1-year later this is STILL 5 Stars
The two-sentence version of this review:<br />I bought this sleeve almost exactly 1 year ago for my 2017 15&#34; MacBook Pro and it is still safely, beautifully, and perfectly protecting my laptop.<br /><br />If you want thorough PROS, CONS, and OTHER THOUGHTS though, please read on.<br /><br />++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<br /><br />So, I'm the kind of consumer who:<br />1) loves details (so be prepared for a long review)<br />2) reads as many reviews as possible prior to purchase (ex. 5-6 hours of reading up on phone cases for my iPhone 7 plus)<br />3) will spend more for quality on something I'm going to constantly use 9 out of 10 times because I value stewarding what I am given well<br />Be prepared for all this.<br /><br />PREFACE:<br />So, flashback to Sep 17, 2017, I was using a cheap Tomtoc sleeve to handle my new laptop—a 2017 15&#34; Touch Bar MacBook Pro—while I was looking for a better option.<br />Which, on that note, don't get one if you've got this same laptop. It's useless as it's far too roomy, allowing the laptop to haphazardly shift around all the time. (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H4ZRJ9I/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1)<br /><br />Anyways, I had spent 10+ hours reviewing mass-produced cases on Amazon, pricey handmade Etsy ones, etc. and was starting to give up on my search. In my frustration, I decided I was going to be cheap and settle on a solid $40-50 case.<br />There was one brand that stood out to me and was constantly mentioned in reviews everywhere: Picaso Lab.<br /><br />I did really love my my best bud's Picaso Lab sleeve that he'd had for years. Whenever I handled it it felt great to the touch and fit his MacBook Pro like a glove. After learning that I was temporarily using that cheap one, my friend rebuked and convinced me I too should get a Picaso Lab with one question:<br /><br />You're not willing to spend $100 to protect your $2,400 laptop?<br /><br />Bam. Right there. I pulled open Amazon Smile and bought mine (USE SMILE IF YOU AREN'T ALREADY! You'll be supporting charities and NGOs through your normal Amazon usage).<br /><br />Now that I've used my Picaso Lab sleeve for a year, here are some comprehensive thoughts.<br />I'll start off with the short list of negatives and then segue into its wonderful positives.<br /><br />++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<br /><br />CONS:<br /><br />1) EXPENSIVE<br />I'm not going to pretend it's not a lot of $; it is. This sleeve is a LUXURY. Also, a $2,400 laptop is a LUXURY. I could have spent that $100 and sponsored an underprivileged child's education for several months (World Vision - https://www.worldvision.org/sponsor-a-child). $2,400 would cover 1/6 the cost of providing clean, safe water and sanitation for a WHOLE community of hundreds if not thousands in Africa (The Water Project - https://thewaterproject.org/give-water).<br /><br />So, PLEASE DON'T SPEND $ ON THIS if you think it could be of better use elsewhere for others. I encourage you to reconsider your financial decisions and be more selfless because most of us ought to.<br /><br />However, I know my laptop and sleeve are going to be used to give back more than they cost thus I'd gladly make this purchase all over again. I am committed to serving and giving to those near and far because that's what Jesus would do and what we all should do. So, I know this sleeve is an investment to protect the effective tool that I use to bless others called a laptop.<br /><br />2) IT'S A LITTLE LOOSE NOW<br />This might be me nitpicking, but I wish that my sleeve stayed as tight on my laptop as it did when I first received it.<br />If you look at Picture #3, you can see that there's a slight gap when my laptop is placed in my Picaso Lab. That gap wasn't there the first several months of use, but I've definitely put a ton of figurative and literal miles on this (more on that later in PRO point #1).<br /><br />At first, I could put the MacBook Pro in the sleeve, hold it upside down, and vigorously shake it for 30 seconds and barely anything. All this would cause it to peak out just the tiniest bit. However, now I'll just hold it upside down and jiggle it side to side and it's what you see in Picture #2.<br /><br />This isn't my ideal, but how often is someone sane going to hold an open-ended sleeve like that for a prolonged period of time? It's a bit of a bummer, but I'm grateful that this is such a negligible negative.<br /><br />3) I WISH THERE WAS A CLASP OF SOME SORT<br /><br />Yeah. I wish there was a strap thingamajig that kept the laptop from just-in-case falling out. See above con though and once again, negligible negative. Now onto all the things I really love about the Picaso Lab.<br /><br />++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<br /><br />THE SWEET PROS:<br /><br />1) DURABILITY, DURABILITY, DURABILITY!