My Vatuka rMBP sleeve arrived yesterday (a full week ahead of schedule, I might add!) This sleeve is manufactured in Korea and as far as I know the only way to obtain one in other parts of the world is through the Vatuka eBay store. Cost was $50 after shipping (to Canada).
Here's a short list of pros and cons:
Pros (in no particular order):
-Clamshell design allows for the MBP to be used while in the sleeve
-Easy access to all ports and AC socket
-Very lightweight, high-density memory foam makes for a pliable yet very resilient shell exterior
-Soft fleece interior with raised lip to isolate from zipper.
-Snug, secure fit; just enough thickness to provide proper protection without compromising the sleekness of the rMBP form factor
-Solid construction with sturdy feeling YKK zipper
-Surprisingly nice looking!
-And the biggest surprise for me: the "3D mesh" on the base of the sleeve really does allow for superior airflow/cooling. The vents are completely unobstructed. I tested this out by playing a fairly demanding game for about 30 mins and the computer remained as cool as it does on my desk. No discernible difference in heatsink temps or fan speeds. That's very impressive--and reassuring.
Cons:
-Upper retaining loops cover tiny portions of the display's upper corners
-Very average corner protection
-No extra pockets or compartments
-$50 still strikes me as somewhat pricey for a sleeve constructed from "man-made" materials
Overall:
This is a really, really nice sleeve. The outer material has a much nicer feel and look than neoprene, and super dense memory foam instills confidence in its ability to protect my MBP from significant bumps, while maintaining a relatively sleek profile.
For me, what really sells this case is the amount of consideration that went into ensuring proper ventilation and accessibility to the MBP's ports while it's on. As a musician, I often find myself having to put my MBP down on less-than-ideal surfaces, and so the ability to use it without compromise while in its sleeve is a major plus. In this light you can think of it as a sleeve that possesses some of the functionality of a Speck-style hard shell case. It's obviously not as sleek as a shell, but it provides better protection for travel, and much of the same functionality otherwise. And it hides the Apple logo when it's on, providing at least a modicum of anonymity to your $3000 thief-magnet.
This is an ideal sleeve for people who like to use their MBP 'naked' while at home or at the office, but who often find themselves in other situations requiring a little extra protection.
I really dig it, and hereby award the Vatuka rMBP sleeve my official johnnylarue Seal of Approval®.
PS: Apologies for the half-assed pics. Couldn't be bothered to drag out the dSLR this morning.
