Funky, Chic and Cool Netbook Sleeves and Cases

Laptop Bag: the Funchico Vintage Pink Laptop Bag from Rainebrooke
Full Laptop Bag Index

Laptop Sleeve: the Altego Clear Laptop Sleeve from Samsill
Full Laptop Sleeve Index

Netbook Sleeve: Lady Damask Netbook Sleeve from Slappa
Full Netbook Sleeve Index

Laptop Backpack: the Pink Fabric Laptop from Gnana (via CareerBags.com)
Full Laptop Backpack Index

Laptop Bag for Men: the Expand-It Messenger from BBP
Full Men's Bag Index

Knitting Bag: the Coco Needle Carrier from Lexie Barnes
Full Knitting Bag Index

Bags in the picture (from the top): Melissa Beth Pretty Printed Netbook Sleeves, Gnana Laptop Tote, Rainebrooke Black Candy Laptop Tote, Laurex Messenger and Abbi New York Carrie Print Laptop Tote.

When I heard that Slappa was now offering laptop sleeve and laptop bags designed for women, I was quite excited. I've been a fan of Slappa's bags for their quality, ruggedness and suitability to purpose. Slappa's heritage is in creating cases for DJ's and serious gear heads. So I was quite curious to see how they would do designing bags for people who might like something a little more stylish and, dare I say it, a little more feminine.

Dom from Slappa sent me over a netbook sleeve and a bag to review. When I opened the box, this adorable Lady Damask netbook sleeve was sitting on top, staring up at me, much like a kitten in a shelter, saying "pick me up, cuddle me, love me". And I did.

I pulled the Lady Damask sleeve from its clear plastic wrapper and popped it right onto my Asus net book. Seriously. Usually I spend some time touching a bag or sleeve, inspecting it. Nope, not this time. There is something so compelling about this pattern that made me HAVE to put it on my netbook RIGHT NOW. Weird, I know.

Maybe it reminds me of the days when I was a little girl and went to church with my parents, wearing my prettiest dress, my white gloves and carrying my Bible in its cloth carry case. Whatever it is, I love this sleeve. I love how my netbook looks in it. I love the extra-thick padding on the inside - Slappa knows that a well padded sleeve can make all the difference in protecting your netbook or laptop.

The zippers on the sleeve are nice and sturdy. It was a snug fit to get my Asus in the sleeve, but I am chalking that up to the newness of the sleeve. The zippers extend around 3 of the 4 sides of your netbook, so you can keep it on your netbook while you use it (as always - watch out for over heating!!!); there are handy little corner straps to keep it in place.

Not shown in this photo, there is a zippered pocket on the back ostensibly to hold cords or papers. Now, my Asus is a snug fit, so I could slip a few papers, a thin wallet or even my iphone in here - but my power cord with transformer will not fit. Just so you're aware.

This sleeve would also be perfect if you're carrying your netbook in your handbag or backpack and want a little extra protection.

Slappa's Lady Damask netbook sleeve comes in sizes for both netbooks and laptops and both the white pattern shown here (my fav!) and a black one are available. The netbook sleeve retails for $24.99; the laptop size is about $5 more.

Design powerhouse be.ez has a great selection of both sleeves and messengers specially designed for your netbook. I've had the pleasure of testing both their LArobe netbook sleeve and the LEvertigo 13 Lime Art.

The LArobe sleeve does everything you would expect a polyurethane netbook sleeve to do, but it just seems to do it better and with way more style. These sleeves are designed with Mac lovers in mind and both the look and the feel of the LArobe should appeal to every Mac head. They just feel right. And they come in a set of bright candy colours that we love for our technology.


The LEVertigo is a vertical messenger that looks cold and steely on the outside, but when you open it up, you find this shocking burst of colour. Again, from a design and essence perspective, it perfectly captures the Mac lovers raison d'etre. The LEVertigo is comfortable to wear, roomy enough for my netbook and keeps everything from documents to gadgets neat and tidy inside its waterproof shell.

be.ez products are available from a number of retailers, online and off, depending upon your location. Check out their retailer's page for specifics.

If you have been looking for something functional to carry your netbook in, but want more than a sleeve, the new Netbook Messenger Bag from Skooba Design may be for you. Skooba knows that just because you've scaled back on the size of your computer doesn't mean that you've scaled back on the number of gadgets you carry (don't worry, your secret is safe with me). Some great things about it:

Dedicated, padded netbook compartment plus over a dozen other pockets and organizers of every kind-mesh pockets, zippered pockets, and more-hold laptop, files and folders, gadgets, accessories.

Fast access zipper opening on top lets you access your computer or other items in the main compartment, without having to open the main flap. Perfect for getting your netbook in and out--with one hand and without taking the bag off your shoulder--while waiting in line at airport security.

Front accessory compartment has stretchy neoprene compartments for cords, adapters, portable audio, camera and more. There's even a special, protective slot for your USB thumb drive so you'll never lose it at the bottom of a bag.

Water bottle holder stows completely out of sight when you don't need it, pops out in 2 seconds when you do.

It comes in four colour combinations and retails for $49.95 over on the Skooba website.

Note: I haven't seen this one in person and tested it out, but Skooba makes good stuff.

One of my favourite laptop bag designers, Melissa Beth Designs, has started making netbook size sleeves. Yay! She's got a fresh new set of patterns for the fall and they come perfectly sized to cosset your bundle of netbook joy. They retail for $29.50 USD.

I really like a sleek sleeve to keep the red cover of my Acer 10" scratch free. This Pink Paisley neoprene sleeve from Isis Dei that I found over at careerbags.com should do the trick. It retails for only $20.

The Aircube Sleeve from Sumdex walks the fine line between practicality and style in its own futuristic-looking way. Utilizing both neoprene and air cell technology (which is what makes that cool, science-fiction-y looking ice cube wall), this sleeve is the closest thing to wrapping your laptop in a protective pillow of air. It's a bit bulkier than other netbook sleeves, but what gain in size, you also gain in protection. It typically retails for $29.99.

I really like this sleeve - I think because it reminds me of the LightBright I had when I was a kid. Composed of extra-thick durable neoprene, it cushions and protects your laptop for maximum protection. The unique bone shape creates an instant built-in bumper system for extra protection. This sleeve fits a 12" netbook. The BuiltNY Sleeve retails for $38.99 at eBags.com

Some sleeves protect your netbook with neoprene or ballistic nylon. Some protect it with a rearing unicorn (available in pink or blue). Taking the latter route, Lollington offers foam padding and durable duck cloth to back up the unicorn, as well. With each order made to accurately fit your netbook's measurements, Lollington netbook sleeves offer up a high level of functionality along with a whole lot of quirky style. Also available: dinosaurs and kittens. $26.95 over on Etsy.