[Review] PDAir Black Leather Book-Type Case for 11" Macbook Air [6 images]

[MikePA]

I've been looking for a portfolio case, so thanks for sharing. I look forward to your post trip report. I visit the site and got a chuckle out of the translated description.

Opens and closes with magnetic,for ease of use.
White stitch finishing,making this case look more beautiful.

 

[alawaihacker]

I got the same case for my 13". The reason why I wanted a folio type case instead of a sleeve is because when I'm around the house, I use my Air several times a day and I dont want the inconvenience of taking it out and putting it back in the sleeve after every use. Why not just leave it uncovered and unprotected while in the house you say?...Well this is my second new air, the first one-it had a wrapsol protective skin- my 8 year old accidentally knocked it off my desk and ended up denting the back when it landed. I'm very picky when it comes to my computers so the dent had me so annoyed that I had to ebay it and ended up taking a $150 loss. This case should protect it from such misfortunes.

I got this case from Ebay for $96 shipped. I bought a folio case for my ipad from the same manufacturer, PDair so I knew that the quality would be top notch. The leather and stitching is top quality.

 

[Over Achiever]

2 Week Update

Okay, so I kinda forgot to write a followup post following my trip. How has it held up in the past two weeks? I have so scuffs on the leather case, the laptop has flown off the passenger seat while braking suddenly, and has been thrown in a backpack for all my travels. It's been on a couple cross country flights, many long drives, and a few day-long interviews.

MBA has no scratches, scuffs, or dents as far as I can tell.

---

Aesthetics-wise, I carried the MBA with me during interviews, just in case I had to quickly type notes or look something up online. Most of the time, the MBA wasn't even noticed until used, which was perfect. Got a few "handsome case" comments from fellow travelers. I did have a couple comments upon about my "iPad" which quickly became "ooh. iPad with a keyboard". Does it's job of not advertising "carrying expensive laptop."

Protection-wise, it does well to prevent nicks and scratches. However I do worry about dents in the front corners, sides, and the back due to the design of the case, but I haven't had any problems so far. The black leather covered palm-rest, which I know doesn't look right to many people, works well to prevent scratches in that area (which I had in my previous PBG4). I'm used to the keyboard and trackpad in relation to the case now.

Design-wise, I do wish it was thinner and sleeker, without the white stitching, less exposed areas. Make the palmrest cover thinner at least. Maybe more rigidity/padding in the corners that are prone to denting. I haven't had much issue with heat trapping due to the case, watched a few Netflix movies in bed without feeling any excessive heat (or fan noise).

Overall, I like the case, but do I feel it's worth more in the $50-70 range. It does what you expect it to do.

 

[PirateP]

I'm glad it worked so well for you. It doesn't look so hot, but if it is functional for you, then that's great.

 

[bdeitemeyer]

Hmm...does the case take away the lightness of the MBA dramatically? I know the plastic cases I tried before weighed down the MBA too much for my liking.

 

[epoche]

Thanks

Over Achiever,

Thanks for the tip. Have spent many hours researching sleeves, cases for 13" Air Ultimate. Like the cover I have for iPad:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003K0E6BG/ref=oss_product

Like the protection factor and ability to use side ports and not have to remove when is use or not.

Like the PDAir for the same reasons. Don't perceive case as ugly.

Purchased through Amazon. Said I'd not see it until end of year or early next.

My Air arrived today. Have installed PS3 and 4 visa ve DVD sharing with Mac Pro.

Love the form factor of new Air. Sold my MacBook Pro 15" for Air.

 

[bella92108]

Finally, my leather book case from PDAir arrived in the mail.
http://www.pdair.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=31657

First impression: A nice leather case that allows you to carry around your MBA discretely as a portfolio.

For $99, it delivers what I expected, a leather case that disguises as a book, with a leather wrist pad. The fit as described above by another user is tight but not overly so. The white stitching is subdued. The leather has a stiff shape and provides some padding to the bottom and the top of the case while closed, but does not provide much side protection. The inside of the top lid contains four business card/credit card slots. The case folds shut with a magnetic latch.

Things that bother me a bit: The leather cut out fits the touchpad very closely, but clicking the touchpad takes a little adjusting. Also the leather is not particularly thin on the wrist rest, which affects when I hit the lower keys a bit, especially the arrow keys. However the laptop does close appropriately and goes to sleep when the lid is closed. Also, when closed with the buckle up like a book, the laptop is actually sitting upside down.

I am currently using the laptop for the past hour developing photos, uploading, and the temperature and fan has not increased excessively so. The case itself does not feel like it traps heat excessively.

Let me know if you have any questions!
OA

$99 would have been better spent on 256gb of storage rather than the model with 128gb you own. With that said, I like the leather look, but way overpriced. Ideally would like a leather slip-in sleeve, because I agree with others, wrapping it up in a case to be used in somewhat negates the point of having a small laptop.

 

[Over Achiever]

Hmm...does the case take away the lightness of the MBA dramatically? I know the plastic cases I tried before weighed down the MBA too much for my liking.

I feel like it does take away from the lightness of the MBA a bit. Definitely feels different with and without the case.

 

[HoosierInFL]

I have this case. I like it quite a bit, but I don't think it's worth the $99 asking price.

The main thing I like about it is that people can't tell it's a laptop unless they look closely. Helps potential itchy fingers from stealing it. If they don't know you have it, they can't steal it.

I saw this on ebay and it was priced at $69. I immediately hit the Buy button, only to then see that shipping was $30! I didn't complete the purchase and then ordered it directly from PDAir.

Biggest thing I don't like is the two slots for business cards. When closed, they leave impressions on the Air's lid that I have to keep rubbing off.

 

[Over Achiever]

Completely agree it's overpriced. I haven't had problems with the card slot marks, but I don't think they're really necessary either.

 

[six4seven]

Weight

No problem, I'm not sure how much I'll like this case or if it's worth the $99 right now. Heat doesn't seem like a problem so far (I ripped a bunch of CDs for the plane ride)

Great review.

How heavy is the case? Does it add substantial weight to the MBA?

THanks!

 

[hsl]

wow,.. that's ugly, and fake leather for that money? no thanks!

 

[The Samurai]

Video Review

Here it is - been using it for the past few weeks on my 13" MBA and its great. Could do with some more pockets in the next revision (i.e. spaces for SD cards, documents etc) - would be the ultimate business go-to case.

 

[Psilocybin]

That thing is ugly
No offense op

 

[Over Achiever]

Great review.

How heavy is the case? Does it add substantial weight to the MBA?

THanks!

I'm not sure about the actual weight of the case, but it does add a noticeable heft to the macbook air.

I think there are other solutions out there now.

 

[El Burro]

What a waste of money.

 

[Jman14]

Hate to agree with everyone...But I couldn't justify $99 for that.. Or any case really.

 

[3goldens]

simply terrible.