Macbook Pro Protection

Barks · 11 Aug 2025 at 13:03

After 2 stressful years of trying to edit RAW photos in Lightroom on an iPad Pro (it quickly overheats and dims the screen, meaning it’s fairly useless for power work) I’ve decided to go back to a MBP.

I plan to upgrade to the OLED model which is expected in a year’s time so want to keep it immaculate. Does anyone have any case recommendations? Do you think it’s enough to buy a sleeve for it and just use that. I vaguely recall having a hard shell on my MBP about a decade ago and it just looked clumsy and over the top.

Cheers

mid_gen · 11 Aug 2025 at 13:10

If you want to keep it immaculate then it stands to reason you need to put it in a case.

Personally I don't care about keeping things immaculate. I have a rucksack with a nicely protected sleeve in it which is sufficient to look after my MBA when it's not on my desk.

GMac11 · 11 Aug 2025 at 14:05

Those hard shell cases actually cause more problems than they solve when it comes to prolonged use. The two main ones are the that the extra weight messes with the hinges and the plastic clips for attaching it add pressure to edges of the lid/screen and also often end up scratching the finish.

FWIW I have often used cases of some sort on my phones and iPads but never on my MacBooks and they have always remained immaculate. So unless you’re literally throwing it around you shouldn’t worry.

I’ve bumped and scratched my MacBook against other surfaces and things but those have always come off worse than the MacBook itself.

mid_gen · 11 Aug 2025 at 14:45

GMac11 said:
Those hard shell cases actually cause more problems than they solve when it comes to prolonged use. The two main ones are the that the extra weight messes with the hinges and the plastic clips for attaching it add pressure to edges of the lid/screen and also often end up scratching the finish.

FWIW I have often used cases of some sort on my phones and iPads but never on my MacBooks and they have always remained immaculate. So unless you’re literally throwing it around you shouldn’t worry.

I’ve bumped and scratched my MacBook against other surfaces and things but those have always come off worse than the MacBook itself.

Another problem with hard cases is that they can cause damage if anything gets in between the case and the machine itself.

My old Pixel 7a was kept in a hard case, but I use my phone outdoors rock climbing and stuff and bits of grit got into the case and scratched it to hell, underneath the case, made a right mess. Been better off with no case.

My iPhone 16 Pro is just naked these days. I do stick it in a case while I'm actually climbing, to keep the dirt and chalk off it, but it comes out of the case straight after.

Barks · 11 Aug 2025 at 16:21

Sounds like a case would be overkill then. Maybe it’s worth getting a sleeve for peace of mind.

My phone I have naked most of the time put a case on for the gym and it’s immaculate. iPad just has the portfolio keyboard which doubles as a case and doesn’t have a scratch on it so maybe I’m overthinking this.

JollyJamma · 14 Aug 2025 at 09:17

Barks said:
After 2 stressful years of trying to edit RAW photos in Lightroom on an iPad Pro (it quickly overheats and dims the screen, meaning it’s fairly useless for power work) I’ve decided to go back to a MBP.

I plan to upgrade to the OLED model which is expected in a year’s time so want to keep it immaculate. Does anyone have any case recommendations? Do you think it’s enough to buy a sleeve for it and just use that. I vaguely recall having a hard shell on my MBP about a decade ago and it just looked clumsy and over the top.

Cheers

What about a skin like dbrand? Just make sure you wipe the MacBook down with IPA first.

Raymond Lin · 14 Aug 2025 at 15:02

I put my macbook in a sleeve now, a Tomtoc one, it's about £20. Small external pocket enough for a USB-C cable and an SSD. Probably could fit a charger too if it's the America 2 pin one.

Barks · 15 Aug 2025 at 14:41

Now it has arrived I think a sleeve will be fine. Thanks for the replies and suggestions.

Terminal_Boy · 15 Aug 2025 at 14:52

A decent sleeve will be fine.

If you carry your MBP around a lot, put one of the super thin spectacle cleaning cloths between the keyboard and display to prevent the keys running the outer surface of the display.