The Case-Mate Signature Suit swaths your MacBook Pro in the finest Corinthian leather. OK, we don’t really know if the leather’s from Corinth (probably not), but Case-Mate chose soft, supple, genuine leather that feels like a luxurious but comfy pair of driving mocs. The molded case attaches to your ’Book effortlessly, using clear plastic straps on the top, over the screen, leaving all the ports, the Apple logo, and space on the bottom for air circulation uncovered. Only two downsides: You can’t plug in a DVI cable for an external monitor while this case is on, and it’s quite pricey.

 

SIGNATURE SUIT

COMPANY: Case-Mate

CONTACT: www.case-mate.com

PRICE: $159.99

SPECIFICATIONS: fits a 15" MacBook Pro only (other sizes available)

Gorgeous, supple leather. Laptop snaps in and out easily. Key ports left accessible. Also available in black, green, and white.

Pricey. Case is just a couple millimeters too close to the DVI port, making it impossible to use an external monitor when case is on.

 

 

 

If you’d prefer something more affordable that doesn’t use actual animal hide, the iSkin SOHO could be the solution. It’s got a pebbled texture and reverse stitching that comes in a variety of colors. Otherwise, its design is nearly identical to the Crumpler case below.

 

SOHO

COMPANY: iSkin

CONTACT: www.iskin.com

PRICE: $64.99

SPECIFICATIONS: fits a 15" MacBook Pro (SOHO for 13" MacBook is available for $59.99)

Reverse stitching in a variety of colors adds a touch of style to an otherwise fairly standard laptop case.

Pricey compared to other vinyl cases. Does not vent heat when ’Book is used inside the case.

 

 

 

Crumpler’s MacBook Pro School Hymn 15" zips closed on three sides, protecting your laptop in a case that you won’t be embarrassed to show off at school or the office. The case is obviously made from leather-look vinyl, but that’s not such a bad thing, especially if you hang out with members of PETA. It’s on the bulky side, though, considering that you can’t store anything but your ’Book inside. You can work on your laptop with the case lid open, but only in short stints; the ’Book heats up on the bottom and there’s no way to vent it.

 

MACBOOK PRO SCHOOL HYMN 15"

COMPANY: Crumpler

CONTACT: www.crumplerbags.com

PRICE: $50

SPECIFICATIONS: fits a 15" MacBook Pro (other sizes available)

Smart styling without harming any animals. Easy to zip and unzip. Also available in black, green, and blue.

Faux leather a bit cheap-looking. No way to vent a MacBook Pro.

 

 

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You don’t need a sleeve for your ’Book - and many bags make using a sleeve totally unnecessary. But for those bags that have extra room in the laptop compartment, or don’t offer enough padding, a sleeve is the answer. And if you just want a way to shield your MacBook or MacBook Pro from the atmosphere on quick walks between home and, say, Starbucks, a sleeve can offer that too.

 

For our money, cushier is better when it comes to sleeves. Which is why we fell for Built’s 15" Laptop Sleeve. It’s made of thick neoprene and sports a durable, easily maneuverable double zipper on one of the short ends. The top-loading design makes it perfect as a go-with for a vertically oriented messenger bag, or any backpack. Equally well padded and easy to get into and even more affordable at $24.95 is the Case Logic Reversible Laptop Shuttle, which ditches the zipper and instead uses a pillowcase-style fold-over closure.

 

The be.ez LArobe Color pads your laptop in a less squishy material - the company describes it as low-resilience polyurethane. The oddly entertaining thing about it is that when you press it with a finger, it holds the shape for about 10 minutes, eventually popping back out as if nothing had ever touched it.

 

Huzzk’s Sleevie is made from a rubberized material that’ll make any gearhead or street-style maven jealous. Available in a variety of patterns, colors, and textures for 13-inch MacBooks and 15-inch MacBook Pros, the Sleevie is a bit heavier than most sleeves - but it’s also heavy on individual style. For a more sophisticated yet totally mod look, consider toffee’s Leather Sleeve. It encases your laptop in soft, supple leather with reverse-stitching detail. The durable but delicate-looking zipper doesn’t go around full three sides like the Sleevie’s does, but it makes loading from a briefcase or messenger bag a cinch.

 

In the lower price range, you’ve got two solid options. Marware’s Sportfolio Sleeve has the same wetsuit-like appearance as Marware’s shoulder bag, and fits your ’Book snugly. Finally, for an ultra-lightweight option, check out Case-Mate Glovez.

 

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1. 14" - 15" REVERSIBLE SHUTTLE

COMPANY: Case Logic

CONTACT: www.caselogic.com

PRICE: $24.99

SPECIFICATIONS: fits 15" MacBook Pro

Reversible. No zipper or Velcro means you can access your laptop in total silence. Thick padding. Also available in brown, dark blue, light blue, pink, and green.

Not as snug a fit as some sleeves (but Case Logic will have a Shuttle for the MacBook Pro available when you read this).

 

 

2. GLOVEZ

COMPANY: Case-Mate

CONTACT: www.case-mate.com

PRICE: $24.99

SPECIFICATIONS: fits 15" MacBook Pro

Very lightweight. Also available in metallic silver, red, and brown.

Velcro closure is very loud when opening and closing. Fit is almost too tight around MacBook Pro.

 

 

3. SLEEVIE

COMPANY: Huzzk

CONTACT: www.huzzk.com

PRICE: $57

SPECIFICATIONS: fits 13" MacBook (available for up to 15" MacBook Pros)

Cool rubberized exterior with unique designs and color options. Zipper opens sleeve on three sides, for top or side loading.

Heavier than neoprene or leather sleeves. Expensive.

 

 

4. LEATHER SLEEVE

COMPANY: toffee

CONTACT: www.toffee.com.au

PRICE: $82.95

SPECIFICATIONS: fits 15" MacBook Pro

Sophisticated but unfussy styling. Gorgeous, soft leather. Satin lining makes it easy to slip laptop in and out. Also available in black, tan, brown, red, and pink.

Expensive compared to neoprene sleeves.

 

 

5. 15" LAPTOP SLEEVE

COMPANY: Built

CONTACT: www.builtny.com

PRICE: $37.99 patterned or $34.99 solid

SPECIFICATIONS: fits 15" MacBook Pro

Thick neoprene offers excellent padding and a snug fit. Top-loading style works well with vertical shoulder.

A bit pricey.

 

 

6. SPORTFOLIO

COMPANY:Marware

CONTACT: www.marware.com

PRICE: $29.95

SPECIFICATIONS: fits 13" MacBook

Snug fit. Good amount of padding. External pocket is a nice place to stash notes or business cards.

Scuba-themed styling isn’t for everyone. Priced a bit high for the size.

 

 

7. LAROBE COLOR

COMPANY: be.ez

CONTACT: www.be-ez.com

PRICE: $29.99

SPECIFICATIONS: fits 15" MacBook Pro

Amuse yourself by creating fingerprint art in its squishy sides. Also available in pink and green.

Gets temporarily “dented” when stacked under or leaned against other objects. Padding a bit thin.