. Pros Eye-catching transparent design shows off the system.
Snap-in corners make for easy, damage-free insertion and removal. Cons Adds some bulk. Detracts from the MacBook Pro's sleek unibody. Bottom Line While it won't necessarily make your MacBook Pro prettier, the Hard Candy Hard Shell Case for 15-inch MacBook Pro Retina is a simple and relatively inexpensive way to protect your MacBook Pro from scratches and maintain that 'new computer look.' If you're anything like me, your first few months of owning a brand new laptop are characterized by an underlying sense of fear that it could be damaged at any moment. If the system in question happens to be as gorgeous (and expensive) as a, that uneasiness can be magnified.
The Hard Candy Hard Shell Case for 15-inch MacBook Pro Retina ($59.99 list) provides a decent panacea for similarly neurotic folks as well as devil-may-care users that are simply interested in protecting their investment from dings and scratches. At its most basic level, the Hard Shell Case is a form-fitting shell that can easily be put on and taken off of your MacBook Pro. While it's available in four different colors (black, blue, red, and the lime of our review unit), and each is made out of a transparent material that allows you to show off the very handsome system being protected. As is often the case with protective gear, your system obviously doesn't look as good with the Hard Shell Case on it as it does unadorned. But cases aren't meant to make systems look more attractive. Rather, they're designed to preserve that 'new computer' look for as long as possible, presumably to enjoy it during those brief, rare moments when it's being moved from one case to another. The Hard Shell Case's polycarbonate material is tough enough to withstand the scratches and scuffs that will invariably crop up whenever you toss it into your laptop bag.
In other words, its main job is to protect your system and, for the most part, it gets the job done. Still, plenty of folks don't want to see a case each time they use their laptop. If you fall into that camp and your primary concern is protecting your system mainly when it's in transit, you'd be better served with a removable laptop sleeve along the lines of the. The Hard Shell Case consists of two main components: a bottom portion for the MacBook Pro's underside and a corresponding section for the lid. After placing both of the Hard Shell Case's main components onto your system, you secure them with Hard Candy's corner snap mechanism. The corner snap mechanism is a separate plastic strip that clicks into each portion of the Hard Shell Case, locking the case into place while protecting the system's edges. Since corner snap mechanisms can easily be pulled off, removing the Hard Shell Case also requires very little effort.
Unlike other cases that simply grip the sides of your system to the point where removing it can damage the chassis, the Hard Shell Case's intuitive design poses no such risks. At the same time, though, the corner snap mechanism adds about 5mm to each side of your MacBook. While these little 'bumpers' are hardly noticeable, they still contribute to added bulk. In use, the Hard Shell Case fit on my MacBook Pro as snugly as a glove. Moreover, the unobtrusive corner snaps don't get in the way of the Retina Display's bezel-free design. More importantly, the Hard Shell Case doesn't block any of your system's ports or its side air vents so users need not worry about overheating or having to toss out their flash drives.
The Hard Candy Hard Shell Case for 15-inch MacBook Pro Retina is a simple and relatively inexpensive way to protect your MacBook Pro from scratches and scuffs. It's not the prettiest outfit to dress your system in, but it gets the job done in preserving that 'new laptop look' that we all love.
You spent a lot of money on your MacBook Pro. You should protect that investment, even if you bought Apple Care protection. If you drop your MacBook and it requires repairs, Apple Care isn’t going to help anyway, since Apple Care does not cover accidental damage. There are lots of different cases on the market, so it should be easy to find something that fits your unique needs. For some, a basic case provides enough peace of mind.
For others, it is worth investing in an extra rugged case to provide a higher level of protection. Some people use cases to protect their MacBooks, while others use cases to express their personality.
Want to protect your MacBook Pro from drops, dings, and scratches? Check out these top-rated MacBook Pro cases and covers. Some cases are built really tough, while others are built simply to be beautiful and fun. No matter what level of protection you’re looking for, these MacBook Pro cases will fit your budget and last a long time.
