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by Doug Landry
When reviewing another bag, we noted how some Mac buyers like to show their PowerBooks off with bags that draw lots of attention to the owner. The Willow Design Princeton Slipcase for 14" iBooks is not for this type of buyer, but for someone who wants an unassuming slim protective case to carry their Apple portable and not much else.
PBZone Bag Week Review:
Willow Design's Princeton 14" Slipcase
Price:
$82
Requirements:
Shoulders and a laptop.
What's Hot:
Well padded; simple and effective design
What's Not:
Not for the buyer seeking a flashy or showy bag
The Princeton case is designed for the 14" iBook, but is merely a single model of the "Deluxe" line of slipcases that Willow Design offers. The other models in the line are identical in construction, but are sized to fit other Apple portables precisely. The iBook model we're reviewing is the SC-36 Princeton. The others are:
- SC-34 Stikine Slipcase for 12" iBook
- SC-39 McLeese Slipcase for 12" Powerbook
- SC-36 Princeton Slipcase for 14" iBook
- SC-32 Columbia Slipcase for 15" Titanium
- SC-37 Vermillion Slipcase for 17" Powerbook
Willow's slipcase style of bag is less than a full PowerBook bag that could fit a substantial amount of other belongings but more than the "sleeves" that are available from other companies. It's meant to provide plenty of protective padding for your PowerBook and the capacity to carry a few files and accessories/cables in a trim design that minimizes bulk.
It's vertically oriented with a flap at the top that opens to a front pocket with several smaller organizing pockets inside. Behind the front pocket is a separate deep padded compartment for the computer itself. The thick foam surrounding this area is quite substantial and should afford quite a bit of protection to the machine in the event of accidental droppage.
The "Deluxe" line of slipcases differs from the "Standard" line at Willow in a few ways. The the right exterior side of the case is a detachable keyring that is protected by a small velcro flap. The Deluxe line also includes a small mesh pocket on the underside of the top flap and a large exterior expandable pocket for storing additional materials when necessary.
The bag costs $82, in line with the price of competing bags in this class. It weighs 2.4 pounds and is available in Black, Charcoal, Navy, Taupe, and Burgundy colors.
As with all the bags we've reviewed from small companies that primarily cater to Mac users, great care is taken to make sure the workmanship of the bags is flawless. This Willow slipcase is no different. The materials are all high quality and we saw no defects. The detachable shoulder strap is especially comfortable with a no-slip coating on the underside that keeps the strap securely on the shoulder.
The bag's greatest asset--its understated, efficient design--is also its biggest liability, if one could call it that. As with the other bags we've reviewed this week, the price is reasonable and the quality is superb, and the only differentiating factor is the appeal of the style to the user. The Willow Design Princeton slipcase is for the buyer who wants a simple high quality protective bag with no gimmicks and a clean, uncluttered design.
As part of PBZone Bag Week, Willow is offering a 10% discount off any purchase at their website, excluding shipping, to PBZone customers only. To receive the discount, note that you'd like the PBZone Reader Discount in the custom instructions field in the ordering process at their site. For more discounts and reviews that are part of bag week, please visit the main page.
Published by Doug B. Landry and contributing staff. Trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc., and others reserved. ©2003 Delta Design. Publishing headquarters is located in Baton Rouge, LA Index version 1.1.2
