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frankthetank966 · Aug 2, 2006, 09:17 PM

When I called Apple a few mintues ago the sales rep. recommended Brenthaven, STM and Tim Buck 2. Which of these do yall think would be the smartest buy for a mackbook? I saw this one on Apple and like it. http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...lm=TC238LL%2FA

k squared · Aug 2, 2006, 11:50 PM

That looks like a nice bag. I have a TimBuk2 small classic messenger paired with an Incase sleeve and the combo has been working well.

kaido · Aug 3, 2006, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by frankthetank966

When I called Apple a few mintues ago the sales rep. recommended Brenthaven, STM and Tim Buck 2. Which of these do yall think would be the smartest buy for a mackbook? I saw this one on Apple and like it. http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPL...lm=TC238LL%2FA

I have an STM Alley and like it. It's basically a sleeve with some pockets and a strap - it doesn't hold much more than the laptop but it does a good job. Available in black or green. There's a good photo review on the previous page (page 7) of this thread.

bilbo--baggins · Aug 3, 2006, 06:28 AM

I received my Booq Vyper XS2 5 minutes ago. My initial impression is that it's slightly less substantial than I expected, and most importantly the lip inside the zip doesn't seem deep enough to be sure it's protecting the macbook from the inner surface of the metal zip.

While I waited for the Vyper I've been using a Beez Classic 14" iBook case, and obviously it is a bit too big, but I've been really satisfied that it protects the macbook from the zip. I'm actually wondering whether to get the Macbook 13" version of the Beez case instead of using the Vyper.

weissinator · Aug 3, 2006, 05:06 PM

Originally Posted by bilbo--baggins

While I waited for the Vyper I've been using a Beez Classic 14" iBook case, and obviously it is a bit too big, but I've been really satisfied that it protects the macbook from the zip. I'm actually wondering whether to get the Macbook 13" version of the Beez case instead of using the Vyper.

I had been considering the Beez case too, especially with this new delay on the Rebound. But I haven't been able to find any US stores selling them. Anyone know if there are any?

frankthetank966 · Aug 3, 2006, 09:11 PM

Do they have a lot of cases at the Apple store?

frankthetank966 · Aug 3, 2006, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by kaido

I have an STM Alley and like it. It's basically a sleeve with some pockets and a strap - it doesn't hold much more than the laptop but it does a good job. Available in black or green. There's a good photo review on the previous page (page 7) of this thread.

How has it been working out? Do you wish you had bought something else?

gus2000 · Aug 3, 2006, 11:23 PM

I really wanted something like the STM Rebound or Shinza and have been disappointed with the delays from both of those companies. I decided to take a risk on the Rasfox (discussed previously around page 3 of the thread), and actually I am quite pleased.

It looks like they might have changed the sleeve while keeping the name. My fit is relatively snug, much more so than the pictures earlier in the thread. Just a little bit of wiggle room length and widthwise. The only size complaint is that the sleeve is a bit too thick, i.e. it would fit more tightly if the Macbook were about 1/4" thicker than it is. The polyurethane feels pretty much the same as in the rebound, maybe marginally softer. Sewing quality is decent, none of the staples or obviously bad seams mentioned earlier. Black with white piping looks sharp, and there is some pretty nice extra padding around the piping too. I would give it a B+ and will try to post some photos later. Also, the price is right: $20+$10 shipping.

Heebs · Aug 4, 2006, 07:46 AM

Just tossing in my reivew of the Crumple 13" backpack.

The removable sleeve is too tight on the corners in the bag, note that the corners have the least amount of padding of the whole sleeve so becareful! If they gave about another inch of room on either side that would make a much easier fit.

The bag has tons of pockets for all your bits and pieces.
It has a nice zipper cover so people cant access your bag without you knowing, it takes a quite a bit of manipulation to expose the zipper but not too much.
I am skeptical about whether the bag will fit a textbook with the macbook but I will keep testing it.

Its a very comfortable bag to be carrying all day, the straps are nicely padded and dont cut into your shoulders like other bags can.