Please note that prices listed may fluctuate over time, based on supply and demand. Our list includes cases and covers that fit both the Retina and non-Retina MacBook Pro line, as well cases for various different MacBook Pro sizes that have been issued over the years. Want to protect your MacBook Pro from drops, dings, and scratches? Check out the best MacBook Pro cases and covers below. Thule Vectros MacBook Pro Bumper Case. (Thule) While people might know the Thule name best from their line of ski racks, the company has started to make a name for themselves with their iPhone cases and MacBook Pro cases. This protective case will give you great peace of mind, thanks to durable construction and lots of shock-absorbing features.
The Vectros is one of the best MacBook Pro cases for accident-prone folks, or people who are just worried about damaging their laptop while traveling or commuting. Price: $50.85 for 13-inch model.
Pros:. Trusted brand. Shock-absorbing ridges. Case locks shut, preventing MacBook from opening when bumped. Provides great peace of mind. Optional scratch shields Cons:. Can be tricky to assemble.
Limited color options. Somewhat bulky. Added bulk may make MacBook too big to fit in a tight sleeve or bag. May be too expensive for some budgets. Twelve South BookBook Hardback Leather MacBook Pro Case. (Twelve South) TwelveSouth’s BookBook case is great for anyone who loves books, leather, or unusual cases. While it’s pictured above around a MacBook Air, this case style also fits the MacBook Pro.
When zipped away, the MacBook will just look like an old book, which is pretty cool and sneaky. These MacBook cases are made with genuine leather, and are hand-distressed so that no two are exactly alike. Price: $79.99 and up.
Pros:. Looks like a real leather book (great for security or bibliophiles). You don’t need to remove the case to charge the MacBook. Unique look.
Two rigid, hardback covers for support. Lightweight Cons:. Somewhat expensive. Does add a little heft to your MacBook. Some users find the zipper to be a bit sticky. Can interfere with laptop cooling. Hard to tuck accessories in the case.
Speck Products SeeThru Hard Shell MacBook Pro Case. (Speck) Speck makes these hard shell cases in styles that will fit both the bulkier MacBook Pro, as well as the thinner MacBook Pro with Retina display. Speck’s cases are pretty easy to snap on and off, so you can use them all the time, or just pop them on when you’re traveling. The case does not block your ports, which is great for people who are constantly using peripherals when they are on their laptops. We like this model because of its reasonable price, decent level of protection, and variety of color options.
Price: $30.49 (39 percent off, price depends on style and color selected). Pros:. Styles fit both Retina and non-Retina MacBook Pro models. Lots of color options. Trusted brand. Easy to apply. Redesigned case is 30 percent thinner and lighter than older models Cons:.
Some users have complained about clips breaking. Some find that removing the case can cause scratches.
Color options may not appeal to all tastes. May have unattractive gaps on some laptops. Satin-touch finish may wear down over time.
Decoded MacBook Pro 13 Retina Leather Slim Cover. (Decoded) Decoded makes a cool leather cover for the MacBook Pro. It fits snugly, and protects your laptop from scratches or dings. We like the luxury of this case, since real leather tends to feel nicer (and age more gracefully) than faux leather products.
The leather wraps around part of the keyboard area, providing a nice place to rest your wrists while typing. Price: $99.95. Pros:.
Attractive. Looks expensive.
Unique. Designed to age gracefully. Provides some comfort for your wrists Cons:. Some users find leather is not true to screen color.
Some users find leather quality to be subpar. May not allow fans to properly cool device.
Not waterproof. Limited impact resistance. HDE Matte Hard Shell Snap-On Case & Matching Keyboard Skin for MacBook Pro. (HDE) Looking to make your MacBook Pro a bit more colorful? These cool snap-on shells from HDE let you express your personality with lots of colorful options. In addition to all the color options, you can enjoy UK and America flags, and even some camo options.
