I LOVE a good book. Obviously my preference is for the kind that have words and/or pictures in them, but from an aesthetic perspective the look of a leatherbound book (particularly if located in a room that smells of rich mahogany) is very appealing too.
What’s this got to do with technology, though? Glad you asked.
The TwelveSouth BookBook range of covers and cases is designed to make things like an Amazon Kindle or Apple iPad look like a leatherbound book, and very stylish they are indeed. I had a BookBook cover on my old Kindle Paperwhite 7th Gen for many years, and it went all over the world with me keeping my kindle safe and easy to find (because it was so distinctive).
TwelveSouth have now released a version designed for the 14in MacBook Pro, and as I’ve been using one recently to test out its gaming capabilities, it was an ideal opportunity to try the latest addition to the BookBook range out.
Straight off the bat, I was attracted by the vintage hardback leatherbound book design – the spine even has what appears to be a title (“BookBook”) and volume (“XII”) on it.
There are two zippers with leather tabs to close the case up, and on each side there are elastic-type cords which serve to hold the left-hand side open against the laptop lid; it works well and overall the laptop felt secure in the cover.
One of the less obvious benefits is this doesn’t look like a laptop case at first glance – it looks like a book, or more realistically a planner/business diary. In a practical sense, this meant I could feel confident no-one would be tempted to swipe the MacBook when (for example) I was at a cafe and going up to the counter to collect a coffee.
The bottom of the case also has a hidden document pouch which is very handy for when you get a handout at a meeting or need somewhere to push some handwritten notes you’ve made. I can also see it being useful for things like passports and even lunch money, too.
The USB-C, charger, HDMI and other assorted ports on the side of the MacBook were easily accessible while in the case, and it didn’t interfere with typing or the screen in any way either.
The 12South BookBook for MacBook does a fine job of protecting the computer from splashes, dirt, dust, and minor shocks – but it’s not padded, so I wouldn’t rely on it to completely protect the device from a major impact or fall from height.
I haven’t noticed any heating issues either, even when enjoying a solid gaming session. I was worried the case might interfere with the laptop’s cooling in that scenario, but my fears were unfounded.
It’s not a complicated product but it doesn’t need to be, and the classic design is very well done and complements the modern lines and styling of the Macbook nicely.
With an RRP of AUD$139.95 it’s clearly a premium product, but most Mac accessories are and this one is well made and I think for the most part justifies its price tag in that context.
The vintage book look remains an appealing one and if you’re looking for a unique and stylish but practical cover/case for a MacBook, the TwelveSouth BookBook has a lot to offer and is well worth giving serious consideration to.
