I get really annoyed when my tech gets any blemish or scratch. In general it just makes sense to protect a $1000+ laptop with some kind of cover or case, not only to keep it looking new (the case hopefully taking the brunt of the beating) but also to keep the laptop's resale value high in case you decide to sell it down the road. There are a few ways to protect your MacBook. The highest protection comes from a laptop bag, and after that are are laptop sleeves. They help protect the laptop during travel but don't protect against everyday bumps, dings, scratches, and general clumsyness when it's being used. That is where a hard shell cover comes in, which adds everyday protection and bit of style. A lot of hard shell cases produced by name brand manufacturers cost around $50 and some are poorly designed without vent holes on the bottom, come off easy, and don't come with extras (like a keyboard cover).

 

That's where this USTCover comes in. I thought it was crazy to spend $50 on a hard shell case (made of molded plastic), and in my hunting I finally settled on this USTCover from Amazon. You might not recognize the name but at least it has a name unlike many generic eBay hard shell cases. It has some great features and goes for a very reasonable $12.99 + shipping (Prime and $35+ free shipping eligible) which includes a matching keyboard cover. The case consists of 2 molded hard shell pieces, one for the lid and one for the base of the Air. The bottom has a lot of vent slits so your Air won't overheat and has grippy feet so it stays put. Finger prints on the case don't seem as much of a problem as I was expecting from a glossy case, which is nice because that's an issue for a lot of hard shell cases. The lid cover has 7 clips that keep it very secure. I didn't have any problems with it coming off when opening the Air. The base is also pretty secure with 8 clips. The back by the vents has two huge clips which ensure the case does't fall off easy. If there was a weak spot it probably is the front corners on the base but even if you push on them it doesn't flex much, but you can tell it's not perfectly snug all the time. With the 2013 Air the second microphone is blocked but honestly that's not a big deal to me, but might be if you Skype a lot with a 2013 Air.

 

A nice touch for the price is the included matching silicone keyboard cover. It fits very snug and stays on good. The cover completes the look and protections the keys from grime and wear. Overall I like the keyboard cover but it does have a few downsides. The cover muffles the speakers (which normally exit out the keyboard but now has to exit out the exhaust), blocks the intake of air through the keyboard, makes the keys somewhat mushy, and partially blocks the backlight. The letters and characters on the keys also don't match up exactly (which is most obvious when it's a little dark and the backlight is on). The keyboard cover is totally up to you to install and is really a free gift so it being perfect is not essential (plus most keyboard covers have these trade-offs). I keep mine on and don't have any problems besides the quirks mentioned.

 

Overall this cover is an excellent value and quality for the price. It adds personalization and extra style to your MacBook Air, as well as all important protection. I'm sure with some drops and bangs it's not going to stay in perfect condition, but that's what it's there for (to get banged up so your aluminum body doesn't). I believe it will hold up decently well overtime, at least for it's price. The construction is solid, there is very little flex in the plastic when installed, and the plethora of clips do a great job of keeping the case securely installed. The Apple logo shines through and it looks great. Vent holes aid the Air in heat disipation instead of confining the heat like many other cases. The included keyboard cover is a nice extra touch. Finger prints are mostly a non-issue. I recommend picking up this case for your Air and with 10 color options to choose from there is one for everybody. Note USTCover has rubberized versions for $1 more and other bundles that include screen protectors (you can search Amazon for those if your interested). Below are the full specs and links:

 

Specifications

• Compatible with MaxBook Air 13.3" 2010-2013

• Weighs 9.5oz (270g)

• Lid/Top Case with 7 Clips:

  • One on Each Side of Hinge

  • Three Above the Display

  • One on Each Side of the Display

• Base/Bottom Case with 8 Clips:

  • Two at the Front

  • One on Right and Left Side Before the Ports

  • One on Each Back Corner

  • Two Huge Ones by the Vent

• Silicone Color Matching Keyboard Cover

• Price is currently $12.99 (Oct. 28, 2013) + shipping (free for Prime Members or $35+ orders, except Clear case is $3.95 shipping)

• All Colors Available (there are also rubberized versions, and ones with screen protector and cleaning cloth for extra):

  • Translucent Glossy + Keyboard Cover (Amazon links): Aqua Black Blue Clear Green Orange Pink Purple Red Yellow

• Covers the Second Microphone on the 2013 Air