Portable computers like the MacBook and MacBook Pro get more popular every day. In addition to being powerful and flexible tools, they're nice looking machines. When you travel frequently with your machine, though, keeping it spiffy can be a problem.
WIth that in mind, I recommend three accessories for your MacBook/MacBook Pro to help keep it looking good.
Speck Products See•Thru
The See•Thru is a polycarbonate external skin for your MacBook or MacBook Pro. They cost about $50, and come in clear, translucent black and translucent red. The basic purpose is to protect the easily-scratched aluminum or lucite shell of your computer when it's not in its carrying case (think about the scanner trays at the airport security check). After some initial flawed production runs, Speck is producing a very nice accessory. It doesn't hurt that it comes in Davidson colors, either.
Incidentally, Speck also makes very nice iPod skins and cases.
Marware Keyboard Cover
The MacBook and MacBook Pro are both super-slim. This is nice from a portability perspective, but can cause some unexpected problems. For instance, if you routinely carry your computer in a case stuffed with other papers, books, and so on, the pressure may cause the screen to rub against the keyboard. Over time, this will scar the display permanently.
The Marware Keyboard Cover prevents this. It's a $10 piece of neoprene that covers the keyboard while still allowing the laptop to close. Clean, simple and effective.
Otherworld Computing Laptop Screen Protector
The OWC LSP serves the same function as the Marware Keyboard Cover, but is a step up in quality. It's made of thin, lightweight, vegetable-tanned leather, dyed black and polished. It's thinner than Marware's product, does a better job of resisting soiling (and doesn't pill as it gets older, as neoprene is prone to do). Also, the OWC product covers the entire keyboard and palmrest, in most cases.
Expect to pay for the additional quality. The LSP is about $18.
