VAIO Z Sleeves, bags and cases thread

We will set up some sort of a discount for the customers who went with the original 12" case. If I could just replace them I would, but that might be a little to costly.

 

My plan is to customize the padding and liner for the proper fit. I want to make sure the liner seats and holds up properly. If that looks good I will post some pictures and also allow for preorder with the various finishes( standard carbon fiber, matte finish, carbon/kevlar). If everything goes well we could be accepting orders in 2-3 weeks. The cases are fairly labor intensive to craft. So once we get going it turns into a 6-8 week cycle. Preorder does a couple of things for us, it allows us to plan our manning and manufacturing level and it helps indicate what finishes are the most popular. I know how hard it is to be patient and commit money, but when you preorder we fill the orders by when they were placed. I believe in having an open channel of communication with our customers. So anyone that does place a preorder will be able to get timely updates on their order status and e-mail me directly if they have any questions.

Kevin

 

Good to hear Kevin. Let us know when it's ready for showtime!

 

You might want to consider the height with the extended battery. I don't have one so can't help with the measurements.

 

With extended battery, it won't fit into the case anyhow, so there is no worry about that.

 

Thanks Kevin! Looking forward to making my selection and pre-ordering.

 

Matte finish

 

oooh, pretty

 

It actually looks kinda rubbery with the matte finish. I thought I'd go for the matte, but I may actually go for the regular version instead...

 

That's just how raw carbon fiber looks. I think it looks great and looks like it will definately keep those fingerprints away. Great job Kevin.

 

The matte finish is certainly a more durable look. With the the 3 different finishes I think we will have a little something for each client. I like them all so I would suggest buying one of each.

 

Anyone familiar with the Pakuma sleeve? They look pretty nice!

Welcome to Pakuma

The width and length appear to accommodate the Z, but not the thickness (it's short by about 5mm).

 

(ugh, internet issue, posted twice by mistake)

 

Hi,

I'll receive my Z13 in the next 7 days. To protect it, I'd like to buy a Zeroshock III. My question is : is the Zeroshock 13.3 (III or IV) big enough to receive the Z13 and its HC battery ?

Sorry if you 've already answer this question, I didn' find it in this thread.

I'll post some pics of the Z13 (580M, 256G SSD) asap :wink:

 

Based on photos posted, I like the original finish better than this new Matte finish... but it is always up to the person who's going to use it It may collect less fingerprints, but it does not look as stylish as it's shiny sibling is. If you prefer to drag less attention while carrying your laptop around, you'll probably better go with matte IMO

Good job, M3C/Kevin !

 

I also like the original glossy finish.

There is a 'small' (23mm) gap between the edge of the case and the base of the notebook and a small (about half) that on the sides. But it doesn't really matter much if you've put the case down on it's edge in a messenger briefcse where it won't rattle aound.

The stitched lining is lovely but I wonder whether slightly thicker memory or high density foam padding would be nice. The hard case provides good protection although it does flex a bit in the centre but I certainly would not want to drop the case (especially carbon fibre).

All in all, apart from a few minor issues very happy with it.

 

I'm also not that excited about this matte finish...was hoping for possibility to feel the actual carbon fibers like on the case for iP. Anyway, thanks for sharing the picture, glossy one became my new fav though.

 

Thanks for all the great feedback. New website will be up later today with a great new look and high res photography. I will keep everyone up to date on our Z modification program. Much going on right now. Have a great weekend everyone!

 

i use a sony vaio 13.3in sleeve to protect my Z and it does the job just fine while putting it in my targus laptop bag with heavy books.

 

http://mIIIc.info/gallery/

 

Still waiting on that custom fit for the Vaio Z! I'll be the first one in line, I bet some other people here are also waiting on it.

 

It will happen, just give a little more time.

 

so would there be a special discount for Z owners from MBR? this is very much like a group buy from the looks of it

 

Just a quick update on the current Mach 3 cases having received my 12" case (bit of a mini review). I will write a more detailed review once I have had more experience with it.

Buying experience
Kevin at Mach3 is fantastic, responding to emails within 24 hours (often on his blackberry. As an international order, I ordered via email and paid using PayPal.

