Do you recommend a clear, hard-shell case for my Macbook Air M4? I have the hard shell, but i've been noticing a lot of grime and heat building up. I have been considering taking it off, but I really don't know what to do because each has its own pros and cons.
I agree with our friend, @BobTheFisherman and also don't recommend any case.
The MacBook Air is designed without cooling fans and therefore relies on passive conductive cooling. The exterior skin of the computer is part of the cooling system and draws heat from the CPU and dissipates it to the air. Use of any cover will compromise that effective cooling.
This is some of Apple's guidance on the subject: Keep your Mac laptop within acceptable operating temperatures - Apple Support
I agree with our friend, @BobTheFisherman and also don't recommend any case.
The MacBook Air is designed without cooling fans and therefore relies on passive conductive cooling. The exterior skin of the computer is part of the cooling system and draws heat from the CPU and dissipates it to the air. Use of any cover will compromise that effective cooling.
This is some of Apple's guidance on the subject: Keep your Mac laptop within acceptable operating temperatures - Apple Support
The plastic snap on cases for the laptops are actually really dangerous. Every laptop I've worked on has had these plastic cases/covers cracked & broken where the laptop is literally slipping out of them. I've almost dropped a few of them because I was holding the plastic case/cover & the laptop was sliding out of it.
And dirt & grime do build up between the case/cover & the aluminum sometimes causing permanent cosmetic damage. It is also very disgusting when removing those cases/covers.
Plus those covers do not prevent damage to the laptop. I have seen corners bent, dented, and even have abrasions from the damage. At best they may prevent scratches, but that is all, however, the abrasion from the grime that gets trapped kind of negates the lack of scratches.
lij_w wrote:
Do you recommend a clear, hard-shell case for my Macbook Air M4? I have the hard shell, but i've been noticing a lot of grime and heat building up. I have been considering taking it off, but I really don't know what to do because each has its own pros and cons.
I do not recommend using any hard case. Why would you want/need to use a hard case? you already discovered two good reasons not to.
lij_w wrote:
I've been using the case because people recommended that I use it so that my mac won't get scratched or dented.
If you are traveling with your computer use a soft sleeve or computer backpack. Make sure you remove the computer from the sleeve or backpack when turning it on to use.
Ok, thank you.
I've been using the case because people recommended that I use it so that my mac won't get scratched or dented.
MacBook Air M4 hard case causing grime, heat
