Reccomend a good Macbook Pro sleeve?

July 16, 2006 12:59 AM

I'm looking for an inexpensive protective sleeve for a 15" Macbook Pro, with a handle. It will be slipped inside a backpack. Any recommendations? Challenge: Can't be ugly.
posted by floam to shopping (16 comments total)

Waterfield
posted by radioamy at 1:01 AM on July 16, 2006

Booq Bags Vyper M2
posted by nathan_teske at 1:18 AM on July 16, 2006

I love my Timbuk2 laptop sleeve. It's a tiny bit bulky, but it does fit into a bag nicely, and it has a handle as well. It's not ugly, and it comes in several fun colors.

They're around $30 new, I think - but I picked mine up used on eBay for around $20.
posted by rossination at 1:37 AM on July 16, 2006

I second the recommendation for the Vyper M2. Even without a handle, I haven't found anything else for Apple laptops that matches it in terms of style, fit, and finish.
posted by antiform at 1:46 AM on July 16, 2006

Look into Tom Bihn's stuff.
posted by evariste at 1:50 AM on July 16, 2006

RadTech has some stuff like the Sleev or NeoCase. There are some others styles in between those two.

Or this Horizontal Boot from Spire.
posted by nibaq at 2:00 AM on July 16, 2006

Acme Made's "The Slim" solid colors and designer prints are my favorite, design-wise, but are pricey. $80-$175

Victorinox makes a great basic sleeve with handles: Slimline. Comes in silver and pistachio (and black). $45

Tom Bihn makes the Monolith. Vertical-loading nylon sleeves with handles in several solid colors. $45

The following are very stylish, but don't have handles.

Kate's Paperie makes sleeves with funky prints. $40

Fabrix Laptop Cases come in a wide variety of funky/classic/sophisticated prints and colors, is available in horizontal- or top-loading, and is very affordable (the prices are $17-$20, not currently listed since they're sold out until next week).

Very cute poppy pattern neoprene sleeve at Uncommon Goods. $34
posted by saffron at 4:39 AM on July 16, 2006

I was just about to ask this same question --- great thread.
posted by about_time at 7:41 AM on July 16, 2006

I had a Tom Bihn sleeve that had the infamous label for my PowerBook. My MacBook is just a little wider so it is a very snug fit. I'd imagine Tom Bihn has updated its line for the 15.4" notebooks. Sounds like exactly what you are looking for.

For my MacBook I went with Booq for a bag with a small pouch for the power adapter.
posted by birdherder at 8:02 AM on July 16, 2006

I triple (Quadruple?) the Tom Bihn suggestion. I've never been so pleased with a container before.
posted by GilloD at 8:34 AM on July 16, 2006

I carry my PowerBook inside a WaterField SleeveCase, inside a Filson. Both recommended.
posted by cribcage at 9:30 AM on July 16, 2006

inCase laptop sleeve? (if the link doesn't work, search for "incase macbook sleeve".) handle, optional strap, padding, few small pockets.
posted by mrg at 11:36 AM on July 16, 2006

I third the WaterField sleeve (side-loading, if-you-please!). I reckon it cost me about $40, so you could likely do cheaper, but it's fantastic.
posted by thejoshu at 12:23 PM on July 16, 2006

mrg-I had the neoprene inCase sleeve (I bought it along with the MBP at the Apple Store) and I hated it. It wasn't very protective.

floam: get a Monolith from Tom Bihn to slip in your backpack. IIRC either $45 or $50, worth its weight in gold.
posted by evariste at 12:28 PM on July 16, 2006

I bought a cheap Marware case from the apple store for my 14.1" Thinkpad, and it works very, very well. I think it ran me $24 or so. Looks fine (all balack, leather/fake leather bottom/sides, cloth body). Plenty of padding. Fits into my messenger bag.
posted by devilsbrigade at 2:32 PM on July 16, 2006

I use the Victorinox sleeve (~$30). Just add a strap from anywhere or you can slip into a backpack easily.
posted by like_neon at 9:43 AM on July 17, 2006