My little netbook is just delightful and so I decided to get it a Crumpler Gimp 7″ which to date is the smallest in Crumpler’s latest range of laptop/netbook sleeves. I already use one for my 14.1″ Dell and it works a treat. Protects my laptop from scratches, knocks and bumps when its being transported around in my backpack or messenger bag. All it is is a folded piece of thick neoprene (wetsuit material) with a zip round the side.
The Gimp needs a bit of gentle persuasion in order to fit my netbook. It’s certainly a snug fit and a bit tight around the edges. There’s no damage to the netbook once zipped up however. On the carboard sleeve that comes with it says that it’s suitable for 7″ – 9″ laptops/netbooks. A 7″ netbook should fit fine with no problems.
This smaller Gimp also has two elasticated bits across the top cornes to slip over your netbook’s screen so that you could use it in situ. Ideal for computing on the run. These are missing from the one I use for my laptop as that’s one of the early releases.
Dispite its body-hugging fit, I quite like this mini Gimp and it complements my netbook quite nicely. I just wished there were some wackier colours or two toned designs like my 14″ red and blue one.
Before getting the Gimp for my netbook, I used to use a Domke Wrap 15″. It’s suppose to be a lightweight alternative for protecting camera equipment, but I don’t see any problems in using it to protect a netbook. The 15″ fits the netbook perfectly, if you want a bit more give, then go for the 19″ one. One side of the wrap is made of some sort of polyester/nylon material with velcro at the corners, on the otherside is some sort of felt. It’s a pretty simple concept, you just wrap whatever you want! Compared to the Crumpler, the overall material thickness is thinner. One of the advantages of the Wrap is that it will accomodate the Aspire One with one of the larger batteries.
Both the Crumpler Gimp and Domke Wrap work fine to protect your netbook while on the go.
Tags: aspire one, computer, crumpler, domke, netbooks