Incase is a brand that has long been associated with laptop and iPhone cases.  But recently the company expanded its horizons into the world of headphones.  And while some might be apprehensive given their aforementioned core offering, you can rest assured, as I was, because their Reflex Headphones deliver superb audio quality backed by a minimalist look that is refreshingly unsuspecting.

Unlike similar headphones in the same class, the Incase Reflex headphones don’t feature joints or collapsible ear cans for the convenience of storage.  Instead, Incase has built a set of ear cans that will appeal to the minimalist who appreciates a refined design aesthetic.  The band is finished in a coated canvas (I thought it was leather) and is highlighted by near perfect stitching.  Unfortunately, it reminded me of a hair headband, but I quickly forget about that after I discovered that you could adjust the Reflex’s size by simply sliding the ear cups up and down, which sit on a set of grooved sliders.  My dome isn’t very big and I wore the Reflex headphones on the largest size.  Of course, my ears might just sit further down on my head, but the point here is that size might be a concern for large meloned individuals.  Nevertheless, the headphone’s quality is top notch, which is further complemented by the rubber, anti-tangle cord which includes an inline mic and audio controls.

Although the Incase’s Reflex Headphone lack the same adjustable features as other headphones in their class, they’re surprisingly comfortable, even when worn for long periods of time.   Compared against Fanny Wangs 1001, headphones of a similar ilk, my ears didn’t suffer from the same fatigue, which might be attributable to Reflex’s lighter build and suede covered foam ear cups.

Inside the ear pieces are 40mm drivers that produce a monstrous amount of bass, especially when considering the Reflex’s size.  However, the higher frequencies, though distortion free, seemed to get muddled in the mids and failed to pluck out the subtleties I’ve come to enjoy from headphones that cost $30-50 more than Incase’s Reflex Headphones.  So as the saying goes, you get what you pay for, though by no means should that be interrupted as a negative point.  In fact, it’s a positive one, since the price tag accurately reflects the audio quality.

All in all the Incase Reflex Headphones delivered surprising positive results in both the sonic and aesthetic department.  They’re not the most feature rich headphones that I’ve tested, but then again they’re headphones.  Incase’s minimalist approach is a breath of fresh air in a product category that is saturated with headphones striving to be more blinging and flashy than the next without focusing on audio quality.

Editor’s Rating:

4 out of 5 stars

Great

Bottom Line: Great sounding headphones with a minimalist approach, though they lack in the highs.

Pros:

• Good bass response
• Comfortable despite minimalist design
• Reasonably priced

You can buy the Incase Reflex Headphones from Incase $79.95.

Apple just keeps on making their already stellar products even better with every version they release and their MacBook Air is no different. Touted as the “everyday notebook,” the new MacBook Air that recently came out in June is even faster and more powerful than before, while still remaining incredibly thin and light.  With pricing starting at just $999, the MacBook Air is totally affordable and is a great companion for just about anything! Here are the Top 10 accessories that will complement the new notebook.

10. Power Support Clear Air Jacket ($59.95)

Ultra thin and ultra light…just like your MacBook Air, which makes the Power Support Clear Air Jacket the perfect option to keep your notebook safe from scratches.

9. InCase 13-inch Perforated Hardshell Case for MacBook Air ($59.95)

Known to provide great laptop cases, InCase has released a 13-inch Perforated Hardshell Case for the new MacBook Air. Available in white, black and blue, customers can choose between a glossy or matte finish. All ports are exposed so no need to take the notebook out of the case and the underbelly features four rubber feet, lifting it for additional cooling.

8. Booq Bags Taipan Shadow Laptop Messenger ($89.95)

The Taipan Shadow Laptop Messenger bag is sleek and professional way to carry around your MacBook Air and its accessories. Compact and lightweight, yet very roomy with lots of space, you’ll be able to carry around all your documents, books and notes in one easy place. The bag also features a durable zipper, back pocket with zippered trolley pass-through and a seatbelt nylon shoulder strap that makes it comfortable when carrying.

7. WaterField Designs MacBook Air Wallet ($89 for 11”/$99 for 13”)

Keep your MacBook Air safe with WaterField Designs’ MacBook Air Wallet. As a compact travel case, it features three scratch free, lightly padded internal pockets so that you’re the notebook, SuperDrive, power adapter and its accessories are separate and safe. A stretchy back pocket provides all the storage you need for your complete mobile office. Impact-resistant inserts further protect the MacBook Air and other accessories.

6. Cartella for MacBook Air ($79.99 for 11”/$89.99 for 13”)

Resembling the classic and stylish Moleskin Notebook, the Cartella for MacBook Air does away with the ream of paper center and makes room for an 11-inch or 13-inch MacBook Air in its place. All of the notebook’s ports are still accessible, which makes this handmade case a convenient and stylish option.

