X31, a good sleeve case and squashability

[TheRealDonP]

Hi Guys and Gals,
I've been browsing around here for recommendations on a sleeve for my X31 and now I have a question.
I purchased a Shinza ZeroShock which I generally like - it's a tad bigger than the X31 - which is a good thing. It's bigger in terms of width and depth but not height.. so it's held firmly when the sleeve is zipped up.. but yet there is about half an inch around the laptop which will give it a comfort gap if the sides of the sleeve ever get hit.
The problem is that my X31 (and others I have seen) isn't very good at getting squashed - the screen definately experiences bending when pushing down on the top lid/screen (when it's closed, obviously).. so the elastic force of the ZeroShock is a bad thing - it gets even worse when I put the laptop containing sleeve into a bag with lots of books and papers.

So.. I need a sleeve that is rigid in the "thin"/height direction.

I'm now interested in the Booq Vyper XS - expensive yes, but I don't mind paying for it if it's quality. But I don't have anywhere I can test one out.

Could someone tell me whether the Vyper is rigid in the "height" direction, when closed? i.e. when empty and closed, and you put a book on it, will it flatten like the ZeroShock or will it remain rigid?
Or does anyone have any more advice? I thought of building an aluminium bracket around the laptop but that'll be ugly and not the perfect solution.

Thanks, and apologies for the verbosity of the post

DonP.

[TheRealDonP]

Anyone?
I'm generally getting the idea that the Booq Vyper maybe isn;t too rigid in the "height" direction so I'm contemplating either making a support frame which'll fit around part of the X31 inside the ZeroShock, or just make an entirely custom hard sleeve from aluminium.

Still, if anyone has rigidity info on the Vyper and/or other ideas I'd be most grateful. Thanks!

[aamsel]

I have not seen ANY sleeve that has that kind of rigidity.

Sleeves, by their nature are more minimalist in their design and weight.

Check the Tom Bihn Braincell cases at:
http://www.tombihn.com/
but I don't think they qualify as rigid.
They are very padded, however.

Seems like you are almost looking for an Anvil type case in a sleeve-type size.

Andrew
Austin, TX

[wingman]

I bought a Crumpler Skivvy bag. It is big enough to hold my x31 with extended power battery and the power adapter and plug. Very small, well padded. I also use a screen protector from ShaggyMac which works very well. keyboard and screen stay really clean!

[roblim]

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