Macbook Pro Newbie - Speck Case

Question

Level 1

26 points

Macbook Pro Newbie - Speck Case

Hi all,

Just purchased a spanking brand new Apple Macbook Pro 13" 2.5 GHz today. Woo, I'm so happy!!!

Several questions:

1. I want to get a protective case. I've seen and heard about the Speck brand. Incidentally, I went to their site and strangely enough, there seems to be a warning that the ones they are selling on their site currently does not fit Macs that were purchased after June 8th, 2009??? What gives? Being confused, I called them and spoke to a rep. who told me that the one's on their website are not for machines that were purchased after 6/8 as stated but that the Apple store might have the latest version. Why would the manufacturer themselves not have to product available for purchase but an Apple store would??? I'm kinda hesitant to go to the Apple store now. Which leads to my second question.

2. What version of the Macbook Pro do I have? I know I purchased the 13" 2.5 GHz system but is there another version with some modifications that recently came out is about to? If so, how can I check?

Pertaining to question 1, does anyone know of any cons to the speck cases? Do the hard shell cases scratch the aluminum body in any way?

What other hard case can people recommend for my MBP?

Thanks all. Apple makes technlogy fun!!! Go Apple Go!!!

G5 dual 2.0 8.0 DDR SDRAM, Mac OS X (10.5.7), Apple 23" HD Cinema Display (ADC)

Posted on Jul 14, 2009 3:04 PM

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Answer 1

Jul 14, 2009 10:06 PM in response to Speed Racer

When I brought my Macbook Pro a few days ago I got the clear speck case. When I brought my case I was never told that it would not fit but I did see that Speck has not made a case for my computer yet. I places the case on my computer with no problems the only issues I have is that the security latch is covered up a little bit on the right hand side near the cd rom drive, i wont use that so i'm keeping it. So that's the only reason why I believe they say its wont fit the new mac book pro.

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Answer 2

solsun

Level 3

534 points

Jul 14, 2009 10:35 PM in response to Speed Racer

Some of the ports were re-arranged on the latest MacBook Pro update (6-8-09,) therefore Speck had to re-design the cases.. I asked to be notified when the new cases arrived and received the following email several days ago:

+Dear Customer,+

+Thank you for your recent inquiry regarding the availability of the new+
+MacBook cases. The following new MacBook case will be available for+
+purchase through the Speck Products website between July 15 and July+
+22, 2009. The colors available are currently shown on our. No new+
+colors will be available.+

+SeeThru Satin+
+Soft-Touch on a Hard Shell Case:+
+ For MacBook 13" (aluminum, black keys)+
+ For MacBook 15" (aluminum, black keys)+

+SeeThru Hard Shell Case+
+ For MacBook 13" (aluminum, black keys)+
+ For MacBook 15" (aluminum, black keys)+

+We will send you another email when the cases are in stock.+

Even though they say "MacBook" in the message, they mean "MacBook Pro."

Message was edited by: solsun

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Answer 3

atoz11

Level 1

0 points

Jul 22, 2009 10:51 PM in response to Speed Racer

cons to speck case - you can't open your laptop up as far, and it the laptop won't cool down as fast, and yes I've found that it causes some scratches - at least on my macbook

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Answer 4

Jul 23, 2009 3:10 PM in response to solsun

Any chance you could reply to this thread when they email you back about the new covers being in stock?

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Answer 5

Speed Racer Author

Level 1

26 points

Jul 24, 2009 9:40 AM in response to fireball777

I'll do what I can, but you can get yourself on that alert e-mail from their site. Also, I got sick and tired of waiting and decided to forgo the green and ordered the clear which seems to be the only one in stock. Anyway, GL.

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Answer 6

solsun

Level 3

534 points

Jul 24, 2009 9:47 AM in response to atoz11

Actually for the Aluminum MBP's you CAN open all the way.. The cases for the aluminum MBP's are also a much better fit compared to the white Macbook's and reportedly do not cause scuffs or scratches.

http://www.speckproducts.com/products/seethru/macbook-pro-13-aluminum-black-keys /159

I called Speck yesterday and the clear and a few of the colors are now in stock with additional colors expected to arrive shortly..

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Answer 7

JoeyR

Level 6

8,305 points

Jul 24, 2009 10:15 AM in response to Speed Racer

Apple doesn't let Speck or anyone else know before they release a product. As the new machines were released a relatively short time ago... it does take them some time to rework their manufacturing lines and get the new cases in production. The new cases will be for both the previous 13" MacBook as well as the new 13" MB Pro. Most vendors will let previous stock for the original unibody run down. It can cause some confusion otherwise. When Speck cases first came out, they would have cut outs for each port... but since Apple changed the ports so often with new releases, they just have a single large cut out now. They've just made the cut out a little longer to accommodate the the security hole on the newest machines. I've actually been anxiously awaiting the satin versions... the finish is similar to what ThinkPads use... it's plastic, but feels like rubber. I have never had a scratching issue either with my black MacBook or my 15" MB Pro.