The cases come with matching skins for the keyboard area. Price: $13.95 (30 percent off). Pros:. Lightweight. Easy to snap on. Tons of colors and patterns to choose from.
Foam feet on the bottom. Lets you express your personality Cons:. Does not cover ports (which is more convenient, but does leave them open to accidental dirt or water damage). Apple logo may be partially obscured by some styles/colors. Some users find keyboard cover may bulge in some models.
Case tends to show fingerprints. Not waterproof or highly impact resistant. GMYLE Geometric Print Hard Case for MacBook Pro. (GMYLE) It can be hard to find a MacBook Pro cover that has a pattern, rather than a solid color.
This cool geometric design is available in your choice or pink or blue tones. The case is easy to remove and re-install, and has a hard texture. The design of the case makes it simple to plug in any peripherals you need, without having to remove the case first. Price: $16.99 Pros:. Eye-catching design. Easy to remove.
Full access to all buttons and features Cons:. Limited color options. Apple logo cannot shine through the case 7. ICasso Wood Pattern Hard Case & Keyboard Cover for MacBook Pro.
(iCasso) Looking for both a cover and a keyboard skin? This unusual, wood grain-inspired set lets you protect the outside of your Macbook Pro. While since the additional thickness may interfere with the designed closed position of the display, many folks still like to use a keyboard cover to prevent keyboard wear over time. If you really love the look of this case combo, then these concerns may not bother you. This is a slim, lightweight case that does not interfere with charging or other I/O functions.
If wood grain is not your style, there are multiple other patterns available, which you can browse via the link below. This case is available for Retina and non-Retina models of the 13-inch and 15-inch style. Price: $19.99 (50 percent off MSRP) Pros:. Multiple patterns to choose from.
Color-coordinated with keyboard cover. Lightweight and easy to install Cons:. Keyboard cover may interfere with laptop operation over time. Some users have reported grips on bottom of case are not sufficient to keep laptop from moving around on a desk surface 8. Kamor Macbook Pro Felt & Leather Laptop Case With Macbook Charger Case. (Kamor) Hard cases are ideal for some MacBook Pro owners, but others dislike the idea of having to constantly remove and replace the hard case.
For those looking for light protection for their MacBook, this felt and leather MacBook sleeve may be the superior choice. We also like that this model comes with a separate case for the charger. Price: $15.99 (36 percent off MSRP) Pros:.
Nice option for people who don’t want to struggle with a clip-on hard case. Additional case for charger as well. Attractive design Cons:. Limited impact resistance. Not available for older 17-inch MacBooks 9. Snugg Macbook Air & Pro 13 Case. (Snugg) This is another sleeve option to consider instead of a hard case.
It’s designed to fit 13-inch MacBooks, and comes in 12 different colors. While it is made from faux leather, rather than genuine leather, that may actually be an upside for vegan shoppers.
There are lots of color options to choose from, and this MacBook Pro cover is also splash-proof. Price: $35.99 (55 percent off MSRP) Pros:. Lifetime guarantee. Featured on MacWorld and in GQ. Splashproof, and tons of color options to choose from Cons:. Expensive.
Not real leather 10. IPearl mCover Hard Shell MacBook Pro Case. (mCover) Still rockin’ a non-Retina MacBook Pro? This is the case for you. In addition to providing a hard top and bottom case, you also get the benefit of legs that enhance air circulation beneath your laptop. If you want a protective case, but also want to avoid overheating, this is a nice MacBook Pro cover to consider. Since so many protective cases lack ventilation, this is a nice model to consider if you are concerned about an older MacBook with a tendency to overheat.
Price: $9.99 Pros:. Reasonably priced. Multiple color options. Legs. Comes with a free keyboard cover Cons:.
Doesn’t fit Retina MacBook Pro models. Some users find fit a bit loose. Some users concerned with overheating See Also:. Heavy, Inc. Is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon. Our product recommendations are guided solely by our editors. We have no relationship with manufacturers.