Higher Ground

Price	$39.95
Requirements:	13-inch MacBook
What’s Hot:	Keeps your MacBook–and your lap–cool
What’s Not:	Awkward strap for securing your MacBook

The last time I looked at Higher Ground’s Shuttle, I tested it with a 12-inch PowerBook G4. Since then, Apple nixed the PowerBook moniker, stopped selling a 12-inch notebook, and moved to Intel processor. While this new and improved Shuttle is still quite reminiscent of the crossover item I reviewed previously, it hasn’t just been standing idly by.

The Shuttle is still quirky and hard to categorize, having the characteristics of both a sleeve and a full laptop bag. For those unfamiliar with the product, what separates the Shuttle is that your laptop essentially never needs to leave it. You can toss it in a larger bag, carry it around by the handle, using the shoulder strap, or with the optional backpack strap in typical zipped-up fashion, but once you get to wherever you’re going, simply unzip the Higher Ground and it unfolds to form a lap desk. The optical drive and ports are still accessible, so there’s very little reason to ever take your notebook out of the case.

The system actually works quite well. The side of the Shuttle that serves as the bottom when you have your notebook open uses a material that helps to prevent sliding, but also seems protective and prevents heat transfer from making your legs uncomfortably warm. Within the case, the notebook sits on risers–also made of material to prevent sliding or scratching–that also helps with heat dissipation.

Higher Ground has attempted to fix my one real complaint with the previous design, and that was the feeling that the notebook wasn’t secured in the Shuttle when zipped up. That’s not to say that the case lacks protection, because I have every confidence that it is rigid enough to protecting a laptop falling to the ground, but it seemed that my 12-inch PowerBook was moving excessively within the Shuttle during transport. The solution they’ve come up with are two straps that secure with velcro to cinch down a closed notebook and hold it in place.

The strap does work effectively at securing the notebook, but I think it needs some refinement. The problem is that the straps are somewhat bulky. When not in use, it seems they’re supposed to rest between the risers underneath your laptop, but they seem a little big for that. It’s also awkward pulling the straps out from underneath your notebook whenever you want to close the Shuttle and then putting them back under when you want to use your MacBook. The Shuttle for the MacBook really fits so well that I’m not sure the strap is really necessary in this case, but it’s not removable.

The other area worth mentioning if you’re considering a purchase of the Shuttle is storage. Because this is more of a crossover item, it certainly has far more storage than most conventional sleeves, but it isn’t going to carry around everything that a full bag does. This can actually be quite an advantage, though. When you’re traveling light, you can just carry the Shuttle or sport it like a backpack or messenger bag, and if you need more storage, you can throw it into a larger bag and use it as a super sleeve.

Within the main Shuttle compartment–where the notebook is stored–there are 12 slots for optical media or other things of that size. Some might scoff at optical media in this day and age, but it’s handy for carrying movies, backups, or even just blank discs. On the outside of the bag is a compartment dedicated to storage. It can accommodate standard sheets of paper, but it might be hard to fit folders, etc., in there. There are also several mesh pouches suitable for carrying a cell phone, iPod, external hard drive, pens, etc.–certainly enough for a student who just needs a few things with their laptop for class.

Despite my griping about the strap system to secure your MacBook, I’m actually surprised with just how much I like the Shuttle. It’s unique, thoughtfully-designed, and protective. Hell, I’ve enjoyed using it in the summer just to help keep me cool. If you are constantly on the move throughout the day and need to regularly use your laptop and then pack up and go, it’s hard to find something more suitable and convenient.

Filed under: Reviews