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Answer 8

Aug 4, 2009 4:53 PM in response to Speed Racer

I love my red Speck case on my 13" Unibody MacBook... except for one thing...

It has ruined my magnetic latch!

When the MacBook stands up (like when it slides into my laptop bag), it pops open. Sometimes far enough to wake it up, which burns battery life. If I turn my MacBook upside down, it'll pop open. The latch can no longer hold the lid closed. This is very frustrating.

Even after I've taken the Speck case off, this all still occurs.

I've enjoyed the case... I like the look, I like the feel, I like the protection. It's never scratched my laptop, nor have I ever noticed it negatively affecting the heat.

BUT NOW I CAN'T SHUT MY LAPTOP AND THAT MAKES ME SAD AND ANGRY.

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Answer 9

Aug 4, 2009 7:14 PM in response to Chadwick Kellenbarger1

Oh boy, that's not good. I just ordered the 15" satin black. I may need to reconsider dammit!

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Answer 10

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

Aug 4, 2009 7:39 PM in response to Chadwick Kellenbarger1

You can easily set your MBP not to wake from sleep when the display is opened:

Applications > Utilities > Terminal

Type or paste the following in the Terminal window:

sudo pmset lidwake 0

It will ask for your admin password. Type that in (Note: the password will not appear as you do so). Press Return, and quit the Terminal. Close the MBP, wait for it to sleep, and open it again to make sure you've set it correctly. Press any key to wake it.

To change it back so the system wakes when you open the lid, repeat the procedure, but this time type or paste:

sudo pmset lidwake 1

Thanks to Deegan for the tip.

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Answer 11

Aug 4, 2009 7:53 PM in response to eww

This is excellent. Thank you for this tip. It worked like a charm.

It's unfortunate that I had to resort to this... and it's still annoying that it won't stay shut. It makes me feel like my Mac's "broken" you know? And it less than one year old! Grrr.

Anyway, thanks again.

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Answer 12

eww

Level 9

53,052 points

Aug 4, 2009 8:37 PM in response to Chadwick Kellenbarger1

Great! I'm glad that was useful.

It makes me feel like my Mac's "broken" you know?

It certainly shouldn't. It should just make you regret that you applied a poorly designed shell to it.

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Answer 13

Speed Racer Author

Level 1

26 points

Aug 7, 2009 5:01 PM in response to eww

I eventually got the Speck case with the revised version for the latest MBP. It fits almost perfectly; the case covers the battery check portion on the left side of the case. Not sure if they are aware, but all the other ports look good.

Incidentally, a Carlos/Morphious had complained that while having the Moshi Palmguard, the Speck case couldn't be properly fitted. This does not seem to be the case. I have the palmguard on and I was able to fit the clear Speck see-thru case with no problem. I suspect he has either an older Speck case or he did not properly lay down his palm guard. Thanks all.

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Answer 14

Aug 7, 2009 6:00 PM in response to Speed Racer

Mine does too, but it has a little button to press the battery check thing.

I am not particularly thrilled with my Speck case... the edges were not really cleaned up so I had to remove excess plastic before putting it together. It was like the white-ish thin stuff that is left over from the mold in the factory. Pretty embarrassing for a company to charge $50 and have a bunch of that stuff left over. Aside from that, it doesn't look nearly as good as it does online. I wish they would have matted the edges of the case so that it doesn't look like a neon sign when you're looking at the display in the light.

That being said, it does fit well and it does protect my Macbook.

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Answer 15

Aug 8, 2009 6:27 AM in response to JiveMasterT

As I stated in my Moshi KB cover post. My black satin case is great after 2 days. The black satin accentuates the black display framing and KB.
There is a BB size button for the LED battery check on the left side it's just difficult to see the lights on the black case. This wouldn't be an issue with clear or translucent cases.
My concerns about the cutout for the expresscard(or SD) slot were unfounded.
The case is precisely formfitting to the contours of the unibody and have had no issues with hinge closing the display section due to the added weight.
I was a little skeptical with some of the reviews and posts but, I think this case is 5 star.
One slight issue for me, it's so snug in my 5 year old Brenthaven Pro backpacks' inner sleeve it's an effort to get it out due to the suede-like finish.
I got mine through Amazon for $39 shipped

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