5. Bamboo Blackbox Case ($99 to get on wait list)

Made from wood, the Bamboo Blackbox Cases are unlike any other out there. Made for the MacBook Air, iPad and MacBook Pros, these cases will protect your goods while looking good! Each case includes a leather strap engraved with the production number so grab yours now by funding the Kickstarter campaign!

4. HyperJuice External 60Wh Battery ($169.95)

If you know you’re going to be away from your MacBook Air’s battery for a while, HyperJuice’s External 60Wh Battery powers the device so that it can last up to 20 hours on a single charge. Made with military-grade lithium ion cells, it’s rechargeable up to 1,000 times. And because your MacBook Air is so stylish, it features a sleek aluminum housing that’s color-matched to the notebook.

3. Seagate GoFlex Ultra-Portable Drive ($179)

As an ultra-portable hard drive that’s also ultra-easy to store, the GoFlex from Seagate is a very easy way to store, backup and retrieve your files on the go with your MacBook Air. With Time Machine software compatibility and the possibility of a Thunderbolt cable releasing in the near future, you’ll never want to part with this or your MacBook Air!

2. Apple MacBook Air SuperDrive ($79)

Everything you need in an optical drive is packaged in the Apple MacBook Air SuperDrive. Compact and convenient, the SuperDrive fist easily into a travel bag and lets you install software and play and burn both CDs and DVDs. With no need for multiple cables, it connects to your MacBook Air with a single USB cable that’s already built into the optical drive.

1. Apple Thunderbolt 27-inch Display ($979)

Once you’re done taking your MacBook Air everywhere, come home to Apple’s Thunderbolt 27-inch Display that easily connects to the notebook for a panoramic viewing experience unlike anything else! The glossy widescreen display features a cinematic 16:9 aspect ratio and a 2560 x 1440 resolution. With the built-in iSight camera and microphone, you can connect your MacBook Air notebook — open or closed — and have video chats or take pictures using Photo Booth. It also sports a built-in 49W speaker system with an integrated subwoofer! And because it carries both video and audio, there’s one less cable to worry about.

3.5 out of 5 stars

So here’s the deal.  You’ve got a new 13-inch Macbook Air.  You don’t wanna scratch it. You could opt for Incase’s Perforated case, which I just reviewed.  However, that case doesn’t really protect the svelte laptop from dings and drops, since it’s attached to its body and as a result doesn’t insulate it from the shock and vibration it might receive dare it take a tumble to the ground.  Alternatively, Incase makes a Neoprene sleeve for toting around the ultra slim computer.

Aesthetically the sleeve is unremarkable.  It’s sewn together by what is surely a machine.  The stitching is tight and is surprisingly devoid of any blemishes or “mis-stitches.”  In other words it’s almost, well, perfect.

The textured spine provides added grip and protection – click to enlarge

The edge of the sleeve is finished with a “textured spine” that wraps its circumference. It’s soft and more supple than the sleeve’s Neoprene finish and does, as Incase suggests, provided some added grip when you’re carrying it in your hand.

The zipper of the sleeve stores in its own pocket, which is part of the spine.  This ensures that it remains zipped and your Macbook Air doesn’t fall out.  Hardly a feature I used, but it doesn’t seem to prevent any shortcomings, so have at it.

The sleeve, while slim and a little light on the padding it will protect your Macbook Air from the occasional minute folly.  However, my intuition tells me (I didn’t test it) that if you dropped your Air to the floor, while in the sleeve, it would incur some damage.  How much I don’t know, but it’s not the same type of protection we’ve seen from Booq’s line of sleeves, which I reviewed a few years ago.  I’m not sure if its intended to be used for added protection, but the Neoprene sleeve shipped with a foam insert inside.  Leave it in there, like I did, and one side of your Air will enjoy some added protection.

Zipper and lining – click to enlarge

Bottom line is that Incase’s Neoprene Sleeve for the 13-inch Macbook Air provides adequate protection.  But as as a result of trying to maintain a minimalist presence, much like the Air, it’s limited and not ideal for someone that is tough on their gear during transport.

You can buy the Incase 13-inch Macbook Air Neoprene Sleeve for $40.

Pros:

• Slim and light weight like the Macbook Air
• Textured spin adds grip
• Durable build and excellent stitching

Cons:

• Unremarkable finish and design
• Pricey
• Thin padding that will only protect from minor bumps

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3.5 out of 5 stars

So you’ve plunked down $1400 and purchased a new 13-inch Macbook Air. If you’re anything like me you’ll probably take the utmost care of it for the first few weeks and then as you become more comfortable with your new purchase, which in turn makes it an old purchase, you won’t take the same cautionary measures to ensure its well being.  You’ll be eating ramen just inches from its screen, breaking bread with fellow friends over the keyboard and slurping down a chai tea latte as you enjoy the next YouTube hit.

