Some MacBooks are so slight that you run the risk of throwing them out with the trash. But just because Apple's laptop is thin, light, and covered in goes-with-everything aluminum doesn't mean it doesn't take some knocks in life. After all, it's designed to travel.
How you protect your MacBook depends on where you're taking it. A case or a sleeve can offer plenty of protection if you're constantly jamming your computer into overhead bins on airplanes, but it's also a convenient way to tote your laptop back and forth from writing sessions at the coffee shop.
Whatever kind of case you choose, you probably want it to show off your personal style or personality while it's doing its job. There's also price point to consider since the range of MacBook cases and sleeves goes from less than the taxes you paid on the laptop to more than the price of it once you hit the designer stratosphere.
We've put together some of our top choices in MacBook cases and sleeves, many of which should work for the latest 13-inch MacBook Air£1199 at John Lewis UK. There are no-nonsense hard cases, bright sleeves with an artistic bent, distinguished-looking leather pouches, cheerful bags, and some futuristic fun among them. So browse through the gallery and if you come across any great finds of your own in your shopping travels, we'd love to hear about them in the comments below.
Twelve South Journal
Twelve South BookBook
The BookBook helps the MacBook live up to its name. It's made of real leather and aged to look like an old tome. There are models for MacBooks of all sizes.
Thule Gauntlet 3.0 MacBook Pro Sleeve
If your 13-inch MacBook Pro goes through the wringer, put it in the Thule Gauntlet. A padded interior keeps your computer cushioned in case of falls.
SANTIbagsandcases Bag With Adjustable Strap
This bag from SANTIbagsandcases is super handsome and made in Spain. There's plenty of room for cords and books and papers as well as your 13-inch MacBook Air or Pro.
TopCase Rubberized Hard Case Cover
This TopCase cover gives the 13-inch MacBook Air a dreamy look, but is super practical since it keeps it safe from drops and scratches.
Speck PixelSleeve
The cheery Speck PixelSleeve has a neoprene exterior and micro-fleece interior for the 11-inch MacBook Air.
Blackbox Bamboo Case
All that aluminum can be so cold. Warm up your 11-inch MacBook Air with a Blackbox Bamboo Case.
The Montgomery Street Sleeve
Acme Made bags are perfect for an urban environment in that they're sleek and stand up to city streets. The brand's Montgomery Street Sleeve, pays homage to San Francisco and fits 13-inch and 15-inch MacBooks.
Herschel Supply Co. Pop Quiz Backpack
Don't call it a bookbag. This Pop Quiz Backpack is mostly about carrying your MacBook (and your books) in a padded, fleece-lined compartment. It comes in nearly two dozen color and pattern combinations.
Herschel Anchor Sleeve
A gray exterior with a pop of color inside makes for one put-together Herschel laptop sleeve. The interior is padded and lined in fleece.
Fjallraven Kanken Laptop Backpack
Herschel Spokane Sleeve
STM Dux Rugged Case
Surround your 13-inch MacBook Air with the STM Dux Rugged Case and forget about bumps or scratches. A bumper fully protects the sides and corners and a see-through top and bottom protect the rest from scratches. Textured rubber feet keep it from sliding on slippery surfaces.
Omoton Case With Stand
The synthetic leather Omoton case doubles as a stand for your 13-inch MacBook Air or Pro to disperse heat for better performance.
Versality Perfect Fit Hard Case
Stay golden, fanboy, with this champagne tone 13-inch Versatility case for the MacBook Air.
Tumi Rivas Backpack
GMYLE Rubber-Coated Hard Case
Whether you're writing a letter to your future self or Googling Michelangelo's masterpieces, making your 13-inch MacBook look like a slab of marble is a worthy homage.If that's not your style, there are plenty of other design options.
Filson 24 Hour Tin Cloth Briefcase
Walnew Protective Case
This single-layer faux leather Walnew case doesn't offer much in the way of protection, but it does feature a slide-out mousepad and work surface. It's available for all MacBook sizes and in nine colors.
Amazon Basics Laptop Sleeve
Shinola Accordion Portfolio
Lacdo Water-Repellent Laptop Sleeve Case
If it's possible for a laptop case to look cushy, that's what the Lacdo does. It fits MacBooks of all sizes and comes in five colors, so it's accomodating, too. And best of all, it's water-repellent so even if you're running through the rain, your MacBook stays dry.
Tomtoc 360 Protective Sleeve
The Tomtoc 360° Protective Sleeve has reinforced edges and corners, as well as a cushiony padding bar at the bottom.
LeSportsac Functional Backpack
Prints, stripes, solids, metallics—the LeSportsac Functional Backpack has them all along with two zipped exterior pockets, one exterior phone pocket that closes with velcro, two exterior side open-top pockets, and of course a padded compartment inside that fits all MacBook sizes.
Rebecca Minkoff Double Zip Laptop Sleeve
The Rebecca Minkoff Double Zip Laptop Sleeve is a pebbled carryall that holds a 13-inch MacBook with two exterior pockets to spare.
Incase 12-inch Envelope Sleeve in Denim
Inateck Felt Sleeve
Keep your 13-inch MacBook cozy and protected with this felt sleeve from Inateck. There's room for company, too, with an interior pocket that can hold a tablet or magazine and two back pockets for a phone or earbuds.
Manhattan Portage Skyline Sleeve
On the Manhattan Portage case, the city skyline stretches across a neoprene sleeve. It comes sized for every MacBook and in several colors. This one is for the 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro.
Macally Slimfolio
Keep the profile of your 13-inch MacBook Air slim with the Macally Slimfolio. A brushed metallic finish doesn't change the sleek look of the laptop, but it guards against dust and scratches.
Moleskine Laptop Case
Waterfield Sutter Tech Sling
Poketo Minimalist Folio
Copper River Bag Company Minooka
Tech21 Pure Clear
Incase 12-inch Compact Sleeve in Flight Nylon
NexCase MacBook Pro 13-inch Case
Manhattan Portage Skyline Sleeve
Macally Slimfolio
Tomtoc 360° Protective Sleeve
It's not shocking that you've dropped your 13-inch MacBook but that it can withstand a fall might be new to you. The Tomtoc 360° Protective Sleeve has reinforced edges and corners, as well as a cushiony padding bar at the bottom.
Palms
Give a hand to the pretty palms that adorn the Marc Jacobs neoprene laptop sleeve that's a perfect fit for 13-inch MacBooks.
LeSportsac Functional Backpack
If it's variety you're looking for when choosing a backpack that also packs your laptop, you want LeSportsac. Prints, stripes, solids, metallics, the Functional Backpack has them all along with two zipped exterior pockets, one exterior phone pocket that closes with velcro, two exterior side open-top pockets, and of course a padded laptop compartment inside.