‘Book Mystique Review - iSkin SOHO Laptop Portfolio Sleeve
by Charles W. Moore
iSkin’s new SOHO notebook sleeve case is a sleek and classy lightweight solution for carrying your ‘Book to meetings, cafes, classes, or while commuting between home and office. Offering more protection than a soft sleeve case but without the bulk and weight of a computer briefcase or backpack, the SOHO will be ideal when you just need to carry the computer without any attendant paraphernalia, since there is just room for the machine itself and not even a power adapter or mouse.
The SOHO's outer skin is of “premium synthetic leather” (yes folks, gen-yew-wine imitation leatherette!), in black with contrasting color stitching that puts me in mind of baseball stitching, and a matching-color zipper-closure strip on three sides wrapping around the back/bottom corners. It’s very clean, stylish, and contemporary look.
The skin material is soft, leather-textured, and lightly padded with a pleasant tactile feel, which is good, because the SOHO is meant to be carried in your hand or under your arm portfolio-style. There is no carry-handle or shoulder strap and no provision for either.
Inside, the SOHO’s semi-rigid protective armoring is lined with luxuriously soft padded plush fabric which will be kind to your ‘Book’s finish, and is and dyed using only environmentally safe inks.
The SOHO comes in your choice of five by arrestingly bright colors which include: Azure (Black with Blue), Graphite (Black with Grey), Magnum (Black with Red), Sahara (Black with Orange) and Amazon (Black with Pink), and match the closure zipper and external stitching. Our test unit was a Sahara. I’m not usually a big fan of things orange, but found this particular shade fetchingly attractive, as did my wife.
“People need sturdy, functional protection for their computers but don’t want to carry around something that conflicts with their personal style” comments Tomas Rojcik of iSkin, “SOHO is sophisticated enough for the professional, yet stylish enough for the student - and it proves computer protection can be as great looking as it is practical.”
Indeed, the SOHO is designed with attention to small but appreciated detail, like the positive grip zipper-pull with it’s iSkin logo.
The SOHO is designed to allow you to use the computer without removing it from the case, which can be very convenient if you’d just want to grab a few minutes work on a train or bus, or in any waiting room, etc.., but need to be able to get mobile again on short notice. The top panel of the SOHO has two diagonal elasticized retainers that slip up over the notebook’s display lid to help hold the machine in place securely. Using the SOHO in situ also provides insulation for your lap from the hot underside of the “notebook.”
The SOHO will also be an excellent choice for carrying your book inside a larger laptop bag or backpack.
While the SOHO model we tested is designed specifically for the Apple MacBook, I found that my 12” iBook also fit nicely, and I expect that a 12” PowerBook would as well. There is also a model sized to fit the 15” MacBook Pro and PowerBook.
For its intended use and purpose, it’s hard to criticize the SOHO case. There is no room or provision for carrying incidentals, but that is pretty much the point of this handy and lightweight computer portfolio. The product is well-made, attractive, and feels like quality, so pretty much the only thing to complain about is the price, which is a bit on the steep side for a simple sleeve case, however stylish and well-executed. However, the SOHO is explicitly aimed at the “Cool + Couture” end of the market.
SOHO Features:
• Specifically made for Apple MacBook /MacBook Pro
• Works with similar sized PC laptops
• Slim two-tone design
• Colored stitching
• Simulated premium leather finish
• Reinforced, durable, outer shell
• Color-matching, plush padded lining
• Sure-grip custom iSkin designed zipper pull
• Clam-shell design for easy access to laptop
• Inner elastic screen straps
• Multi-layered construction
• Stylish yet elegant
• Reinforced spine
• Available in a variety of color styles
- Amazon: Black with Pink
- Graphite: Black with Blue
- Magnum: Black with Red
- Sahara: Black with Orange
- Azure: Black with Blue
Specifications:
For MacBook or similar PC
Length: 13” (33cm)
Width: 9” (23cm)
Depth: 1” (4cm)
$59.99
For MacBook Pro or similar PC
Length: 14” (36cm)
Width: 9” (25cm)
Depth: 1” (4cm)
$64.99
The complete SOHO line is available at:
http://www.iSkin.com
More information about SOHO can be found online at:
http://www.iSkin.com/SOHO/
Note: Letters to PowerBook Mystique Mailbag may or may not be published at the editor's discretion. Correspondents' email addresses will NOT be published unless the correspondent specifically requests publication. Letters may be edited for length and/or context.
Opinions expressed in postings to PowerBook Mystique MailBag are owned by the respective correspondents and not necessarily shared or endorsed by the Editor and/or PowerBook Central management.
If you would prefer that your message not appear in PowerBook Mystique Mailbag, we would still like to hear from you. Just clearly mark your message "NOT FOR PUBLICATION," and it will not be published.
CM