Currently, users of the affected MacBooks have three options to get their bottom cover fixed. Customers can always visit their Apple retail store or call AppleCare to have an Apple Genius perform the bottom cover swap. A second option if an Apple store is no where near is to visit an Apple authorized service center to have the cover fixed. Still, yet, a third option allows customers to order a self service kit where they can perform the back case replacement themselves. That kit includes the tools (screwdriver) needed to make the repair yourself, a new bottom cover, and instructions.

To see the options, or to order your own self service do it yourself kit for repair at home, you can visit the Apple support page for additional information and learn how to sign up.

The original unibody polycarbonate model was introduced with a huge piece of rubber on the bottom case to prevent the laptop from sliding or slipping on a flat smooth surface. It’s unclear if Apple would refresh the MacBook model soon, but analysts are suggesting that a refresh may come ‘in a matter of months,’ perhaps to move the line to new Intel Core processors. The current case design of the MacBook lineup has been around for about a year and a half now.

The replacement program will be opened to customers worldwide for two years, though it doesn’t extend your warranty any further.

Via: AppleInsider

Apple Offers MacBook Bottom Case Replacement Program is a post by Chuong Nguyen from Notebooks.com.

Cartella MacBook Air Case from Pad&Quill

Build Quality and Look

The frame is made of Baltic Birch wood. Inside the frame there is a layer of thin rubber along the edges to act as a bumper. The inside bottom of the case has circular pads where the feet on the bottom of the MacBook Air rest. This raises the computer a little to give it some ventilation. The front is raised slightly higher than the back making the keyboard flat instead of the ever so slight angle at which the MacBook Air normally sits without a case.

The Cartella is made from Baltic Birch

The trim inside the case is an attractive red. The binding is black. On the inside cover there is a pocket to hold thin papers. When you open the case it has instructions for installation as well as a “Table of Contents” which lists major accomplishments of the company as if they were chapters. The Cartella is the fifth chapter. The tongue and cheek nature of the “story” of a pair of “starving artists” which ends with the sixth chapter telling “The Story of No Longer Starving Artists…” is a nice touch. The final line says, “… Thanks to our customers.”

Cartella has an inside pocket for the "Table of Contents"

This is a solid case that will protect your MacBook Air. The wood frame is light but sturdy. It is an expensive case because it is a quality product.

The Cartella is designed with detail in mind

Functionality

The design makes the case easy to put on the MacBook Air. You slide the thin end of the case into the front of the case. Then just drop the back thicker end of the computer down and it should fall right into place. There are a couple of strips of the bumper material with a sticky back in case you need to add some tension to the case to keep the MacBook Air in place better.

Notice the beveling which lets the MacBook open while in the case and allows for easy removal

We must say they have thought of every detail. The rear side edges have cutouts for the ports. And on the back left cutout is slightly larger to accommodate the MagSafe power connector. The woodworking fits the computer nicely and the spacing is perfect. It is easy to get the computer open thanks to the front spacing where the notch is on the MacBook Air. The spacing allows you to lift the lid. The back edge allows the lid to open and gives room for you to get your finger under the back of the computer for quick removal from the case.

Notice the front opening which allows the MacBook Air to be opened while in the case

Not for Everyone

Not everyone agrees that the Cartella looks nice. My wife looked at it and her first reaction was that it looked kind of cheap. I was stunned because I thought the opposite – it looks classy. So you may agree with me or her. At either $80 or $90 you will want to be certain about the look and feel of this case.

I just think the case fits in a category by itself and is designed for a unique market. It is for people who like nice things and don’t feel the need to show off their Apple hardware. They want more than a cheap rubber cover or a nylon computer bag for protection. If you fit that category, then I think you will really like the Cartella from Pad&Quill.

The Cartella top cover bows a little

It is not perfect. The top cover on ours bowed after a short usage. It could be because we stored the two bumper strips in the inside pocket. But where else would you put them? Also the elastic band that holds it closed can get in the way a little. I’ve never been a fan of those folio style elastic bands around covers. These are two very minor complaints.

