Kensington Simply Portable12 Neoprene Sleeve Review

You’ve got a brand new netbook and you’re ready to hit the road. If you’d like to keep your ultra-portable intact and scratch-free, you might be thinking of investing in an appropriately sized bag. We took a look at the Kensington Simply Portable 12” Neoprene sleeve to see if it fits the bill.

Specifications:

• Fits most notebook computers up to 12"
• Weight: .75 lbs
• Dimensions: 13.50” x 2.25” x 13.75”
• Material: Neoprene exterior with foam padding
• Kensington Lifetime Warranty

Build and Design
Accessories manufacturers are quickly catching up with the growing netbook market and producing smaller bags for smaller computers. Enter the Simply Portable sleeve from Kensington, a no-frills, classic black sleeve designed to accommodate a notebook up to 12” in size. Two small handles, a detachable shoulder strap, and an exterior compartment make it more of a bag than just a notebook sleeve.

In Use
I took the ASUS Eee PC 1000HE for a spin inside the Kensington sleeve. With only the 10 inch netbook in the bag, it felt just a bit loose inside. With the power brick and netbook in tow, it’s probably a better fit. The best size will be an 11 or 12 inch notebook. The front storage pocket is small but spacious enough for a few pens, a cell phone and a paperback. The padding seems adequate to protect an ultra-portable from scratches and bumps, and the shoulder strap sits comfortably on the shoulder.

The plastic shoulder strap attachments don’t really exude durability, but they’ll be able to handle a small notebook and a couple of other gadgets. A 12 inch notebook, or a netbook and a power cord, should feel snug and secure in the sleeve.

Conclusion
I’d recommend this sleeve to someone with a notebook in the 10 to 12 inch range. It’s a nice little sleeve if you want something small and simple to transport your notebook or netbook, but it’ll definitely be too big for that shiny new Sony VAIO P.

Pros:

• Simple, sleek design
• Comfotable shoulder strap and handles

Cons:

• Plastic shoulder strap attachments
• May be too roomy for the smallest netbooks

Pricing and Availability
The Kensington Simply Portable 12” Neoprene Sleeve is currently available at the Kensington website with a suggested retail price of $22.99.

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