Looking for a Hard Case for the M11x

The reason I need a hard case is because I'll be carrying it in my backpack, which has no padding - and my backpack often gets dropped, so I need the heavy duty shock absorption. Problem is it doesn't look like there's any hard cases out there designed for the m11x, so I've been searching around amazon to find hard cases with dimensions that might fit the M11x and have only found these two:

Amazon.com: Acer Aspire AS1410-8913 11.6-Inch Laptop Hard Cube Carrying Case (Many Color Available): Electronics

Amazon.com: MSI 12.1-Inch Laptop Carrying Case ( Hard Shell, Black ) ( MSI VR220-004US, MSI PR201-019US, ect.) + Vangoddy tm, Live*Laugh*Love wrist band!!!: Clothing

Anyone think any of the above cases would fit the M11x & provide good shock absorption? And if not, anyone found any other cases that might fit the bill?

 

no idea if those will work (seems like you'd want as close to the exact internal size as possible so that if it was dropped it wouldn't be able to shift), but here are the m11x dimensions to help in your search:

height (front and back): 1.29"
width: 11.25"
depth: 9.19"

 

I have a MacTruck from Radtech for my MBP and they used to make one for the 12" Powerbook.
They are expensive but they have some for the older machines very cheap.

I have found several 12" PB cases that fit my M11 perfectly.

It would be worth a call to Radtech to get the exact internal dimensions to see if the 11 would fit in an older MacTruck.

I carry my MBP with a Toughbook everyday and the Toughbook can not hurt the MB in that case.

Actually Radtech is here in STL and if I get a chance I will take my 11 out there and see if it fits.

Ed

 

That would be great if you did that. As for the radtech macbook cases you're talking about - are they hard? Because I think even the older macbooks were slim form factor (compared to the m11x), and a hard case can't stretch to accommodate for this like neoprene sleeve, so the case has to have the right thickness dimension. If you have any links for what cases in particular you're thinking of that'd be great because then I could look up the internal dimensions...

Although, I think the 2 cases I found should work as long as the rule of thumb with internal dimensions is that as long as the internal dimensions are equal to or larger than your laptop's dimensions, then you're good. It's hard to tell if they're actually "hard" cases though - even though they both say that in the title, the pictures make them look more soft-ish...

Btw, here's another laptop case that I've heard is good. It's not hard, but I've heard it has a lot of padding and it fits the M11x, so maybe it'd do the trick:
http://www.amazon.com/Mobile-Sumo-B...1_fkmr2_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1280102810&sr=1-1-fkmr2

Looking back at the cases I first linked, they just look like they don't have very much padding at all. I really wish I could get these cases side by side and put my M11x in them to see how it fits, how much padding they have, and how hard the hard ones really are... damn online shopping :-/

 

If a solid sheet of aluminum is hard,then yes!
They have padding inside.

RadTech Laptop Cases, iPod and iPhone Cases & Accessories, Apple MacBook Accessories

 

I have a similar problem and here is the solution I am going for.

1. get this rigid case Cool Bananas

Good fit with some space, but could use more padding.

2. get neoprene sleeve, I am going with the Alien one for the M11x but any that have a snug fit will do. I am waiting for mine to arrive so no pics yet.

Put netbook in sleeve then in case... bingo!

 

That looks nice.
I am going out of town today but delaying it to try the MacTruck first and I will get one to take with me if it fits.
Will report here after.

For now I have been carrying my M11x in a Bihn Brain Cell and I think it is more than fine too.
Hard and Soft at the same time and with a suspension to absorb drops if dropped just right.

 

That looks great - you'll have to let us know how it fits / works. Can you buy the cool bananas case in the US though? I can't find any US purchasing sites for it...

 

I will do some pics when it gets here.

Not sure about US

The M11x neoprene case has only one source in UK atm although on amazon.co.uk too but with 1-2month availability

 

Hm.. well maybe one will show up on ebay some day or something. In the meantime I think I'm gunna go with the 12" sumo sleeve, since I've heard such good things about it and it has so much padding (and it's cheap). Do you think that with the m11x inside it it would fit inside the cool bananas case? Like how much room does your m11x have to move around when it's in there by itself? I believe the sumo case is 1.5 inches thick...
Amazon.com: Sumo 12" Nylon Sleeve: Electronics

 

On its own it will move about and you could easily fit some flat things in. But not sure that Sumo case would work as it looks kinda big. I think with the Alien neoprene it will be a snug fit and the Sumo is more padded.

I was looking at the Sumo if I could not get a hard case.

I searched on "netbook 12inch hard case" and there were some types in US I recall.