The Cartella design allows MacSafe connector to be used while in the case

Video Review

Price, Availability and Other Cases

The Cartella from Pad&Quill is available now for $79.99 for the 11″ model and $89.99 for the 13″ model. Soon there will be an iPad 2 case called the Octavo and we will be reviewing it when it is released. Right now there are also cases available for the original iPad, iPhone, iPod touch, Kindle 3 and Nook. We love that the iPhone case is called “The Little Black Book”. Pad&Quill takes quality seriously, but they don’t take themselves too seriously and we like companies like that.

The ports are available for use while in the Cartella case

Pad&Quill Cartella Case Review: Turns MacBook Air into MacBook with Class is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

The case itself is a hard shell that connects to not only the back, but also the front of the iPad for protection of the screen while not in use. The case snaps on teh back while in use, and when you want to take the iPad on the go, you remove it and snap it on the front to keep the screen safe. This addresses a common complaint, lack of screen protection, that many users have with iPad cases.

The kickstand on the back rotates 360 degrees to allow you to hold it or stand it up in any mode on any side. And the kick stand can hold the iPad up at any angle from zero to ninety degrees. It also folds perfectly flat to rest on a table.

Inside the case there are is a rubber lining to not only keep it from scratching but to offer a shock absorption in case of falls. The corners are reinforced for such a fall.

At this time there is a case for the following:

• iPad = Vario - $69.95 in black and white, grey and white, or two tones of pink
• Amazon Kindle 2 = Vario – $69.95 in black
• iPhone 4 = Teatro - $44.95 in black and white, grey and white, or two tones of pink
• iPod Touch 3rd Gen = Teatro – $34.95 in black and white
• iPod Nano 5th Gen = Teatro – $24.95 in both white and black
• iPhone 3/3GS = Projecto – $24.95 in black, white, pink and grey.

Versions for the Samsung Galaxy Tab, the iPod Touch 4th Gen and Kindle 3 are coming soon. Watch soon for reviews of the iPad and iPhone 4 versions of this interesting case.

Zerochroma Hardshell Cases for iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch Announced is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

The zippered wallet will hold the computer along with many accessories. There are three internal pockets with padding to keep from scratching the computer. They will hold the accessories away from the computer inside the case.

Our experience with WaterField Designs cases has always been very good. They are sturdy and reliable while looking nice. They are a little more pricey than a typical office store case, but we think they are worth the extra cost. They have a quality feel and look to them.

Below is our review video of the almost identical iPad Wallet Case.

http://notebooks.com/2010/11/08/waterfield-designs-ipad-wallet-case-review/

The case is $89.99 and can be pre-ordered now for deliver later in February. Add a set of D-rings to use with your own shoulder strap for $5 or with one of their shoulder straps. A basic strap adds $9 extra and a suspension strap with cushioning is $19 extra.

WaterField Designs MacBook Air Wallet for 11″ Air Ready for Pre-order is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

The ZAGGmate, as it’s called, comes in two versions. The first is just the “ZAGGmate” ($69) which is an aluminum case that and stand for your iPad that goes over the front of the device. The other, which is the one that we’re testing, is the “ZAGGmate w/keyboard” ($99) which is the same aluminum screen cover, but it also has a rather handy Bluetooth keyboard built right into its impressively sleek form-factor!

Here’s a quick video from ZAGG to get give you an overview of the ZAGGmate with keyboard:

Design

The ZAGGmate w/keyboard is designed to mimic the iPad’s aesthetics and does so well. The brushed aluminum looks just like the back of the iPad and the color is matched quite closely.

The outside of the case has nothing more than a subtle “ZAGG” logo on the bottom of the back of the case, and a micro-USB port for charging the keyboard.

The ZAGGmate fits onto the iPad with a ultra-satisfying snugness, thanks to some precise machining and a neoprene-like material around the area that the ZAGGmate will contact your iPad. Not only does this ensure a tight fit, but it also will make sure that the iPad doesn’t get scratched as you put the case on and take it off.

My only worry about the lining that makes the iPad fight tightly is that it might wear out after some time. The duration of my test wasn’t long enough to verify whether or not this would happen, but between the padding losing it’s firmness (thus reducing the tightness of the fit) to the adhesive loosing it’s stick — there is a possibility of failure at some point down the road. At this time, the fit is so tight that I’d have to intentionally shake the iPad out of the case if I wanted it to fall out.

Any part of the ZAGGmate that comes into contact while it’s on the iPad are padded with a smooth rubberized material which let’s you be confident that the screen won’t get scratched when you put the case on.

