I obtained this case for my MacBook air, but ended up using it for my iPad on a trip to the Himalayas, as ultimately I did not want to risk my MacBook and also because the iPad had a longer battery life. Because I used it for iPad, the case ended up being larger than it needed to be. However due to the shape of my backpack this turned out not to be a problem.The case itself is well constructed, essentially as the marketing information makes it out to be. There is little to no chance of water seeping in. The case provides a medium amount of crush resistance. Of course I didn't test it to the breaking point but basically it looks like it could take the abuse of being in a more or less cared for backpack or even stuffed into a suitcase. Use this at your own risk, however. Don't let the THULE branding fool you into thinking that this is an all weather, "toughbook" type case. Is it tough? Yes, but not extremely so.
Aesthetically it looks pretty good and will flatter the contours of your MacBook air nicely. While I own a MacBook Air for business purposes I don't personally use it on a daily basis, therefore I cannot comment definitively on the suitability of this case for daily use. However getting the MacBook air into and out of the case takes a bit of time so for serious everyday use I suspect it's not the greatest. at as an iPad case for rough environments, its toughness, waterproofness, LIGHTNESS fit the bill for me.
Buy Thule Gauntlet TMAS-113 13.3" MacBook Air and Pro Retina Display Sleeve (Black) Now
The velco strap on both flaps of this product WILL come off. I super glued it and now it seems fine. The rest of it is fine I received the Thule Gauntlet MacBook Air Sleeve as part of the Amazon Vine review program.SUMMARY:
If you need a thin water-resistant case (sleeve), this could be the thing for you. BUT, it's VERY expense. If you don't need the water-resistance, I don't see why you would buy this sleeve. There are many sleeves out there for that cost much less. But hey you Floridians will really like this case! :)
After all I wrote below, it's hard for me to decide how many stars to give a simple sleeve that costs $50 (seriously?!). I think it's way over-priced. This immediately knocks 1 star off. I feel like I should be rating it 3 stars just due to price for a sleeve. BUT, if you are in the market for the water-resistance, the price may be worth it to you. So, I'm rating it 4 stars since that's the main purpose of this sleeve and it's designed well for that function.
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--Now, the details if you want them ---
Fit:
As an Air sleeve, the Gauntlet fits wonderfully. My 13" Air slides right in and out with no struggle -*IF* I put the Air in thin side first. Is that "face first"? :) If you slide the Air in so the bottom (thicker) goes in first, it's very hard to get a good grip on the thin front of the Air to pull it back out. MUCH easier the other way around. Note that this sleeve fits an Air very snugly. I don't think it would fit a regular MacBook, although I didn't try.
There are no side pockets and there is barely any room to include anything else with your Air in the sleeve. Although, I was able to fit my kindle or my nook in with the Air, so that's cool! Tight fit, but nice if you want to also protect other THIN electronics from water.
The case is very thin, so you are not adding significant bulk to your Air.The only bulgy part is the fold-over design of the top, but it is a significant bulge. The Amazon product pictures show this very accurately. The bulge makes sense once you see it in person the inner top inside folds down over the Air so that no water can get in. Therefore Ta-Da a bulge on the top of the case.
Water:
I ran water over the case and didn't get any water soaking through the outside material to the inside, so that's good news. If you carry the case upright, there should be no way for rain to get in. If you carry it on its side, though, water could get in at the opening on each side created the top bulge (look at the Amazon pictures and you'll see the side openings). Because of the flap that folds down inside to protect the opening, the water would (most likely) just get the inner soft lining at the top of the "lid" wet, not get on your Air... but just realize this would be an issue if you need to transport it sideways for some reason (bike rack?).
Construction-wise:
The case looks and feels sturdy. I read someone's review that mentioned the velcro came off. I have not had that issue, however, I do not use this case every day. I did try picking at the velcro, but it didn't want to come up. Maybe that was just a defective case? On the negative side, opening a loooonnnnggg length of velcro makes a lot of noise. Don't plan to quietly get your Air out of the case in a meeting or class!! But, I can see why the full velcro was needed for the water protection.
Padding:
The sleeve is very thin, not a lot of padding. The inner lining is a soft blue "felt" (oh, ok, it's "nylex"). This is a good thing or a bad thing, depending on what you want. Surprisingly, it seems like it would protect your Air adequately from a drop due to the way the corners and sides are designed, but there is definitely not a lot of padding to add any other protection. You'll have to decide if that's an issue for you.
Hope this info helps you decide.
c-
Want Thule Gauntlet TMAS-113 13.3" MacBook Air and Pro Retina Display Sleeve (Black) Discount?
I have never used Thule cases, preferring In Case or Case Logic. This is a very tough case. I have my Mac Air in it and it feels secure and is protected against the weather. The case feels substantial, and can be used easily as the only protection, but this is where it becomes a slight inconvenience. Sleeves are meant to be put into larger cases. The in case sleeve I have does that. It is not water resistant, but it slips easily into my small briefcase or Ogio back pack. This case has more bulk and thus more protection, but without a great way to carry it as a stand alone case.I don't see a good way to travel locally, especially on public transportation, with this as it is almost as wide as my briefcase. I do see myself using it when I travel by air, car... for longer trips. I do see using it when I need to protect my Mac Air from the elements, or when I travel by car and am just carrying the sleeve and a purse. This really brings up a larger issue with netbooks iPads and smaller devices. As these devices grow, the need for sleeves grow. I have seen some with handles, and some where they fit tight as a second skin. This one I am reviewing is neither, but it does protect against the rain and it is more like a hard, rugged case, than the foam we usually see. This industry is in flux as the need to protect these small devices continues to change, and the small devices continue to evolve. The perfect case that does it all has yet to be manufactured, but I would recommend this case for the reasons I stated above.
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