All in all I dont know if it is worth the 130 bucks that Crumple wants for it. If the bag breaks in a little more and things have a looser fit then I think it'll be perfect.

kaido · Aug 4, 2006, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by frankthetank966

How has it been working out? Do you wish you had bought something else?

It's been working out very well. It's a quality bag. I have mixed feelings on whether I should have bought something else. I wish there was a messenger bag available in the same size/shape that could also hold a textbook and a notebook for school; I like having a small messenger bag but it's just not very useful for school stuff.

I used it at work yesterday (I telecommute so I only go in occasionally). It was easy to carry around the office, but it's kind of annoying have to undo both flaps to get to the laptop, plus the velcro was kind of loud for the environment. I guess it just depends on what you'll use it for. If you need to carry around a lot of stuff or work in a quiet environment like an office or library, it may not be the best bag. Otherwise it's great. I've decided to keep it.

frankthetank966 · Aug 5, 2006, 03:20 PM

Do you think th incase is any good?

uicandrew · Aug 6, 2006, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by frankthetank966

Do you think th incase is any good?

read the reviews on apple's website

frankthetank966 · Aug 6, 2006, 11:07 AM

Is there any other place to look other than Apple's website?

weissinator · Aug 6, 2006, 02:03 PM

Originally Posted by frankthetank966

Is there any other place to look other than Apple's website?

Not sure, but there seems to be a consensus that the fit isn't quite right and the design makes it so that the zipper scratches the computer walls.

uicandrew · Aug 6, 2006, 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by weissinator

Not sure, but there seems to be a consensus that the fit isn't quite right and the design makes it so that the zipper scratches the computer walls.

it depends on what model you look at. the model with no shoulder strap/handles has a tendency to scratch the sides.

the model with the shoulderstrap and the handles don't seem to have a complaint about the scratches.

frankthetank966 · Aug 7, 2006, 09:07 PM

So I guess I will buy the STM Alley

MisterX88 · Aug 7, 2006, 10:21 PM

I just received the STM Glove today. Took about a week and a half to ship from the US to Canada.

It fits the Macbook pretty snug and pretty much zero wiggle room. The zipper doesn't look like it will be contacting the laptop at all. I think this will do the job for me since I'll just slap it into another bag.

Dumb question but is there a small, simple case where I can just dump the power brick as well? I was thinking of some small neoprene camera case. Anybody else use something to hold the power supply or do you just dump it in the bag sans protection?

austincabot · Aug 10, 2006, 06:10 PM

Hey guys, just thought I'd give you the heads up that Marware just put up their Sportfolio sleeve and sportfolio deluxe case on their website. Looks pretty slick. I just got my vaio sleeve in the mail today too. Arg. Anybody want a vaio sleeve for a reduced price?

magic_glitter · Aug 12, 2006, 01:33 AM

Great thread, it's been really informative, thanks!!

I got my 13" Macbook a month ago, and I need a case before university so I don't scratch it to death on the way to the Library

I'm debating between a TIMBUK2 sleeve, size XS, or a Gyms Pacific 13" sleeve. I noticed that, to my knowledge, Gyms Pacific wasn't mentioned here. Any reason?

GP sleeve: http://store.gymspacificstore.com/computerbags.html

TB2 sleeve: http://www.timbuk2.com/tb2/retail/ca...?categoryId=35

Any thoughts, being mindful of my limited student budget?

frankthetank966 · Aug 12, 2006, 10:58 AM

Maybe because its feminine looking.. Naw just kidding. Most of the cases people talk about on this thread are sold on the Apple website.

jesrae · Aug 12, 2006, 08:15 PM

I just happened across the Gyms Pacific sleeves in a shop today actually. They only had the 12" and 15" ones in stock (and claimed the MacBook ones were backordered), but they looked like reasonably good sleeves and were really cute. The poppy one was a bit more rigid on the sides, though it has a little less padding than the other at the zipper. It was hard to tell without putting a computer in there, but it didn't seem like the zipper would scratch, though the Sukie one seemed a bit more protected in that sense. I couldn't tell how well the design would wear though, if the ink used would eventually wear off. Might want to search for reviews to see about that.