MacBook Pro Bags, Sleeves, and Cases Thread

[dhartung02]

I can't decide between the TERRA SLEEVE or HEATHERED PROTECTIVE SLEEVE. Has anyone tried out either one? I'm curious how well the RMBP fits in them since I know they're made for the regular MBP. Anyone know if Incase will release fits made specifically for the RMBP?

I went to the Apple store and grabbed both of these cases and walked right over to the Retina Macbook Pros to try them out. The Terra Case fits very well, like it was almost made for that computer. Very little movement at all when zipped up and turned in different directions.

The Heathered case didnt do as well. The Retina Macbook Pro felt small in this case with lots of free movement.

As such i went with the Terra case with the white and blue trim and as an added bonus, the iPad tucks nicely in the front pocket. Two birds with one stone!

 

[PhaserFuzz]

Dude thanks! That's exactly what I was looking for. Looks like I'll buy the Terra.

 

[minnus]

I'm awaiting delivery of my rMBP (first Mac ever!) and I'm worried about it getting squished in my backpack. The pack has a padded vertical pocket right against the back that is easily large enough but I occasionally carry relatively heavy things in the main pack compartment and I walk a long way to/from work.

Are MBPs durable enough to take this kinds of compression pressure (i.e. similar to if you were pressing down on the lid when it was closed)? I am guessing not and that it will likely damage the display. Does anyone know of relatively small/light but rigid sleeves that are made for this type of protection? All the hard cases I can see actually snap onto the computer, or they are sizable and expensive boxes the the Pelicans.

I haven't been able to find a case that offers the protection you're looking for. Instead, I put a cloth between the screen and the keyboard/trackpad. There are a few options out there, but I use the Razer Kabuto : http://store.razerzone.com/store/razerusa/en_US/pd/productID.169417200

Seems to work great with the rMBP

 

[Dragvinz]

I haven't been able to find a case that offers the protection you're looking for. Instead, I put a cloth between the screen and the keyboard/trackpad. There are a few options out there, but I use the Razer Kabuto : http://store.razerzone.com/store/razerusa/en_US/pd/productID.169417200

Seems to work great with the rMBP

i use a radtech cloth. great colors and quality!

 

[Fatt]

I like the idea of those cloth screen protectors, and would do a lot to prevent scratching of the glass. But I'm not sure it would do much to protect the screen from pressure spots developing from getting compressed in a backpack. This my biggest concern with having my rMBP in my backpack with a few textbooks. Really to protect the rMBP from getting damaged from pressure on the screen, one would need a hard sleeve or that brain cell sleeve someone posted for me earlier. I just ordered a north face surge, and I'm waiting for it to get here to make sure the vertical brain cell sleeve will fit in it, before ordering the brain cell sleeve. If your bag has room for it, seems to be the best vertical sleeve that offers the most protection.

http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/300/TB0390

 

[mtl171]

I like the idea of those cloth screen protectors, and would do a lot to prevent scratching of the glass. But I'm not sure it would do much to protect the screen from pressure spots developing from getting compressed in a backpack. This my biggest concern with having my rMBP in my backpack with a few textbooks. Really to protect the rMBP from getting damaged from pressure on the screen, one would need a hard sleeve or that brain cell sleeve someone posted for me earlier. I just ordered a north face surge, and I'm waiting for it to get here to make sure the vertical brain cell sleeve will fit in it, before ordering the brain cell sleeve. If your bag has room for it, seems to be the best vertical sleeve that offers the most protection.

http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/300/TB0390

Also looking to use the same combo of a north face surge with a vertical braincell. While tom bihn has yet to release the retina sized sells dimension, on average it seems to add 2.2 in, .8 in and 1.1 in making it 16.3 by 10.5 by 1.8. In short, the retina cell will most likely jut out of the surge's laptop compartment (15.25 by 10.5 by 2). Though regardless, the vertical braincell makes a excellent case. You just might not be able to zip your backpack closed.

