Two approaches to the MacBook Air 13 "Physical Protection: leather envelope and tech lining - which is better?

Why protect a laptop, and especially aluminum MacBook Air, Which is already difficult to damage with careful operation? There can be several. For example, in my case, when I often have to carry a laptop with you - it is banal protection from accidental bumps and scratches. In addition, the device used to work, placing it on your lap and is awkward to put it, for example, in bare feet, without any supports. And love, in principle, when the favorite thing is preserved in its original form, and do not quite understand people with a slapdash attitude to their gadgets, and even promote such an attitude. Like, a real "Jedi" (boy, man, and so on. N., Underline) piece of metal does not regret, he enjoys it, throws on the table, drops and so on. D. Why fuss over the device, it is necessary to him to use, so much so that in the tail and mane! Well, then, this approach also has the right to exist - after all this is a private matter. Who knows, as a "toy" went. Perhaps it gave (easy come, easy go), or the income is high enough that you can not strain about their things and change them at least several times a year. Or just a life principle. But I personally used to take care of their things, and this article will tell you about the experience of using a pair of very interesting cases for 13-inch MacBook Air, the analogues of which exist for the 11.6-inch model. Of different form factors, different materials, different feeling from the use - interesting? Then proceed to the next paragraph.

Simple envelope of solid skin when we first met was not impressed

Remember advertising the original MacBook Air, when he was removed from the envelope? If not, I suggest to look at it a certain degree of genius in its simplicity creation:

In fact, this movie has spawned a new type of covers for notebooks - envelopes. Only they are not made out of paper, and in most cases made of leather. Frankly, at first did not really understand the usability of the solution, giving all sorts of preferences neoprene Pancho shut. When the first person has felt cool leather envelope, too, was not thrilled. The notebook comes in very tight, literally have to force him to push the envelope, and then another, and try to somehow close the magnetic clasp, which does not want to get into the groove.

Getting it happened back in 2010 when I got my first MacBook Air, 11,6-inch model. For a long time I enjoyed a simple neoprene punch, then a kind of leather transformer, but a few months in the hands of the newly ranked leather envelope from the company Dublon Leatherworks, and the opportunity to actively its experience. The test was successful, so successful that by going to the 13.3-inch Air, I first bought a laptop the same envelope from the same company, model Classic Black.

Nuances "conversion» MacBook Air

All kinds of leather envelopes for Apple laptops and other portable technology companies there is great variety, but in my case it was easier to give preference national producer (Dublon Leatherworks - Ukrainian company with headquarters in Kiev) due to the availability of accessories and a good quality, at least in my humble opinion. Another Dublon products are distributed under the brand name Pro Cases. In their accessories, the company uses natural materials, and this applies not only to the skin, but also to the fabric, if such is present. Within the same envelope is always suede. I liked this approach. Actually, that's one of the heroes of the review:

Simple envelope of thick and strong skin. He carefully stitched, high quality made, it smells like leather, not dye, some premium accessories from other manufacturers (Yoobao, sometimes SGP).

I can not say that it is such a super-compact and increasing the size of the laptop. Then, as time is not all sunshine and can be among the alternatives to find something a little more subtle. But Case is quite tough and well protects the notebook from accidental drops and bumps. Even if the machine fall down at an angle shot it will be softened by the envelope, since the laptop to inside the accessory there is a small distance covered by a pair of sheets of thick leather.

Inside, as I mentioned above, the envelope is laid very soft suede. For months, she did not use scratched laptop, and indeed not very ragged. Closed envelope with a magnetic clasp and there is a point. Clasp quality and keeps tight cover itself does not open, but at the beginning of operation of the accessory can be difficult.

In particular, 5-10 days of my envelopes, whether on a 11.6-inch laptop or a 13-ke, break in. Initially, the device enters into the hard cover. I note that it is embedded fine line down. Naturally, and fasten too is far from the first time. But after a week or so, everything fell into place, I adjust to the magnetic clasp and accessories used for pleasure.

Also I found that for me this envelope is useful as a stand on your knees when you sit with a laptop on the couch, having thrown his feet on the chair standing near. MacBook Air does not slide and the cover is hard enough for such a role. In general, convenient, albeit expensive stuff. Its estimated cost is $ 120.

But, even the most comfortable things, sooner or later get bored, you want something new. For example, in the case of an envelope fed up with it back and forth to push the laptop. Sometimes, it is necessary to quickly close the laptop, throw in your bag and run away on business, but had to push it in an envelope and then just leave. Trifle, of course, but in fact our whole life consists of little things.

As a result, we began to look for alternatives. Long I heard about the plastic lining, which put on the top and bottom of the notebook and even these have seen and experienced on a MacBook Pro, but mainly across the opaque options that turn aluminum handsome in some semblance of plastic Windows-ghosts. And suddenly I got my hands on the accessory from the company Tunewear, Eggshell ( «shell" translated from English) is called - a transparent, delicate and cool to the touch. We turn to the second part of the review!

Plastic shells for "Air"

Packing cover - it's certainly not a very important thing, which is usually just goes in the trash, but do not pay attention to those of Eggshell I just can not. I have not seen that have the product was so powerful and thoughtfully packed. Although a thing is not cheap ($ 50 at the official website), and can be packed carefully.

