Booq makes a lot of great cases and sleeves for Apple products, like the Python Courier bag and the Booq Folio for iPad 2. They're well-designed and built to last. The company has come out with a new and thin sleeve for the 11" and 13" MacBook Air that provides protection while leaving out the bulk. Take a look at the Booq Viper sleeve (US$39.95 for 11", $49.94 for 13"), and enter to win one just in time for the start of the school year.

Design and Functionality

What makes the Booq Viper sleeve so different? It uses a semi-rigid design with three "ridges" on each side. They make the thing more durable and look good, too.

The design is incredibly simple -- there are no zippers, pulls, or anything else to keep you from grabbing your MacBook Air when you need it. The top of the sleeve has a magnetic closure that pops open when you pull it apart. Usually, the sleeve top is in the closed position. The inside of the sleeve is lined with nylon, while the outside is molded from a natural fiber -- jute.

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The resulting sleeve offers a lot of protection without being heavy or bulky. On the other hand, if you need to carry other items -- an AC adapter, a dongle for connecting to a projector, and so on -- you'll need another bag. My take on the Viper sleeve is that it works well to protect your MacBook Air from scratches and bumps while it's in a larger bag like a backpack.

Conclusion

It's thin. It's lightweight. It has a good feel to it. It protects your MacBook Air. It's also just different enough that people are going to say "Where'd you get that sleeve?"

Pros

• Extremely thin and lightweight
• Attractive design
• Jute material on exterior provides good grip,