There was a little miscommunication with postage which has now been sorted (USPS 1st class was surprisingly faster than normal)

Both the 12" and 13" case fit the 'in between 13.1" Vaio Z. Like the zeroshock III, fit isn't perfect... yet although my leather Sony CK2 and SFbags (waterfield) are. The latter two being custom for the VaioZ.

Not compatible with extended battery (too tall)

First impressions
Protected by a dust jacket. No added straps.
Light, beautiful carbon fibre glossy finish. The carbon weave is slightly irregular as one would expect. A little bit of flex in the middle but added rigidity may have added weight.

One of the clasps had a slight manufacturing fault (hole drilled slightly big) and Kevin will ship me a new one. In the meantime, good ol' superglue seems to be holding the spring and shaft in place.

Latches easily replacable (two screws). Lifetime warranty. Smooth action. Easy to release.

Interior
Stitched, soft lining with subtle padding (i.e. less than the Waterfield or Zeroshock) but still enough, given it is a hard case. Adds a nice touch.

Fit
Described earlier in the thread. 23mm (or so) gap between base and about 1cm on the sides (works for me as I have a Logitech unifying nano receiver plugged in).

A 2cm high density foam insert does the trick and ensures a snug fit. Not necessary if you use a messenger/brief bag where the laptop won't move around much. Foam is cheap (<$10)

I look forward to seeing the custom Z case and hope Sony don't change the dimensions on Mach3 when the model is updated

 

Great straight forward review! We strive for the perfect cases and first class customer service. We have been in work to perfect/correct the areas you mentioned. The latch issue seem to effect about 8% of our laptop cases and have had no issues with the iPad latch(same style smaller size). We believe we have resolved it though. My policy is if any client gets a case they are not happy with we will either fix/replace/refund to your satisfaction.
As previously mentioned we are working on the Z fit and plan to have it available soon.

 

I stated it before, but I had one latch that was a little loose. Kevin sent me 2 extra, quick swap and now it's solid and firm. Very happy with that.

I don't even put a cloth between the keyboard and lcd anymore to prevent damage since Z no longer has to deal with any pressure because of the hard case

 

a question...

if i want a carry case/bag that can carry also the ac adapter and a slim mouse...

what can i buy?

 

Kevin, is there any possibility of making a Mach3 case for we Vaio Z owners who have to travel with the extended battery?

 

Absolutely. We are taking our current 12" and modifying it for the Z with the normal battery. To do one for the extended battery we have to mold a thicker case. If we see a good response with the first project we can create another case in the future. Not hard to do just cost $$$. So I need to make sure I have a market first. Everyone has been great on this forum with their feedback and it has been very helpful in guiding this project.

 

I'm a business owner, prefer a (manly) backpack over a messenger bag and I'm still looking for a small backpack for my Z.

Need it to be just large enough to hold the Z, the adapter, mouse, medium moleskin, wallet, keys, phone and a few peripherals. In black, nylon or leather.

Certainly don't need a large university sized back pack ... tried Tom Bihn, STM, Timbuk2 still no luck.

I'm surprised smaller, professional looking backpacks are hard to find. Any suggestions let me know, thanks.

 

I travel all the around the world with a backpack too. I have a 15" laptop that I keep in one of our carbon fiber cases then I put it all in a swiss made backpack.

 

But, aren't backpacks normally for students, teenagers, hikers, IT people who grow beards long but don't grow up? Perhaps that's why they aren't normally thought of as professional, and hence no one makes professional backpacks?

 

Backpacks - Luggage & Bags - Tumi

 

3 in 1 Backpack/ Messenger Bag - Tumi

 

When I think professional, I think people in suits. When dressed like so, anything on their backs look like they're school kids who put on suits for a school play. For me, nothing on the back says 'professional'.

 

I always love how quickly a forum can change direction.

 

Timbuk2 Q bag didn't work for you? That's what I use for pretty much all you listed, as well as a few books. Works perfectly, and it's very small, with a hidden compartment specifically for laptops. Fits the Z and my WaterField Vaio Z sleeve perfectly.

