When you’ve invested in a high-end laptop like a MacBook, it’s natural to agonize over the best way to keep it safe. Do you slap a protective hardshell case onto the pricey computer? Or would that detract from the sleek look and feel you’ve paid so much for? Could a case, in an ironic twist, actually end up damaging the MacBook’s hardware?
I had to navigate that dilemma the summer after I graduated from high school, when I finally splurged with my saved-up grocery-store cashier earnings on the ultimate luxury: a 2017 MacBook Pro that I hoped would get me through my college years and beyond. Despite the MacBook’s reputation as tough, the space-gray laptop still felt delicate in my hands. The next logical move was to buy an all-over hardshell case.
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Casing the MacBook struck me as a no-brainer at the time: I shuddered to imagine my hard-earned, first Apple computer getting flung onto desks, jostled between textbooks and doused with coffee. Even a flimsy plastic case would offer a layer of protection from dings, dents and scratches, plus some peace of mind, right? It was certainly better than nothing, I reasoned.
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As I carted my MacBook off to college, its cheapish teal case from Amazon did indeed protect it from scratches and dirt for the most part. But within two years, some serious problems still bubbled up. The hinge became loose, and every time I opened the MacBook, the display would gradually tilt backward. When neon pink bars started sprawling across my screen, I lugged it into the Apple store and learned I had to get the display replaced. Whatever messed up the display, it seems the hardshell case didn’t do much to protect it.
Long after the fact, I spotted some forum posts recommending against casing MacBooks at all. They said cases could put pressure on the display half, weaken the hinge, and stifle the cooling mechanisms. Apple did not respond to CNET’s request for comment.
The prospect of going caseless horrified me at first. How could I subject my precious MacBook to grubby surfaces and unprotected drops? But I gave it a try. And to this day, both my personal MacBook (now a 2020 M1) and work MacBook are in the nude. Nothing catastrophic has happened, despite my fears. The laptops feel light and sleek.
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At the same time, though, I’ve spotted some scratches on the bottom. And with the stay-at-home world of the past two years shifting back into go-to-the-office mode, I thought it was time to give hardshell MacBook cases another look. Here’s what I found:
Pros of casing
- Some protection. While a case won’t keep your MacBook totally safe from, say, dunking in a bathtub, it will grant the hardware a bit of mercy from scratches and spills.
- Peace of mind. If you’re frequently transporting your MacBook from place to place, you have many more opportunities to drop or ding it. It’s comforting to know that even if your laptop does take a tumble, there’s a barrier to cushion the blow.
- Personalization. A colorful case will certainly differentiate your MacBook from its other doppelgangers in a room. This can be especially helpful if you’re in a setting with a lot of other MacBooks, like in an office, classroom or an especially Apple-outfitted household.
Cons of casing
- Overheating. Most laptops employ vents to help them stay cool. If your case blocks those vents, the laptop will run hotter, which may harm its performance. (But if you have an M1 MacBook Air, you don’t have to worry about this because it doesn’t have vents.)
- Strain on your display. The top part of the case adds extra weight to your MacBook’s display. This can loosen up the hinge and make it more difficult for the display half to stay put.
- Nasty-looking after a while. A MacBook in its natural state is easy to wipe off, but once you throw a case into the mix, you have to deal with a different surface that can be resistant to cleaning. I’ve noticed that my cases have quickly accumulated dirt and lost their luster.
Other ways to keep your laptop safe
- Get a sleeve instead. While a hardshell case stays affixed to your MacBook, a sleeve is simply a soft carrying case. It offers protection for your MacBook while it’s not in use, and it allows you to skip the risks that come with a shell.
- Avoid open cups. I once fried my mother’s MacBook by knocking over a nearby glass of milk. To this day, I only let covered liquids (in a water bottle or a cup with a lid and straw) near mine.
- If you use a keyboard cover, remove it before closing your laptop. A lot of cases come with a silicone keyboard cover that matches the color of the case. It looks cute, and it keeps crumbs and grease out of your keyboard. But remember to take it off the keyboard before shutting the lid, lest you harm the display.
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