You've seen the unboxing and my first thoughts, but as always I've spent some time using the case.

This particular case is available for £19.95 from GearZap.com and is specifically a MacBook case and MacBook Pro case.It is also a 13 inchMacBook Aircase. Entering at the highly competitive budget end of the market, practicality and build quality have to be of a high standard, but how competitive is the mKeeper?

...

Design

The case itself is very sleek, svelte even. It's not bulky and cumbersome, rather it is light yet robust. The outer shell is a laminated canvas which not only provides a firm structure, it also makes it waterproof. This should be handy if caught in a shower, at least for the laptop itself. There is a velcro fastened pouch at the front which can accommodate a power supply, however as the velcro doesn't extend all the way across the pouch it is possible that the contents could get dampened in the rain.

The handles are sturdy without being uncomfortable but a curious omission is a shoulder strap. As a hand carried case, the mKeeper doesn't provide enough carry space to act as a complete solution for the mobile office. However the slender design does allow for it to be stored in a reasonably sized rucksack or briefcase.

Inside is where you really get a feel for the build quality with a thick layer of memory foam on both sides. This makes for a firm hold on the laptop as well as offering up solid protection. This is the sort of case that makes you confident that your laptop will survive a few knocks without causing damage.

One feature that I thought was a bit curious when I did the unboxing was the two elasticated straps in the top corners. I thought that attaching this to your laptop screen seemed a strange idea. However I soon realised my misjudgement in this area while testing.

Testing

As this is not necessarily a case that you would put inside another bag (although you could), testing consisted of loading the main compartment with a MacBook and placing the power supply inside the front pouch. Both are a snug fit without any movement and ample protection for the laptop itself. It's worth noting that while the standard MacBook power supply does fit in the front pouch, it does feel almost a little too snug. Carrying this on the train shouldn't cause any concern, neither should inclement weather, though I would strongly advise standing in the rain with any case longer than is absolutely necessary!

This case seems to be designed for train travel, the two elastic straps I mentioned before fit over the top corners of your screen, which holds the case up when using the laptop. This is actually a sensible idea as it allows you to work on documents without taking the laptop out of the bag - a real bonus on a busy train or in a coffee shop.

Final thoughts

It's fair to say that the Capdase mKeeper appears to have a slight identity crisis. It is more than a simple sleeve type case, yet not quite a full blown laptop carry case. It sits somewhere between the two. Whether this makes it a great compromise, offering benefits of both, or makes it a bit of an oddball is entirely subjective. For me it's well designed and offers good protection. The omission of a shoulder strap is a shame but not a deal breaker. Add in the fact that it's £19.95 and you have a bargain on your hands. Ultimately there's a lot to like about this case, and for the money it's more than a little tempting.

Final Score 8.5/10