Altaf Makhiawala has never used a laptop bag. "I've never used a laptop bag simply because I never had to," says the MA graduate from Bradford, UK, who is now in Mumbai
Altaf Makhiawala has never used a laptop bag. "I've never used a laptop bag simply because I never had to," says the MA graduate from Bradford, UK, who is now in Mumbai. The 29 year-old bought a laptop sleeve to "protect" his MacBook while pursuing a degree in peace studies in the UK. "The sleeve fits snugly in my backpack, which has an internal padding system, and keeps the edges from getting scratched or damaged."
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The skinny on sleeves
Fast replacing computer bags, laptop sleeves are slim, form-fitting, protective cases that offer protection to computers while minimising extra bulk. Slip in your laptop and throw it into any old bag, confident that the dust-bunnies and scratch-goblins will be kept at bay.
Relegated to geek underground for fear of being seen as nerdy, the sleeves are finding their place in the sun thanks to intelligent manufacturers who were quick to spot this void. With market research and a little creativity, they have designed sleeves that combine form and function.
Take, for instance, rockstar Gwen Stefani who has partnered with Schifter + Partners to design MacBook sleeves and other gadget bags based on her L.A.M.B and Harajuku Lovers lines. The bags are available in the US at select Apple stores.
The flipside
Sleeves were big with students at Makhiawala's university in Bradford. "Sleeves protect the laptop from the wear and tear which may occur due to frequent trips between classes on campus. They are very slick and thin, which allows for books to be packed in between the laptop." But he doesn't consider them secure enough for precarious Mumbai commutes. "There is no way to secure a sleeve to your wrist. It can be easily snatched from your hand," he says. This hassle is taken care of in newer models that come with strong detachable straps that can be slung over your shoulder.
Sleeves won't protect against drops or major spills though. If you are carrying your laptop or netbook everywhere, pair a sleeve with a larger laptop case that offers shock-protecting padding.
Yet, Jain sees a big market for upwardly mobile professionals, mostly female. "Friends and colleagues are switching to designer sleeves with funky patterns. Besides, some, like the Jansport career collection, are tailor-made tou00a0 make travelling through airports, a breeze," she says.
Buying guide
Most sleeves are made of Neoprene -- a very lightweight wetsuit material, which is incredibly rugged for its density. These laptop sleeves are like a thin layer that protects your laptop from bumps and scratches. They have a velcro, elastic or zippered flap which prevents the laptop from falling out. When buying one from an electronics accessories store, ensure that this flap is of good quality. If your laptop falls out easily, there is not much point in having a sleeve for it.
The second most popular is the padded laptop sleeve, made from cells of padded foam. This foam is encased with a harder outer casing such as vinyl, which stops the foam from deteriorating and getting torn. Padded laptop sleeves often have stitching, holding the casing to the foam, so it is a good idea to check this for strength and durability before purchase.
Free range
Sleeves come in designer, NetBook, notebook and MacBook ranges. Designer sleeves are high quality printed slipcases. NetBook sleeves are designed to fit specific NetBook sizes, from 7" to 11.1". Notebook and MacBook sleeves come in sizes ranging from 14" to 17". "I picked a simple black sleeve for my MacBook to suit the formal attire and nature of my work," says Makhiawala.
Perfect sleeve for the world's thinnest laptop
Web designer Jona Bechtolt and freelance science writer Claire L. Evans were so knocked out by Steve Jobs' Macworld keynote speech that they decided to create and market a laptop case for the new MacBook Air, based on the simple manila office envelope Jobs pulled his new laptop out of, on stage. According to the AirMail website, the case is "handmade out of durable upholstery-grade vinyl, and lined with fuzzy, soft fleece."
To order AirMail for MacBook or MacBook Pro at $34 each, log on to https://www.manilamac.com/
For carry-alls
Some people mistake the simple slipcases for full-fledged luggage. To save these people from the inevitable cracked screen and scratched case, point them to cargo sleeves. Mark Radcliffe, director at UK-based online laptop sleeve retailer Blueunplugged says, "Sleeves keep laptops safe. Some are designed to accommodate other belongings as well."