<br />If there's a reason to buy a laptop sleeve or a $1,500 iPhone Xwhatever case or anything that is supposed to shield your pricey tech gear from the harsh, bitter world around it's this. I have no idea why anyone would buy something that looks great but does a crappy job at actually protecting their incredibly expensive investment. That's just vanity.<br />My black leather, red thread Picaso Lab sleeve is a BOSS though at keeping my MacBook Pro MINT.<br /><br />After getting shoved into my backpack all the time, accidentally dropping it at short heights at least once (3-4 ft off carpeted ground), lugged around all over the West Coast then used in both hot and cold weather, and traveling with me halfway across the world and back this summer, my laptop has no visible or felt nicks or scratches. It is in actual perfect visible condition. It also serves as a good buffer between my laptop and any questionable surfaces underneath.<br /><br />It's not a hard case, which would be the ultimate step-up for laptop protection, but the Picaso Lab is the next best thing. It has TOUGH EDGES AND CORNERS that have no give when I bump it on things and somehow simultaneously is SOFT to my laptop. It's probably just the natural, fantastic properties of good leather being good leather.<br /><br />Granted, I am very careful with my laptop. I sometimes put it back in its sleeve when I'm going into a different room. However, I know the only thing that's ultimately keeping my MacBook Pro safe is my Picaso Lab sleeve. When it's in my backpack or I'm holding it under my arm, I am fully confident nothing is going to harm my laptop barring some freak accident like a biker barreling into me.<br /><br />2) LOOKS (AND SMELLS) SMASHINGLY GREAT<br />I'm functionality over fashion almost every day, but there is no need to sacrifice when you own a Picaso Lab sleeve.<br />I still smile and admire the case at times because it's beautiful to both sight and touch.<br /><br />The leather feels great and like any well-treated leather, it smells fantastic, too.<br />If you look at Picture #2, you'll see that the stitching is top-notch. Not one stitch is frayed despite the hundreds if not thousands of times I've handled it.<br /><br />3) LIFETIME WARRANTY (OR FOR AS LONG AS ALEX IS ALIVE?)<br />I have no idea how old the Alex gentleman who makes these is, but for as long as he is alive he is a blessing to MacBook owners everywhere. Why? He has a LIFETIME WARRANTY attached to this stupendous product.<br /><br />I don't know if he employs other workers or has passed/is passing his knowledge down to other skilled laborers, but if anything goes wrong with my sleeve, which will probably take a long time to happen or never transpire, I know I can contact Alex and get this taken care of. How am I confident I can get a hold of Alex for such a thing? See PRO #4.<br /><br />4) HE IS A QUICK-RESPONDING REAL HUMAN BEING ON THE OTHER END<br />After admiring my sleeve, another buddy wanted a Picaso Lab but with black threading instead of red for an all-black leather sleeve. He texted Alex TODAY if he could make said alteration and Alex answered back to my friend in a text within an ACTUAL MINUTE. Alex was very helpful with every question and gave a super quick turnaround date.<br /><br />Alex is the real stuff and you should also do business with him if you're wanting something custom. One more reason to buy a Picaso Lab, right? Now onto my final point and it only makes sense if you believe in the U.S.A..<br /><br />5) SUPPORTING SKILLED, MADE IN THE U.S.A. LABOR<br />A worker is worth their wages and someone who does such a great job providing incredible products is definitely worth what they're selling. No matter where the product is coming from or what its creators background is, if something is excellent it is valuable and it deserves a price accordingly paid.<br />However, as a citizen of the United States of America, I believe in free enterprise that also invests into as much local economy as possible. Money has an exponential effect around us when its sown into the local economy. Financial advice aside, I myself am a Californian and when I read that Alex lives and makes these in California, it was a no-brainer cherry on top of my purchase.<br />I'm not being a patriot for patriotism's sake. I do believe though that the U.S.A, for all its faults, is the most privileged and free country in the world and provides the greatest opportunity for people to do good of any place in the world.<br />That might sound too preachy, but I want to put my money and support where my heart and mouth is and so this is just an added bonus to all the previously mentioned PROs.<br /><br />++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<br /><br />THOUGHTS:<br />All in all, invest the money to buy a Picaso Lab for yourself if you know that your laptop investment is worth making in the first place. I highly doubt you will regret your purchase and I am immeasurably grateful that I get to be the owner of such a hardy, quality, beautiful product backed by such great craftsmanship and a lifetime warranty. Buy yours today!
Rating: 5 stars