For the past few years my notebook carrying case has been the leather Thinkpad Premier which, in typical IBM fashion, is a bit too heavy, a bit too expensive, but will probably last for 10 years. The tight clearance of the top-loading zipper, however, proved to be a problem for the ever-so-delicate MBP.
Given the ginger touch required to keep the MBP from being scratched, it seemed obvious that I was going to need a carrying case specifically designed for the machine. I settled on the Marware Sportfolio Deluxe for the 15" MacBook Pro (available from CDW Canada, $79.99).
The case itself is mostly fabric save for the 'orca skin' pocket (inside and out). The material is more supple and elastic than the skin of some of the girls I've dated. I'm not sure if it is culled from a living creature or not, but I'll feel bad about it retroactively because it works very well.
Among the nifty features is a thick fabric zipper lining that is more effective than you might imagine. Upon first inspection it seemed that the lining might actually impede closure of the zipper, but this hasn't been the case. As advertised, it protects the edges of the computer quite nicely.
Overall storage capacity is a bit low -- especially for books and papers -- but the main storage compartment comfortably handles cords, gadgets, and (of course) an iPod. I use the iPod slot (more orca!) to hold pens and USB keys. One of the pockets perfectly swallows the standard Apple 85W power adapter and the other can be used for a camera, external drive, etc.
External features include a 'novelty' headphone pass-through. I've never actually used it but I suppose it would work.
The shoulder strap is the best I've ever used on any sort of case or luggage. There's an adjustable pad and the strap is tightly wound, smooth, and slightly elastic. The clasps are durable and easy to connect/disconnect.
If the bag has a fault, it is that area around the shoulder strap clasps squeaks. A lot. It might be related to the rubber protection strips or perhaps something funky occurred during assembly of this particular bag, but any sort of movement causes it to squeak wildly. My coworkers and the dog fail to recognize the humour of it all.
The Sportfolio Deluxe gets a thumbs-up from me; 9 out of 10 -- if you've got a MacBook Pro, this is the case for you.
5 comments for this entry ↓
1 Miguel // Mar 27, 2007 at 8:17 pm
Good theme!!
2 john manoogian III // Apr 1, 2007 at 12:52 pm
i have a marware bag as well (the slim one) and i love it. everyone covets it.
3 Cormac // Jul 17, 2007 at 2:03 pm
I got the marware bag for my 15" pro, but I'm really aggravated by the squeak. I love how otherwise well-made it is, but this is a showstopper problem for me. After a couple of weeks with the bag, it's driving me nuts. My coworkers can all hear me coming as I walk down the aisle - squeak squeak SQUEAK!
This could be a 9/10 bag for me, but with the squeak it's a 4/10
4 dennis // Jul 17, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Cormac: I can empathize. If anything, the squeak is getting worse the more I use it.
5 John // Feb 29, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Hi Dennis,
Great write-up... and very helpful, as I've just purchased a new 17" MBP and I was trying to find a good case/bag for it. Sounds like this could be the perfect product, but I have a question for you: how tight a fit is the laptop in its section of the bag? The reason I ask is because I purchased a Speck Clear Case polycarbonate enclosure to protect the MBP from scratches, but it makes the whole deal ever-so-slightly bigger... so if it's already a tight fit, my arrangement may not work.
Appreciate your input/thoughts.
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