How to Make a Minimalistic (and Cheap) Laptop Case

I got tired of looking at the scratches and dents my MacBook suffered every time i tried to take it somewhere without throwing it in my rather large backpack. I needed something slim yet good looking. Something rugged yet inexpensive. I turned to my two best friends cardboard and duct tape! In this instructable I'll show you exactly how to make one of your own!

Step 1 Materials and Sizing

Materials: cardboard, duct tape and a laptop.

I was lucky enough to find a box that was just the right size for my macBook. You may have to hunt around to find one you like but as long as there are no creases in the middle (eg too small a box) you should be ok with any size.

Your box is perfect if you can just barely stand your computer on end when it's all constructed.

Comments

[Freshbott2]

I'm considering making something similar to this only out of material, I like the look of this design.

[royshearer]

Here is my version of this laptop case - I made a removable accessories tray for the power supply, hard drive, card reader and mouse. Removable as sometimes I need that stuff, and sometimes not (its a lot to carry around I know). Brought to you by the power of velcro, the flap can either fasten to the tray or the bottom of the case when the tray is not in use. Thank you, very useful instructable!

[J-Manoo7]

I like the tray, good job!

[matbh]

smart....

[stephenniall]

Wow thats Flippin awesome Omfg i love it LOl I may make one like urs and Paint it THks for the tray idea

[bengerszewski]

That is amazing! if i end up making a case, i will definity use this design!

[royshearer]

Great! I think if I did it again I would try making the tray bit even more compact and give the case a handle of some sort.

[Yerboogieman]

Is that a tiny External HD i see?

[royshearer]

Well, its not that tiny, its a Lacie thing, about 100x130x15 I'd say.

[zoundsPadang]

Wow that's really sweet! good to see an elaboration on my original design!

[iLLiDiaN]

 nice idea here, keep up the great work

[KatherineCraft]

I made this with an amazon box, no cutting required, it fit my macbook perfectly. I also used wrapping paper and poorly applied sticky-back plastic. I was so easy and cost me nothing.

[KatherineCraft]

and here it is

[jessyratfink]

I think I might try this with cardboard and oilcloth. I think that will work just as well. :D

[recritchlow]

Very neat. Put it into the cardboard and ducktape gallery. I expect this would be a TSA checkpoint friendly laptop case, too. It has no extra pockets and no metal parts to obscure the x-ray view. I think I'll add an extra layer of cardboard around the edges to provide extra padding, especially in the corners.

[chriss727]

it would be cool if you also add a strap

[schoolgirl867869]

I tried this and it was a relative success just make sure to cut the pieces a little bit bigger so the laptop in question fits but isn't too snug like mine was.

[zoundsPadang]

I made mine rather snug on purpose. If it's cardboard it should slide in and out nicely.

[schoolgirl867869]

I made mine too snug I have to wiggle it out but i found a way to strech it so it isnt too difficult

[André]

Nice! I love the idea!

[JoeyJaroz]

My Compaq C55NR looks just like your MacBook except mine says Compaq on the front And it cost like 1/5 the price of your mac lol

[zoundsPadang]

glad you like it. I love my macbook, which was worth the price and will continue to be for years to come too!

[JoeyJaroz]

true, my Compaq is allready slowin down im gettin a mac as soon as i get the money

[Ora]

How well to spray painted stencils hold up on duct tape?

[rasta_bhoy]

paint will slide off the duct tape. try painting or stenciling the cardboard first and just leave that space free and just put duct tape for borders. your choice

[zoundsPadang]

meh. Depends on what kind of spray paint you get. If you were to wrap with clear tape after spraypanting however....

[kittyno]

couldn't tyvek be used as well for a more rugged cover, in lieu of duct tape, or at least to cut down on the duct tape usage?

[zoundsPadang]

You could. Of course, the amount of duct tape used in any given project is directly proportionate to the awesomeness of the final product. Also, I've used this case since i built it about 6 months ago and there's no degradation at all so it shouldn't be an issue.

[koekoek]

Really cool! :P

[lilianne]

we had to make this for school, it's really fun!

[vurrud]

It´s really cool. Thanks for the idea

[zoundsPadang]

A few people were afraid that this would scratch a 'book but after a few months of use I'm proud to say that my macbook is spotless!

[e.bender]

Good instructable. i recently got the new 17 inch VIAO notebook, and there is not a cover that will fit it, its kinda huge. I may have to try this one. Thanks EB

[Tom Trottier]

Use corroplast (plastic cardboard) for a longer-lived case. Old election signs are cheapest. tOM

[helifino]

I formed a relationship with my local convenience store's owner - he now saves all the coroplast signs (soda & tobaco ads) for me when the promotion they're used for is over.

[buZztiaan]

nice one :)

[DELETED_drewdegruyter]

(removed by author or community request)

[zoundsPadang]

yeh, you will need to overshoot the distance for that second fold on the top a bit but as you use it it will stay closed better. I flirted with the idea of magnets but decided that to be effective they would have to be strong enough to do damage to my computer after sliding it past them over ad over. I like the idea of velcro but my dorm is suspiciously devoid of it. :)

[DELETED_drewdegruyter]

(removed by author or community request)

[zoundsPadang]

i think the magnets are also safer because they are stationary. It's not like they slide back and forth over the HDD. Where/why did you put the padding?