Semi-hard macbook specific slipcase/sleeve?

For my old laptop, I had a semi-hard slipcase that I ordered from Japan. It was designed to fit the laptop, and so everything felt very secure. The case has no zippers, and I think that is important. If I could change anything on the Vaio case, it would be to add a small "map pocket" type pocket on the outside for holding some papers. Otherwise it is essentially perfect.

I bought a crappy slipcover from the apple store assuming it was designed to fit the macbook exactly - wrong! The case is also about 3/4" of an inch too big in width and height, so it feels like the notebook is swimming around inside. The zipper on it almost seems like it is designed to hurt the laptop in a fall. And the protection is almost nonexistant since they made it out of really soft neoprene-like material. I discovered they put a foam sheet inside so in the store it appears more sturdy than it actually is.

I would like to find the equivalent of the sony case for my 15" macbook pro - perfect fit, decent protection, very slim, no zippers (at least none where they could hurt the laptop). Does such a thing exist? Bonus points for looking as sexy as the vaio case.

A picture of the old case from the siliconpopculture link:

 

Damn that's a nice case. I wish they made one for the Asus G1. Try this link. It looks a lot like the case you have now. It's not made for the mbp, but the powerbook. I imagine they'll come out with one for the mbp?

 

i would take a look at the waterfield sleeve case. they are custom-fitted. i would also consider the tom bihn brain cell, though i don't know if that will be a perfect fit like the waterfield case.

also, check out the cases from booqbags.

 

Hmm I wonder how well these things will work with a Sager NP2090 with a 9-Cell battery, since I plan to haul my laptop using a normal backpack to class.

 

With the 9 cell, is it protruding from the back? If so I would probably get a custom.

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I ordered a Waterfield slipcase with flap. It looks like it is very similar to what I used to have. I'll post a mini-review when it arrives.

 

I ordered my Waterfield bag yesterday at about 4PM sfbags.com time, next-day air, and they managed to get it shipped out the same day even though their policy has a 12:00 cutoff for same-day shipment! So, I already have my slipcase in my hands! I opted to get the vertical design with flap, and it is almost exactly what I was looking for. The macbook is quite snug in the case, and doesn't fall out when held upside down by the pull-tab. Construction is on-par with the Vaio slipcover I used to have, essentially entirely ballistic nylon on the outside and soft rubbery material on the inside. It feels very durable, like a very high quality ballistic nylon backpack or duffel bag. I imagine it will last many many years assuming I have a properly sized notebook to put in it 10 years from now.

The only major structural difference between the Vaio case and the Waterfield case is the lack of a stiff insert in the ends of the case on the Waterfield. The Vaio case is a little stiffer and "3-D" and the Waterfield case is more like an envelope. I think the Vaio case would protect the corners of the laptop better in a fall due to its design. The Waterfield case feels like it would protect quite well if the laptop fell and landed "flat," but I am worried about a drop onto a hard floor if it landed on an edge. The flip side to this is that the Waterfield case will lay flat once the laptop is removed, but the Vaio case remains the same thickness.

Another difference between the two is the inclusion of a pocket on the outside of the Waterfield case for storing papers or some other flat items. I think it will be very handy. I used to place papers behind the laptop inside the Vaio case and then forget they were there when putting the laptop back in - they would become a crumpled mass on the bottom of the case.

Summary
Pros:
Looks great
Fit is perfect
Decent protection, especially for the size and weight
External pocket for papers
Exceptional service from sfbags.com

Cons:
Could protect the corners of the laptop better