Speck MacBook 13" See-Thru Hard Case - RED - Fits all versions of 13" MacBooks Reviews

• Protects from external scratches but causes scratches of its own

  
  By A3ND8W8O7GATFZ on 2007-05-31
  I just bought a new MacBook and wanted to keep it as pristine as possible knowing that I'd be toting it back and forth to Bar review classes. After a month of use, I noticed some dirt spots on the case and tried to remove them with Windex and a paper towel. Then I realized the dirt spots weren't dirt at all, but were the shadows of scratches on the inside of the case (i.e., on the surface that makes contact with the outer plastic of the MacBook). After prying off the case (took about a minute all by myself; not that hard) I saw that corresponding scratches were on my MacBook. Since this case isn't airtight (to allow for heat venting I assume), some dust or particles probably got in between the case and the MacBook and the normal use just sandwiched the particle between the two, scratching both surfaces.
  
  Note, this is not one or two scratches. This is in the teens and all over my new MacBook. Preventing scratches like this is exactly what I was trying to avoid by buying this case and when I store my MacBook I always put it in a sleeve. My guess is that the MacBook would have been better off with out the case.
  
  Not happy and I can't really recommend this product. I would have given 2 stars because maybe, just maybe, the MacBook would have been damaged worse without the case. Maybe. I dinged it down to one because there were already some scratches and dings in the case when I opened it up. For any nay sayers, I wiped the case and the MacBook down with a teflon cloth and then air blasted them before putting the case on the MacBook.
  
  

• Scratched my Macbook

  
  By A10GZCI0HBJAYY on 2007-04-12
  As long as its on, it will prevent scratches, but its tough to get off, and that act can scratch your laptop. It scratched my Macbook when I pried it off. The guy at the Apple Store who snapped it on a Macbook beause I requested a "demo", couldn't pry it off, and after 10 embarassing minutes, he called a colleague over, and they pried it off together. And, to be honest, this makes the MB look ugly - kinda like putting a veil on a supermodel. ;--(
  
  

• Good, but a lot of & for a piece of plastic.

  
  By A2U1CMEGA3950K on 2007-07-17
  It looks good on my white macbook and I suppose it offers some level of protection but... there is probably only a dollars worth of plastic in this 40$+ cover... hard to justify. I have also bought a black napa leather cover from covercase for a few dollars less that looks awesome, gets many compliments, keeps my legs cool while sitting on my lap and wont scratch the surface of my macbook because there is no hard plastic touching the case, just a soft red felt lining. Check out covercase on Amazon sold by third party but good service.
  
  

• Do NOT buy this product if you want to keep your MacBook looking nice and unscratched!

  
  By A2ETVW16FIB262 on 2007-07-22
  I bought this product because it was advertised to protect my macbook from scratches. Unfortunately, less than six months after I put it on my brand-new laptop, I discovered that the plastic case had trapped incidental dust and dirt in between the case and the laptop, and had scratched my entire computer irreparably. Sure, my computer still works, but the once-pristine laptop case is now scratched, far more than it would have been had I NOT purchased this cover.
  I am currently in negotiations with Speck to get my money back and damages. The product is well-engineered in terms of usability of the Macbook, but poorly thought out in terms of protection of the laptop.
  
  

• Limits display hinge

  
  By A3JGKZS5Z0JTV4 on 2007-07-29
  I recently got the Speck MacBook See-Thru Hard Case (as in today). I put it on and admired how well it fit an am suprised at how little wait and size it adds. Also something not noted is that there are little rubber feet inside it to help prevent excessive contact with your MacBook. Then I put my display on my lap and opened my display and arrggghhhh. The display would only open to about 90 degrees. Meaning as it's on my lap the display is not pointing at me. The problem being that the Speck case on the bottom colides with the one on the lid and the lid itself. The solution is to get a dremel and follow already existing molding lines in the bottom case and cut the back off the bottom cover on both back corners. I'm not sure why the back is necessary as it doesn't add necessary strength to the bottom cover and the slots in the back that you cut off in the process don't line up with the speaker grills in any case.
  
  Can I recommend this product? Only if you're hand with a dremel or you don't mind your display being limited to only partially opening. I love the cover and having gotten the blue one like the new color but until they make some necessary changes this product only deserves a 6 out of 10.
  
