I usually keep my MacBook Air nekkid as a jaybird because I love its skinny form factor, but the scratches I’ve begun to notice appearing on its metal shell have been causing me a bit of consternation lately. In an effort to keep my svelte beauty’s skin unblemished, I agreed to give the Speck Products See Thru Slim Hard Shell Case for MacBook Air a try.
Available in clear, pink, smoke, purple or the cranberry red I was sent, the Speck hard shell is composed of two pieces of plastic which snap onto the Air’s screen and bottom half.
Holes have been placed in the proper positions for the flip-down USB port and the AC charger on the other side. Four low profile rubber feet have been placed on the bottom’s four corners to keep the package from sliding when on a smooth surface.
Note how my wooden table’s grain is easily viewed through the colored plastic
Installing the shell is a matter of laying the shell’s pieces over their corresponding Air counterparts; they easily snap on, but can just as easily be unattached. Installed, the See Thru Case fits like a glove, and it adds very little weight and bulk to the Air. I much prefer that there is no clear window or cutout over the Apple logo area (as was seen in the Agent 18 shell Dan reviewed), but instead the translucence of the colored plastic allows the Apple logo to still be seen.
This photo shows the vent cutouts, which keeps the case from hampering the Air’s cooling system; it also shows the properly placed port cutouts.
I don’t know why, but it is important to Mac users that our glowing Apple logo be allowed to shine; the Speck case allows it to do so. Perhaps the best thing about this shell is that it does not restrict the screens hinge in any way – the screen can still be tilted back its full amount.
I am very happy with the Speck See Thru Shell. I like that it allows me to keep my Air protected without having to use a sleeve; the case is pretty, it doesn’t add a lot of bulk, and at the newly lowered sale price – it is a bargain!
The Speck Products See Thru Slim Hard Shell Case for MacBook Air is available directly from the manufacturer.
MSRP: $49.95 $14.95
What I Like: Easy to install or remove; does not add much bulk or weight; allows the Apple logo to glow through; protects the Air from scratches and other superficial dings; allows the screen to fully tilt back
What Needs Improvement: Nothing…did you see the price?!