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Which laptop case to get?

jfsouza

jfsouza

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 18, 2006
65
0
Hi everyone! So I've been looking around for a case for my new MacBook Pro and I can't seem to decide which one I want. I'm a student at the University of Colorado at Boulder and I'd like something that's stylish, can protect my $2K investment and is relatively weatherproof as it rains and snows here.

Here's what I've been looking at so far:
Brenthaven Metro Deluxe
STM Cargo
Brenthaven Fusion MB

I can't seem to decide among those. The Metro is nice because it's a little slimer and more portable than the Fusion messanger, however unlike the STM the laptop compartment is fixed and dedicated so it can't be used as a regular messenger bag. That's the feature I liked about the STM, given its removable laptop sleeve and stylish design. I'm only worried that it's not quite as protective and well made as the Brenthaven. And the Fusion is just a little too bulky. I wish Brenthaven still carried the Fusion Flex which came out last year but its now discontinued and you can only find it for around 100 pounds on UK websites. What do you guys think? Metro or Cargo?
 
M

mak96795

macrumors newbie
Nov 2, 2006
5
0
Waimanalo, HI
waterproof protective

for commuting via bike i use
ortlieb's office 2 bag (very professional looking and waterproof)
they also have a hard shell case option

for additional protection, I got tom bihn's semi hard case when I throw it in my messenger bag
 
iBorg20181

iBorg20181

macrumors 6502
Apr 5, 2006
281
0
Minneapolis, MN
Brenthaven Metro Deluxe

I've used a Brenthaven case (from Apple) since purchasing my 1GHz TiBook 4 years ago, and it's held up very well, durable, protective, but the new MBP would be just a little too tight to squeeze in! Plus, my new baby deserves her own bag, so I have a Brentaven Metro Deluxe on order (should arrive on Monday or Tuesday). From what I've seen, it's the perfect combo for me - durable, attractive, separate compartment for the lappie, another for files/books, and a front zippered pouch for peripherals, adaptors, etc. And at $100, it's more reasonably priced than many competitors.

;)

iBorg
 
jfsouza

jfsouza

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 18, 2006
65
0
hmmm the Brenthaven does seem to be very well built - I just wish its sleeve was removable.
 
D

Dubba

macrumors regular
Oct 4, 2006
180
10
Nairobi, Kenya
I can't speak to the STM Cargo, but I can tell you about general STM build quality (I have an STM Sports 2), and it is excellent. That, and the STM bags don't look like they contain laptops (in the case of the Cargo, it looks like a regular messenger bag) would win it for me, especially as a lot of people knwo that Brenthaven bags are specially made for laptops. Just my $0.02 though...
 
e12a

e12a

macrumors 68000
Oct 28, 2006
1,881
0
I have the marware Sportfolio. I find it slim and easy to carry. I'm not sure about impact resistance (the other bags here except the brenhaven dont look to have any kind of protection), but its good against weather due to it being covered in neoprene. Neoprene gives it a soft squishy feel, but there are plastic inserts inside, and enhances the water resistance. The bottom is rubberized. Pockets big enough to carry my power brick a laptop mouse and my 5 subject notebook.

I like it slim and it can fit in my backpack. Comes with a shoulder strap that has a gel pad.
 
poppe

poppe

macrumors 68020
Apr 29, 2006
2,248
53
Woodland Hills
mak96795 said:
for commuting via bike i use
ortlieb's office 2 bag (very professional looking and waterproof)
they also have a hard shell case option

for additional protection, I got tom bihn's semi hard case when I throw it in my messenger bag
Click to expand...

Do you know of any links?

And does anyone know of any Sleeves that are hard and very protective? I was looking at the Axio Hard Sleeve, but wasn't sure how well it would protect the MBP?
 
poppe

poppe

macrumors 68020
Apr 29, 2006
2,248
53
Woodland Hills
hotboiled said:
i have one :)

the schell is hard plastic
the back is 420D Jacquard Nylon

http://www.axio-usa.com/downloads/urban.pdf
at the bottom right "Water Resistant Materials"

my 17mbp c2d will fit perfect :p:p
Click to expand...

Oh you guys and all your clicking of links and stuff I tell ya:cool:

Hmm well that sounds excellent. I ordered the brenthaven one but it isn't supposed to get to me till December 8 even though I ordered it on the 24 of october!! :eek: whats up with that?

Perhaps I should go straight out Axio. I like that Cycle pack... I'm just afraid the bags won't be big enoguh

I reall like the Axio Mortorcylce bags though as well. That'd be sweet!
 
M

mak96795

macrumors newbie
Nov 2, 2006
5
0
Waimanalo, HI
really waterproof

poppe said:
Oh you guys and all your clicking of links and stuff I tell ya:cool:

Hmm well that sounds excellent. I ordered the brenthaven one but it isn't supposed to get to me till December 8 even though I ordered it on the 24 of october!! :eek: whats up with that?

Perhaps I should go straight out Axio. I like that Cycle pack... I'm just afraid the bags won't be big enoguh

I reall like the Axio Mortorcylce bags though as well. That'd be sweet!
Click to expand...

The axio looks nice, likely stand up to light showers, but unless the zippers are protected like in tents, contents will get wet.
My TIMBUK2 has a thick plastic lining, no zippers. During a storm I road in the entire exterior was soaked, contents remained dry.
Ortlieb similar construction, will be bone dry during a downpour
I suspect you won't get caught out in a storm on a bike, don't worry about waterproof.
Kids at a nearby school are using the tombihn cases for their laptops. These are 5th graders, playing chase and running about the field before heading to class. I've been very impressed by the case's protective nature despite minimal design

http://ortlieb.com/_prod.php?lang=en&produkt=officebag
http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/300/TB0300
 
poppe

poppe

macrumors 68020
Apr 29, 2006
2,248
53
Woodland Hills
mak96795 said:
The axio looks nice, likely stand up to light showers, but unless the zippers are protected like in tents, contents will get wet.
My TIMBUK2 has a thick plastic lining, no zippers. During a storm I road in the entire exterior was soaked, contents remained dry.
Ortlieb similar construction, will be bone dry during a downpour
I suspect you won't get caught out in a storm on a bike, don't worry about waterproof.
Kids at a nearby school are using the tombihn cases for their laptops. These are 5th graders, playing chase and running about the field before heading to class. I've been very impressed by the case's protective nature despite minimal design

http://ortlieb.com/_prod.php?lang=en&produkt=officebag
http://www.tombihn.com/page/001/PROD/300/TB0300
Click to expand...

Oh I'm not to much worried about rain or anything like that. What most concerns me is heavy objects and far drops. I'll have a few heavy books in with my Laptop and I don't want them to be able to crush my MBP. And there are always those big oops accidents and I don't want my MBP to get caught in them, but if it does I want the MBP to be safe as possible. Thats Why I'm thinking hte Brenthaven back pack and the Axio Hard Sleeve. But I don't know how well the hard Sleeve is..
 
tjcampbell

tjcampbell

macrumors 6502a
Aug 14, 2006
826
0
Vancouver
Excellent backpack

I travel the world to an almost "Indiana Jones" extent. I recently bought a new MBP and along with it I picked up this bag. You can click the link to see the specs. I assure you it's an extremely safe place for your laptop and it's also discreet, sturdy and very comfortable. Plus there's plenty of cool pockets for other sensitive stuff.
Here's the link to it in the US apple store.
Incase Rip-Stop Backpack (Green/Tan/Black)
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore?productLearnMore=TH469LL%2FA
 
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