Acme Made 13″ Clutch Laptop Case For MacBook Air and MacBook Pro – ‘Book Mystique Review

One of the great things about the downsizing of laptop computers over the past few years, is that the cases and bags we use to carry them around have been downsized as well, while still able to accommodate the accessories and other paraphernalia that most of us want to have conveniently in hand when we take out computers on the road.

It’s an interesting commentary on laptop computer evolution that my two 11-year-old Pismo PowerBooks, which were themselves considered downsized and advertised as “slim” when their enclosure form factor debuted in 1999 as the PowerBook G3 Series Bronze Keyboard (AKA “Lombard”), now feel like heavy and bulky behemoths compared with the MacBook Airs or even my aluminum unibody 13″ MacBook.

The Acme Made Clutch case 13-inch MacBook Pro or MacBook Air is an emblematic example of the downsizing, with about half the bulk of the fabric Proporta briefcase I usually use to transport my “road” Pismo, but still able to accommodate most everything I want to take along, and a looking lot sleeker and more stylish-looking doing it as well.

The Clutch features a quilted twill nylon interior, a designer-coated canvas exterior, and Polyurethane faux leather trim details. In addition, there are pockets and space for additional personal items such as papers and file folders, essential power cords and cables, your iPhone or iPad, a compact travel mouse, and even an iPad.

While the “Clutch” nomenclature acknowledges this case’s form factor inspiration being the classic women’s clutch purse, only scaled up, in the scaling it’s become “manly” looking enough for carriage by either gender, especially in the rich-looking but tastefully subdued classic dark brown shade of our test unit.

The Clutch Case’s outer skin is made of what the manufacturer calls “designer coated canvas” which commendably is a pleasantly soft to the touch, waterproof, rugged, highly stain resistant, and easy to clean material that happily doesn’t pretend to be leather, but accentuates its virtues in its own right. On the back are two real leather ring tabs to which the detachable web shoulder strap, which itself also has a pleasantly soft and pliable tactile feel, attaches, using what are evidently high quality and generously-sized metal swivel carabiner folks that provide both secure attachment and quick disconnect.

Lifting the front closure flap, which is secured at either side by Velcro strips, we are presented with a black nylon panel that contains a zipper-closure pocket just barely large enough to accommodate a CD case (although if the case is a typical square one it won’t zip), or more likely cables and power adapters and such, three pockets suitable for USB flash drives, USB dongles, or even a small iPod, two elasticized pen retainers, and another pocket obviously sized with an iPhone or other smartphone in mind, but which an also hold a small laptop mouse.

Behind that front pocket panel is a full width pocket which I found just about right for holding my iPad, although it would also accommodate and 11 inch MacBook Air or probably even a second 13 inch Air. I didn’t have two of the latter at hand to check that, but the main computer compartment proper, located rearmost, and armored with what appears to be 3/16 inch closed cell foam and a layer of high-impact plastic armor membrane, definitely swallows my 13 inch aluminum unibody MacBook quite comfortably, so a 13″ or 11″ Air will fit nicely too.

I found the Clutch Case’s ability to carry both the MacBook and the iPad convenient and imposing no compromises a particularly attractive feature of this case. The back of the computer compartment and inside of the closure flap are finished with a waffle stitched nylon taffeta, which should be gentle on the your computer’s outer finish and again has a soft, pleasant feel to it.

In general, the acme clutch case looks and feels well-made, is attractive in appearance, and would blend in well either in a no-nonsense office environment or at school. Nicely done. It’s not quite up to the standard of finish set by the also San Francisco-based Waterfield Designs computer bags, but then it costs considerably less as well. The main reason likely being that the Acme Made cases are produced in China, while Waterfield makes theirs in San Francisco.

Not that Acme Made scrimps on quality. Their mission commitment is to build the best products possible using the best materials available such as high-impact plastic inserts, forged metal hardware, and designer textiles and high grade fabrics designed to wear well, yet remain attractive over time. over lesser quality materials. They claim that the Natural Italian Canvas they use is probably the finest canvas available, purchased directly from Italy in a beautiful weave that is slightly heavier and more durable. To help differentiate Acme Made materials as better quality, the company custom-produces its own nylons in Korea and Italy to ensure that standards are maintained, colours are richer, and that the materials have the proper amount of stain and water repellency. Additionally, no PVC backing is used in Acme Made case our materials as this is known to cause problems to the environment, with polyurethane (PU) or other more eco-friendly materials used instead.

The Acme Made Clutch case for MacBook Air and MacBook Pro is a nice piece of work, and I found little to complain about. I would prefer that there be some sort of carry handle in addition to the shoulder strap and the “clutch” mode that lends the case its name, but that would arguably disrupt the case’s smooth and sleek styling and make it more a clutch/briefcase hybrid.

Technical Specs

Fits: 13″ MacBook Pro; 13″ or 11″ MacBook Air and similar-sized PC laptops

Form Factor: Clutch Messenger Bag

Dimensions:
– Length: 1.7 in./4.3 cm
– Width: 14.96 in./38.0 cm
– Laptop Compartment Length: 1.06 in./2.7 cm
– Height: 10.43 in./26.5 cm
– Laptop Compartment Height: 9.0 in./23.0 cm
– Laptop Compartment Width: 12.9 in./32.8 cm

Weight: 1.3 lb./0.59 kg

Warranty: Limited lifetime

Price: $99.95

For more information, visit:
http://store.apple.com/us/product/H4774VC/A
or
http://www.acmemade.com/product/The-Clutch,50,11.htm

In Canada:
http://www.ca.acmemade.com/