The close fit also means that the ZAGGmate hardly adds bulk to your iPad (compared almost all other cases) and this is great for anyone who commonly slips their iPad into a bag to take it with them.

One thing I didn’t enjoy out of the box was that the included pamphlet actually recommended putting a protector on the ZAGGmate (naturally, they recommend their own Invisible Shield brand) because the aluminum can get scratched fairly easily. This seems a bit backward as the ZAGGmate is designed (in theory) to protect your iPad, so why would it need protection itself? Can you imagine buying a case for your iPhone and then having to put another case over top of it? That’d be a bit ridiculous, right?

One of the only parts of the ZAGGmate that feels lacking in quality and design is the stand that actually holds the iPad up. It’s made of plastic and snaps into position with small plastic nubs that feel like they might break off after a decent amount of use. The stand only locks into one position which means just one angle of tilt for your iPad. The iPad has good viewing angles, fortunately, but some still might be annoyed that they can’t adjust the angle if glare is an issue. I’m presuming that they selected the one angle to ensure that the iPad won’t tip the ZAGGmate over during use.

There isn’t much of a mechanism that actually holds the iPad into place. For the most part it just uses its own weight to sit in the trench, and there are little plastic pieces that slightly grab the aluminum lip between the iPad’s glass and bezel. It doesn’t actually “lock-in” to the keyboard in any sense, so don’t expect to be able to use it on your lap during a bumpy car ride; the ZAGGmate is definitely meant for table-top usage.

Getting the iPad out of the ZAGGmate works best if you hold it perpendicular to the surface that it’s sitting on, and use the dock connector as a grip to separate it from the case.

Keyboard

The ZAGGmate is heavy enough that it’ll keep the iPad upright in landscape or portrait mode, as long as you’re using it on a flat surface.

The keyboard on the ZAGGmate will really enhance your typing on the iPad. The benefits of using a bluetooth keyboard are two fold: First of all is the obvious fact that you’ll be able to type more quickly with the physical keyboard than the on-screen keyboard. Second, when using a bluetooth keyboard, the on-screen keyboard doesn’t pop-up so you have much more screen real-estate for what you’re actually looking at.

Connecting the keyboard is easy, just turn on bluetooth on the iPad, and flip the on-switch on the ZAGGmate and your iPad should pull it up in the bluetooth device list. Once you configure it by typing the PIN on the ZAGGmate and pressing Enter, the keyboard will connect to your iPad and be ready to type automatically from that point forward.

The on-off switch is nice for saving battery life, but it would have been neat if they included a button that would automatically be pressed by the iPad when it is put in the case, thus turning the keyboard off automatically so that you don’t have to think about it every time you put it away.

The keyboard itself is reminiscent of a 10” netbook keyboard. The keys have a classic laptop-style feel to them with great feedback and a good pitch (the distance that the keys press down). A proper shift-key on the left and right of the keyboard was greatly appreciated as many smaller keyboards that I’ve used in the past have either shrunk them down to single-key size or forgone one of them completely. The only keys I have an issue with on the keyboard are the tab and caps lock keys which didn’t seem to press down evenly. I couldn’t determine if this was a design issue or if there was something under the keys, but in the end it isn’t too much of a hindrance because they do work regardless of how they feel, and these keys aren’t used that frequently. While I’m on the tab note, I can confirm that the tab key will switch between text fields in both system dialogues and of webpages which helps with navigation of the cursor.

The keyboard has a full set of QWERTY keys, featuring everything you’d expect from a traditional keyboard, including a full row of half-sized function keys (F1-F12). Many of the function keys are have handy key bindings that perform actions on the iPad. For instance, the escape-key acts as the iPads home button. You can tap it to unlock the device (which even skips the “Slide to Unlock” slider), and you can even double-tap it to bring up the multi-tasking menu.

Furthermore, F1 will take you to the device’s spotlight search from anywhere that you might happen to be within the OS, F2 will start a slideshow, F3 toggles the on-screen keyboard (thought I’ve never needed to pull it up with the ZAGGmate attached), and F4 acts as the device’s lock button so that you can lock it without reaching around to the side of the device. There’s also play/pause and forward/back-track buttons mapped to F10 through F12 and volume up/down/mute buttons to boot! Very convenient.

