Willow Design has announced three new cases for the new 14-inch iBook and established a new catalogue devoted solely to sorting out all the different Apple case models they do — and they do a lot.
The newest addition to the Willow line is the US $52 iBook 14 Sylph that protects the new “super-sized” iBook with quarter inch foam reinforced by thin polystyrene reinforcement panels on all sides. Plus, there’s an extra foam layer sandwiched around the outer perimeter of the slipcase. The top and bottom of the case feature extra high-density polyethylene panels to reinforce the handle and luggage feet on the slipcase bottom.
“The Sylph works fine on its own with a padded shoulder carry strap and padded wrap handle, but is intended for those wanting to stuff it into other bags, briefcases or packs,” Willow President Nigel Peck told MacCentral. “The very thin profile and smaller protective top flap make it particularly easy to get the iBook in and out of packs without removing the slipcase. The Sylph also features two zippered outer pockets for some accessories, cables, and the power supply.
If you want a more substantial 14-inch iBook slipcase, Willow offers the $63 iBook Ice 14 Slipcase that boasts thick half inch foam padding, stiffening plastic panels to protect the notebook all around, with extra high density polyethylene on the top and bottom. It has a zippered, front organizer and flat rear magazine pocket, plus a large zippered mesh accessory pocket built into the protective front flap cover. The slipcase also sports a padded wrap handle and a contoured, non-slip, padded shoulder carry strap.
The third addition for the iBook is a more traditional carry case: the $74 iBook 14 Ice Carry Case, which affords Willow’s heavier duty level of laptop protection. It has a mountain bike grip handle, quadruple riveted through high-density polyethylene in case front to insure the security of your laptop. There’s a wide, contoured, thickly padded shoulder strap. Organization is facilitated by: DVD, CD-ROM, and cable pockets located in the laptop section; an outer front organizer panel with elasticized pockets for business cards, pens, the Apple power supply, plus room for the power cord and an Ethernet cable; an outside flat, outer pocket for airline tickets, thin paperwork, etc.; a mesh pocket in the lid for storing cables or other thin items; and a flat external rear pocket for maps, magazines or newspapers.
The iBook 14 Ice Carry Case also has a hook and loop secured elastic strap to lock down your iBook and luggage feet riveted through the hardboard bottom of the case which actually keep it up and off the ground.
As for the new Apple catalogue, it’s a necessity, Peck said.
“With 32 different cases designed for the Apple in mind, it was just too difficult figuring which case worked with which product,” he explained. “What we did was to build the catalogue around the different Apple products. For example, the Titanium is currently covered by nine separate cases, not including the different laptop backpacks. Hopefully, the catalogue will make finding the perfect case for each person’s needs a bit easier.”