iMore Verdict
Bottom line: This classy laptop sleeve and organizer lets you carry your tech in style.
Pros
- +
Stylish, upscale design
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Magnetic closure with charging access
- +
Multiple accessory pockets
- +
Premium leather flap
- +
Soft microfiber lining
Cons
- -
Not compatible with larger laptops
- -
Pricey
You can always trust iMore.
If you've been looking for a laptop sleeve that goes beyond the ordinary, check out this beauty from Ekster. It can hold your MacBook (or any other model laptop) up to 13 inches. You could also use it to carry your 12.9 iPad Pro or any other tablet up to that size.
Get organized
Ekster Laptop Sleeve: Features
The Ekster Laptop Sleeve is a slim, sleek sleeve that holds up to a 13-inch laptop or tablet. The exterior is mostly canvas, with a premium leather flap and top area. The leather flap has a magnetic closure. A soft microfiber lines the interior. There is not a thick layer of cushioning in between, but my MacBook Pro feels secure in this sleeve because it's both sturdy in form and soft on the inside. There is extra space built into the corners to protect your laptop's vulnerable corners.
Ekster's leather is tanned under environmental protocols in gold-rated LWG (The Leather Working Group, a not-for-profit leather tanners' organization) tanneries. Like all leather, this will develop a patina over time. There is space on either side of the flap for a charging cable, and the MacBook's ports are exposed, so you can charge the laptop while it's secure inside the sleeve.
Ekster's Laptop Sleeve has lots of pockets and slots to help organize your accessories. On the front, you'll find two pockets. One of those pockets has two slots for carrying business cards.
On the back, there are six elasticized sleeves, one of which has another piece of elastic along the bottom so your item cannot slide through. The others don't, so you're relying on the tightness of the elastic (it's quite tight and firm) to hold your items in place. Two of the elastic sleeves are just large enough for a pen or pencil; the others can hold something a bit larger. There's also a large pocket on the back that runs the full length of the sleeve, suitable for a magazine or papers.
The entire sleeve is lightweight and slim. It doesn't have a handle or strap, but you could easily place it inside of a larger bag or backpack if you wanted to carry it hands-free. There is a small Ekster logo on the front of the leather flap, and EKSTER spelled out on the back of the flap. Both are unobtrusive.
The canvas portion and microfiber interior are black, while the leather flap comes in three color choices: Nappa Black, Juniper Green, and Classic Brown.
Luxurious protection
Ekster Laptop Sleeve: What I like
I like that I could walk into any boardroom in the world and fit right in with this sleeve. Well, I might not, really, but the Ekster Laptop Sleeve definitely would. The premium leather portion is buttery soft, and feels fantastic to the touch. Though some of them are quite tiny, there are actually a dozen separate compartments in this slender sleeve! That's really helpful for organizing all of the little bits and pieces that go along with carrying tech for business purposes.
Not for everyone
Ekster Laptop Sleeve: What I don't like
If you happen to own a larger laptop, such as a 15-inch or 16-inch MacBook Pro, you're out of luck. This sleeve is just for smaller models.
As you might expect, this is not a cheap sleeve. Even though it's not leather all over, it does have a premium price tag.
Refined and organized
Ekster Laptop Sleeve: Bottom line
Whether you're a busy executive or you just want a refined and organized way to carry your laptop and other accessories, Ekster's Laptop Sleeve is a great option. You can carry up to a 12.9-inch iPad Pro, 13-inch MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, or any other tablet or laptop in that size range. It will not hold a larger laptop, however. This sleeve also carries lots of other accessories in its many sleeves and pockets, while retaining a slim profile. With canvas and premium leather on the outside, soft microfiber on the inside, and corner protection, your laptop is secure inside the sleeve. You can even charge your laptop while it's still inside.
Store your essentials
Stylish choice
Ekster's Laptop Sleeve is a slim and graceful sleeve that holds up to a 13-inch laptop along with several accessories.
Karen is a contributor to iMore.com as a writer and co-host of the iMore Show. She’s been writing about Apple since 2010 with a year-long break to work at an Apple Store as a product specialist. She's also a contributor at TechRadar and Tom's Guide. Before joining iMore in 2018, Karen wrote for Macworld, CNET, AppAdvice, and WatchAware. She’s an early adopter who used to wait in long lines on release days before pre-ordering made things much easier. Karen is also a part-time teacher and occasional movie extra. She loves to spend time with her family, travel the world, and is always looking for portable tech and accessories so she can work from anywhere.