m1210 & other 12in Laptop Sleeve Thread

There are lots of threads out there about different kinds of sleeves for the m1210, but it seems like it would be great to consolidate that information here. This thread can serve three functions: let us know about what case you use, post links to reviews, post links to cases you've found.

Let us know about your case! It would be great if you included the following information:

1) Name of case.
2) Type of case (sleeve, messenger, etc.)
3) Where you bought it.
4) Do you use a 6-cell or 9-cell battery?
5) How's the fit? (loose, just right, snug, really tight, etc)
6) How protective does it feel?

Reviews:

Seems like finding a case for the m1210 is one of the most challenging things. Here are great reviews I've found for cases:

jzephyr's Dr Mo Case review: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=64405
govtcheez's "Case-PC" case review: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=61143
Case Logic Neoprene 13" Laptop Sleeve Review: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=1474625#post1474625
Kensington Compact Duo Sleeve Review: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=1474674#post1474674

Cases:

Here are links to various available cases that people have bought/considered for the m1210 - I have no clue as to how well they work, but they're a starting point on your search for a good case:

Dr Mo: http://www.jetpens.com/product_info.php/cPath/94/products_id/488
Case-PC: http://www.case-pc.com/products.html
Shinza: http://shinza.com/product_info.php?cPath=5&products_id=45
Tom Binh (many types available): http://www.tombihn.com/laptop/group8.html?m=Dell XPS M1210
STM Alley Bag: http://www.standardtm.com.au/smallalley
Waterfield Sleeve: http://www.sfbags.com/products/sleevecases/sleevecases.htm

 

I ordered the Shinza sleeve for the 1210 and I should have it on friday.

 

1) Case Name: Case Logic Neoprene 13" Laptop Sleeve
2) Type of case: Sleeve
3) Where to get it: PcConnection, Fry's Electronics
4) Battery: Tested with a 9 cell battery
5) How's the fit? Just right. It doesn't feel tight. There isn't extra space either.
6) How protective does it feel? The protection is just a single layer of neoprene all the way around, except on the front, where there is a "Powerpocket" for storing your AC adapter. Fitting the powerbrick with the cord wrapped around it somewhat tight, so it works best to take the power brick and cord apart to store it in the "powerpocket".

Link to Review with Pictures: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=1474625#post1474625

 

The Kensington Compact Duo features excellent padding and can act as either a top-loading or side-loading case. It has a bit too much room though on the inside, allowing the m1210 to slide around. It also features an extra front pocket for storing accessories.

1) Case Name: Kensington Compact Duo
2) Type of case: Hybrid (sleeve/messenger)
3) Where to get it: CompUSA, CircuitCity
4) Battery: Tested with a 9 cell battery
5) How's the fit? There's too much extra room on the inside. The laptop moves around. It's also difficult to fit into a regular size backpack.
6) How protective does it feel? The protection is really good. There's plenty of padding and impact-absorbing cushioning. There's also some hard-plastic integrated into the front-face of the case.

Link to Review with Pictures: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=1474674#post1474674

 

Similar to the shinza sleeve is the Sumdex Impact Guard. I did a review of my large size one here

 

I've bought the Ripstop Backpack and the Nylon Sleeve for Macbook 13" from Incase. ( http://goincase.com/2006/06/21/rip-stop-backpack/ ). I am very happy with both. They fit my m1210 with a 9-cell perfectly, there's no jostling, and the build- and protection qualities of both is just as I'd like it. They're a bit pricy ($100 and $50 in the apple online store), but compared to what's out there it's not horrible.

Note that there are some dissenting opinions on the build quality of the backpack, check customer comments and you'll see people complaining of the straps not being sown on properly or breaking - I have to say I'm concerned but I've seen no sign of this happening, and I've used mine probably 27 out of the last 30 days, most often with a full load in it.

 

I bought the Case-PC Extra Small Sleeve for my M1210, as for the backpack i went for Wenger Black/Red/Gray 15.4" MAXXUM NoteBook Backback(bought it off newegg). Even though the backpack is made for a 15" notebooks but it fits perfectly my M1210 with the sleeve.

Edit:- I am using 9-Cell battery, it fits justttt right in the sleeve, but perfect in the backpack.

 

for those of you in the UK with an XPS M1210, I've found the perfect fitting sleeve.

It's from "John Lewis", costs £15, and is called the:

" pouch small 12" "

description:

"Small nylon padded computer underarm folio. Holds a maximum 12" laptop with accessory compartment".

Now the accessory compartment is almost useless, it's so small, but the whole things is very light weight and the M1210 with a 9 cell battery fits very snugly inside. The inside had a security plastic wire, stopping me from putting my M1210 into it in the shop, but the sales assistant said it'd be fine to rip it off to try it out, and it fit perfectly. Give it a go if you're near a John Lewis. You'll find it near the laptop section. It's plain but professional looking in black. At £15, you can't really go wrong.

ps. photo taken with the M1210 webcam in a library. Looks awful, i know