeginnermac.blogspot.com The Mac for Beginners

vegasmunkeh

12 posts since
Jan 11, 2007

13. Aug 14, 2007 3:13 PM

in response to: Dan Frakes

Re: Mobile Mac Weblog: Sleeves in Brief: Soft cove

Thanks for the advice. Now I've just gotta decide between looks and protection - I prefer the Incase's plainer look! Then again, it's only for carrying...

oaktownman

114 posts since
May 1, 2007

14. Aug 14, 2007 10:41 PM

in response to: Dan Frakes

Re: Be.ez

Quote:<hr />
Wizzard, it looks like Mac-Pro.com has it:

http://www.mac-pro.com/Mac-Pro-Online-Store?search=larobe

<hr />

They do. I ordered the LArobe MacBook Pro 15" Classic yesterday, and it was at waiting for me at home. Great service. I am very pleased with it. It is exactly what I had been looking for. Thanks for the article.

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Aug 13, 2007 7:50 AM

Mobile Mac Weblog: Sleeves in Brief: Soft covers and hard shells

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