sleeve vs hard case

[mikefly]

heya... advice on a goofy question..

$13 neoprene sleeve from MEC (like REI) or $50 harder case from Crumpler..

How much better will the hard case protect the macbook against tumbles?

And why is a sleeve $40 from apple and $13 from a camping store?

Mike

 

[ChrisA]

Depends on what you are trying to protect the computer from. A Pelican case will protect the computer if it falls off a truck, gets run over and knocked into the ocean. Fish it out and it will be fine. Trouble is the case weighs 3X more than the computer and costs $120. On the other hand if you intend to hand carry the computer and never let a porter toss it in the back of an open bed truck a light sleeve may be enough. If you intend to put the computer in an airplane overhead and can reasonably expect someone else to place a bag on top of the computer a sturdy case might help.

Depends on your usage what you need.

Why does Apple sell a neoprene sleeve for $40? Simple. Because they can.

 

[mikefly]

hmm

thanks..

I don't need something 18-wheeler proof..

but if when I travel with the MB, it will likely involve tossing my bag to the ground at least a couple times (and go DOH! each time)..

my ARC'TERYX bag (the mac of the backpack world - GO CANADA) is reasonably padded, but not at all made for a laptop..

enh.

And the $ question was fairly rhetorical. But a good answer nonetheless.

Mike

 

[xtopher]

you could always go with a laptop backpack they have really good padding and they hold a bunch of other junk to

 

[mikefly]

backpack

checked into that.. oddly enough they're more expensive than sleeves..

And I'm a cheap bastard.

Mike

 

[M@lew]

Are you going for the Crumpler school hymn? I have and it seems to be ok, except it makes what you have to carry thicker. (Obviously) I may invest in a sleeve when I can't take the bulkiness of it, but apart from that, it's pretty good protection. Also you can use your Macbook without taking it out, which is very convenient for fast access.

 

[RedSponge]

Gravis bags such as the A-Frame or the Staple have a half-zipped laptop bit at the back which has a neoprene support that suspends the laptop from the bottom of the bag, thus avoiding direct impact with the ground.

I have the Staple and have used it with my Macbook before some chap stole it, and it worked great. I can't be certain whether a 15.4" Macbook Pro would fit inside, as the Macbook was fairly snug.

 

[JPP]

axio hardsleeve

(I am an axio hardsleeve evangelist it seems...)

 

[RubenJ]

but if when I travel with the MB, it will likely involve tossing my bag to the ground at least a couple times (and go DOH! each time)..

my ARC'TERYX bag (the mac of the backpack world - GO CANADA) is reasonably padded, but not at all made for a laptop..

At school, I carry around my laptop in my normal (unpadded) Jansport backpack wrapped in an Incase sleeve. On occasion i also drop my bag on the ground without thinking twice (and have the same reaction as you). To my surprise my notebook is in great shape.

 

[mikefly]

thanks

thanks for all the input.. odds are I'll cheap out -- $13 seems like a reasonable amount to me to spend.. I'm not that keen on dropping $50-$150 on a bulky protection that may or may not be better..

Hardsleeve looks cool, but $100 for a sleeve seems beyond my simple non-profit world.

Mike

 

[merc669]

thanks for all the input.. odds are I'll cheap out -- $13 seems like a reasonable amount to me to spend.. I'm not that keen on dropping $50-$150 on a bulky protection that may or may not be better..

Hardsleeve looks cool, but $100 for a sleeve seems beyond my simple non-profit world.

Mike

I guess you got extra bucks stashed around to afford a replacement MacBook....Me I use a sleeve ($20) and a Backpack with some extra foam < $50 in Hawaii and I have no problem putting it in the overhead compartment or throwing it on my hotel bed. Cheap is Cheap but spending less than a 100 on a little protection is cheaper than replacing that MacBook!!

Bill.....

 

[mikefly]

cheap

so.. here we're getting to the reason for my post..

the sleeve i picked up is nice and cushy.. my question was if a hard sleeve (i.e. the school hymn spoken of earlier) would be much better.

the consensus seemed to be short of going ridiculous (18 wheeler proof / $100 sleeve) .. a hard case or sleeve was not that different, and that weight/size wise the sleeve was better...

Mike
and no.. I don't want to buy a new computer -- if this one breaks, I'll prolly return to being computer free.

 

[merc669]

so.. here we're getting to the reason for my post..

the sleeve i picked up is nice and cushy.. my question was if a hard sleeve (i.e. the school hymn spoken of earlier) would be much better.

The sleeve I got is pretty cushy and I would carry it from room to room or office to office. However on a Campus or in my case travel I came across a cheap back-pack (actually I was looking more expensive and saleman talked me into a cheaaper bag with a spot for my MBP) for less than 50. Its lite and serves as a second barrier. I do not think you need to go the 18 wheeler case. I would use the sleeve for around the local area but going anywhere more than that add a backpack or something similier. Just my opinion...

Bill......

 

[sunfast]

I use a Be.EZ La Robe for my MacBook and I have no complaints at all. Was good value too.

 

[butaro]

Im using a Sleeve, mostly because i just need something to keep the dust off it and some padding for my school bag if i bring it far distances

 

[GnrlyMrly]

I purchased the Incase at the apple store. $30. I just toss my macbook in my backback along with usually 2 other books and a notebook and go. Seems to be protecting it very well. Plus it looks pretty cool.

 

[jimytheassassin]

checked into that.. oddly enough they're more expensive than sleeves..

And I'm a cheap bastard.

Mike

You could always make a custom case out of spare cardboard and duct tape.. just kidding.. don't For casual walking a sleeve should be fine. See if it has a Microfiber inside vs the Apple version if you can. Those save on surface scrathes. Personally I'm looking for something robust cause I ride the subway with multiple bump hazards..

 

[phil83]

Take a look at Applesac

http://www.applesac.com

For 29bucks these sleeves are priced pretty cheap for what you get and It also has alot of style. I orderd one on monday should be here tommarow!

 

[mikefly]

Ha!

You could always make a custom case out of spare cardboard and duct tape.. just kidding.. don't

You laugh, but this is pretty much my plan -- it's what I did with my digicam and nano.. stylin! -- plus, no one figures it's worth stealing.

The only real issue is going out and buying a microfibre towel to wrap it in -- it's pretty much impossible to clean once you've duct taped it.

Must say though -- the applesac is the nicest sleeve I've seen around. At that point though, a strap would be nice.

Mike

 

[kill-your-tv]

http://www.tombihn.com ..... The Brain cell is semi-rigid.

 

[kill-your-tv]

axio hardsleeve

(I am an axio hardsleeve evangelist it seems...)

How is that working out for you? Kind of intrested in those.

 

[iQuit]

I recommend.

The Speck Hardcase, I bought it at the Macworld Expo and love it. I think it will be just what you need. I have the clear one.