Use an 11″ MacBook air? Check out the booq Viper hardcase 11

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If you have an 11″ MacBook air or Chromebook, you likely take it with you more often than not. That means you need a way to keep it safe and protected. The MBA is, after all, a pricey laptop.The booq Viper hardcase case 11 is a refined but inexpensive way to protect your air; it is just $45!

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The case is basically a sleeve. No, let me clarify that. The case IS a laptop sleeve. But where other laptop sleeves have no style or substance and don’t store accessories with the computer (because they are, after all, just sleeves), the booq Viper hardcase has plenty of both. Most importantly, it does a great job protecting your laptop. I know this for a fact because it came to Israel with me at the end of December and kept my MBA and my iPad nice and safe.

As is the case with all of booq’s products the case is incredibly well made. It appears simple but is actually packed with features. These include

  • Minimalist & stylish protection for your laptop, the perfect case for any environment
  • Tough outside: rugged, water-resistant 1682D Cross-weave ballistic nylon exterior
  • Soft inside: non-scratch interior lining
  • High quality YKK zipper; zipper does not come in contact with laptop
  • Two zipper pulls for added convenience
  • 1/4” molded foam construction- thin and lightweight
  • No handles – slips easily into your favorite bag and protects your laptop against scratches
  • Limited 5-year Warranty

Booq Viper Hardcase 11 Video Look

 

And here’s what booq has to say about the Viper hard case 11:

Perfectly fitted for the 11-inch MacBook Air and Chromebooks, the Viper hardcase 11 is a compact, refreshingly stylish and durable case that offers two levels of protection: A slick, rugged water-resistant 1682 Denier ballistic nylon exterior provides superior protection from abrasive surfaces and the elements, while the nicely padded, non-scratch neoprene and nylon twill interior of this case snugly cradles your laptop and provides additional storage space for your accessories. This case’s tough but lightweight, handle-less design allows you to easily slip it into your favorite booq laptop bag or backpack for added protection, and its premium construction is rounded out with a tough, reliable YKK zipper which tightly seals the case without coming in contact with the surface of your laptop.

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The nylon exterior looks good but, more importantly, is tough enough to endure being thrown in a bag without looking worn. My graphite colored review sample looks brand new despite the rigors of travel last month! The three raised areas provide a bit of extra protection for whatever is inside the case. It is an unusual approach, but one that clearly works.

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The interior of the case uses a mix of soft jersey material — the yellow area — and a soft material with just enough “stretch”. The elastic material means I can put items that were not flat inside the pockets, and they stay put even when the case is moved about.

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The other side of the interior houses the area intended for the 11″ laptop. It holds it snugly, but not so tightly that it is difficult to retrieve the laptop when you need to get some work done.

Here’s booq’s promo shot of the case being used.

Booq | Viper hardcase 11 graphite

I was quite happy to have the booq Viper hardcase 11 ƒwhile traveling. I have a clear film on the laptop thanks to ZAGG, but that just isn’t enough protection. I wanted something that would protect the laptop and my iPad well enough that I would not need to concern myself with treating the electronics delicately while, at the same time, would not be so big, bulky and cumbersome that I didn’t want to actually use it. This sleeve fit the bill! And while some may find this case to be overkill, I think it offers excellent protection with just enough style. At $45 it is an excellent deal and a good insurance policy for anyone whose MacBook air leaves the house on a regular basis.

Learn more and order yours here.

MSRP: $45

What I Like: Nicely constructed; Unassuming; Does a good job protecting a laptop; Holds a laptop, tablet and some extras

What Needs Improvement: A bit bulkier than simple sleeves

Source: Manufacturer supplied review sample of the booq Viper hardcase

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About the Author

Dan Cohen
Having a father who was heavily involved in early laser and fiber-optical research, Dan grew up surrounded by technology and gadgets. Dan’s father brought home one of the very first video games when he was young and Dan remembers seeing a “pre-release” touchtone phone. (When he asked his father what the “#” and “*” buttons were his dad said, “Some day, far in the future, we’ll have some use for them.”) Technology seemed to be in Dan’s blood but at some point he took a different path and ended up in the clergy. His passion for technology and gadgets never left him. Dan is married to Raina Goldberg who is also an avid user of Apple products. They live in New Jersey with their golden doodle Nava.