Hardshell Cases for 17" Unibody

I am in the same situation. After having my shell on since the day I got my current MBP I can't imagine not having it -- one look at all the scratches and gouges inflicted by lugging it through more airport security lines than I can recall and I know that I need it!

Unfortunately, after searching for quite a bit yesterday I didn't come up with any other possibilities, but have some sort of good news. I heard from a Speck customer service rep yesterday that:
"In about 5-6 weeks we will release the new 17" cases for the aluminum unibody macbook pros."

So not available yet, it will hopefully be available soon. I subscribed to their news in hope of getting the word as soon as it is announced.

I've also been having a tough time finding the right keyboard protective overlay as I don't think that my current Macessity version will work but think that one at Marware will work. Ironically, I also need to find a replacement for the Marware trackpad area protective skin and had searched their for that -- didn't find a new one for the Unibody, but they have a keyboard overlay. Go figure.

Yupper about that....it definitely makes all the difference unless you just never move your MBP....heck, even then I'd probably still want it!

I did find the trackpad protector as part of the kit at http://www.marware.com/PRODUCTS/MacBook-Pro/Silicone-Protection-Pack

It looks like from what I see there that what they have for the 15" would probably work for the 17"...perhaps the wrist rest section might not be quite as large, but my wear patterns seem to indicate that I don't muck that section towward the front edge and corners up much! 🙂

I haven't yet seen the Moshi.

I also haven't found anything else for the hard shell other than the Speck promise of 5-6 weeks. I sure hate to think that I'll have to go for at least a month with no hard shell case!

Thanks for the suggestion, but I've already ruled out the Zagg stuff and frankly I myself wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I'd picked up the film (invisibleSHIELD) for my iPod Touch 2G and after fighting it to try to get a decent installation (the directions are complex and the install process was very difficult) because in the end a film simply doesn't seem to me to add much in the way of protection (I tossed the Zagg film and went hard case for my iPod also).

When I look at my hard shell and see the deep gouges and scratches that are there, and even the nicks, I know that I need a hard shell. Don't get me wrong, I'm not careless but it's the frequent trips through airport security lines/checks that are driving my need for the hard case.

As for Zagg for the trackpad/palm rest...again, the film doesn't do much for me there either and can't imagine using it. The Marware covering that I have on my current MBP 17 actually provides some soft cushioning as it's thicker than a film but no so thick as to impact closing properly.

FYI -- I see that the Speck site now has a backorder page for both the clear and the satin versions of the SeeThrough hard case for the MacBook Pro 17" Unibody. The satin appears to only come in black (at least as of now). Both are priced at $49.95. Backordering simply puts you on the mailing list to be notified when available, but at least there is now that page which I didn't see before.

Also, for anyone interested they right now are having a sale on their other SeeThrough cases -- MacBook Air is going for $14.95 and MacBook Pro 17" (silver keys) is going for $24.97 (each are regularly priced at $49.95).

While I'd prefer the clear, my plan is to buy whichever is first available! 😉

Another four weeks! And here I've been watching the site daily thinking that the original estimate was still good and any day they'd announce it. That's disappointing to say the least.

I am still looking myself and cannot find any other workable solution. I'm headed out on a trip this weekend and so will be going through security lines again and the only hope for not adding a bunch of scratches is whether they'll let me keep it in the open half of the bag.