InCase is no stranger to the laptop cases – clearly, because that’s their name – and in their bag of tricks they sell a Perforated Hard Shell Case for the latest (2011) 13-inch Macbook Air.  It costs $59.95 and is available in white, black and blue.  They make two versions of this case: a glossy and matte.  I got my hands on the matte and while I can’t speak to the glossy version, the matte version has a subtle softness and provides a nice grip in the hand.  Ultimately, it should be less slippery than the glossy version, at least that’s my assumption.

My version of the case contained no rough edges and the ports, while I can’t exactly say are “precision cut” (Incase’s copy on their site) they’re all exposed, which includes the power port, Thunderbolt port, headphone port, SD card slot and two USB ports.  The under belly contains 4 rubber feet, much like the Macbook Air, which elevates the Air by a centimeter or two, which in theory provides additional cooling.

Small plastic tabs hold the Perforated Case in place – click to enlarge

To attach the case you just need to snap it into place.  Since the Macbook Air is just .68-inches at its thickest point, and a mere .11-inches at its thinnest, the case doesn’t have a whole lot to grasp on to, unlike the same Macbook Pro version of the Perforated case.  As a result, the bottom portion, while it initially snapped into place, didn’t have a snug fit and appeared as though it was going to shake loose over time.  The top portion however includes 4 small tabs that securely grasp the computer’s display latching it firmly in to place.

However, I should note that the bottom portion of the case does have two gripping tabs, but since there is no open edge at the back due to the design of the Macbook Air’s hinge, the only secure point for it to latch on to is at the front of the laptop.  As a result the bottom of the case can easily slip off, or so it appeared.  But despite my skepticism, it hasn’t shifted or fallen off in the two weeks of use.

Removing the bottom of the case is simple since there are just two tabs securing it in place.  The top portion took a bit more fiddling and proved so secure that I became fearful that I might damage my Macbook Air’s screen.  I recommend unlatching one tab, closing the laptop and then slowly leveraging it off the screen.  Go slow, though, since the Air’s screen is much more fragile than a Macbook Pros.  This is the biggest, if not only drawback of this version of Incase’s Perforated Hardshell case.

Rubber feet elevate the Macbook Air & provide additional room underneath for added cooling – click to enlarge

The weight of the case is negligible, but arguably significant from a spec stand point since the 13-inch Macbook Air weighs just 2.96lbs.  The real caveat is the aesthetical sacrifice.  It covers the top and bottom of the the laptop and negates some of its svelteness.

No matter where you go or what you do with your Macbook Air a scratch will always be a foot.  Perhaps a coffee shop table with a slightly exposed nail awaits your precious computer’s underbelly, or an innocent stranger is fumbling for their keys only to drop them onto the lid of your new Air.  Ultimately, that’s what this case will protect it from.  If you happen to drop your Macbook Air to the floor it might provide a tad bit of protection, but chances are a set of tears and a embarrassed face will follow.  So with that said it’s what you do with your laptop and your penchant for Apple purism that will dicate if you can justify the $60 cost.

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Markdown Madness via eBay has a special low price offer on this Incase CL57511 Book Jacket For IPad in Black!

Once you’ve obtained the powerful iPad Tablet you would do best in protecting it from harm whilst making full use of it. Thanks to the Book Jacket from Incase you can do just that in style. This case gives you the full usability of your iPad while enclosing it in a durable faux-leather shell which includes an inner soft suede lining. This is designed to protect your iPad from scraped, scratches and other forms of harm but thanks to its specifically proportioned cut-outs you don’t have to lose access to your device features. It also is designed with a rubberized edge for additional protection from bumps and it is enclosed by a secure elastic band. For a price this low you can’t afford not to keep your iPad protected, and they are selling quite fast!

$7.99 and free S&H make this a steal of a deal.

The Flex Wristband from Incase isn’t the freshest of ideas – we’ve seen a number of iPod Nano wristbands – but it most certainly might be the hippest.  The band, as the name suggests, flexes to fit just about any wrist size despite the fact that it’s made from steel.  It uses some sort of easy snap in attachment to secure the Nano in place, which Incase says won’t block its headphone port or buttons.

The Flex Wristband is available now in black matte, silver and gold for $49.95.

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There aren’t too many companies that have minimalism nailed, Incase however is one of those.  Today the company, which largely makes cases (hence the name) announced a new line of headphones that are sleek, light weight and opulently simple.

The Capsules are an ear bud affair that sport an oval profile that is said to match the ear canal’s shape for better fit and sound isolation. Then there is the Pivot, which are very light weight on ear headphones with cups that rotate flat for portability.  They’re probably the most minimalist of them all. Next up are the Reflex phones, which are too an over the ear fit like the Pivots, but sport additional padding for greater comfort and a more refined look. Last up are the Sonics. Without a doubt these have to be the most expensive since they are Incase’s “high performance” headphones with titanium audio drivers and ear cups designed in a shape to fit comfortably over the ears.