You could also look at Fossil, as they have a bag I use for the Z and my iPad. It's a messenger bag, but an excellent and perfectly-sized one.

 

I know this has been answered, but I can't find it. How much will this cost? I'd be interested in one (I love my WaterField sleeve, but would like a scenario that isn't velcro). ; )

 

I picked up the Mobile Edge 13" "Edge Ultraportable" backpack (model no. MEUEBP) backpack from the local Fry's store, and it's a perfect fit. It's black, nylon, VERY light (1.7 lbs) and just the right size. The power adapter pouch on the front is a perfect fit for the standard Z power adapter. Oh and it was only $30.

Check it out: ScanFast Ultra Portable / Netbook Backpack - TSA Approved / Compliant - Airport Security Checkpoint Friendly | Mobile Edge

Let me know if you have any questions about it.

 

If you go to our web site Mach 3 Composites: Carbon Fiber Cases for ipad, Macbook Pro, Macbook Air, Sony Vaio Z! then click on cases. It is the 12" case that we are modifying. The price will not change with the Z mod. They will be available in 3 finishes (Glossy, Matte, Carbon/Kevlar). We plan to add a couple of more finishes in the future.

 

this looks nice:
Incase Compact Backpack - Apple Store (U.S.)

 

Thank you. I had gone to the site before, but it was not working at the time (probably just a server thing).

 

Sorry if I'm repeating a question that's been asked a million times, but is there a neoprene (or soft) case that will provide a snug fit for the VPCZ12 laptop with a standard battery? I've looked through this thread a bit but I'm still not certain whether there is one out there or not.

 

We are doing some work to our site, so we will have some short periods that we bring it down while we go through the upgrade process. Thanks for looking.

 

VGP-AMC1 |VAIO® Notebook + AC Adapter Case | Sony | SonyStyle USA

 

The VGP-AMC1 does not provide a snug fit for the VPCZ12 laptop. It fits the 13.3" VGN-SZ680 well, but there's room for the VPCZ12 to move around in this particular sleeve. Is there something better out there, intended for a 13.1" laptop of the Z12's dimensions?

 

What do you consider snug? A zeroshock will clamp it down pretty well even though there's about an inch of space around it.

 

Quick review of the Brenthaven Trek Sleeve:

Just bought this case after some of the suggestions here. The exterior of the case is shown in many of the photos online, and is of a nylon weaved material that appears durable but a bit "cheap". The case, however, is far from flimsy. There is a substantially rigid board constructed into the top and bottom surfaces so this is somewhat of a pseudo "hard" case -- for example, if I unzipped the main pocket and spread the opening apart, the top and bottom surfaces move apart as flat pieces (rather than "bow" and curve like less rigid cases). Underneath these rigid plates is approx 0.75" of foam; the foam is probably about 0.5" thick on the 4 remaining sides.

Based on the internal dimensions off the Brenthaven website, there is approximately 0.75-1.0" of slop between the Z and the walls of the case. However, once I put my Z inside the case, there is enough "compression" of the top and bottom onto the Z such that the laptop does not move around inside the case (I tried to shake the case somewhat vigorously and could not feel any shift). This slop is not evident unless I try and pry my fingers around the laptop. As others have mentioned, it does take a little bit of grip to pull the laptop out of the case, but there is no physical interference other than this friction due to the sandwiching of the top and bottom of the case onto the laptop.




(on the left, outside of the shot, I am prying open the entry slot for photographing purposes. Without this, the walls of the case are flush against the laptop)



All in all, for approx $30 USD, I would say this is probably one of the best combination of rigidity and cushioning for the Z in this price category. There is enough heft and rigiditiy in this case that I have no doubt any pressure on the screen would be well distributed to minimize any screen-keyboard compression.

KTC

 

Nice review... thanks!

 

Did you check this one?

SFBags - WaterField Designs - Laptop Sleeve - TSA Checkpoint Friendly - TSA Good - MacBook Pro - MacBook Air Sleeve - Macbook Air Case - Notebook Sleeve - Computer Sleeve - Laptop Case

I believe the correct size for Z is 25-16...