Review -- Sumdex ImpactGuard Notebook Sleeves

Whether you spent $500 or $5000 on your notebook, there are several steps that should be taken to protect your investment. One of the items that should be on your list is a case or sleeve. The latest lineup from Sumdex covers most popular notebook sizes and offers tremendous protection for a soft-shell sleeve.

Most notebook sleeves will offer padding. If they don't, all you're protecting yourself from are scratches to the case. Sumdex has taken padding a step further by offering what they call SensaTech memory foam. The foam is about 5mm thick, embedded in the entire case, with the exception of the zipper area. The point of the foam is to absorb the energy from an impact. If a heavy object were to fall on the case, the foam would take the hit, protecting your notebook. Same goes for drops and other potential catastrophes.

The sleeves come in five sizes designed to meet the needs of most buyers. Sumdex makes models to fit 10.6", 12.1", 14.1", 15.4" and 17" displays. The cases are generously sized, so even if your particular notebook isn't quite standard, it should fit just fine. I've been using the 10.6" model with my Fujitsu P7000. The notebook fits in easily, with plenty of wiggle room, but not so much where it slides around too freely.

The sleeves have a few other features worth noting. They don't add much bulk or weight, so it should fit fine into your backpack or other carrying case. If you want to travel light, the sleeve does have handles stitched in, so you can leave everything else behind. The inside of the case is made of soft polyester, so it won't scratch or otherwise disfigure the case of your notebook.

I've been using the case for several weeks both as a stand alone tote and in my backpack. I can honestly say that I feel better with my P7000 in this sleeve. For a long time I used a neoprene sleeve from Body Glove that fit the P7000 very well, but didn't provide protection for anything other than cosmetic issues. With the Sumdex product I'm significantly better protected from accidents due to my own clumsiness or someone else's.

Pros:
Quality build
Excellent protection without added bulk
Reasonably priced

Cons:
Some screen sizes not supported
Limited retail distribution

Bottom Line:
Everyone should have a sleeve to protect their notebook if it leaves the home or office very often. The Sumdex sleeve is very good, adding protection without adding much bulk. All of this with a reasonable price tag and limited lifetime warranty.

Purchase Info:
Prices range from $29.95 MSRP to $37.95 depending on size. To find retailers or for more product information, visit the Sumdex website - http://sumdex.com

 

Brian,

Any idea how the S6231 would fit since it is between the 12.1 and 14 in size? I know it would fit the 14 in sleeve, but any guess on if it would fit the 12.1? Smaller is generally better in my case, I'd get one of those slick p7000's but I just can't see the screen that well.

 

Does anyone know how this product compares to "laptop protection" bags from Trager? such as these:

http://www.tragerusa.com/catalog_main3.html

I've been using the "Computer TransPorter" with a Compaq Presario 1700 for several years and it works well.

 

Hi!

I got my IBM T42 a few months ago, and at the CES show I saw this Sumdex Imact Guard Sleeve! I just loved it ! But it is very hard to find... looks like sumdex is starging to sell it... Anyway, i found it online at: http://www.genpi.com/shop/home.php?cat=117

I got the PUN-854 and the 855 for my wife.. it is PERFECT... here are my comments:

PRO: Great overall construction, wraps around the notebook (all sides protected) looks cool and stylish ! Great zipper feel

CONS: the material it is made of is not easy to clean since it has no even texture. Would be great to have it in other fashion colors (my wife suggested RED or the same colors sumdex has with the female notebook bags "She Rules" http://www.genpi.com/shop/home.php?cat=104

Is there any other brand out there with sleeves for women ?

Thanks !

Jur

 

I doubt the S6 would fit in the 12" bad. They have measurements listed on the site though.

Other colors would be a great idea. I haven't seen sleeves in much other than grey or black though. On the women's bag note, we have a review of that upcoming.

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by Brian

 

The picture seems to depict the laptop faring well against a drop onto one of its faces, but rarely would a laptop in a case fall flat onto the floor. The more likely situation would be a corner or an edge drop, especially if you're carrying it around. How well would this case protect a laptop in one of those drops?

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Thanks, Brian,

Long overdue on a review like this. Thanks for stepping up.

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WUXGA
512 MB RAM
60 GB HD
Wireless B/G
DVD/CD-RW

 

Yeah, but can it take a say, 2-foot drop onto a corner without the laptop being damaged? 5mm seems pretty darn thin.

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The foam is all the way around, except the zipper area, where this is padding, just not the memory foam. So two corners would definitely be fine, the top two, I don't know. Substantially better than a neoprene case I would imagine.

titanium - how am I overdue?

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

 

Excellent question. Has Sumdex done any testing? Who would like to volunteer their notebook for the "drop" test?

On a serious note, someone could test this with old, essentially worthless notebooks - would the construction differ so much as to change the outcome of such a fall? In other words, were old notebooks made any more or any less durable/tough than current models?

 

I am using this for a while now... I love it and in my experience, a notebook sleeve is something for a casual protection... not necessary to drop it all around... now, I do belive it would survice a regular fall from the desk... it looks pretty protective....