As of now there is no word on price, but it’s safe to assume that the Pivots are the cheapest of the bunch and the Sonic the most expensive. Incase says they’ll be available for purchase this September.

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Another day another iPhone 4 battery case.  Pinned as the slimmest battery case for iPhone 4, the Snap Battery Case features a 900 mAh battery and durable hardshell construction to protect the handset.  On the back are a set of LED lights to convey battery life, while a switch controls the power.  900 mAh won’t provide a full charge to your iPhone, but should add an additional 40% of juice, at least according to InCase, which sounds conservative since that’s more than half the size of the iPhone 4′s battery.

You can snag the Snap Battery Case directly from InCase starting today for $59.95.  For a little more bang for your buck, they’re including a USB to 30-pin cable – usually these cases are mini USB to USB.

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Still trying to find the iPhone case that is some where between a hard case and soft rubber case?  Well, look no further, for I introduce Incase’s Topo Flex Snap Case.  They’ve combined overmolding plastic and rubber to produce a case that is both rugged and easily gripable to the hand.  They’re available in three two-tone finishes: Turquoise/Bubblegum Blue, White/Medium Gray and Dark Gray/Black.  To buy one you’ll need to visit Incase’s webstore, where they cost $35. A tad expensive, wouldn’t you say?

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Incase’s newest addition to their courier collection is the Messeneger Backpack.  It’s made of a weather resistant 1680D nylon, has a bike lock storage strap and an extra wide mouth for stuffing your 17-inch Macbook into the faux-fur lined notebook compartment.  You can grab one now for $150.

Other features:

• Padded shoulder straps for increased comfort and ergonomic support
• Padded back panel with breathable mesh and integrated air-flow channels
• Adjustable sternum and waist straps for increased comfort and stability
• Reinforced nylon top-loading handle
• Heavy-duty YKK zipper pulls with closed-seam construction
• Multiple pockets for optimum organization
• Reflective details for added visibility

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I’m a firm believer in brandishing an iPhone in the raw.  What I mean by that is that no case should be added.  But of course, then Incase goes and intros the Perforated Snap Case and totally throws me a curve ball.  Just like the pair of Clae sneakers I want, this case adds significant style and a cool perforated look to your tired and now ubiquitous iPhone.  They’re currently on sale for $30 and are available in black, white and girly pink.

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Mophie JuicePack Air

As the slimmest full fledged battery pack on the market for the iPhone, the Mophie Juice Pack Air is clearly the leader.  It’ll provide more than 1 complete charge for your iPhone and won’t add that much bulk to the handset’s slender build. It also features an on/off switch so you can choose when to use the juice and on its rear is a set of battery indicator lights that are so Apple.  Available in purple, black and white for $80.  Check out our full review.

Griffin PowerReserve Duo

The PowerReserve Due combines a car charger, wall charger and backup battery pack in one for your iPhone.  The battery pack, which magnetically attaches to either unit (how cool is that?) charges while you charge the iPhone.  It won’t restore more than 25-30% of your iPhone’s battery, but it’s small, charges quickly, features LED battery lights and is great in a pinch.  It’s $60.  Check out our full review.

Incase PowerSlider

The  Incase Powerslider is similar to the Mophie Juice pack but offers a bit more protection for dings and bumps to your iPhone.  On the back of the case are 5 LEDs which indicate how much battery juice is left.  The bottom features a mini USB plug for syncing your iPhone and charging the battery pack, which means you never have to remove the case. It’s $80.

Casemate Fuel

The Casemate Fuel probably isn’t the most stylish iPhone battery pack, but it is the only one in this list with the always nerd certified clip.  The maker claims an additional 9 hours of talk time which almost doubles the iPhone’s battery life and unlike some of the others, there is an on/off switch for engaging the extra juice when you choose to.  It’s $79. Check out our full review.

iPWR SuperPack External iPhone Battery

Like some of its competitors the iPWR Superpack also more than doubles the iPhone’s battery life.  Unfortunately, it greatly extends the length of the iPhone making it not so portable.  But on the contrary.  You see, the iPWR is actually the smallest and full powered of all the battery packs making it ideal for slipping into a pocket.  You can grab one in white or black for $60.

Incase launched the Power Slider for the iPhone 3G today.  What is it?  A case that both protects the iPhone and more than doubles (220%) the phone’s battery life.  Thank to Incase’s innovative design there’s no need to remove the Power Slider when syncing and the 5 LED light battery indicator (similar to Apple’s laptops) will keep you abreast of battery life remaining.

The Power Slider will launch November 28th in Black only, and cost $100.

[Incase]