About Notebook Cases

One indispensable element of the notebook is the notebook case that house the internal delicate components like the motherboard, processor, hard disk and memory of the notebooks. Notebook cases are usually about 1 inch thick.

The notebook cases typically have a clamshell design - in which the flat liquid crystal display folds shut against the keyboard. The clamshell has its origin in the GRiD Compass 1101, which was the first true notebook released in 1982.

If yoy're taking your notebook on the road, then it needs to be built tough. Face it, it's going to get some abuse. It'll get shoved in the passenger seat of your car, tossed in the overhead bins on planes, and set up on any available flat surface including your lap. This machine needs to be tough. While you're shopping, ask what it is made of and look at the construction. Pick it up and waggle the parts. Does it feel cheap? Are the hinges held on with more hope than metal or plastic? Does the case bend or flex when you open it? Does the door over the ports on the back look like it might break easily?

For the notebook owners, the style of the notebook case matter a lot since they reflect the style of their owners. The dimensions of notebook cases have almost become a standard now, and it seems the color too is becoming quite predictable - it is either jet black or spotless white, perhaps to give a feel of professionalism.

Apple has been able to strike a balance between strength and style with the notebook cases of its notebooks. While the standard rectangular form of the notebook cases might disappoint those looking for innovation in shapes, the elegant, white translucent notebook cases should appeal to one and all.

The earlier notebook cases, like the GRiD Compass 1101, used to be made of magnesium. But the notebook cases we get to see these days - like the PowerBook - are made of Titanium, the material found in high profile golf clubs and supersonic jet engines. Titanium has an excellent strength to weight ratio, which enables notebooks like PowerBook to provide performance equivalent to that of desktops without being too heavy. The leading provider of rugged notebooks for professionals who travel a lot, Panasonic Personal Computer Company, offers magnesium alloy notebook cases.

All said and done, here is a parting shot - never judge books by their covers and never judge notebooks by the notebook cases.

Now, while we've talked about notebook cases you also need a carrying case. Generally these offer additional padding as well as convenient storage for media, accessories and so on. If you can, get one that isn't obviously a carrying case for a notebook. You don't want to be an obvious target for a snatch and grab, do you?