Opinions on hardshell cases?

I'm planning on buying a new MacBook sometime this summer after they make announcements for the new OSX. I'm thinking of getting a hardshell and neoprene case:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/TV322ZM/A?fnode=MTY1NDA2Ng&mco=NDU3NTQ4NA

and

http://store.apple.com/us/product/TV178ZM/A?fnode=MTY1NDA2Ng&mco=Mjk1NDE1NQ

And for the neoprene case I was thinking of getting the Incase ones: http://store.apple.com/us/product/TR632LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA2Ng&mco=NDY3NDk1MQ

Do you guys have any opinions for either cases? Especially the hardshell ones, are they worth it? Do they damage the laptop in anyway with putting it on or taking it off? Bad for heat? Any information would help, thanks!

 

Get the Speck case.
I have one and totally love it. The invisible one reveal the beauty of the macbook.

 

Personally, I hate hard cases. It makes the laptop bulkier (even just by a little bit), they don't seem to ventilate air very well, plus you have to take off the case to clean out dust and dirt once in a while or it'll scratch the laptop. xP

I only use a Neoprene case (the Incase one) now, and I personally like using the soft case a lot more.

 

I never understood hardcases for computers or other electronics. For me its like the equivalent of putting plastic covers on furniture. I've just been careful over time and have never gotten any scratches to speak of.

Neoprene case is a good idea without doubt and I think the Incase is a popular solution.

 

if you are going the hardshell way, speck is pretty nice.

 

Agree with Ncir, hardcase makes the notebook less attractive, especially a macbook where one of the strong point is its look.

I like something like a full body skin. There several companies offering it. The main thing of me getting a full body skin for my umbp is so that the palm rest doesnt become shiny over time. Since they don't usually sell the palm rest by itself, I just bought and applied the whole set

I just applied mine last night, if you are interested, I can post some pics just to give you some idea about how it looks.

 

I'm pretty OCD about my electronics so I bought a full-body skin (BestSkinsEver.com brand, the cheapest brand usually at $26.99 for a full-body kit), a Moshi Clearguard keyboard cover, and a Spec SeeThru Satin Black hardshell case (similar to the clear one you posted but the material/feel is more like the incase ones with the soft rubbery feeling) for my unibody Macbook:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/TV174ZM/A?fnode=MTY1NDA2Ng&mco=MjkyNjM1Mg&p=1&s=topSellers

Anyways, for me the invisible body skins are a must as they don't add much weight and size to the macbook, and its clear so I can still see the nice unibody aluminum. It prevents scratches which the aluminum seems quite prone to. I got the Speck SeeThru Satin case and it just added too much weight and additional size to the Macbook that I don't really use it since I travel with my Macbook regularly. It added like almost a point to the weight (4.5lbs to like 5.2/5.3). As such I gave that hardshell case to my gf for her uMB since she never travels with it so the extra weight/size won't matter.

For sleeves I use the InCase Nylon Sleeve Plus 13":

http://store.apple.com/us/product/TL996LL/A?fnode=MTY1NDA2Ng&mco=MjE0ODIxMg&p=1&s=topSellers

It can carry the essentials I need (uMB, charger, mouse, iPhone cable) and still remains slim and lightweight. If I ever need to carry more gear I just hide the carry handles (they got built-in slots for them) and remove the shoulder strap and stuff inside and it becomes like one of those InCase neoprene sleeves and I just put it in a bigger bag.

 

Also FYI OP if you decide to check out one of the full body skins www.invisibleshield.com is having a 50% off sale that ends today. (enter coupon code memday09). Their prices are usually about double of bestskinsever.com so I never buy from them but they do offer a "lifetime warranty" so if the skin ever peels or discolors call them up and they'll send you a new set of skins (You'll have to pay shipping and ship your old skin back). With this coupon the Macbook skin becomes the same price as www.bestskinsever.com and has lifetime warranty + included application solution.

 

OK, I bought a Speck 15.4" SeeThru Satin Black hard case and I'm pretty dissappointed in the quality of this case for $50. The rubber texture paint system they used is very unprofessional, looks like someone just used spray cans on it cuz there is like dust particles trapped in it. Secondly the mold is pretty crude, the edges are not polished or sanded prior to painting so the edges are very rough, you can clearly see where they cut out the shells from mold assembly like when you build those scale plastic plane or car models.

I'd say, if you are looking for a hard-case, get the clear version that Speck makes and not the satin version. Or look at the Incase versions, they may be a better quality.

 

I would only get the invisible Speck hard case. I have been using it for the last 5 months and it's been amazing at protecting my laptop.

The clearness also allows the beauty of the notebook to come through. Also, heat is not a problem at all. I have noticed no increase in heat. It does add a little bit of bulk, but hardly noticable from more than 5 away. It's worth the protection.