I wouldn’t say that the keys are quite large enough to allow for full touch typing (properly using all 5 fingers on both hands). I generally ended up using just my index fingers (otherwise it’d be too cramped), but this was way faster than typing with the iPad’s on-screen keyboard. I used the same app to test typing speed that I used in my capacitive touchscreen glove showdown, it’s called TapTyping, and I used it to test the iPad’s on-screen keyboard in portrait and landscape modes, and test the ZAGGmate’s keyboard. Here are the results:

Conclusion

The ZAGGmate keyboard really gives you some serious typing ability and helps the iPad feel much more like a desktop computing experience. The fact that the keyboard doubles as a sort of case for the front of the device makes it really convenient to bring along. At $99, the price feels right for the ZAGGmate which is a well-built and very useful accessory (assuming that you do a lot of typing!).

ZAGGmate w/ Keyboard Review: Aluminum iPad Keyboard Case is a post by Ben from Notebooks.com.

First there’s the camera slot on the rear, which looks about the right size for a standard Apple mobile device camera and we also observe the slots for a new speaker design which continues to make the rumor rounds. There are a few other interesting items to note including a open back near the volume buttons and near the dock connector.

The case, which is placed on the original iPad numerous times shows a few changes including a slightly wider design and a flat back which makes it a bit awkward for the demo  to show the iPad in the case. This is just a rumor, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see an iPad 2 that fits a case similar to this in 2011. This wouldn’t be the first time a case manufacturer took a chance to get an iPad case out on the market fast.

iPad 2 Case Shows Off Slots for New Features (Video) is a post by Josh Smith from Notebooks.com.

Like other battery cases for the iPhone, the aigo aiPower i616 offers battery backup for iPhone 4 users who tend to drain their phone’s battery due to heavy use or prolonged times between access to power for recharging. The company promises 300 hours of standby time from the 1500mAh battery inside the case. In addition the case adds 10 hours of Internet usage, video playback and 40 hours of audio playback.

In addition to the integrated USB cable, there is a microUSB port on the case to plug it into a computer or power source for syncing or charging. The switch will toggle between battery usage versus the internal iPhone battery. And a set of LEDs and a button helps the user monitor how much battery life is left in the case.

Another nice feature, besides the integrated cable, is the $79.99 price tage, $20 less than the new Mophie Juicepack Plus, which of course does offer a bigger battery.

aigo aiPower i616 iPhone Battery Case with Integrated Charging Cable is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

The foldIO case, aside from having a ridiculous name, is an excellent case for the iPad because it looks very nice, is quite functional, and gives the iPad that book feel without adding much bulk or weight. The Incase Book Jacket case and the Incase Convertible Book Jacket Case that we looked at last week have all of the same features except for one. They add a considerable amount of bulk to the iPad. The Scosche fold IO case doesn’t.

The foldIO is made of a leather-like carbon fiber exterior finish with a nice pattern and a soft suede interior. Six clasps hold the iPad into place and they are extremely firm. The case is not going to easily pop out of the case. When carrying the iPad in the case the rigid cover protects the screen. It has a clasp on it which grabs the edge of the iPad to hold it in place when the iPad is not in use. The soft interior will not scratch the screen. When the case it opened, it folds back so a person can hold the iPad without adding too much thickness or weight.

For use while typing, viewing video or showing off pictures, the case has three angles when the cover is folded back behind the iPad. The inside of the front cover has ridges where the iPad can rest in the ridges holding it at an angle. The various angles are comfortable for both viewing and typing. And the iPad is sturdy when in stand mode in the case.

The only complaint we have is that along the edges there is already some minor deterioration after only a week’s use. But it seems isolated to those edges and doesn’t really detract from the look. Still, we have a concern that this case might not hold up over prolonged use. Also, when popping the one edge out of the clasps so that the case can be used in stand mode, it takes some force to get the iPad out. This last one is a minor complaint and we hope that the first one will turn out to be minor as well. If it does present itself as a problem, there is a 1 year warranty.

The Scosche foldIO p1 iPad Case is $49.99 directly from Scosche.

