Comments:

• Disappointed

  Posted by: Gunnar Steinke March 17,2011

  

• Memory Foam a Nice Feature

  Posted by: Trianz Consulting March 17,2011

  

  Was very disappointed by the quality of the case to be used with a new13" MacBook Pro, especially after having owned an Incase sleeve for my 17" for many years. The case is too large for the computer, the material seems more like a couple of pieces of cardboard thrown together, and very importantly, they put the exact same logo on both sides of the case, making it impossible to know whether the computer inside is riding on it's base or on it's screen. Have decided to bite the bullet and order an Incase unit to replace it.

• Surprisingly disappointed

  Posted by: Daniel Peck March 16,2011

  

  INTRO
  I used to own an STM neoprene sleeve for my old 15" MacBook Pro (which I threw into the laptop compartment of my Oakley backpack) and while it looked great and fit snug, I found that under strenuous conditions...like having my backpack jam packed (my work requires me to lug a lot around)...that the zipper would grind a little bit (it somehow found it's way through the "inner lip" guard), leaving tiny scratches on the MBP, and like all neoprene sleeves, it couldn't prevent from denting if something solid were to smack hard into it.
  
  Having bought a new unibody 13" MBP to replace the old laptop, I was looking for a sleeve that could offer a little more protection. I did a lot of research and decided to take the plunge on the LArobe "Moka". Here's my take:
  
  PROS
  + Nice design...though I've found more stylish sleeves since ordering (Isis Dei has some nice sleeves)
  + More affordable than comparable sleeves
  + Memory foam is thicker than neoprene...looks like it can take more hits to prevent scratches and even a few minor dents
  + Zippers are contoured to your fingers for easy grip
  + A little easier to handle (vs neoprene) if you're using just the sleeve
  
  CONS
  - REALLY disappointed in the exterior durability. The sides of my sleeve already showed some wear straight out of the packaging (white threading popped out from under the brown layer around the sides). I suspect that the brown will really fade over time and use. Never had that problem for the 2 years with my neoprene sleeve.
  - Not a perfect fit for the 13" unibody MacBook/Pros. There is just a little bit of wiggle room both width and height-wise and I can feel the laptop sliding in the sleeve. This wouldn't be a big deal except the inside of the sleeve isn't lined with anything soft (like the Incase sleeves). It's the same material as the outside...so a bit course and rigid. It's still fabric so I don't think it'll scratch my MBP but I'd feel better if there was a softer lining.
  - The "inner lip" guard doesn't seal shut when the sleeve is completely zipped up...especially at the top of the sleeve. If the zippers on my old neoprene sleeve could get through the inner lip when sealed, then I'd think the same would be even more likely here. I've since made a point to have both zipper tabs resting on one side of the sleeve (where the seal is the tightest).
  
  CONCLUSION
  Overall this is still a decent sleeve. The memory foam does offer more protection against scratches and small drops from your typical neoprene sleeve. I was all ready to give this sleeve a 4/5 because I knew it wasn't going to be a perfect fit for my MBP (keep in mind, there are very few cases right now that are made specifically for the new 13" unibodies) but the lack of a proper zipper seal and surprisingly shoddy exterior quality really killed my enthusiasm for the LArobe. I'll still be using the case since I almost always throw it in a backpack with a padded laptop compartment but I'll probably replace it as soon as I feel like dropping $30+ for a better alternative.
  
  BEFORE BUYING, ALSO CONSIDER:
  * Booq Taipan S (supposedly perfect fit for 13" unibody MacBook/Pros...otherwise pretty much like every other neoprene sleeve out there)
  * Tom Bihn Brain Cell (great fit and innovative protection...but very pricey...and bulky if fitting into a backpack)
  * Isis Dei Sleeves (memory foam and nicer designs IMO...could have the same drawbacks as the LArobe)
  * Applesac (really popular with Mac forum users)

• Well designed laptop case

  Posted by: Patrick Atkinson March 15,2011

  

  I purchased the Be.Ez laptop case in red kiss/white from Amazon. The case is really red, which is great because I like red.
  
  It's not too soft, sort of a really stiff memory foam, and it has sturdy red METAL zippers!
  