  
• The cover scratches my MacBook
  By A2V1HP25OTL88Y on 2007-03-27
  I bought one of these when I bought my Macbook to keep it in pristine condition, just a few months ago. I just popped it off to clear out a little bit of debris that got caught between the cover and the Macbook and find that all along the cover has been scratching my Macbook.
  
  They should at least have had the foresight to make the plastic in contact with the Macbook of a softer material, or created a design where it won't rub against the laptop.
  
  Really stupid design. It may have protected against some very minor scratches,but likely I'm worse off for using this cover (scratches on the outside of the cover are more evenly dispersed than those now on the macbook but both are of similar severity). I don't think in the long run it was worth $40, and I feel very misled by the marketing for this cover. Given the choice again I would have either gone for another brand or just saved my money.
  
  
• It works, and works well
  By A16LGNEUXD6M0L on 2007-10-30
  Like most people I bought the Speck cover to protect my Mac when I travel. And like most people I would like to keep my computer in pristine condition, but in the real world I know that's pretty much impossible. In short everything is a trade-off. If you want your Mac to stay looking like the day you brought it home, you're going to spend more time fussing over it than working on it. But if you bought it to use for its intended purpose, eventually it will show some wear and tear.
  
  If you carry your Mac from home to work or school where it goes from one safe, clean place to another you probably won't need the Speck case. But if you really take your Mac on the road the Speck case is worth a look. I fly over 100,000 miles each year which means that the computer is constantly exposed to TSA security checks, airline tray tables, and numerous lobbies and hotel rooms. I saw the Speck as good protection for when the computer is not snuggled in neoprene or tucked away in my briefcase. And so far it has done its job very well.
  
  I haven't seen the small scratches that some of the folks who posted here refer to, but I don't doubt that they may very well exist. For me however, if I remove the cover and see them on my Mac it will still be worth it to protect it from the big scratches (or chips, or gouges). And speaking of removing the case, I haven't had any problems there either.
  
  The manufacturer's instructions recommend that you slide a thin piece of plastic between the edge of the computer and the cover to "pop" the clips holding the cover on. I used one of those small "frequent purchaser" keychain barcode tags (most grocery and retail stores issues them to customers) to remove the cover with no effort at all. No wrestling, no mangling, and no damage.
  
  Someone also noted that the plastic in the case is too soft, allowing it to flex and cause the small scratches. I'm sure that Speck could change the chemical compound to make the case more rigid, but that would also make it a little less comfortable in your hand, and a little more prone to cracking or even shattering. So we're back to that trade-off thing again. To me they got the right combination.
  
  At the end of the day all computer cases do a good job of protecting your computer when it's safely inside, but the Speck case protects it when it's out and running, which is exactly what I was looking for. Very few cases can make that claim.
  
  
• It's just too cool!!
  By A3E43XFDMS5GWJ on 2007-05-16
  I've got a nice Solodex backpack for my 13" white MacBook, but I usually leave the Mac out on a table so it's easy to access. Anyone who's ever owned a Mac or iPod knows how easily they can become scratched. I saw an article in Macworld about the red speck case and I was fascinated by it having never seen a hard clip on case for a lap top before, not to mention one that was asthetically pleasing. So I shopped around and bought a red case from Amazon. I noticed in the customer reviews that some folks complained that the Speck case scratched their MacBook. However, since I own 2 iPods and a 20" iMac I've learned the importance of making sure that both the device and the inside of the case are completely clean and dust free before installation. I'm extremely happy with my Speck case and the lighted apple logo on the MacBook lid looks gorgeous in red. I'd recommend this case to anyone who wants to protect their investment with a minimum of fuss. An added bonus is that the case insulates your lap from some of the heat that the battery builds up, so now I've got a real laptop.
  
  
• looks can be decieving
  By A2R3PXOTJ2TTWK on 2007-08-22
  I initially realy liked this product, but i realized that it makes the screen half much heavier and as a result the nubs which meet the bottom half when the laptop closes have been cracking the plastic of the laptop when they close it. I have since taken this cover off my laptop because it causes too many problems (even though it looks cool)
  
  
• Same problem as below.. scratches!
  By A3T2DMMTNMMGC8 on 2007-12-13
  Exactly the same issue as other reviewers.. the exact thing I bought the product to prevent, has happened because of it.
  
  Dirt and dust gets caught between the case and the macbook- and just grinds away, leading to deep, deep scratches.
  
  So upsetting!
  