Case supplied in a plastic box of a material as in Pet-bottles. Cut a couple of round transparent stickers on one of the faces and get access to the accessory. But inside, he also is not just.

Between two transparent plastic covers is a piece of foam in the form of Air, top and bottom of silver cardboard - a trifle, but nice. Halves cover all sides plastered rigid film. Accessory itself is made of transparent polycarbonate. It's all a glossy, very smooth, almost like glass, seem slippery, but grip the laptop is still better. In general, pleasant to the touch. What is interesting - fingerprints on it almost invisible.

I especially want to highlight the chic rubber feet. All users of MacBook Pro / Air aware that these devices solid legs, neat, relatively low... and slippery. Well, they do not hold the laptop on the surface and that's it. Crawl, and he slides down from the stand, when I used this (something on the Logitech, I do not remember the exact name, white, plastic, and with a whole bag bottom). So Eggshell this small minus remedies have their own boot leg made of rubber or silicone, are not so important, the main thing that they do not slip!

For laptop "shell" is fixed by means of thin, but strong hooks - a week of active use, none have not fallen off. Case holds very securely, no squeaks or play. I will mention only one feature of the design - the marks of punching in place of hooks.

Worn accessory is fairly easy, although some efforts have yet to make - should be neat, with vestments of the display unit. At his seat plates are installed with snaps. Remove the lining is also no problem. Being clad laptop is almost unchanged externally in Eggshell, very little grows in size, it is 300 grams heavier and takes on a glossy appearance. In conjunction with aluminum looks cool.

There are openings for all ports cutout groove of the pin, the better to open the notebook, and the display hinge, in front of which, as we know, the vents are located. That is, the air flow is not blocked and the more the laptop in the bag to warm up does not start.

Incidentally, hinge Air sufficiently taut and because of the presence on the display unit a heavy laths hang it from the slightest movement begins. By itself, the accessories are made very carefully, sharps and no burrs, when working with a laptop does not interfere.

Does it feel extra 300 grams, added weight to the MacBook Air? Yes, I feel, but it did not bother. Also during the operation Eggshell found another nice bonus - a laptop with him became more monolithic. Not quite, perhaps, I put clear, but now explain.

The fact is that with Air time begins to creak and crunched during compression lower part. So it was with a 11.6-inch model, as was with the 13th too. Do not know what is already there crunches may need zatuzhit bolts, so only need to first find this small screwdriver with a tip in the form of 5-petalled flower. And maybe it's some kind of design features. But being a crunching clad laptop Eggshell stops, which greatly pleases.

Also in the bag is convenient to keep the laptop on your lap, even if the feet are bare, and the laptop is actively encodes video or handles RAW-images raskochegarilsya processor to 90 ° C, which in turn heats up the bottom of the tangible, negative feelings arise, and certainly not burned.

A week of active use and pulling a laptop in a backpack, do not scratch the plate and are not particularly soiled. Fingerprints were, but they are virtually invisible and easily removed with a cloth of microfiber. Polycarbonate class, technically and very solid.

What to choose?

Both accessory I personally like and wish to get rid of some of them not. Sooner or later get tired of lining, then it will be possible to return to the envelope and vice versa. There are pros and cons to each of the solutions.

Dublon Leatherworks Classic Black allows well protect the laptop during carry, it looks solid, can be used as a stand on your knees and, of course, does not affect the appearance of the MacBook Air. But will have to spend a little time trying to spread it and to adjust to the magnetic clasp. Yet it can be difficult when dostavaniya laptop, especially if the new cover, but there is a convenient way. Open envelope does not have to hold the middle of the process of extraction Air, and at the far edge of yourself, put your thumb on the brink of open accessory. Then the gadget removed very easily. Also a matter of skill, which is acquired quickly.

Tunewear Eggshell slim but weighty - 300 extra grams are felt on my laptop, and if they do not strain me, a fairly large a man weighing more than 100 kg, it is not a fact that will not have difficulties in some other user or wearer. However, the accessory looks attractive, does not hide the beauty and even a laptop complements its looks nice glossy note. In this case, a particularly noticeable fingerprints, scratches appear in no hurry, and the surface is easy to clean from pollution. Yes, but also because in such a case the laptop is turned off and quickly thrown into a bag - that I missed while using the leather of the envelope. Do not forget about the cool and non-slip feet. Plus the price of the "shell" will be less times in two commercials than the envelope. Although accidentally dropped Eggshell protects notebook worse. Blow it does not dampen - this is not a relatively soft skin, and a very solid polycarbonate.

I can personally recommend the two accessory as pleasant and useful additions to the MacBook Air. As an alternative, the envelope can advise any less branded neoprene punch, many companies have interesting solutions. I myself enjoyed at the time of such accessory from Crumpler, who defended the MacBook Pro - no problems, and the level of protection obtained is not worse than that of the envelope, and the price of the accessory - significantly less.

Again, it is worth remembering that the taste and color of comrades there. Anyone can pick up something interesting for yourself, and I will try to measure the forces and opportunities to talk about the most interesting in my personal opinion the products.