$1300. That’s the average price of a Mac (as reported by Apple Insider in February of 2014), which includes MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, iMac, and Mac Pro. That’s a lot to spend on a computer. Even more surprising, when you focus on just the portables – the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro (retina and non-retina), the average climbs to just over $1400.
Spending that kind of money on a machine you take with you means protecting that device should be important. Very important. Thankfully, there are a plethora of cases, bags, and sleeves available to protect your investment from accidental bumps and scratches, and the Inateck line of sleeves offer great value for a quality product.
Overview
The Inateck MP1300 (for 11 and 13” MacBook Air or Pro) and the MP1500 (for 15” MacBook Pro) are quality made, felt sleeves for your MacBook. They offer a simple design, comfortable texture, decent storage, and add minimal bulk, so they can be used as a stand-alone protection, or can be stashed inside of a bag for extra protection.
The Inateck sleeves are constructed of a 1/4” (roughly) felt material, and offer a main laptop pocket (precisely sized for your MacBook), as well as an additional “large” pocket. The large pocket is big enough to sport a full sized iPad, notebook, other various items. While there’s not an excess of spare storage space in the main area, I found it to be more than sufficient.
Protecting the top edge of your Mac is a felt flap that velcro’s in place. I’m not a huge fan of velcro – it’s loud, it sticks to things it’s not supposed to, and in the case of the MP1300, it actually roughed up some of the felt from mis-sticking it – but it does serve it’s purpose of keeping the flap closed. Perhaps a button or other fastener would have been more fitting (some of Inateck’s other products use alternative fastening methods).
On the back of the MP1300 and MP1500 are 2 slits, which offer small pockets of storage for other items, like adapters, headphones, wallet, or even your iPhone. This means those extras that you want quick access to are readily available without having to open the sleeve.
For the past 2 weeks, I’ve been using the MP1300 with my 13” Retina MacBook Pro and iPad and have found that it offers me an additional peace-of-mind when I’m heading to meetings, traveling, or just putting my computer to rest for the day. The extra, included small bag has served as a charger pouch is very handy in keeping my MagSafe charger contained and untangled. In the past, I’ve had a MagSafe plug actually dent and scratch the aluminum of my Mac, so knowing it’s tucked away in a safe pouch where it won’t touch any of my prized Apple possessions is very reassuring.
When traveling, I put everything in the Inateck sleeve and tuck it safely inside my backpack, freeing my hands to do as I need without the worry that my computer is sliding about or waging a war against the other contents of my bag. When I arrive at my destination, I can quickly pull the sleeve from my bag, and know that all the necessary items are at hand – no digging through the cluttered black hole of a backpack pocket.
Verdict
When it comes to protecting my Mac, I like things to be simple and unimposing of the design Apple worked so hard to create. The Inateck MP-series of sleeves offer fantastic protecting without adding the excess bulk of a case, and are more form-fitting that most backpacks and messenger bags. The soft, gray felt is comfortable to hold and easy to grip, and the additional storage pockets allow me to bring all my necessities along for whatever journey I may take.
Rating: 4.5/5.0[rating:4.0]
Price: Inateck’s MP1300 – $16.99 on Amazon and MP1500 – $17.49 on Amazon.
Pros:
- Simple, hip design
- Quality material
- Extra pouch for charger (or other accessories)
- Various pockets for additional storage
Cons:
- Velcro flap
If you’re looking for a simple, quality way to protect your MacBook, be sure to consider Inateck’s MP1300 – $16.99 on Amazon and MP1500 – $17.49 on Amazon, as well as the rest of their protective sleeves.