  
• Excellent... fits and works perfectly.
  By A3SP052YAHOCO5 on 2007-01-20
  The case is very easy to install, fits perfectly, barely adds any thickness to the MacBook, and the clear finish still showcases the MacBook itself. it stays snugly in place and perfectly aligned.
  
  I plug/unplug my MacBook frequently and all the cables (mini-DVI, ethernet, USB, Power) fit just fine through the case.
  
  I have not noticed any marked increase in heat; there are venting slots built in the case.
  
  This should allow me to keep my MacBook in prime condition for resale when the time comes. I highly recommend getting this along with your MacBook purchase so you can keep it squeaky clean and scratch free from day one.
  
  It seems just a bit pricey, as I would have preferred it to be in the $20-$25 range (at the time of my purchase), but it certainly will protect your MacBook investment.
  
  
• Cheap, not at all what I expected, really useless...
  By A1KXK0YS60S0H8 on 2007-01-26
  I guess I should have thought more about what I was getting... I ended up buying this and returning it... I thought it'd be a little slimmer, but it's fairly thick plastic. My take on the plastic is why does it have to be so thick? They're worried about it being able to take a hit, but if you hit plastic (even real thick plastic) hard enough it's going to cause damage to the laptop regardless.... so why not make it more thin... it literally increases the laptop's thickness by 10-20% .. additionally of concern it didn't have what I felt to be sufficient holes in the bottom for venting... I ended up getting the Tucano Second Skin Neoprene case... it's waterproof and the macbook fits right inside as it's literally designed for the Macbook and only the macbook. when the laptop is out of it it's going to be open so the Speck case wouldn't protect it anyhow... guess it all depends on what you're trying to prevent. If you're worried you'll scratch it or fingerprint it, maybe the problem isn't the laptop, maybe it's your personal habits... wash your hands! :-)
  
  
• Peace of mind for the MacBook owners/lovers !!!
  By A3RQWRXG7BGL20 on 2007-04-17
  Hi there,
  
  I am writing this review after having used the product for almost 2 months now. From the moment I bought my MacBook, I was looking for a case that would protect my macbook without sacrificing it's look. The very reason many people buy a mac is for it's beautiful design and who in the world would want to spoil that look and how would you actually do that without hurting it due to day to day use? Voila! I came across this product. The case is pretty hard plastic and has some nice cuts that gives good grip while holding/carrying the macbook. It covers the macbook completely at the top and at the bottom with openings on the sides for the different ports. There are fin like openings on the bottom case for heat to dissipate. That way you wouldn't have to worry about the macbook overheating.
  
  The only thing bothers me with this product is that once you put it in on your mac, it is difficult to remove it. I sometimes feel that I might damage the egdes when trying to open. This may also be because I am not doing it the right way ;-)
  
  But anyways, I would recommend this product for any macbook lover that wants to protect it from being scratched or damaged.
  
  Loks
  
  
• Great for a busy professional
  By A3R1P5P2GE5ZM8 on 2007-04-27
  This is a great product for a busy professional or grad student who gives their Mac a lot of mileage. I'm in law school, so I'm constantly throwing my computer in my bag along with heavy casebooks, keys, and other junk. My old iBook survived tremendous abuse, and after two years looked like it had been through a war. The Speck case protects the MacBook's shell and even the screen, in a roundabout way. Normally, if you put a Mac into a briefcase or bag with heavy books, the books will press against the shell, and the screen inside will press against the keys leaving dents and screwing the the LCD. The Speck case is very stiff, so even the heaviest books and the worst abuse don't push the screen onto the keyboard. Plus, if you put a red case on a white Mac, people will think you're in some secret club that has access to red Macs.
  
  Cons: it's next to impossible to remove the top case with two hands - you need a buddy to get it off. Also, dust starts to collect under the bottom case (static?), so you need to take off the bottom monthly to clean. Fortunately the bottom case is easier to remove for cleaning.
  
  
• Fits like a glove!
  By A32SY8LB4OOTYH on 2007-05-16
  Nice product, fits my white MacBook like a glove. I've been using it for a few days and have not had any problems. I would recommend cleaning both the cover and your MacBook before putting it on since the cover came a bit dusty. Use your favorite cleaner like iKlear and give them both a good cleaning. I think this will help in avoiding insides scratches as some have mentioned.
  
  I would've given it 5 stars, but it is a bit pricey for what it is. There are some knock-offs for about half as much, but I haven't seen any reviews on them. With free shipping, Amazon has the best deal out there, but if they were a little cheaper, I would've gotten another color to go with the clear.
  