 

[moclippa]

This one from Tumi is great because it has a laptop compartment plus space for just enough other stuff while also being very slim and compact. The middle zipper pocket on the bottom is perfect for the 85w Mag Safe charger. It's not cheap though.


Image

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http://www.tumi.com/product/index.jsp?c=1114135&productId=4209926

I use my Tumi Bedford Document Case for work related travel http://www.tumi.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11535840&prodFindSrc=paramNav

Anything by Tumi in Gunmetal is pretty much the most durable bag you will ever own, and very stylish. This bag has and will take abuse and come out looking fine.

For my day travel and local work I use a Papini 31BA http://www.papinileather.com/handbag/hb_020.htm - Stylish leather that ages very nicely, is comfortable and can hold quite a bit.

I'm waiting for a good hard cover case for the Macbook, never understood nor liked sleeves but a lot of them on here are quite stylish I must say.

 

[Fatt]

Also looking to use the same combo of a north face surge with a vertical braincell. While tom bihn has yet to release the retina sized sells dimension, on average it seems to add 2.2 in, .8 in and 1.1 in making it 16.3 by 10.5 by 1.8. In short, the retina cell will most likely jut out of the surge's laptop compartment (15.25 by 10.5 by 2). Though regardless, the vertical braincell makes a excellent case. You just might not be able to zip your backpack closed.

Well with the surge, the laptop compartment doesn't go all the way to the bottom, I'm hoping there is enough room left for me to actually cut out the bottom of the laptop compartment so it can fit. I REALLY want that brain cell, UF's campus is huge and I will be biking around campus more than walking, and I really want the extra protection of the braincell. Also don't want to settle for another backpack, the surge is perfect for me. I'll be sure to post my results!

EDIT: Oh and thanks for the surge laptop compartment dimensions! I had tried to find them to no avail. It is a bit smaller than I had hoped, but at this point I think I'm quite willing to ruin my warranty for the braincell.

 

[minnus]

I like the idea of those cloth screen protectors, and would do a lot to prevent scratching of the glass. But I'm not sure it would do much to protect the screen from pressure spots developing from getting compressed in a backpack. This my biggest concern with having my rMBP in my backpack with a few textbooks. Really to protect the rMBP from getting damaged from pressure on the screen, one would need a hard sleeve or that brain cell sleeve someone posted for me earlier. I just ordered a north face surge, and I'm waiting for it to get here to make sure the vertical brain cell sleeve will fit in it, before ordering the brain cell sleeve. If your bag has room for it, seems to be the best vertical sleeve that offers the most protection.

http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/300/TB0390

Clothes work. I had screen damage every time I traveled with the MacBook Air without the cloth. Once I put in a cloth, I never had screen damage again. The screen damage I noticed came from direct and focused pressure from the trackpad/keyboard bridge. By putting a cloth in between, the pressure was distributed over a slightly larger area. The cloth I use from Razer is also thicker than the Radtech cloth (theres another popular computer, but I can't recall the name), which I imagine provides more protection.

I don't think a sleeve would work well unless it is rigid - since pressing on the sleeve would inevitably mean the sleeve is pressing on the lid.

 

[mtl171]

Well with the surge, the laptop compartment doesn't go all the way to the bottom, I'm hoping there is enough room left for me to actually cut out the bottom of the laptop compartment so it can fit. I REALLY want that brain cell, UF's campus is huge and I will be biking around campus more than walking, and I really want the extra protection of the braincell. Also don't want to settle for another backpack, the surge is perfect for me. I'll be sure to post my results!

EDIT: Oh and thanks for the surge laptop compartment dimensions! I had tried to find them to no avail. It is a bit smaller than I had hoped, but at this point I think I'm quite willing to ruin my warranty for the braincell.

well some reviews reported extra padding in the bottom of the surge's laptop pouch so maybe its compressible or removable. also retina cell ships late july so we have some waiting to do.

 

[guitardave62000]

I emailed Incase that exact question yesterday so I will post back when I hear from them.

