SweetMacTips

What case should I get for my MacBook?

Frequently asked, seldom answered sufficiently.

The first tip that I can give with this is to make sure you get something with lots of pockets and compartments.  Those sleeves that protect your Mac are great, but seldom do they have enough (or neigh, any) pockets for all the doo-dads that are common with a portable computer.

Second, make sure your case is made for your computer.  In the event of a drop or fall, your case isn’t going to give your Mac a chance at a no-damage fall if it’s not made specifically for your sized computer.  So, if you have a 15” MacBook Pro, get a case specifically made for a 15” MacBook Pro, not a 15” computer. There are differences!

Ok, so let’s get to options… There’s 3 big classes of cases.

• First, the shoulder-strap based one, also called a “Messenger bag.”  They’re nice because they generally hug your body and can hold a good deal of stuff.  The drawback is that if you typically load it up, it can give strain on your shoulder. If you’ve got back or shoulder issues, you may want to look elsewhere.
• Next you’ve got the backpack. Backpacks are great. They also distribute the weight of the load across both shoulders. If you get a backpack, look for straps with good padding. Backpacks will often fit more goodies than a messenger bag.
• Lastly, there are roller-bags. They almost look like luggage. If you’ve got back or shoulder problems, this is your best bet. Also, if you’re the ever-on-the-go road warrior, you may want to consider this too. Hours and hours with a heavy bag on your shoulder(s) can lead to back and shoulder issues. So why not prevent it? As far as capacity goes, they’re about on par with messenger bags.

Brands?  There’s loads of them.  Three in particular that I like are Brenthaven, InCase and Swiss Gear. Brenthaven has a bit of a name/price premium but they honestly are quality quality bags. I have a messenger bag that I got for a 17” PowerBook G4 years ago and it still looks brand new. Swiss Gear I think is a great value for the money. Well designed backpacks have great padding on the straps and a “spring” to them to take the bounce of a heavy bag while walking.  Both my wife and I have one and love them.  InCase makes some cool, quirky cases if that’s your style.

You certainly don’t need to stick to those three brands, but things to look for are big, chunky zippers that won’t go pulling apart under strain, double stitching on seams and a reinforced area where your Mac will live while in the bag. Bottoms that have extra-reinforcement that will distribute shock if dropped are a key feature too (mostly prevalent on backpacks).

Also, don’t go cheap! You spent a lot on that shiny new Mac, protect it!