Heavy-duty laptop case recommendations?

[_sorrow_]

So i just decided the other day that i'll be going to Southeast Asia with a friend for next semester, and we've been talking about all sorts of stuff. He is computer illiterate for all intensive purposes, but just got an excellent deal on a MacBook (Core Duo, 60G HDD, 2GB RAM, 13" all for $800 not even 6 months old!! And, it has 3 years AppleCare to boot!) that we will be bringing with us on the trip.

We're looking for a good, heavy duty case that will protect it from any and all drops, and have some pretty good water resistance qualities too. Any recommendations?

Also, if we can't find any that have sufficient water-proofing, will putting the whole case inside a dry bag (http://www.sierratradingpost.com/Seattle-Sports.html?GCID=S15899x003&KEYWORD=dry%20bag&cm_mmc=PaidPlacement-_-Google-_-WGOG7-_-dry_bag) do any damage to the computer? From what i understand, it will be very hot there, so take that into account when responding..

Cheers for any and all help :)

Edit: Oh, and i forgot to mention that this will be carried around in a backpacking style backpack, so a sleeve style case is preferred...

[ArmpitOfDeath]

You aren't going to get a high degree of damage resistance from a sleeve. Otterbox have a good rep and they have a range of laptop cases. I use a couple of Halliburtons on occasion which are OK, but I've had problems with the hinges, they aren't waterproof and if you do bang them around, they end up looking like crap pretty fast through small dents and nicks although they are structurally very durable.

The Macbook probably won't do very well in the heat, being banged around, etc. They're pretty computers, not durable ones. But since you've chosen your computer already I guess that's not an option to change. I'd go for the Otterbox if you want something serious to keep the computer protected.

[ArmpitOfDeath]

Adding linkies:

Otterbox: http://www.otterbox.com/products/pc_cases/
Halliburton: http://www.zerohalliburton.com/computer/aluminum.jsp

[_sorrow_]

Holy cow, i think i felt my wallet twitch at the prices of those, haha. I'll have to talk to the guy i'm going with and see how much he is willilng to drop on one of these.

Thanks for the information and the links though Armpit; i actually own a couple of Otterbox products for backpacking, but was not aware that they made a laptop case.. good call on their part though: they make good waterproof & shatterproof boxes for whatever you need them for, so why not make one for a laptop?

[Yashar]

Alienware has some really nice cases:

http://www.alienware.com/GearShop_Pages/Gear_Shop.aspx?CatId=1288

[darknessgp]

Build yourself a laptop case out of plate steel, atleast an inch thick. Now that's heavy duty!

[_sorrow_]

Alienware has some really nice cases:

http://www.alienware.com/GearShop_Pages/Gear_Shop.aspx?CatId=1288

i want one.. just so i can carry it around and feel cool :D They look excellent.

In the long run, we ended up ordering this Pelican case (http://www.pelican.com/cases_detail.php?Case=1080), which (if reviews hold true) fits his MacBook 13" perfectly -- but if the reviews are wrong... :eek:

[magunwarrior]

Haha, those Alienware cases are awesome!

[comhcinc]

in iraq we used laptops by crystal group and a buddy of mine had a laptop case made by SKB (http://www.skbcases.com/) it worked out pretty well.