Well I just heard back from Incase, but they just gave me a general response saying they have no release date on cases yet, and to look at what was already available for the 15" MBP.

 

[HowEver]

They gave me a specific response on Twitter: no hard sleeves for at least a month, and no plans yet for the Perforated, so I'm SOL on that.

Well I just heard back from Incase, but they just gave me a general response saying they have no release date on cases yet, and to look at what was already available for the 15" MBP.

 

[mdapple]

Well I just heard back from Incase, but they just gave me a general response saying they have no release date on cases yet, and to look at what was already available for the 15" MBP.

The terra fits pretty well, same with slim neoprene

 

[guitardave62000]

The terra fits pretty well, same with slim neoprene

Yea I tried the slim neoprene and it probably is one of the better fitting sleeves out there that isn't specifically made for the rmbp, but I wasn't fully sold. It didn't have that solid feel that I would always get with my older MBP in their neoprene sleeves. I'm just going to wait it out. If I wasn't looking for such a slim form factor, I would definitely go with sfbags smart case.

 

[ekovalsky]

I received a sfbags.com Outback sleeve for the rMBP this weekend. Fits great and looks good, price was a reasonable $49. I'm using it for extra protection when carrying around the notebook in a Belstaff bag - material is a close match if you happen to have a Belstaff bag.

http://www.sfbags.com/products/outback-laptop-sleeve/outback-sleeve.php

 

[Fatt]

Clothes work. I had screen damage every time I traveled with the MacBook Air without the cloth. Once I put in a cloth, I never had screen damage again. The screen damage I noticed came from direct and focused pressure from the trackpad/keyboard bridge. By putting a cloth in between, the pressure was distributed over a slightly larger area. The cloth I use from Razer is also thicker than the Radtech cloth (theres another popular computer, but I can't recall the name), which I imagine provides more protection.

I don't think a sleeve would work well unless it is rigid - since pressing on the sleeve would inevitably mean the sleeve is pressing on the lid.

Thanks that's good to know, I will probably get a screen protector as well then. And yes the sleeve I'm looking at getting, the braincell, is a rigid sleeve.

 

[christoski]

I'm awaiting delivery of my rMBP (first Mac ever!) and I'm worried about it getting squished in my backpack. The pack has a padded vertical pocket right against the back that is easily large enough but I occasionally carry relatively heavy things in the main pack compartment and I walk a long way to/from work.

Are MBPs durable enough to take this kinds of compression pressure (i.e. similar to if you were pressing down on the lid when it was closed)? I am guessing not and that it will likely damage the display. Does anyone know of relatively small/light but rigid sleeves that are made for this type of protection? All the hard cases I can see actually snap onto the computer, or they are sizable and expensive boxes the the Pelicans.

I have a 2009 MBP and used it constantly in my backpack. As a student I frequently have to pile on heavy textbooks in my bag and I have had no issues. I have the Booq Vyper case and find it to be overkill. I think you'll be just fine especially if your bag has a built in padded pocket unlike my bag.

I'm planning on getting a thin sleeve for my RMBP mainly to protect against scratches.

 

[Fatt]

I have a 2009 MBP and used it constantly in my backpack. As a student I frequently have to pile on heavy textbooks in my bag and I have had no issues. I have the Booq Vyper case and find it to be overkill. I think you'll be just fine especially if your bag has a built in padded pocket unlike my bag.

I'm planning on getting a thin sleeve for my RMBP mainly to protect against scratches.

Be warned though, the air and and the new rMBP seem to be more prone to developing pressure spots on the screen when enough pressure is applied to the screen. The new rMBP isn't going to do as well as your cMBP when dealing with compression.

