How to keep your MacBook Pro looking like new
Satechi Eco-Hardshell Case for the 16- and 14-inch 2021 MacBook Pro. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
No matter how careful you are with your shiny new one MacBook Pro, it will inevitably start collecting scratches and dents. Some people consider these blemishes to be proud battle scars, while others want their hardware to look as pristine as possible for as long as possible.
This is especially true for people who intend to give away or resell their hardware at some point.
The better your laptop looks, the more money you get for it.
I’ve shied away from laptop clamshells in the past for a number of reasons. They can be very difficult to put on and then fall off in no time. They can cover up the vents and vents, causing all sorts of problems, and they can be made of such inferior material that they tear and break after very little use.
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As someone who usually hates these types of laptop bags, I’m so surprised to find one I love that totally exceeds all of my expectations.
And this one is Satechi’s new eco-hardshell case for the 16 and 14-inch 2021 MacBook Pro.
My experience with the Eco-Hardshell Case was good from the start. It comes well presented and well protected without an excess of lavish packaging. My MacBook Pro also fit into the hard case without bruising and without cracking the case (this has happened to me a few times where a clip or corner has snapped under stress).
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Storage is just as important as the laptop that fits in the bag. There’s hardly anything worse than a hard case that keeps coming loose, not only does it offer little protection, but it also dramatically increases the chances of the laptop accidentally falling on the floor.
The Eco-Hardshell Case fits like a glove.
This hard case snaps in wonderfully. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
The non-slip feet are also welcome… I’ve used cases that don’t have this feature and it gives the laptop that stability of Bambi on ice when you’re trying to use it on a table.
These non-slip feet ensure the laptop won’t go anywhere, no matter what surface you place it on. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
The case also allows clear and easy access to all the ports on my MacBook Pro, which is a real bonus because if you have to take the case off to use a port, the case is useless.
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There are also cutouts for the air vents on the side of the MacBook Pro. These cutouts match well, if not perfectly, with the slots in the MacBook Pro. Given how cool the new M1-powered MacBooks run, I wasn’t concerned about a bit of handicap, and it doesn’t seem to have had a measurable impact on system temperature.
The vent cutouts are good, but not perfect, but my thermal testing suggests this isn’t a problem. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET
That Satechi Eco hard case is a hit for me. I installed it in my MacBook Pro and still use it.
That’s a rare achievement.
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And then I recommended it to others here – which is a first for this type of hard-shell laptop case.
I like this case so much.
Priced at $44.99, it’s the perfect way to add extra protection to your M1-powered MacBook Pro to keep it looking new for longer.