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| Cargo laptop sleeve by BUILT. Cargo sleeves accommodate your peripherals, are durable and water resistant, stretch to fit your laptop and include many external slip pockets that provide storage for gadgets and accessories. |
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| Robot from Barry's Farm |
Cargo sleeves accommodate your peripherals, are durable and water resistant, stretch to fit your laptop and include many external slip pockets that provide storage for gadgets and accessories. So, your mouse, power cord and memory sticks are in one place. Online retailers offer cargo sleeves by New York-based BUILT which has a virtual monopoly in the segment.
3 sites to buy sleeves from
1. Barry's Farm (barrysfarm.net) is the quirkiest spot for laptop sleeves on the Internet, with fun designs like Monsters, Robot and Businesspeople.
2. Funky Laptop Bags (funkylaptopbags.biz) has everything from eco-friendly cases to detachable ones
3. Snupped (Snupped.com) is for DIY junkies. No two Snupped sleeves are identical, because each one is fully customised -- from colours to design. You can even custom size it to fit your laptop snugly. Unlike other cases, which are manufactured by anonymous and automated factory machines, Snupped fabric slipcases are handmade by humans.
Best picks from Mumbai stores
What? A super lightweight laptop sleeve from Capdase that protects like its heftier counterparts, and will make a statement in or out of your bag.
For: Rs 1,399
At: Outlets of iStore by Reliance Digital at 2nd floor, Palladium mall, Phoenix Mills, Lower Parel; ground floor, Tirupati Shopping 4/755, Warden Road; ground floor, Korum Mall, near Cadbury Compound, off Eastern Express Highway, Thane (W).
What? Hip 'techno fabric' laptop sleeve from the Diesel's Spring/Summer collection has a zip closure, lined interior, and funky print.
For: Rsu00a0 3,845
At: Diesel outlets at Western Wind Building, Juhu Tara Road, opposite Maneckji Cooper School, Santacruz (W); G14-G15 Palladium, Phoenix Mills, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel.
What? This sporty laptop sleeve from Puma is padded to protect your valuable tech gear, including a front flap pocket for accessories and smaller electronic devices.
For: Rs 1,949
At: The Puma outlets at High Street Phoenix, Lower Parel; 1, Sushmoore Building, plot no 323, Linking Road, Khar (W).
The handbook
How to make a laptop sleeve from plastic bags
1. Cut off the handles and save them. Cut off the bottom of the bag. Turn the bag inside out if there's a logo on it.
2. Fold the bag twice so you have eight layers. You can fold horizontally, then vertically to create a square, or fold the same way twice to make a long rectangle.
3. Get ready to start fusing. Open your windows for ventilation and turn on your iron to a medium setting. Sandwich the plastic bag between two pieces of wax paper. Iron over the "sandwich". Keep the iron moving at all times. After 20-30 seconds, flip the "sandwich" over and repeat on the other side.
4. Peel the wax paper away from the plastic bag. Check for bubbles in the plastic; if there are any, don't use it for your laptop case because it will lead to tears.
Fuse about 10 plastic bags. One thing you can do is cut out logos and fuse them onto another plastic bag, if you're feeling whimsical. Save the wax paper for later.
5. Trim the sides. This means making sure all of them are rectangles or squares with nice, straight sides and square corners. Arrange them in a rectangle that's large enough to fit your laptop twice, plus a little extra for a flap. Make sure there's a 2.5" seam allowance all around. 
6. Sew the pieces together by overlapping them slightly and using a zigzag stitch. Cut out a piece of lining fabric that's the same size as the fused plastic bag piece. Stack the pieces together, right sides facing in. Hold them together with hairpins. Remove the hairpins from one short side. Sew the pieces together along the edges, but leave this one side open. Turn it inside out.
7. Sew a seam about two inches in from the bottom edge (the sewed short edge).u00a0 Stuff the inside with the handles and wax paper you set aside, and/or additional plastic bags. When you've stuffed four inches up from the bottom, sew a seam (parallel to the bottom). Every time you stuff four inches, sew another seam. Do this until you get about six inches from the top.
8. Fold and sew the open edge closed. Place the case right sides together, leaving room for the flap. Sew down both sides and turn it right side out. Fold in and sew the edges of the flap. Add velcro to close the flap. Put the laptop in, and you're done!
Illustrations/Sameer Pawar
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