Booq - Viper Series Sleeve
I’ve been using a Booq Bags PowerSleeve12 with my 12″ Powerbook ever since I first got my Powerbook back in July. You can read my impressions of the sleeve in a previous post. The sleeve has been perfect for me, and hasn’t left me wanting.
However, Booq just had to go and ruin that. Be assured, it’s not a fault of the PowerSleeve12 by any means. Rather, Booq has introduced a new product, and upon seeing it I was instantly thrown into a state of want. The Viper Series Sleeve (I have linked to the XS model, for 12″ Powerbooks) is a new minimalist laptop sleeve that offers maximum protection with a minimal fuss, and what I deem to be a very outstanding price. Please allow me to quote the product description from Booq’s own website:
“We sandwiched durable, semi-rigid high density foam between a layer of 1682D cross-weave ballistic nylon on the exterior and a super non-scratch lining on the interior - an effective blend.”
Doesn’t that make you all tingly all over? It is important to note that this is strictly a sleeve, as it has no carrying handles or straps. The Viper Sleeve is intended to be used inside of another larger bag. Of course, Booq has built the sleeve to fit perfectly inside quite a few of their larger bags, including the “Boa.XM, Mamba.XS, Mamba.XM, PowerSleeve14, as well as all larger products.”
For me personally, the PowerSleeve12 is still a more appropriate solution. I am able to keep the sleeve in my book bag with the sleeve’s flap folded back. This allows me to quickly access my laptop by merely unzipping my book bag’s compartment, while keeping the Powerbook protected. However, at only $40, the Viper is difficult to resist as a backup. I feel that it would serve well for long trips where your laptop may be stored in luggage. The Booq website is showing an availability date of Jan 24 currently.