  This case fits my 13.3" Mac Book snugly and would offer some cushion in case of a drop, better than no case at all. The zippers don't get close enough to my Mac to scratch it, so that's another plus.
  
  I pressed my fingertips in to see how long it would take for them to "pop" out of the case, and in the time it took for me to write this review, most of the finger indents have faded away. This case picks ups indents quickly, so unless you don't care, try not to put anything on it.
  
  
  
  I'm giving this case 5 stars. I've shopped around a lot trying to find a case that protects AND has a color other than black or brown. The Be.Ez fit the bill.
  
  

• Snazzy Red for your Mac Book

  Posted by: Deedra Thompkins March 15,2011

  

• Too big for Macbook Pro

  Posted by: Hans-christer Holgersson March 13,2011

  

  I just bought this for my new 13" Macbook Pro (same dimensions as the older 13" unibody Macbook released last year) and was disappointed at the fit of this case. The build quality is very good -- I like the inside zipper protection and the foam it's made out of. It feels like it could withstand a small bump or two. However, there is a good inch of room inside the case. It's large length/width wise as well depth wise. This case definitely does not "fit like a glove". My Macbook slides when inside of it, and in general it just makes an otherwise sleek laptop look chunky.
  
  Excellent case if not for a very poor fit.

• Amazing attention to detail, sparse features.

  Posted by: Manish Chandra March 13,2011

  

• Protection in style!

  Posted by: Buthaina Al Othman March 13,2011

  

  TSA allows you to leave your laptop inside this sleeve. It's quite protective and should make your TSA airport screening experience a little less of a hassle.

• Solid & Stylish

  Posted by: Alex Seif March 12,2011

  

  A nice bag here. It is small and stylish, but seemingly expands to accommodate a LOT of stuff. The bright colors and flowers really pop when you see them and a magnetic clasp helps keep everything together. Wife loves it for the multiple side pockets that fit phones, keys and coupons. Solidly built.

• TSA Compliant

  Posted by: John Lipp March 12,2011

  

  This was the first sleeve I ever purchased for a laptop and I read a lot of reviews before deciding on this one. One of my largest concerns with purchasing this product was the fit for a 13.3" MacBook Pro, and I have to say those concerns were ill-founded.
  
  Many reviewers complain that there is extra room inside the sleeve when the laptop is inserted - and there is a bit of wiggle room, but then again this isn't a form-fitting neoprene sleeve. It is a impact-absorbing memory foam sleeve. I went in with the expectation that I could easily insert and extract my MBP from the sleeve and that it would be well protected while inside the sleeve and I have been very satisfied.
  
  Some of my favorite features:
  - the memory foam: it takes on the shape of other items in my bag sometimes - so I know it is doing its job.
  - The ergonomic zippers - these are the best zipper pulls I've ever used, and the zipper track never catches, even if I am using one pull to move the other.
  - the double seam mouth of the sleeve - I can leave the sleeve in my satchel and slip my MBP in and out without any concern for scratching the case of my computer.
  - The colors - so I have a bit of a soft spot for chartreuse (wasabi, as Be.ez calls it), and as an accent interior color with the same color for the logo on the exterior this product was the first to "catch my eye" during my search.
  - The pouch makes a sturdy, scratch free surface for using my computer as well (when I'm at a concrete park table, for instance) although I try not to do that regularly - I'm not sure of the long term effects of computer heat on memory foam.
  
  My criticism:
  - I do concur with other posters who have wished for some additional handle/strap that would aid in carrying this case by itself. The memory foam is OK but when I am walking distances of a block or so, I would prefer a strap somewhere to stabilize my grip (even if I could slide my arm through a strap on the side of the case and grip it at the bottom, that would make a world of difference). This criticism is really picky - though. I usually just slip the sleeve in my satchel for any distance I am traveling.
  
  In summary, if you are looking for a skin-tight form-fitting sleeve, this isn't what you are looking for. If you are looking for a secure way to protect your laptop in a larger bag, add this one to your cart, my friend. You will be happy.

• Good, simple protection for Macbook or other 13" laptops

  Posted by: Mark Peel March 12,2011

  

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