All hebdomad , I ’ve been talk about laptopsleeves — compact cases designed to hold just a laptop computer , for protection when carrying the laptop by itself or when amaze it inside a larger bag or a suitcase . On Monday , I wrote about a number of soft sleeve and strong shells that we had n’t antecedently had a chance to cover . Wednesday bring some rigid cases that offer telling protection . Today I give you the contingent on several leather and faux - leather coverings .
Like the rigid cases I handle on Wednesday , these cases add some bulk to your laptop ’s sleek fig , as well as some aegis against shock and impact ( although not as much as Wednesday ’s cases ) . But they also add an element of leather - ish style . ( Two leather cases I was n’t able to get to this week areCase - Mate ’s signature tune Leather SuitandUniea ’s U - Suit . I ’ll cover these two cracking - on covers in a succeeding pillar . )
iSkin Soho(for MacBook , $ 60 ; for 15 - inch MacBook Pro , $ 65 ): The Soho is similar in design to the form - accommodate soft sleeve I track on Monday , but with semi - strict panels on the top and bottom and inglorious imitation leather as its main material . In other words , it adds a bit more protective covering as well as some additional size of it , although not as much as I expected : the case itself is only 13.3 inches across-the-board by 9.6 inch deep and 1.75 column inch think , adding less than an inch to each of the MacBook ’s own dimensions .
The inside of the Soho is draw with a slightly - padded , velour - same material , and the MacBook simulation I tested fit a MacBook like a boxing glove — unlike with some of the rigid causa I cover earlier this week , the laptop does n’t slide around at heart . I also liked the Soho ’s zipper , which always zip up and unzipped smoothly .
The interior of the case include two elastic straps for attaching the top of the compositor’s case to your laptop ’s silver screen , so that the top of the lawsuit does n’t fall back when you open up your laptop . That , combined with a PR blurb on iSkin ’s Web site noting that the Soho “ makes a with child high temperature barrier when using your MacBook on your lap , ” mean that you could utilise your computer without removing it from the case . However , I do n’t recommend it , as the pillowcase stuff many of the external respiration opening on a MacBook or MacBook Pro . ( And , in fact , the very same Web site , along with a add-in that ships inside the case , monish that you should n’t utilise your computer “ for extended periods while in the fount ” to avoid overheating . ) I also found that these flexible strap prevented the MacBook lid from close enough to slumber . So you should plan on using the Soho as a standard carrying sleeve .
Five bootleg - faux - leather Soho styles are available , each with an alternative colouring ( pink , grey , ruddy , orange , or blue ) for the sleeve ’s sewing , zippers , and interior cloth . Overall , the design is attractive and the structure quality is excellent .
Crumpler School Hymn(for MacBook , $ 45 ; for 15 - inch MacBook Pro , $ 50 ; for 17 - inch MacBook Pro , $ 55 ): The School Hymn is very standardised in mental synthesis and coming into court to the Soho : simulated - leather on the exterior , inflexible top and bottom panels , and padded fabric on the inside . However , there are a few physical and aesthetic difference . In full term of appearance , the School Hymn is usable in a number of ( much brighter ) two - colour elan . In each style , one color covers most of the case ’s surfaces , with each corner getting patch of the secondary color . Unlike the Soho , the School Hymn ’s zipper is n’t colour - matched — it ’s shameful on every case — and does n’t operate quite as smoothly .
The other major difference between the two cases is how they fit . The School Hymn ’s three sizes are each made specifically for one of Apple ’s current laptops , but in my testing with the 15 - inch version , my MacBook Pro fit rather broadly . In fact , I was capable to go the MacBook Pro in Speck ’s SeeThru and still go it inside the School Hymn with a second of room to slide around .
One concern I had with the School Hymn is that in each nook , where the main piece of faux - leather is reduce off to hold the dissimilar - colour man of trim , the textile is rationalize in such a means that it looks as though it could tear over time . ( It did n’t in my examination , and there is some stitching there that should offer musical accompaniment , so perhaps I ’m being over - cautious . )
The School Hymn ’s big vantage over the Soho are its brighter gloss — if that ’s your preference — and its low-pitched price : $ 10 to $ 15 less than the Soho , depending on the size of it . So if price or color is your main concern , the School Hymn is the way to go . I in person prefer the Soho ’s design and better fit .
And for the laptop exploiter who has everything …
Vaja i - Volution Shell($359 without handgrip ; $ 389 with handles ; text edition personalization , $ 10 ; graphic personalization , $ 30 ): No , you ’re not misreading that — Vaja ’s i - Volution Shell casesstartat $ 359 , so they unquestionably are n’t for everyone . But if there ’s a honest “ interior designer recording label ” in laptop computer cases , it ’s Vaja . Each case is mitt - made to rank from high - end , full - grain Argentinian leather . You take from 10 body colors and 39 accent color ; choose text or graphic personalization , if desire ; and then submit your gild . Two to three weeks later , your custom case go far .
( If you read the “ Hot Stuff ” editorial in the September issue ofMacworld , the i - Volution Shell will look familiar ; it was included there , but with the eminent prices Vaja was charging—$392 and $ 464 — when that proceeds went to press . )
Vaja sent us a sample case , complete with aMacworldlogo tastefully lend oneself to the ID swatch on the interior . Although I would never personally pass this much on a laptop computer case , I have to admit that I was very impressed by the timber and aid to detail . The leather was supple with perfect coloring material , and the construction was unflawed — nary a stray or crooked ribbon . Even the zip were perfectly co-ordinated with the case ’s main colour ( although , as with many other rigid cases I ’ve tested , the zipper required some effort to close at times ) .
The inside of the example is made of shaped EVA that matches the casing ’s main color , with several cushiony patch embrace in perforated leather that matches the guinea pig ’s clipping color ; overall , the guinea pig offers very good blow protection , although , as with the two leather cases above , you ’ll still want to avoid sharp shock to the back of your laptop computer ’s projection screen . The case we receive fit my laptop — a 15 - inch MacBook Pro , although versions are also available for the 13 - inch MacBook and the 17 - inch MacBook Pro — dead and featured sturdy , color - play off leather handle for prosperous carrying .
The i - Volution Shell clearly is n’t for everyone . It ’s not even for many people . But there ’s no denying that it ’s one of the most attractive and well - made “ arm ” display case I ’ve seen . Whether it ’s worth one - third of the price of a sword - newfangled MacBook is up to you .