Pros:

• Very compact design doesn’t add bulk or weight
• Has a book-like feel
• Attractive
• Sturdy stand mode
• Clasps keep iPad in place

Cons:

• Hard to get edge of iPad out of case for stand mode
• Some minor deterioration along edges

Scosche foldIO p1 Apple iPad Case Review: Thin and Useful is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

The Basics

The Laptop SleeveCase from Waterfield Designs is made of a very durable black ballistic nylon cover over a neoprene inner lining. The bottom has a beautiful deep brown leather that feels nice while carrying the case. The sleeve case comes in a few different options and sizes. It fits laptops from manufacturers like Acer, Asus, Alienware, Dell, Fujitsu, HP, Lenovo, Sony and Toshiba. If you have a notebook that is anywhere from eight inches all the way up to eighteen inches, they have a Laptop SleeveCase that will fit. The Laptop SleeveCase we are reviewing is specifically fitted for MacBook Air.

There are a lot of options available for the SleeveCase:

• With or without a flap,
• With the opening along the long horizontal edge or the shorter vertical edge,
• D-rings on each side of the  opening or not,
• There are two shoulder straps to pick from, if you choose the D-Rings. One has more padding than the other and is called the suspension strap.
• Also the bottom leather edge can either be Lead Indium, Leather or forgo it entirely so the entire case is the strong nylon ballistic material.
• Finally, you can add a Piggyback, which is a pouch that connects to the D-rings and holds the peripherals you might want to carry like a mouse, headphones, your charger or other items.

Our Impressions

The Laptop SleeveCase for the MacBook Air is the finest sleeve case I have ever used, just as the MacBook Air is the best laptop I’ve ever used. The computer fits perfectly and slides in and out nicely. The nylon is very strong and just looks and feels great. The inner neoprene lining is smooth and won’t scratch the computer. Like the MacBook Air it is an elegant case. It feels like it will hold up for a long time. Waterfield Designs makes some of the nicest cases we’ve ever used and it is hard to come up with with a negative about this specific case. While they cost more than other cases, you get what you pay for with Waterfield Designs.

With all the options available we recommend a few things. Get the leather trim and the flap. The leather adds an elegance and feels very nice while you carry the case around and the flap protects the computer if there is bad weather. And also get the D-rings and Piggyback. You don’t have to carry it around with the case all the time, but it is a nice option if you need the extra storage space on occasion. And if you get the D-rings, you might as well add the suspension shoulder strap. This will add some expense. Configured the way we recommend it would be $113 instead of $39 for the base case with no add-ons. Our review unit was $64 as configured.

Video review

Pros:

• Excellent Quality
• Fits perfectly
• Looks beautiful
• Attention to detail
• A fitted case for nearly any size laptop imaginable

Cons:

• None

Laptop SleeveCase from Waterfield Designs Review is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

The name came from the mythical sea monster that engendered fear in sailors. The point is that this rugged case will not let anyone or anything harm the iPhone inside.

It is made of a polycarbonate material the protects the case. The durable plastic-like material feels like it will surely keep the iPhone safe from most drops and minor impact. The black silicone sleeve around the inner case is shock absorbing with padded corners to provide extra drop protection.

There is also a thin clear coating that covers over the screen. It prevents against scratches and is supposed to keep glare and moisture to a minimum. Trident calls it their “Clear PET Screen Protector”. The biggest fear we had was that this protective cover over the screen would keep users from being able to touch the screen to control the phone. But after about a minute we were used to having the protector there and didn’t notice it anymore.

One thing that is both great and annoying about the silicon sleeve is that every single port and button is covered with silicone to keep dust, debris and water out. That is wonderful when the user is on the construction site or out hunting or somewhere else where this kind of protection is needed. However, it can get quite annoying if one uses a dock connector to connect the phone to an in car audio system like we did while testing this case. Also, the headphone jack is so recessed that Trident actually had to send a long a special adapter that will fit down into the case. That little 3.5mm jack is just one more thing to lose. Also the mute button was hard to get at while the case is on the phone. Trying to quickly mute your phone in a meeting will be hard with this case. Despite these minor annoyances, it is a very protective case and none of the buttons or the camera are disrupted by the extra protection.

On the back of the case is a very firm belt clip that also doubles as an iPhone stand. Press the top part of the clip in and the bottom protrudes to create a leg for holding the iPhone, as in the picture at the top of the page. This can be useful for viewing video on a plane or a table.

Kraken Case for iPhone 4 Review: Extreme Protection is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.