Review: MaxUpgrades MaxSleeve & iProtect

Some people just want a simple sleeve for their notebooks, but find the options too big or too expensive. Others want a screen cleaning cloth that protects their screen from key marks when closed, but can also get stubborn marks off their screen without too much work. Fortunately, MaxUpgrades has two products for iBook and PowerBook owners which will fit these niches nicely — without leaving a hole in your wallet.

MaxSleeve

The MaxSleeve is an impact resistant sleeve for PowerBooks and iBooks made out of Visco-Elastic Memory Foam. It bends and shapes around your computer and any outside objects that push against it, providing shock absorption. It is still rigid enough to protect against damage, however.

MaxSleeve

iProtect

The MaxSleeve is about as bare-bones as you can get for a sleeve. There are two zippers to open and close the sleeve, and it flips completely open, to allow the easiest access to the computer. What is nice is that the zippers are isolated from the computer, so you won’t have to worry about scratches.

Depending on the size, the MaxSleeve ranges in price from $23.50 (12″ iBook/PowerBook version) to around $28 (17″ PowerBook version). These prices are quite reasonable, especially considering how well the sleeve protects the computer.

The one place where a MaxSleeve would be really useful is in computer cases with just a strap or two to hold your computer in place. The Axio Swift is one such product that comes to mind, and the MaxSleeve fits perfectly inside of the laptop pocket, preventing your ‘Book from being scratched or bumped around. It’s also a good replacement for many “one-size-fits-all” sleeves included with many computer cases.

We really like the MaxSleeve, as it can be used on its own, or in a bag. It provides just enough protection, without being too bulky.

iProtect

The iProtect is a piece of cloth that protects your screen against the dust, dirt, grease, and oil that generally can be found on the keyboard, trackpad, and palm rests on laptops. It prevents the marks on the screen that are left by the keys where they come in contact with the screen.

It also serves the purpose of a screen cleaning cloth. One side is soft for dusting and removing fine particles. The other is rough and removes fingerprints and other marks.

Priced at $9-$12 (depending on size), the iProtect is a much better value than RadTech’s ScreensavRz, especially since it covers more than just the keyboard area. It’s also a small price to pay to prevent those annoying marks that seem quite common on most iBooks and PowerBooks.

The MaxSleeve and the iProtect both do a great job, and are quite reasonably priced. We like how they take common designs and add clever additions (such as the foam in the MaxSleeve’s case and the two different surfaces in the iProtect’s case). If you’re looking for the best way to protect your laptop without spending too much, your search has ended.