Sumdex claims that their testing there is a great chance of survival on any nromal fall.. thats whats written on their label.

Jur

 

I do think it would take a several foot drop on one of the two non-zipper corners. I'm not going to try it, but especially on carpet, I feel you'd be good. The foam material is very good, if you want more protection I think you need a hard shell.

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

 

Jurassic how thick (width) was the sleeve with the Thinkpad inside? I am wondering because I will be putting it inside a briefcase for transport to and from work.

It would be nice if it had attachments for a shoulder strap so someone couldn't run by and rip it out of your hand.

Any other good sleeves out there?

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by tos

 

<blockquote id='quote'> quote:<hr height='1' noshade id='quote'>Originally posted by tos

 

I mean we need more reviews on peripherals and accessories, Brian. When I said it was long overdue, I meant we need more reviews like these. Practical stuff and road tested tips.

If we do a review on an accessory or case, do we still get $50 like we would for a laptop?

Titanium...The metal of choice.

Dell Inspiron 6000
Sonoma 1.6 GHZ
WUXGA 15.4" WS
512 MB RAM
60 GB HD
Wireless B/G
DVD/CD-RW

 

Um, no. But if you want to review one for the glory, then by all means...we have another sleeve review about to start, so you'll see that.

Editor in Chief http://www.bargainPDA.com and http://www.SPOTstop.com

 

Which sleeve and when will the review be released?

I looked at the Sumdex but the dimensions of the Dell i6000 doesn't appear to fit in the confines. I like the Shoreline casee which allows you to work out of the sleeve. However, my concern is about heat while using a laptop within a neoprene sleeve. The Booq Vyper L is nice as is the Booq Powersleeve. Shinza sounds promising (www.shinza.com) however, it read it doesn't expand to fit slightly larger screens.

Any comments from practical users are obviously welcome.

"It's Doctor Evil. I didn't go to Evil Medical School for 6 years to be called Mister." (Dr. Evil, Austin Powers 1997)

Dell Inspiron 6000
1.6 GHZ Centrino (Sonoma)
WUXGA 15.4" WS
512 MB RAM
60 GB HD
Wireless B/G
DVD/CD-RW
--
Still looking for a case....
---
Palmone Tungsten C/WIFI

 

The Skooba sleeve from RoadWired will be up in about 2 weeks. We also have backpack review from Mobile Edge coming and possibly Crumpler. Lastly, a review of the Altec Lansing portable speakers is in the works.

Brian

www.BargainPDA.com | www.DigitalCameraReview.com | www.NotebookReview.com | www.SpotStop.com | www.TabletPCReviewSpot.com

 

Would a 14.1" Sumdex ImpactGuard Sleeve be good for a 13.3" S6231?

 

Look at the measurements, but I think it might be too roomy.

Brian

www.BargainPDA.com | www.DigitalCameraReview.com | www.NotebookReview.com | www.SpotStop.com | www.TabletPCReviewSpot.com

 

I did look at the measurements but I was curious as too how roomy the sumdex sleeve was. That really worded weird but I know what I mean sort off.

I guess I'll have to look for an alternative.

 

What about the Sumdex 852 - 12.1 padded sleeve? Would it fit the Dell 700M with extended battery (65 whr one) perfectly? Anyone here owns both of those products? Please post, thanks!

 

I bought a 15.4" ImpactGuard, and It's been great.

Well worth the 19.99 x 1.23(Conversion) + $13 shipping

 

I purchased one for my Dell 6000 and I like it also. I use the ImpactGuard with my backpack or I put it inside my 17" ebag sleeve when I'm going to the library since the ebag sleeve has a few outside compartments for my mouse, external number pad and charger. The two sleeves also give me a bit more padding and versatility.

 

that's a great review..i jus mite actually get it now

 

It's not very expensive, thats the great thing. Its only like $22 right now, could get cheaper as eBags has lots of % discounst + free shipping

 

Fujitsu P7000 fits in this one perfectly - size 11"
http://www.becase.com/?product&lng=en

 

Hmm, looks like a pretty interesting product.

I'll have to check it out sometime.

 

There are many. Your wife may want to check out kolobags.com, which sells just that. What's really cool, you can browse not just by style, but also by color! I SO wish more sites had that!

I have Skooba, which Brian mentioned someone is reviewing, and it comes in pink. I really like it because it doesn't add a lot of bulk (which makes a big difference when you own a DTR) and it has a very nice handle so you don't have to stick it into a messenger bag. Which I do anyway when I need to hold a lot of stuff since it doesn't have a shoulder strap, but it's better that way because most of the time, I don't want a shoulder strap, so it would be just another thing to carry. Also, I can't stand working out, so at least when I carry it by hand, I'm "working out" my arms! But yeah, check out kolobags.com, and if she likes something, she should look up the brand because they don't have comprehensive listings of anything - breadth not depth kinda thing.

Malia

PS OMG OMG OMG this bag that they've been sold out of for over a year is back in stock, I don't have a 15" - or money - but it's so cute must buy!

 

I bought one based on this review, but does it really work? I just got mine and it seems quite thin such that I wonder if it can really absorb impact if it falls at least compared to a normal neoprene.