Today we’re taking a quick look at two Incase sleeves made specifically for Apple’s 12″ Retina MacBook. Neoprene Classic Sleeve ($39.95) comes in five colors and zips the 12″ MacBook in a low-profile soft carrying case. ICON Sleeve ($69.95) has a slightly larger profile that makes it thinner and ditches zippers for a tight-fitting opening at one end. We compare both MacBook sleeves in detail below:
Both sleeves perfectly fit the 12″ Retina MacBook without adding spare space or slots for lots of adapters and accessories. Neoprene Classic Sleeve can accommodate throwing in a USB-C cable and power adapter for charging away from home while ICON Sleeve achieves a thinner profile with no room for carrying extras.
Neoprene Classic Sleeve measures 12″ wide by 8.75″ tall by 1″ thick without a MacBook inside. Slipping a notebook inside stiffens the sleeve and leaves room for a power adapter and cable inside with a footprint barely larger than the 12″ MacBook. The Neoprene Sleeve is lined with white faux fur to safely stow away a laptop just like Incase’s other classic sleeves fit for other MacBooks. Two zippers run across the wide top of the sleeve to either secure the notebook inside or offer access to it or accessories.
While I tested black, Neoprene Classic also comes in Dolphin Gray, Racing Red, Midnight Blue, and Pink Sapphire. Incase’s Neoprene Classic Sleeve is an affordable option for 12″ MacBook owners looking for a low-profile sleeve to tote the ultra-slim notebook around.
ICON Sleeve is a bit more expensive and doesn’t leave room for carrying around a MacBook charger, but it features an attractive design and slimmer profile than Neoprene Classic. The exterior measures roughly 1.25″ wide by 9″ tall by 0.75″ thick. The left side of ICON Sleeve’s flap pulls back to reveal a slit inside just fit to snuggly hold a 12″ MacBook. Incase touts the ability to charge the enclosed MacBook thanks to this slot’s position.
A sturdy material called Tensaerlite acts as a bumper around the opening to absorb shock during drops and generally keep the MacBook secure inside ICON Sleeve during travel. The sleeve cleverly uses magnets to keep the opening securely shut when during travel without using zippers or velcro. Most importantly, during testing I never felt concerned that the MacBook would slide out and the notebook never took any tumbles.
I tested the good-looking Heather Gray/Black version, but an all Black version is also available. ICON Sleeve feels a tad bit more protective and the Heather Gray color looks and feels nice if you’re a fan of this style. ICON Sleeve is made especially for 12″ MacBook owners looking for an inconspicuous way to travel with the slim notebook while respecting the thinness of the computer.
Both Incase sleeves are useful as standalone carrying solutions if you don’t need to lug along chargers and adapters. Personally, I’ve enjoyed traveling with ICON Sleeve inside my own backpack to comfortably pack it to the limits without worrying about something scratching the surface of my MacBook. For more Incase bags and cases, check them out online here.