This one looks similar (check sizes)
Kroo-Pocket-Netbooks

 

Here are the pics (taken & edited on my HTC Desire/PicSay-pro)

1 - My portable bits - ONLY THE M11x FITS IN THE CASE
2 - Lined up to go M11x > Neoprene > Hard Case
3 - This sleeve fits perfectly and has a flap that covers the front before zipping
4 - It is like these were made to fit each other (so Sumo is probably too big)
5 - A very good fit
6 - There is a bulge built into the hard (EVA) case which you could fit something in but I wont.
7 - Slots into my briefcase nicely

 

Here is picture 7 (limit of 6 per post)

 

Wow, excellent. Maybe I'll hold off on buying the sumo after all then. Only problem is I still need to find a way to buy that cool bananas case in the US.. D:

 

Well I went out to see the Radtech MacTruck case for the M11 and now it lives with me!
The case fits the machine like it was designed for it.
It is almost unbelievable.

If you need a case to protect your M11x,this is as rugged as I can imagine as it is a folded powdercoated aluminum case.
The pics on the Radtech site do not do justice to the case.

Even better is that these 12" Powerbook cases are discontinued and are $50.00 now and not $250.00 or so like they were when current.

I will try to do a little review with pics but I am trying to get out of town and am already a day late so it might have to wait till I return but you can be sure the Alien will be riding in the new case on the trip.

They also have several more in stock.

Ed

 

I take it you got the 12" PB Type 2 C Grade?

Think I'm going to pull the trigger on one of those.

 

Yeo that's the one.
I looked at the Type 1 and 2 and like the 2 a lot better but they are both nice.
The padding in the 2 fit a lot better and I just removed the 2 side pads in the lid and all is perfect.
No movement at all when closed,Foam touching Alien all around and great latching.

I have had one for my Macbook for a while now and it still is like new so I knew if it fit at all I would get one.

If you order tell Jessica it is for the Alien.
She thought it was funny.

Ed

 

Great. I've got a graphite type 2 heading my way. Thanks for the feedback.

 

In for a graphite Rev2 12" C-Class too!

 

Thinking of modding the case to be a notebook cooling stand. Will see once I get it.

 

It turns out that the 4 corner pads under the machine raise it 1/4" or so anyway and I have been using mine this afternoon and it seems fairly cool right now.

I am not however making it work either right now.

There seems to be enough room inside to play around with the pads and tweak the cooling but I would be reluctant to drill through the nice powdercoated finish,not to say that I wouldn't though.

 

Her are a few quick and dirty shots

 

Yeah, it's just a thought. If I can come up with something that looks good and would actually provide some actual benefit then who knows.

 

Where do you buy this radtech case?

 

RadTech Laptop Cases, iPod and iPhone Cases & Accessories, Apple MacBook Accessories

Special Deals Section

MacTruck

 

Mine arrived today. Extremely well constructed. For a unit that's discounted by 80% due to blemishes (I haven't found any yet!) it's a steal. I'm going to have to figure out how to squeeze this thing in there, either by removing or cutting down certain pads. It's too tight a fit as is.

You're right about cooling too. The added clearance from the padding will be a huge improvement over the laptop sitting on a desk by itself. We'll see how much I end up using the laptop stationed in the case while I'm on the set and at the office.

The 15% discount card they threw in the shipping box is going towards the shoulder strap.

Thanks for the recommendation, avservice! +1

 

i second slickie88's notion - thanks & +1! i can't afford a $50 case right now (need to buy starcraft 2 lol).. but once i have the money this is definitely what i'm getting

 

I just removed the 2 upper side pads and it fit just fine.
Give that a try.

Ed

 

Had to remove the two rear, small, square pads on the bottom of the case too. Those were going to get rubbed off pretty quickly. I've replaced those with thinner, black felt pads. Perfect fit now!

EDIT: I seriously frickin' love this case! It honestly could not fit the M11x any better than it does. The pads hold it in place with the exact amount of pressure that you'd want - very little. There is absolutely no excessive pressure being applied to the lid assembly or hinge. All of the ports, including power in the back are easily accessible when you have the laptop mounted in it. Fits easily in my messenger bag with just enough room for the kit I need day to day.

 

I just bought one of those mactrunks it looks sick

 

would you recommend the 12 13 or 15in case
imagine the 13 but do you think it would be better with the 15

 

I ordered that 12" case. I think avservice has the 13" in the pic but i ordered that 12 because its a little smaller and i wanna carry it around in my backpack

 

avservice and I both have the 12". Fits the M11x like a glove.

 

Amazon.com: E-volve Tuff-Shell case for notebook/laptop / netbook Bag - in size: 12 & 13 inch 13.3" (26.4 cm - 33.78 cm) / colour: Red / compatible with (Sony Vaio VPCCW2S1E / VPCCW1S1E / S Series / VPCS11X9E/B / VPCS11V9E/B / VPCS11J7E/B / VGN-SR59X

saw this on amazon, not too sure on it though

 

Heres a 10% off coupon on the mactruck, use it before tomorrow I got 10 dollars off mine when I ordered it. AUG1Q59

I pulled the trigger on one since it was only 39 dollars!

