SlashGear Japan
Buying a laptop is one of the biggest investments that you’re likely to make, and the last thing you want happening to that $2,000 portable is some sort of damage. When you spend so much on one product, even a little scratch tends to bother you, let alone a full on crash with the ground. Unfortunately, this is exactly what often happens, but at least offers a product to help prevent that from happening. Otterbox, a company known for its line of protective cases for all types of products, has released a specialized case for laptops. Available in three customizable sizes, the rugged case provides water, dust and impact protection – though, as we found out, under no circumstances will it survive being run over by a vehicle (see video below). The smallest case, the Otterbox 7020, accommodates laptops with screens smaller than 14”. The Otterbox 7030 accommodates screens 14”-15”, and the Otterbox 7040 accommodates screens larger than 15”.
I recently had an opportunity to put this rugged laptop carrying case to the test; by test I mean to the extreme. I discovered quickly that if protection is the utmost importance, then is the right product for you. However, if lugging around a laptop is already too much work, then steer clear of the Otterbox; this 8-pound case will add a nice bit of weight to your 6 or 7+ pound laptop. On the plus side, hauling around 14+ pounds every day makes for one hell of a workout. I’d misunderstood from our Otterbox representative [informed me that the final production unit would be slightly lighter; this is a huge sigh of relief!] that the production unit would be lighter; this isn’t case. The reference to lighter material is for use in future products. So for now, we’ll just have to deal with the slightly heavier case which isn’t too bad at all.
The latches close securely, and yet are still very easy to open once you get a hang of it (see video for demonstration); there’s also a lock included if you’re super paranoid about others getting access to your goods. Despite the weight, I found that the carrying handle has a good feel to it and makes it easy to keep a firm hold. There’s nothing awfully special about the shoulder strap other than freeing up both hands. Despite the springiness, my shoulder started to sense aches and pains on longer walks – you should be fine going from your car to the office. Other features include no-slide rubber grips on the bottom allow for a sturdy, scratch-free hold on any surface and automatic pressure equalization. Trust me, after I threw this bad boy around and stomped on it, the surface does indeed get scratched up. Internally, it was nice to know that the model 7040 was able to accommodate any size laptop larger than 15”, but I was disappointed that there wasn’t any other way to store my charger, file folders or pens. Rest assured, the add-on will be available later this year feature will be available in the final unit. Otterbox also improved the Velcro lining in the production unit for better protection.
Ok, now that I got all that technical info out of the way, a single question remains – did the case serve and protect as advertised? YES! The Otterbox rugged laptop case served, protected and acted professional in every way. The water test was performed on the production unit (were giving it away – see rules below) while the rugged portion of the test was performed on the pre-production unit.
Unboxing and Waterproof test
I’d be lying if I told you that I wasn’t one least bit worried for my precious Macbook Pro during the waterproof test; but after a successful test of the Otterbox for the video iPod, I have every confidence in Otterbox. I invite you to watch the video review of water test below and see the results for yourself.
How tough is the Otterbox Rugged Laptop Case?
http://www.slashgear.com/videos/otterbox1.flvVideo review of OtterBox Rugged Laptop Case
NOTE: No real products (other than Otterbox case) were harmed during these extreme tests.
I hope that Otterbox will find a way to forgive me for demolishing the case. This was the only way for me to find out if I can trust it to protect my precious Macbook Pro. Now that I know it can, this will be a must-buy in order to protect my investment.
Win this case!
Post a reply in this article explaining why you MUST win. Give explicit examples and/or send images (r3media@gmail.com) related to work or activities where the case will protect your precious laptop. SlashGear staff will pick the top three entries where the winner will be determined by a poll. The poll will run for 3 days. Entry with the most votes wins.
Entries must be submitted by 11:59 PM PST on August 14, 2006. This contest is only open for U.S. residence.
View all the images in the gallery.
Otterbox Product page – Price: $169.95
36 Responses to “OtterBox Rugged Laptop Case Video Review”
Piper August 8, 2006
Toughbook + Otterbox = Tank Resistant!
NeutralVincent Nguyen August 8, 2006
Actually – the case didn’t survive the “run over by an SUV test.”