  
• I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS ITEM
  By A2H7H5TYA9PUE7 on 2007-09-23
  I just took my cover off after having it on for 2 weeks and it actually scratched my computer up more than it would have not having a case. Buying this product was a pretty bad decision. I'm so angry right now. My computer was BRAND NEW !!! Now it looks like I dropped my computer on the ground and kicked it around. The only good thing about this product is that it makes the computer look cool. I would not recommend this item to anyone trying to keep their computer looking new.
  
  
• Just what I was looking for
  By A1TVSJPAURN6SR on 2007-11-12
  I read numerous reviews on a variety of sites before purchasing this case in red. I was nervous because several people spoke about horrible scratches to their MacBooks, but I really liked the color and did not want a zip-up case. I would DEFINITELY buy this case again! I just took my case off (after re-reading these reviews) - fairly easy, took about 30 seconds. The case: lots of scratches, dirty (I do take my MacBook absolutely everywhere). The laptop: perfect, with one little scratch on the edge (which may have occurred before I bought the case). I give it 4 stars out of 5 because the case itself scratches easily and it's pretty pricey. But I have no regrets at all.
  
  
• Easy on!
  By A2I9LWM2C7BRBY on 2006-12-28
  Four stars only because I just received it today and just put it on my new 13" MacBook. It's candy-apple red! It snapped on easily; all the holes line up, and it doesn't interfere with operation or closing. Just wish it had arrived when my MacBook did a couple weeks ago so I would have a pristine, finger-print-free to put it on.
  
  
• perfect complement to Apple design
  By A5WKHKGI30L6C on 2007-01-03
  This clear case fits perfectly and protects the MacBook from scratches.
  
  
• Love my Speck MacBook Case
  By A6BIRY0YKE6W on 2007-02-10
  This item fits my MacBook perfectly. The red color makes it look great, and the polycarbonate material is very durable. The cover is so thin that you don't even notice the slight extra thickness.
  Everyone that sees my computer really likes it!
  
  
• Great product
  By A1U4TEYA77GO34 on 2007-02-27
  This product is everything it claims to be. It is very easy to install, it fits perfectly, including all ports, DVD drive slot and airvents, and it looks great! The added protection is great when you're travelling and they make you take your laptop out of its case and drop it in a bin.
  
  The only drawbacks I've found are ones you will see mentioned around: the screen does not open quite as far as it normally does and sometimes, because of the added width of the case, Firewire cables don't get to plug completely in, leaving them a little loose. It hasn't caused me any trouble but I noticed it.
  
  
• Attractive case keeps scratches and dirt off.
  By A2EH8LWBYR1DG5 on 2007-06-09
  This attractive case snapped on in seconds with ease. Protects from wear and tear sliding computer in and out of carrying case. It is very light weight. A great product, especially for the white macbook. I have not tried to remove it yet, but can't think why I would want to. Connectors fit fine, does not impare fit. Great colors too!
  
  
• Adds spice but comes with price
  By A3VCCT0C3WESEN on 2007-06-13
  As I am a graduating high school senior and incoming college freshman, many of my friends (including myself) have hit the laptop market with the quicks. Those of us who have opted to enter the Macworld have pretty much been relegated to purchasing the 13' Macbook, for the Macbook Pro is ridiculously expensive and an almost impractical purchase for college students. To this regard, one has two choices- the white Macbook or black one. Other than that, there is absolutely no distinction between one person's white Macbook and another's. The Speck Case has allowed me to implement my own 'flayvuh' onto my laptop. The Case looks surprisingly better than I thought it would but it still does not look quite as chic as a naked Macbook does (it would be nice if it came in blue instead of just white and black). In regards to protection-- The Case probably isn't the best item for that. It does prevent otherwise inevitable scratches (I haven't taken my Case off yet, so I don't know whether it "is hard to take off" or "scratches the laptop"...why take it off?) on the laptop itself. However, if you drop the Macbook, guess what...the case is going down with it and it's not gonna do much good on a hard surface.
  Also, I was a little disappointed at the price. But that's the life of a Mac user. Most Mac items are overpriced since they are in a monopolized market for the most part and this Case is customized for the Macbook. Verdict-- tough it out, pay the 50 dollars, add your own flayvuuuh to the Mac. Might wanna supplement your 1500 dollar investment with a cheap cushioned case but it's not necessary.
  