 

I think that I'm about to snap up a refurbished 12" MacTruck but I have one question...

I know that avservice and slickie88 both already have the case and many more out there are purchasing one and I just want to know whether the case would fit comfortably into a smaller backpack? In the pictures on the RadTech site the handle looks like it can fold down which would help.

Thanks.

EDIT: Thanks for the coupon MobileCalista + 1 Rep, I don't mind saving 10 bucks!

 

The case is very compact and I would think it would fit in almost any pack without a problem.
The handle does fold making it even smaller.
I wish I had gotten a discount,I didn't and I had to pay sales tax too.

The 12 is the one that fits the machine perfectly.

Ed

 

I picked one of these up and wow it improves the cooling significantly. The fan never comes on anymore. I also find it more comfortable to type with the computer in the case than outside the case. The only time the m11x will ever come out of the case will be when charging it. This case is essential for the m11x.

 

Aight I'm thinking of maybe pulling the trigger on this after everyone's positive reviews - one concern though, is the padding on the inside sufficient (even after removing some of it to make the m11x fit)? Looking at pictures of the case, it looks like the edges aren't padded which seems like it would mean if you were carrying the m11x in this case vertically and it were to drop, the m11x would hit the metal interior of the case. That and the high price ($65 after shipping, even with the $10 off - compared to $11 for a sumo case, shipped) are really making me hesitate - any thoughts on how well the padding would protect the m11x in the case that it were to take a fall to the pavement while in this case?

 

Here are a couple of photos of the case. They really don't do justice to how well this case fits the M11x. Every aspect of this case - padding, latch, hinge, handle and body - is rugged and will definitely outlast the laptop itself.

Note here that there's plenty of clearance behind the M11x to run your power cord in while it's in the case. It's roomy enough back there that exhaust is not impacted.



Two modifications pictured here. You can see that I've glued a small patch velcro fuzz after removing the pad that was there originally. The pads, one on each side, were too thick and were going to be rubbed off when placing the laptop in the case. The fuzz is sufficiently protective and provides perfect support.

I've also cut the pad on the bottom in order to accommodate the intake fan. No change in the amount of support provided.




A few shots showing how well the case fits M11x. It /really/ is nice working with it in the case. The angle of the display is not in anyway interfered with by the case lid. Tilt it back as far as you like and it's going to stay there due to the rubber pads in the case's lid providing just enough grip to keep it in place.

 

The laptop is not going to move or shift. Ever. It's held in place by the thick padding in such a way that its not possible. Again, photos don't do justice to how well this thing secures the M11x.

 

Thanks for those pictures - that looks really good. One thing I'm concerned about though is that I don't really have access to any velcro or anything so I don't know how well I could mod the case's padding - is it possible to mod the padding that's already there to make it fit well?

 

You could leave those two small pads in the back (the look just like the ones in the front) until you can buy a roll of velcro. It's just going to be a tight fit until they're replaced and it's likely that they will get scraped off over time. Velcro and glue are cheap.

 

I just ran some tests. Not too shabby.

Prime95 torture test - In-place large FFTs - for 10 minutes.

Max temps sitting on the desk:
Core0 - 67
Core1 - 71

Max temps in the case:
Core0 - 64
Core1 - 67

I did tests with the display tilted all the way back into the case lid and also with the case lid flat on the desk. No difference in temps either way.

 

Those temps really suprise me slickie thats awesome! Do you think that if i do not raise the case up like you did on the buttom though it will get hotter?

 

Lid up or down, the drop in temperature was the same in the tests I conducted. Either way the added clearance from the pads underneath the notebook is the same. Having the lid up with the display recessed into it doesn't appear to have any impact on exhaust.

 

I will say that my only concern with using the laptop mounted in the case is that perhaps the pads on the bottom might start to become permanently compressed over time due to heat and constant pressure from typing and the weight of the laptop itself. So far I haven't seen any signs that this is happening. I've logged perhaps 48 total hours using it in this fashion with about 3 or 4 of those gaming. The pads they use in this thing are very sturdy. I imagine that they probably will sell replacements too.

 

The m11x fits in a Case It Binder,, still with the 3-hole rings attached. I just used the cloth thingy that came with it and put it inside, so that it wont scratch the laptop. the only thing bad is that you cant fit the pS and the mouse.

or you could go to brenthaven.com cool cases there.

 

I've got a 15% off coupon thats a one time use, I guess first person to pm gets it

 

For those of you who bought the Mac Truck, here are some photos of it with a strap and an accessory pouch. A strap just like this one is available from RadTech, but mine is from one of my Timbuk2 bags. The pouch I purchased so that when I'm traveling with the Mac Truck alone I'm able to carry the power adapter and a few accessories such as video adapters some cables, thumb drives, etc. I'll be getting another on in order to carry my G11 and a small external drive.