NeutralEwdison Then August 8, 2006
They also have a cool table case http://www.otterbox.com/produc.....hspecs.htm
Neutralernie August 8, 2006
Okay, this is a must for me. Reasons I MUST have this case: 1) I lost my HP laptop last year on a fishing trip. I hope Davey Jones loves my laptop, because I don’t have it any more 2) I’m pretty much broke and 3) I’ll give mad props to Slashgear for giving it to me by making a bumpersticker with your logo on it and plastering it to both sides of my fancy new otterbox!
Yep, that’s me, not too proud to pimp my swag in an over whorish display of sucking up.
NeutralRC August 8, 2006
Since it’s free, I want it!!!
My parents told me when I was a small child that if you like free stuff, you’ll go bald. Now that I’m all grown up, my parents were right. Since I have nothing to lose, I want the OtterBox for nothing!!!
God bless you
Neutralhomer August 8, 2006
Hey guys!!. Well I really need this Outerbox bad! I recently bougt a Macbook and love it well I just so happens that I live in Lousiana . and as we all know it rains a whole lot down here. Well I was goin to my friends house to show him my new Macbook . as i was walking i felt a drop of water fall on my forhead yea I know its not another sad Katrina stories but to me it was close to it .ok i started to run and his house 4 blocks away from mine so not only did i get soaked but i looked like a fool carring my new laptop down the street please if you guys could bless me with this case it would be great dude you dont understand my myspace will be all abot slashgear.I will make a video on youtube dancing and screaming SLASHGEAR GOOO SLASHGEAR i promise . i know this probably sounds like i am kissing ass but i wil do every single thing i said in this comment!!!
and if you dont give me the case becouse of all these reasons well just think your giving the outerbox to a kid named HOMER and yes it is my real name!!!!
Neutraldavid zimmer August 8, 2006
Dude you have found the answer to my problems, a water resistant laptop case. I sail a beachcat, and wouldn’t it be cool to have the laptop out there too. I could use the wireless card to send great pictures to you folks and keep track of my GPS readings, listen to MP3’s as I would have to put the water tight jack on it, that I use now on a dry bag. But to have the laptop be able to swim when the boat capsizes, would be awesome. I want the ability to upload a live feed of the day and having my laptop with me would be the way to go.
NeutralEwdison Then August 8, 2006
keep the comment coming guys, we’ll pick the most creative, and hillarious “Why you Deserve an otterbox” comment :)
NeutralJason Hatch August 8, 2006
Well its not creative or hilarious but I could really use the case. I am a mobile DJ and deal with spilled beer, sprayed champagne, rain showers, boating to islands for weddings (I’m in the 1000 Islands area of NY) and travel extensively. My lappy is my lifeblood. Show some love. Praise the DJ and bless him with an Otterbox!
NeutralBucek August 8, 2006
Great product…terrible review. I’ll be surprised if companies send you products anymore
Neutralernie August 8, 2006
Oh why do I DESERVE an Otterbox? Gosh, I’m not sure. Maybe because I hit F5 while visiting slashgear.com so much that my coworkers think I’m fighting withdrawal symptoms? My hand stutttters over the Refresh buttom so often that my hand looks like it’s on loan from Richard Pryor, and he’s DEAD!
Besides, I created this cool image to go on my stickers that I’m going to put on my fancy new waterproof, Nissan scoffing, black and bad as Ving Rhames on a bender OTTERBOX!
NeutralDean August 8, 2006
@Bucek – It’s better review than just text and pictures, they actually show the video!
Why i deserve the box, because i’m going to the jungle!
Neutralpaul August 8, 2006
I can hurl a piece of styrafoam at the wall on the other side of the room, but the resulting tiny-if-any dent to the styrafoam doesn’t prove that it was well protected by a strong and effective case.
You’re testiing a computer case. Call me crazy, but maybe try putting a computer in it. It’s not hard to find a cheap, several years old but still functioning, laptop… if the case protects it, then it’s a great case; if not, the ancient laptop is no great loss. Either way, you’d have a meaningful review to publish.
