A case for your laptop falls under the “Wait, do I really need this?” category. It’s easy to talk yourself out of it. You’ve got a bag that will protect your laptop from the elements, and Steve jobs famously hated the cases and accessories that companies made for his products. He thought cases were bulky and messed with the design. But in all due respect to Steve, if you’re going to be lugging around something you paid over $1000 for, you want to make sure it’s protected.
And even when it’s shoved in your bag, there’s still dust and crumbs and pens and keys floating around in there that could potentially damage this important piece of technology that just happens to have your whole life on it. That’s why—around these parts—where fiercely pro-laptop case. We’ve rounded up 21 of our favorites to help you protect your MacBook while its in transit.
TIMBUK2 Crater Laptop Sleeve
There’s not much you can buy these days in the way of tech accessories for under $50, but here’s TIMBUK2’s Crater Laptop Sleeve, clocking in at an uber-affordable $25. Made out of durable, protective high-density foam, the case is purposely pock-marked to ensure ventilation while still keeping your laptop safe. TIMBUK2 offers all of this without making you break the bank (you already did that when you bought your Macbook, right?).
TOPO Designs Laptop Sleeve
At first glance, Colorado-based TOPO Designs’ Laptop Sleeve looks like a regular canvas tote bag. But look closer—made with heavy-duty Cordura and featuring a fully-padded lining, the sleeve will keep your device safe, and the handles at the top allow for easy carrying. Available in a variety of color combinations and sizes that can fit an iPad all the way up to a 15″ MacBook, it’s great to haul your computer to the coffee shop on the weekend to work on that screenplay.
Herschel Supply Co. Anchor Sleeve
Vancouver-based Herschel Supply Co. is known for making the backpacks you see everywhere nowadays, but they also trade in quality lifestyle accessories, like this Anchor Sleeve. Made out of sturdy canvas, the sleeve’s interior is fleece-lined, and it zips closed to keep everything secure.
Cargo Works MacBook Air + iPad Sleeve
The Chino-based crew at Cargo Works knows how to build carry items that were built to take a beating. While you can’t go wrong with anything from the brand, this simple grab and go case is one of our favorites. It’s constructed from rugged high denier fabric, and well padded microfiber lined zipper compartment keeps your gadgets safe and secure. The molle running alongside the front half is also great for stashing your EDC items.
Chrome Industries Zip Laptop Sleeve
Half laptop sleeve, half EDC bag, Chrome Industries’ Zip Laptop Sleeve is made with an abrasion-resistant combination of polyester and nylon and boasts a fully fleece-lined interior. Handles at the top allow for easy transportation, and a heavy duty zipper will keep everything secure while you’re on the move. As with all Chrome Industries products, this guy comes with a lifetime guarantee.
Mujjo Macbook Air Sleeve
Quite possibly the most gorgeous tech accessory you’ll ever own (and for under $60!), the Mujjo Macbook Air Sleeve uses a combination of charcoal gray felt and full-grain vegetable-tanned leather. The interior features slots for document storage as well as slots for credit cards and your employee ID.
Graf + Lantz Macbook Air Sleeve
For its Macbook Air Sleeve, Los Angeles-based Graf + Lantz combines its signature premium material—merino wool felt—with a black leather flap that snaps close to keep your laptop secure. Available in a variety of color combinations, you should buy one for yourself and one for your boss (brownie points, you know?).
DSPTCH Macbook Case
San Francisco-based DSPTCH is known for making rugged products for people in transit, so when you buy its Macbook Case, you know that it’ll stand up to whatever you throw at it. Constructed out of durable ballistic mesh and nylon packcloth, it features a built-in cord management system to keep you organized when you’re mobile.
InCase ICON Sleeve
If you’re a minimalist (or an aspiring one), InCase’s ICON Sleeve is the thing for you. Made from shock-absorbing tensaerlite, the sleeve provides heavy-duty protection for your computer without being, well, heavy.
Fjallraven Laptop Case
Fjallraven is mainly known for creating rugged outdoor gear, but just because you’re climbing a mountain doesn’t mean you don’t need your laptop handy. Hell, Everest’s basecamp is wired with 3G (true story). Made from rugged canvas, the case features leather accents and a foam-padded interior to keep your laptop safe, whether you’re doing something adventurous, or trudging through the subway on your way to work.
