Viper Powerbook sleeve by BOOQ
To protect my new 12″ Powerbook from potential scratches that might come from lugging it to and from work each day, I decided to get a sleeve for it.
I did some research using del.icio.us/tag/bag+powerbook, and came across the Viper sleeve by Booq.
The description from the site:
Simply put, Vyper has to be the coolest laptop sleeve. We sandwiched durable, semi-rigid high density foam between a layer of 1682D cross-weave ballistic nylon on the exterior and a super non-scratch lining on the interior - an effective blend. Virtually molded around your 12-inch laptop, Vyper XS is the most compact sleeve perfectly fitted for your 12-inch laptop, 12-inch iBook or PowerBook. Use it separately, or as additional protection inside another bag, like our Boa or BP3 backpacks. A must-have for every laptop owner.
In addition to looking cool, the item was backordered for a few weeks, indicating to me that it was a favorite of Powerbook users.
I received it about a week ago. While I think it’s pretty great, it did have a feew shortcomings that should be mentioned.
First, I was disappointed to find out that the black strip across the top (next to the orange label) wasn’t a carrying handle. I had just kinda assumed it was based on the picture. This means that if you don’t plan on carrying your Powerbook in a sleeve in a second bag, you have to tuck it under your arm. It would have been nicer had there been some kind of carrying handle or strap, especially for those early morning trips to the coffee shop when I’m travelling light.
The second dissapointment was the fit. The description indicates that the case fits snugly around the powerbook, but it doesn’t. It’s close, but if you hold just the case, you can feel the powerbook sliding around inside about a half an inch or so. I seem to recall also reading that the Viper was supposed to “fit like a glove,” which it surely doesn’t.
To try to get it to fit a bit snugger, I purchased a Sleevz by Radtech. These are a really slim special fiber cover that protects your Powerbook from scratches, and I’m hoping it’ll add just enough to the powerbook’s dimensions to get it from sliding around inside the Viper sleeve. More on that when the Sleevz arrives in the mail.
Would I recommend the Viper XL to someone looking for a tight case for their 12″ powerbook? Unfortunately, no. The poor sizing issue alone is enough to look elsewhere. It’s a shame because the construction is nice and the quality is high. But what good is a laptop case that doesn’t fit as indicated?
14 Comments
RSS feed for comments on this post.
Hi, how did the purchase of the RadTech Sleevz work out? I have a 12″ PB and a Sleevz, and am considering buying a Vyper. But i’m a little concerned about the fit. Thank you!
The Radtech sleeve is nice, really sharp looking, but doesn’t make the powerbook fit any tighter in the Viper. Also, the Radtech sleeve only protects the surface of the computer from scratches and such. It wouldn’t do much in the way of protection if the powerbook were dropped (unlike the Viper, which seems to add some element of cushioning).
Damn! I wish I had seen this BEFORE I made exactly the same buying decision!
I too bought the Vyper XS under the assumption that it would “Fit like a glove” and was also disappointed to find out that the powerbook flops around in the slop! I think I might be a bit more disappointed than you are. Yes, it seems cool but I also expected somthing a bit more substantial. I guess I’ll get used to it. It sure does look sweet :) Anyway, I emailed Booq letting them know what I thought about the fit.
Oh, I thought the thing had a handle too! I should have put that in my email to Booq too.
so glad i read this…i’d come accross the viper before while searching for cases and i just google’d it now to pull the trigger on the order when i saw this hit tucked under the fold. the ONLY reason i was going to get it was the “fits like a glove” aspect– just to provide extra cushion inside the axio FUSE case i just got for it.
thanks again! you saved me some time, disappointment, and money.
hey guys. i just bought the vyper xs for my 12″ powerbook only to discover how loose it is in this sleeve. i am wondering if any of you ever found a way to make the powerbook a better fit inside the vyper. i have considered adding an extra sleeve (like the RadTech sleevz), adding a wedge of foam inside the vyper, or keeping an extra cloth inside the vyper to fill the extra space, but none of these ideas is ideal. what solutions have you guys come up with? thanks for any help.
I use the Radtech sleeve, but it’s sooo form-fitting that it doesn’t really take up enough extra space to make the Vyper a tight fit.
I like the idea of trying out home-grown solutions. The most recent issue of Make Magazine has an article on building a laptop case out of a used wetsuit. Maybe a slice of carrefully cut neoprene would do the trick?
FYI guys, Booq now has a new XXS Viper said to fit the PB “like a glove”. I can’t vouch for it, as I haven’t bought it… I need a little carry handle of some sort - I don’t trust the “tuck-under-the-arm” method…. Thanks for the info on the black strip not being a handle - I was about to place an order!
Hmmm… That’s exactly what they said the Viper XL did (”fit like a glove”)….
My question: Where does that leave those of us who bought the original one based on the same (false) promises? I’d like to be able to trade in my Viper XL for a XXS…
Unfortunately, the Vyper for the 12″ powerbook is a bit loose, but the Vyper M for the 15″ powerbook truely does fit like a glove. Same with the Vyper for the 17″ powerbook, it seems like 12″ users got the short end of the stick.
So, I contacted Booq and explained my dissatisfaction, and requested to exchange the XL for an XXS. More info when they reply…
I ordered the XXS Vyper today as well. I travel a lot and prefer to have my precious Powerbook in a shell type sleeve. I haven’t received it yet as I’m in Australia and the XXS is coming from the U.S. but as soon as I do I will post here and let you know.
Still haven’t received a reply yet from Booq. Here’s the letter I sent:
I was wondering how the 12″ sleeve could fit so good on the 12″ PB, but still fit the wider 700m (I have read it works snugly on the Dell 700m).
I ordered one for my 710m (the successor to the 700m) last night. Both it and the 710m will arrive tomorrow morning.
can any of you sell me a vyper laptop sleeve (12 inches) which i can use for my 700m? would love to hear from you … thanks