NeutralTom August 8, 2006
I must win the OtterBox so when we are finally invaded by…
MINIATURE SPACE OTTERS !!!
I can capture them all and seal them underwater forever. With this case I will save the world.
Oh and in the meantime it would be great for my PowerBook. While I’m waiting for the invasion.
They are coming. Just you wait.
I’ll put the video on YouTube.
NeutralSalas August 8, 2006
I think they did put a laptop on it, they put in a shiny macbook pro and dip it into the swimming pool, it’s on the video.
NeutralSam August 8, 2006
That dude wants the otterbox so he can use his notebook on his boat? It defeats the purpose if you have the case open…
NeutralHarold August 8, 2006
I would love to have the Otter Box, although it would put an end to my collection of rain soaked dead laptops (I have 4 form the last 2 years). I commute by bicycle to work 6 miles each day.
NeutralDido August 8, 2006
Great review, the case look tough!
Neutralmreeve August 8, 2006
Why I Deserve an otterbox: Since it is water resistant, I could dip it in chocolate. That way, I’d always have a treat while getting into my treat.
Mmm… chocolate covered otterbox…
NeutralAndrew August 8, 2006
mreeve, you shouldnt dip it into chocolate, try melted cheese!
BTW AWESOME VIDEO REVIEW!
NeutralKemper August 8, 2006
Excellent video… I think that i should win this case because I have a brand new Macbook pro and no way to protect it. I use it alot and I am still in debt for it which is not good. I live in a college dorm so who knows what will happen to it? Last year, my ibook G4 got rained on through the screen window which we had open because there is no A/C… It also fell out of my window when I fell asleep with it on my lap next to my open windows… Not such great luck with windows. I also travel alot on airplanes and I am going on safari in Africa for a field trip with it. Thanks!
NeutralJonathan August 8, 2006
That was a crappy review, seriously get your stuff together. You shoudl have done a test review before hand so you didn’t make the product look so bad. Having a little cut in the middle of the video didn’t help you should have reshot the entire thing.
NeutralMacFishman August 8, 2006
My work on boats everyday requires me to take my Mac laptop from ship to shore constantly.
Sometimes all it takes is a little slip on a wet deck and the laptop goes sailing.
I have been unlucky twice with costly losses which I can’t afford on my salary.
A Otterbox would fit my needs perfectly and would appreciate if you would seriously consider me in your giveaway evaluations.
I would recommend this to all my friends regardless as it’s a great product.
Thank you
MacFishman in the Florida Keys Wildlife Sanctuary.
NeutralChristian Schaab August 8, 2006
I need this case because I am an accident prone person who rides their bike through a swamp to get to school at six in the morning. I get rained on, chased by festively colored snakes, harassed by suicidal squirrels that think my bike is a rolling peanut, and occasionally have some morbidly obese insect fly into my eye causing temporary blindness usually resulting in the ejection of me from my bike as I hit a tree. Oh, and to top things off, whenever we have a hurricane, I usually end up riding my bike over or under fallen trees only to have my backpack snagged on a branch. Also, the brakes don’t work when it is raining or humid, which is pretty much all year in Florida. So any extra layer of protection for this uninsurable person’s laptop is greatly appreciated.
NeutralMaXKiLLz August 8, 2006
If you want a strong case, get a Pelican Laptop Case.
-1Neil August 9, 2006
Why do I need an Otterbox?
I frequently travel around Haiti, crossing hugely deep rivers.
And sometimes we don’t make it…
The roads themselves are not paved so they are either dusty or muddy.
No bridges or roads to speak of in the countryside down there, we also work on La Gonav where the only access is by small, often way overloaded,sailboat.
So having something to protect my powerbook, IS ESSENTIAL.
Pictures submitted via email.
NeutralNyle Landas August 9, 2006
When my heinie is buried and freezing under 6 feet of snow and I’m snow blowing a path to my neighbors house, I’d love to have an otterbox to protect my laptop. I live in extreme Northern New York State, where they have built an army base specifically so that they have to deal with extreme cold with a lot of snow in the winter and muggy hot humid rainy summer days.
I could really use that Otterbox so I could carry a newer laptop and not worry about it.