  
• not the best choice
  By AO91OI84PIP40 on 2007-08-23
  The product doesn't look like the picture.
  The actual product look like something from a barbie warehouse. The Apple light at the dorsal surface of the laptop is basically blocked (they should've cut the apple outline out). Also, the top cover doesn't actually touch the laptop in the middle, it bulges out a little, annoys me.
  
  If I can go back in time, I'd pay more for a better one.
  
  
• Good but not Great.
  By A1DQY56Z455A8O on 2007-01-16
  I bought this item for my new macbook which happens to be black. I bought it because every little mark shows up on it. The cover looks great even if I do believe it to be slightly pricey for only two pieces of plastic. It does fit nicely on my macbok, all the slots match up and everything. So no complaints there. It does however restrict the opening of my macbook, I cannot bend it open as far as when the cover was not on. Which makes it difficult for me to see the screen if I have it angled certain ways. It doesn't appear to make my macbook any hotter than when the cover is not in place, so again no complaints with that. Over all this is a good product for keeping your macbook free from scratches and fingerprints.
  
  UPDATE: The Speck cover turned out to be worth my money afterall. Since posting last, I have banged my Macbook on my computer stand a few times. Luckly the cover was in place..otherwise I'd most likely have huge dents in my Mac rather than a couple of medium sized scratched on the cover. (Which by the way, aren't even that noticable.) I will admitt though that I am looking into other means of protection. The Speck cover won't prevent things from getting caught in the USB ports or the disc drive if I carry it around in my messenger bag..that's why I'll also be getting some sort of sleeve for when I decided to bring my Mac into school with me.
  
  PS. Warning-Extremely hard to remove without help. I tried just using my fingers and failed. It also felt like it I kept going my screen w ould have ripped right off with the hard case still in place. Tip-use a credit card. 2 worked for me, one on each side of the little piece that holds it on. On the plus side, when I did finally get it off there were no scratches.
  
  
• Spendy, but worth it!
  By A1NSG2IFDB12AB on 2007-02-20
  I've had this case for 4 months now and it is great. Before I had a soft case which I had to take off everytime I wanted to use my computer, but now I just leave my hard case on it all the time. When I take it to school with me, I just throw my encased computer in my bag and it does great and it takes us less space than it did with the soft case. I haven't had any problems with heat, I don't think that it gets any hotter than it normally does when it's "naked". As far as adding bulk, it's not much. It's just a tiny bit heaveir and I rarely even notice that it's there. I love this case, because I don't have to worry about my cat stepping on and scratching it when I leave it on the couch or when he thinks he can sleep on it. I recomend it to anyone who has pets or takes their computer anywhere with them. Yeah, it's a little spendy, but it's worth the investment.
  
  
• GREAT PROTECTION & STYLE
  By A3TMKWR2OM0ZD3 on 2007-03-09
  I bought this case to protect my new Macbook from scratches and wear and tear; and also for the style. I didn't think it's possible to make the Macbook look better but this red case is very stylish and I feel confident it's going to last. It's extremely easy to snap on and off to give you the versatility, and could also act as a replacement for a sleeve since it gives full coverage of the Macbook's case. All the spaces and vents for the ports line up perfectly and the case fits snugly over the laptop's top and bottom. Overall you can't go wrong with this case especially for the low price but classy looks and sturdy protection.
  
  
• Great protection for MacBook
  By A2DGZ4EJIESRSW on 2007-03-28
  A great product - snug fit on the laptop, and appears to be a part of the laptop itself. Difficult to remove, but no real reason to remove it anyway.
  
  
• Nice product but a bit pricey
  By A2UU9QUYJTGJF1 on 2007-06-05
  I just received my macbook case and it went on really easily. If you follow the instruction diagram that comes with it, you'll have no problem. Can't say if it scratches up the computer when you remove it because I haven't tried yet. It seems to fit great and is light, so the computer doesn't feel much heavier with it on. My only complaint is that it seems pricey (I paid $43) for a couple of pieces of plastic. But, I needed something to protect my laptop and this seems to be the only acceptable thing on the market. So far so good.
  
  
• Great Product! Fully Recommended
  By A20KWXAV6MBWNV on 2007-06-14
  Protects my Black MacBook! The moment I received this product and my Macbook (a day after), this case has been protecting my mac. I haven't tried removing them but I know that with careful way of doing it, you'll avoid scratching your mac. It's clear so it doesn't hide my beautiful macbook (proud macuser!). I'm totally satisfied with my purchase!
  
  

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