Techshell Apple MacBook Pro Hard Shell Case Review

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by Gerald Edgecomb

Hard shell cases are becoming a popular accessory for notebooks, with new offerings showing up all the time. Their purpose is to protect your notebook from scratches and dust, keeping it looking like new. The newest offering for the MacBook Pro is the Techshell and it retails from $79.95 to $99.95 USD depending on which case you choose. My unit is the Clear Blue model, but several other colors are offered including Carbon Fiber, Wood Grain, and Metallic Hot Pink, with more on the way. Currently only Apple notebooks are supported, but Techshell promises support for Sony, Toshiba, Gateway, Compaq, and HP is coming soon.

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Design

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The design of the Techshell is similar to other hard shell cases on the market. There are tabs that snap on to secure the case to the notebook and cutouts for all of the ports. There are two significant differences between the Techshell and the Speck See Thru Case I reviewed previously, one good and one bad. The good is the ability to use the battery meter. This was something I found lacking on the Speck case, and I am glad to see it included on the Techshell case. However, Techshell decided not to add vents to the bottom of the case like Speck did, which I suspected could be detrimental to the cooling system of the MacBook Pro. One other caveat is the inability to change the battery without taking the case off. I do not know that there is a viable way to fix this, but for people with multiple batteries, it would be an annoyance. Other than that, the case has a good fit and can add to the aesthetics of your notebook, giving you a way to personalize it.

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In Use

I was concerned that without vents, heat would have more chance to build up, so I compared temperatures with and without the case. Surprisingly, the Techshell had no ill effects on the temperature of my notebook. With that out of the way, I decided to sit down at my desk and get some work done. I use an external monitor when at my desk, and to my dismay, the DVI cable just barely makes a connection. The cutouts for the port leave little room for larger cables, such as my DVI cable. While it still works, the connection is not as solid as it should be. All of my other cables and the ExpressCard I tried fit, but if you have a cable with a larger housing around the connector, do not expect a perfect fit. The only other issue I experienced is common to all hard shell cases: weight. The case adds significantly to the weight of the notebook. However, the case will protect your notebook from the dangers of the outside world. It will help stop those scratches and scuffs; you just have to decide if it is worth the trade-offs.

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Conclusion

Overall I was unimpressed with the Techshell, especially for the cost. At $79.95, it is priced well above competing products such as Speck’s See Thru Case which retails for half that and provides the same benefits. It is also disappointing that the cutouts for the ports were not larger to accommodate larger cables. Unless you are absolutely in love with one of Techshells color choices, I cannot recommend it over its competitors who offer the same benefits for a significantly lower cost.

Pros

• Good fit
• Large selection of colors
• Good protection

Cons

• Expensive
• Openings for ports need to be larger
• Weight

Pricing and Availability

• The Techshell case is available direct from the Techshell website for $79.95 or via Mode 3, a reseller, who charges less.

 

 

nice case for a macbook. i want to see the metallic hot-pink in action.

i hope that macbooks won't come in those nano-colors. that will hurt this case pretty much

 

I do like those colors, shame it didn't work out better.

 

Interesting accessory, although it may be redundant as my NC8430 seems to be indestructible despite my best efforts I suppose by not adding vents to the case for cooling needs, it helps the aesthetics since the case didn't seem to affect temps. The big thing for me is adding weight. Cost doesn't bother me if they chose a more expensive durable but lightweight material to use, but I understand a company needs to cater for the masses so...

 

That price is a little high, was the plastic thicker than the Speck case or something? I'm trying to figure out why it would cost so much more other than offering different colors.

 

Nice review; yeah, it's hard to see what the benefit would be of buying this case over the Speck SeeThru case, especially at such a high price. I'd honestly be a bit concerned about the lack of ventholes too.

Seems like Speck would be smart to start making the SeeThru in some more color/design options though.

 

Your MBP looks very pretty in that Gerald. I can't see why this is so expensive compared to Speck though like everybody else. I suppose if colors are worth that much to you . . .

Nice job.

 

Its biggest advantage is the selection. And it is slightly thicker than the Speck.

 

You own both right Gerald? I want to ask for connecting cables, do you typically find it more difficult on this case or the speck? Also, which one adds more weight?

the MB pro looks pretty sick in blue though

 

I guess than i will keep my speck case.

 

They seem to add about the same weight. I did not actualyl weigh this one, but the Speck was just under a pound and this one feels as heavy. As for connecting cables, the Speck I had for the CoreDuo MBP had much larger openings. I do not know if this is carried over onto the Core2Duop version. I must say though that the Techshell is easier on the eye than the Speck case.