I use my laptop by the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario during the summer and all over the place during the winter while walking on slippery roads and driveways.
I basically help out people with their computer problems that don’t have high-speed access. I use my laptop to store the trobleshooting tools that I need to get their machines back up and running.
Every little bit helps
NeutralEd Cooke August 9, 2006
WOW, I want the free OtterBox!. I carry two laptops 24/7 (mine and my company’s). I want to see if it ends up in the pile of laptop cases in my basement. Dog-chewed, those fallen off the roof of the car, dropped in the ditch, great for you to kneel on while changing my tire.
NeutralSend it on!
homer August 20, 2006
dude who won the otterbox ?
Neutraldid i win?
please tel me i won
Vincent Nguyen August 20, 2006
The winner will be announced shortly. I’ve contacted a couple of folks for validation of info and have not heard back yet. Thanks.
Neutralhomer August 26, 2006
any word on who won yet? i feel like im the only one who cares lol oo i never told you but its a great review.
NeutralMichael B September 11, 2006
Awful review , really. I love the part where you are trying to open the latches. I admit they are tricky until you figure out the sequence of a compound latch.
This is Michael at FuerteCases.com. We carry the OB-7030 laptop case and we perform in-house testing on all of our products. I wanted to clarify Vincent’s video informationn regarding the water that collected towards the front of the case when submerged. It will drain out as soon as the case is placed flat (as normally used). There are a couple of drain holes designed in to allow water to drain from around the lock mechanism. Please note that the lock mechanism is located outside of the watertight seal perimeter where your laptop is stored. We submerged the case for 24 hours at three feet and it passed = Dry interior. Bouyancy calculation reveals that it will float with 10+ pounds added. Cases have a lifetime warranty and will outlive the laptop you have today. We would not do a SUV drive over test as it is not very realistic unless you leve your case in precarious situations to begin with. Our real life impact test involves throwing the case with weight inside (5 pounds) out of a moving vehicle at 25-30 MPH. The case remained closed! This is the main goal. Case was scratched up pretty good and one of the ribs had a chunk torn off, but otherwise still a perfectly usable case.
We carry many waterproof laptop and pda solutions, especially for those like myself that can’t go paperless and need a bigger laptop case for more room for files and hard drives and gadgets. We are very picky about the products we carry and we would not be selling it if it did not exceed the manufacturer’s claims. Let me know if you have any questions about any of our products. We have the answers.
Stay safe.
My best regards,
Michael Bircumshaw
Fuerte Cases – The Waterproof Case Company
3691 Via Mercado
Suite #10
La Mesa, California 91941
United States of America
619 660 2300
619 660 5200 Fax
MichaelB@FuerteCases.com
http://www.FuerteCases.com
Great Products ~ Great Prices ~ Uncommonly Good Service
NeutralEwdison Then September 19, 2006
thank you for your comment michael, however when we tested otterbox, we want to show how strong and durrable it is in many conditions.
NeutralJulian September 22, 2006
I don’t know if that box is still waiting for a suitable reason to be given away… I’m a farmer, Electronic IDs and vetinerys that want information out in the field.. would take the worries out of dropping my laptop it into a big brown steamer!.. and would help resist the odd kick from Cattle, sheep, horse, and semi-solid amonia deposits from inquisitive chickens.
NeutralIf you think it worthwhile sending it, I’ll even pay the shipping.. I live the other side of the pond, here in the UK.
Vincent Nguyen September 22, 2006
Hi Julian, the case is still up for grabs! We’ve tried to contact two condidates but have not heard back yet. Shoot me a pic of yourself hard at work and the case is yours. By the way, what are you doing with your laptop while farming anways?
email to tipline at gmail.com.
[quote comment="2262"]I don’t know if that box is still waiting for a suitable reason to be given away… I’m a farmer, Electronic IDs and vetinerys that want information out in the field.. would take the worries out of dropping my laptop it into a big brown steamer!.. and would help resist the odd kick from Cattle, sheep, horse, and semi-solid amonia deposits from inquisitive chickens.
NeutralIf you think it worthwhile sending it, I’ll even pay the shipping.. I live the other side of the pond, here in the UK.[/quote]