A few weeks ago, I received my brand new 17″ MacBook Pro, a computer that has brought me nothing but a great experience, and now I attempt to return the favor. When you have a MacBook, you are faced with a difficult decision: to use the computer without a case to retain the machine’s beauty, but be vulnerable to damage, or get a hardshell case, protect the machine, but loose quite a bit in the aesthetics department. For the time being, I chose the latter with the Incase Hardshell.
Installation
The Incase Hardshell offers a very tight fit which requires a potentially not-so-easy installation. If you clip something incorrectly or snap a part in the wrong order, there is the possibility of having to redo it. Nevertheless, this chance is true with many other products, not just Incase’s Hardshell.
Protection
When it comes to protection, there are many options. You can go with a skin such as a GelaSkin or an InvisibleShield, a sleeve like that of ColcaSac’s, or you can go with a hardshell, all of which have their own pros and cons. Hardshells are at the top of the totem pole when it comes to protection and Incase’s hardshell will, without a doubt, protect the MacBook from scratches and bruises. It will not, however, protect the computer in any way if it were to be dropped.
Fit
When it comes to protective shells, the fit is important and thankfully Incase’s Hardshell fits nice and tight. There has been talk about how dirt can get up under the hardshell and scratch the MacBook. This is possible, but as long as you occasionally remove the shell, clean it and the MacBook and then re-install it, there should be no problem.
Color
Incase offers a variety of color options depending on your computer model. Of the three models in the MacBook line, no two hardshells are available in the same colors. The 13″ comes in magenta, green, frost, and black. The 15″ comes in magenta, turquoise, white, frost, and black. The 17″ comes in just magenta, green, and black. Apparently, they give more options based on product popularity and those of us who have the 17″ resultantly have the fewest color choices.
The Button
On the side of the MacBook there is a battery indicator which is made up of eight lights and a button. This hardshell has a button that allows this feature of the MacBook to be used, sadly the button Incase added is nearly impossible to push in and takes quite a bit of pushing to get the indicator working. Though many never use this feature, I still would have loved for it to be easier to use with this case.
Conclusion
The Incase Hardshell case is nearly perfect. Sure there are some imperfections, but that is true with all great products. If you are one who has chosen protection over aesthetics, this case is ideal. If you are looking to retain the MacBook’s look, a skin might be a better solution. The Incase Hardshell is available from Incase’s website for $49.95, we give it 4.5/5 stars.
Does this case function well with the new power adapters? I heard that there might be some problems getting them to fit. Thanks for the great review!!
Sorry for the delay! Yes, it works but only if the power adapter's wire goes towards the front of the MacBook. It will not work well going the other way.
Thanks for the reply. Doesn't that mean that the ethernet and mini displayport connections are blocked?
The ethernet and firewire is blocked.
I was wondering the same. I have read many reviews and can only find posts that the 13″ and 15″ have the new magsafe adapter compatibility. I am looking to buy one for my 17″ but can't find it anywhere to buy except only on the incase website which becomes increasingly more expensive with shipping. If anyone knows anything, it would be greatly appreciated.
Please see my other comment.
I was just checking out the Incase website, and it appears that they have removed the 17″ hardshell from their inventory. I would expect a refresh soon.
I have a mid 2009 (october) 15″ Unibody MacBook Pro, I don't know if i'm imagining this but since I had my orange incase satin hard case put on, my MacBook Pro clam lid is deformed a little bit. Not sure when it happen though. I don't quite remember that before i had the case on. But months later I noticed that the lid don't closed flush, like the outer corners on the front side is bent up a little so the rubber seal surrounding the display doesn't completely sit on the bottom case giving it a complete seal. it meets in the middle though, so its a little warped. I tried to bend the corners down but it doesn't hold shape. I don't know if someone or something maybe smash the middle of the screen while it was closed to cause this warping or if the hard shell case cause it. I read in one review on the apple website that someone experience something like what I mention here. But it was like only one or two cases in the reviews pointing that the hard shell case causes deformation of the aluminum body. Also since then i notice the magnetic hold that clamps the screen closed doesn't hold when you have the macbook pro up right, with the opening side up. Every time i have it upright to a almost vertical degree, it pop open into a “V”. But not all the way since the hinge holds tension. Could it be that the lid is warped and the the magnet contacts aren't as close to each other as they were before? Or is the magnets just worn out? Which also brings me to another concern. I know for a fact that there is a hinge concern regarding the mid 2009 15″ unibody models. They are not stiff enough, leaving the display to flop around, meaning they don't stay at the angle where you leave it at when you tilt the mac it self like from flat to tilted on your legs on the bed. I guess with the hard case on, it makes it worst since it adds more weight to the display. It has been proven on many you tube videos. But the mid 2010 lineup of the macbook pro all have been fixed. It seems Apple has silently addressed this issue. But they should offer hinge replacements though to the 2009 owners though. The hinges are defitnitly stiffer in the mid 2010 model, as also where I notice about the warping. A brand new mid 2010 MBP sits really flush and tight between the top shell and the bottom case. And it doesn't pop open when held in a vertical position. But only a test drive test between the two different year models and some hard shell cases can test and tell, proving if i'm wrong or not about the case warping the aluminum. I mean the fit on the lid with the Incase hard case is really tight after all. Anyone else notice these issues about there MacBook Pros? Anyone have the older (before they redesigned for newer charger plugs) Incase Satin Hard Shell Case for the Black Keys Unibody MacBook Pros? Anyone have warped lids, or lid popping, or loose hinges?
How do you remove this case? I'm having a hard time on mine.
I just bought a new mbp 13″ & the incase hardshell for it this week…the new magsafe adapter works absolutely fine in either orientation. I can put it on with the cord pointing out the back of the computer and still have full range of motion from closed to laid back as far as it'll go without the lid hitting the adapter at all.What I'm wondering is…the case for the upper lid audibly & visibly snaps on. The case for the bottom shell snaps on along the back, but at the front it seems like the two pieces that are SUPPOSED to snap sit JUST low enough that they don't. Is this normal?
Bad news guys; I emailed Incase to ask them when they would be updating their 17″ hardcase shell and this is what they said:Hello Andrew,Thank you for contacting Incase Designs. We no longer manufacture thisproduct and are unable to direct you to a retailer that still has itin stock. We wish we could have been of more assistance.Incase is a design driven brand that is always moving forward toimprove the look and functionality of its products. As new productsare developed some products are eventually phased out.Sincerely,The Incase Consumer Support TeamThat's really too bad because this case seems amazing compared to the Speck alternative.