 

[The Wire]

I like the idea of those cloth screen protectors, and would do a lot to prevent scratching of the glass. But I'm not sure it would do much to protect the screen from pressure spots developing from getting compressed in a backpack. This my biggest concern with having my rMBP in my backpack with a few textbooks. Really to protect the rMBP from getting damaged from pressure on the screen, one would need a hard sleeve or that brain cell sleeve someone posted for me earlier. I just ordered a north face surge, and I'm waiting for it to get here to make sure the vertical brain cell sleeve will fit in it, before ordering the brain cell sleeve. If your bag has room for it, seems to be the best vertical sleeve that offers the most protection.

http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/300/TB0390

I little too big for me, but love the company. I got the Cache for the rMBP and i think if you go the sleeve route, it's one of the best you could get. Great build quality, feels good in the hands, great fit, and has a good amount of padding to provide buffer while in the bag. Highly recommended if interested in sleeves.

http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/300/TB0350

 

[Fortimir]

They offer little impact protection. For that money I'll get the nice leather one ( PicasoLab's ) mentioned earlier on this thread.

Truth. The PicasoLab slips have that no-bend reinforced edge which definitely gives peace of mind.

 

[nles]

My retina is on the way. I don't quite get what you guys saying about the screen damage. So it bends and the screen is pressured on the keyboard? What kind of damage, so to prevent it we use a cloth between it? Radtech is cleaning cloth and razer kabuto is mousepad, buy one of them?

Anyone know any backpack that is suitable with suits and shirts, with that professional minimalistic look?

 

[HowEver]

I'm pretty sure the worry is pressure when the laptop is closed and not safely in a sleeve or compartment that prevents books or other objects from exerting external forces on it.

Why anyone would bike around with a laptop insecure that way inside a bag of books is beyond me.

My retina is on the way. I don't quite get what you guys saying about the screen damage. So it bends and the screen is pressured on the keyboard? What kind of damage, so to prevent it we use a cloth between it? Radtech is cleaning cloth and razer kabuto is mousepad, buy one of them?

Anyone know any backpack that is suitable with suits and shirts, with that professional minimalistic look?

 

[minnus]

My retina is on the way. I don't quite get what you guys saying about the screen damage. So it bends and the screen is pressured on the keyboard? What kind of damage, so to prevent it we use a cloth between it? Radtech is cleaning cloth and razer kabuto is mousepad, buy one of them?

Anyone know any backpack that is suitable with suits and shirts, with that professional minimalistic look?

Yes, the cloth provides cushioning between the screen and the rest of the laptop body. You can get either. I opted for the Razer Kabuto because it is thicker than the Radtech, and would offer more cushion.

The CitySlicker from Waterfield Designs is a minimalistic messenger bag with a "briefcase" option.

 

[HowEver]

So.. the Razer Kabuto isn't *too* thick then?

Also, does it cover enough area? It appears to be much smaller than the actual screen dimensions of the Retina?

Thanks.

Yes, the cloth provides cushioning between the screen and the rest of the laptop body. You can get either. I opted for the Razer Kabuto because it is thicker than the Radtech, and would offer more cushion.

The CitySlicker from Waterfield Designs is a minimalistic messenger bag with a "briefcase" option.

 

[minnus]

I'm pretty sure the worry is pressure when the laptop is closed and not safely in a sleeve or compartment that prevents books or other objects from exerting external forces on it.

The problem is that even in a sleeve and compartment, if the bag is packed tightly or if you lay down the bag with the laptop on the bottom - it presses against the sleeve/compartment and inevitably, the laptop lid. So unless you have an extremely rigid sleeve, it may not be enough protection. I think it depends on the person (if they are a heavy packer) and their usage.

My original MBA damage came from someone resting a tablet on top of the MBA lid. The tablet's weight of 1.3 ish pounds was enough to cause permanent damage.

----------

So.. the Razer Kabuto isn't *too* thick then?

Also, does it cover enough area? It appears to be much smaller than the actual screen dimensions of the Retina?

Thanks.

Not for the rMBP. I would say that it is pretty much perfect. For the 13" MBA, it fit, but in natural and relaxed position, it wouldn't be perfectly shut - a very slight gap.

Yes, it is smaller than the keyboard size, but it is definitely sufficient. I can take a picture later.