New Computer Cases Debut From Acme Made, Skooba

By John Laposky -- TWICE, 2/23/2011

New York - Two companies rolled out new computer cases this week.

Skooba Designs’' new Harmony line was “designed by women for women� the company said.

Acme Made has introduced two new cases designed for MacBook computers.

The Skinny Sleeve is a slender and lightweight notebook sleeve custom fit for the 11-inch MacBook Air. It features a waterproof and stain-resistant StretchShell neoprene exterior with dual-sided protective inserts, and a zipper-less and scratch-resistant closure.

Acme Made's Clutch is designed for the MacBook Pro 13-inch and MacBook Air 13-inch. The messenger-style bag has a coated canvas exterior with leather trim, a quilted twill nylon interior and accessory pockets.

The Skinny Sleeve and the Clutch are now available at Apple retail stores for $39.99 and $99.99, respectively.

Skooba Design has debuted three fashion-oriented bags in its new Harmony collection for women.

The line includes a large laptop tote, a small laptop tote and a satchel for a tablet or netbook. The bags are hand-crafted of black faux leather with nylon twill trim panels quilted with double-needle contrast stitching. Finishing touches include top-stitched belting straps and mirror-polished silvertone hardware. The bags are lined with soft, tuxedo striped nylon, and offer a variety of pockets foraccessories as well as a file pocket.

The small (for 15-inch range laptops and larger slim-body models) and large (up to 17-inch laptop) totes have full, zippered top openings with magnetic end snaps. The totes can be carried by their double handles or included, removable padded shoulder straps. Both include matching quilted laptop sleeves that can be removed and used independently with their own removable straps.

The satchel is a slim, flap-style bag with padded main compartment plus pockets for accessories. The large main flap is secured by magnetic closure, and features a quick access zipper on top, allowing access to contents while the flap remains closed. The built-in shoulder strap has belt buckle adjustments on both sides.

Skooba's Julie Zepke, who headed up the Harmony design project, said "Harmony was designed by women for women, to make sure that the bags reflect the way we really carry and use things. Too many other laptop bags are just masculine, tech-centric designs slightly modified or decorated to be marketed to women. We took the reverse approach - designing beautiful handbags and then making  them work with technology." Zepke said the Harmony name represents the ideal marriage of fashion and function.

The small and large Harmony totes carry suggested retail prices of $149.95 and $159.95, respectively. The satchel has a suggested price of $99.95. The padded laptop sleeves are also available separately at $24.95 for the 15-inch and $27.95 for the 17-inch size.

The line will ship in the spring.