TUMI Alpha 2 Laptop Cover
TUMI is a trusted name in travel accessories, so it’s not surprising that they’d create an awesome laptop case. Made from durable ballistic nylon, it also includes a touch of spandex, which will come in handy when you’re trying to shove your laptop into it while you’re in a hurry to get out of the conference room. It also includes several exterior zipped pockets to house documents, and even has a built-in compartment for cards (business, credit, ID, and the like).
Lexdray Zurich Laptop Case
Lexdray is a relatively new brand that seeks to upgrade our everyday bags and gear, and with the Zurich Laptop Case, they do exactly that. Made from custom nylon twill, the case has a main zippered compartment to fit up to a 13″ Macbook, but also has exterior pockets to fit all of the accessories you’ll need when you’re on-the-go.
Grovemade Walnut Macbook Sleeve
Grovemade is an Oregon-based company that makes gorgeous tech accessories out of sustainable woods. If you want a conversation piece at your next business meeting, snatch up their Walnut Macbook Sleeve. The laser-cut wooden exterior gives way to premium wool felt imported from Germany, and a leather and brass pull tab allows for easy removal of your device. And trust us—even though it’s made out of wood, it’s incredibly lightweight.
Jack Spade Mitchell Leather Laptop Sleeve
Crafted from all-natural Italian leather, Jack Spade’s Mitchell Leather Laptop Sleeve is classic enough for you to keep throughout your career, developing a rich patina that will send the message: “I know what I’m doing.”
Octovo Mac Folio
There are very few laptop cases that look as legit as Octovo’s Mac Folio. The Italian leather exterior (available in chestnut, black, gray, and brown) zips to ensure protection, while the quilted interior looks like something you’d find in an old-school suitcase. The lining also includes a bonus leather pocket, perfect for stowing a credit card or business cards.
Leather MacBook Air Sleeve
When you’re lugging your laptop back and forth from home to the office (and vice versa), it’s easy to think that all you do is work. Kaufmann Mercantile’s Leather MacBook Air Sleeve can’t ease your workload or make your boss stop emailing you on the weekends, but when you’re carrying this gorgeous piece of leather around (courtesy of the Chicago’s famed Horween Leather Company), it’s hard to be mad.
Hard Graft Grab Laptop Folio
London-based Hard Graft makes a ton of drool-worthy leather products, and this Grab Laptop Folio is no exception. Unlike other folios, this one features a handle on the exterior, ensuring you’ll have a firm grip on it while you’re on-the-go. Crafted from Italian leather and lined with German wool felt, it’s roomy enough to fit a laptop, print-outs of that presentation you’re about to give, and a magazine you’re going to read on the train ride home.
Hard Graft Classic Laptop Folio
Another offering from Hard Graft, the Classic Laptop Folio is made from the same combination of Italian leather and German wool felt, but just flips the configuration. Slide your laptop in the zippered compartment but use the exterior felt pocket to house anything you need to keep handy—a magazine, your phone, your charging cables, or your boarding pass.
Shinola Macbook Envelope
Detroit-based Shinola burst onto the scene a few years ago with their American-made watches, but they’ve also been cranking out quality leather goods, like this simple Macbook Envelope. Made from premium Horween leather (and available in a variety of different colors), the envelope features raw edges and an unlined interior compartment for the times when you want your laptop case to carry only your laptop.
This is Ground Mod Laptop Case
Los Angeles-based This is Ground specializes in travel essentials, and once you use the Mod Laptop Case on your first business trip, you’ll never want to use anything else. Functioning as a bona fide mobile office, the premium leather folio (available in various shades of browns, blacks, and even white if you want to be Steve Jobs-ian) unzips to reveal specified housings for your laptop, tablet, pens, cords, phone, cards, glasses—literally everything you need within arm’s length when you’re on the road.
WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie Kansai 13 Folio
Founded by two Montreal-based twin brothers, WANT Les Essentiels de la Vie’s Kansai 13 Folio is worth the significant investment. Constructed from a combination of high-quality leather and carbon-fiber, the folio is understated but luxurious. The bottom will securely hold your laptop while the top portion features four pockets to hold cards and documents.
