Best MacBook bags, cases and sleeves

Fits: 13-14-inch and 15-16-inch versions

Bellroy is a Australian accessory brand that makes premium bags, cases and wallets, and its laptop sleeves offer high-quality protection. The outside of the Bellroy laptop Sleeve is made from a woven, water-resistant material that is eco-friendly—made from 100% recycled PET bottles. Inside, the quilted microfiber lining features a soft ridge that holds your laptop in place.

The sleeve snaps shut with a neat magnetic bumper.

Available in Black, Slate, Navy, Bronze and a leather-free Saltbush.

Bellroy

Apple sells only one MacBook sleeve in its online store: the leather-free Bellroy Caddy for Mac Laptops, which is available in two sizes for 13-14-inch MacBooks and the 15- and 16-inch MacBooks.

There’s fold-down, front-pocket access and a foam-padded laptop sleeve, as well as two stretch mesh pockets and mesh pen slips.

Fits: 13-inch

Case Logic makes many laptop sleeves that are suitable for various sizes of MacBook and come in all number of colors. The Case Logic Laptop Sleeve fits a 13.3in MacBook, such as the MacBook Air or MacBook Pro. It’s form-fitting, so the MacBook shouldn’t slip about inside, and it features padding for extra protection. There is woven webbing along the sides to further protect the laptop and strengthen the case. It’s a slim case that should fit nicely inside your bag. 

Available in a range of strong colors, including Pink, Dark Blue, Lime Green and Teal.

Case Logic also offers a sleeve for 14-inch laptops.

Fits: 13-14-inch, and 15-16-inch versions

The Journey NEXA laptop sleeve bills itself as a 4-in-1, and it certainly is multi-functional. As well as protecting your laptop during travel, it includes two wireless chargers (one MagSafe compatible) and can work as both a deskpad and mousepad to free your workspace of clutter. Slide your MacBook into the soft but padded-for-protection vegan leather sleeve, and you’ll be impressed by the luxury feel of this premium laptop sleeve.

When you arrive at the office, hotel or just back home, it doubles up as a desk-pad with chargers for your iPhone (7.5W MagSafe) and AirPods (5W). While it comes with a USB-C cable, you’ll need to add your own charger (check our roundup of the best iPhone chargers) to connect with the USB-C port in the sleeve. Alternatively you can charge the MacBook itself while it sits protected in the sleeve—for this you’ll need a more powerful MacBook charger.

The Journey NEXA 4-in1 Laptop Sleeve is available in Black or a fetching stone-like Dove Gray.

Fits: 13-14-inch, and 15-16-inch versions

Designed in collaboration with storage-joy expert Marie Kondo, this tri-fold design laptop sleeve has a second function as foldout portable desk and mouse mat. It oozes Japanese calm in its cool Stone color and inside traditional Sashiko wave pattern. Transform the office hot desk or coffee shop tabletop into a comfortable and organized workspace.Place the laptop to the left and use the top of the laptop pocket as a mouse mat.

Its vegan leather exterior feels both luxurious and protective, and the zip-free magnetic closure is a joy to use.

The limited-edition KonMari sleeve ($89.90 / £79.90 for 13- and 14-inch laptops, and $99.90 / £89.90 for 15- and 16-inch) looks great but there are cheaper black and terracotta color options ($79.90 / £69.90 for 13/14-inch, and $89.90 / £79.90 or 15/16) of the Hybrid Sleeve.

Fits: 13-inch, 14-inch, 15-inch, 16-inch

This super-stylish MacBook sleeve doesn’t just keep your laptop safely protected in transit, it also includes exterior and interior pockets to allow you to ditch the backpack and just look the business carrying a sleek fine Italian leather sleeve. The spacious interior has plenty of room for your MacBook Pro and is padded for extra care. Inside there are two pockets for your phone, a charger, cables, or other accessories such as a paper notebook, plus two pen holders and a card pocket. As a bonus there’s even a little pocket for an Apple AirTag. An front exterior pocket gives quick access to paperwork or just the latest issue of a newspaper or style magazine.

You can personalize the Leather Folio with up to four letters, in white or colorless lettering. It measures 14.3-x-0.2-x-1 inches (36.3-x-25.9-x-2.5-cm, and weighs 15.2oz (430g). It’s available in Black, Dark Blue, Olive or Fossil Gray.

For the 13-inch MacBook you’ll want the 114 Leather Folio, for 14-inch MacBook the 120, and 118 for a 15-inch or 16-inch MacBook.

Fits: 12-inch, 13-inch, 14-inch, 15-inch, 16-inch

Available in four deeply stylish colors (Black, Cognac, Green and Gray), the Woolnut Leather Sleeve snugly fits every recent MacBook from the 12-inch original, the Air and all the Pro models. Each size is tailor-made for every model.

This minimalist sleeve might lack pockets but it is as luxe as you’ll find and will draw admiring looks and awed strokes from fellow MacBook owners. The exterior is made from full-grain Scandinavian leather, with the interior soft 100% natural wool felt from Germany.

Fits: 11-inch, 13-inch, 14-inch, 15-inch, 16-inch

Similar to the Mujjo Envoy Laptop Sleeve, reviewed above, the Harber London Classic Leather MacBook Sleeve is made from premium full grain leather and features outside pockets to store your charger and cables.

It looks classy and is available in tan or black. There are versions for all recent models of MacBook. It boasts a soft but protective dense 100% wool felt interior that will keep your MacBook cosy.

Harber

Harber makes some other luxury laptop sleeves, such as the distinguished pebbled leather Legacy Laptop Sleeve (a considered buy at $317 / £229, available in Brown pictured above, Black and Caoba, and in two sizes for 13/14-inch and 15/16-inch MacBooks) that features a well-padded interior for extra protection and a generous zipped front pocket for your charger and cables or notebook and pens.

Fits: 14-inch, 16-inch

This more affordable, securely zipped leather laptop sleeve protects the MacBook with its wool lining creating a snug fit. Inside the folio case there’s a separated second compartment for your charging cable and some other slim objects. It’s maybe too slim to carry a bulky charger, though.

It’s available in the traditional plain Black and Tan that leather laptop sleeve makers prefer, and for either the 14-inch or 16-inch MacBook Pro, although we’re sure that the 13- and 15-inch MacBook Air models will fit just as nicely.

• Fits: up to 16-inch
• Capacity: 20L

Apple builds its MacBooks to a high spec and premium design, so if you are carrying yours around in a backpack maybe that should also be top-notch, too. And, like Apple’s products, the Troubadour Matrix comes with a premium price tag attached. You do get your money’s worth, with chic styling and a generous selection of storage pockets, including one for your iPhone hidden in one of the straps, which means you can access it—or other valuable item such as your wallet—without having to remove the bag from your shoulders. And there’s even a special pocket for an Apple AirTag.

The Matrix isn’t just smart in looks. It has been designed with the tech traveller or commuter specifically in mid, and its pockets and compartments are welcoming to all your portable gadgets. The lower front pocket folds all the way down to allow easy access to your charger, cables and other tech essentials. The insides are light colored so you can see everything inside much easier than groping around a darker interior.

Troubadour makes another fine laptop backpack: the Apex 3.0. This is lightweight and comfortable but still generous, with a 25L capacity. There is also a Compact version, with a 16L capacity. The laptop section is at the back and easy to access, with easily enough space for a 16-inch MacBook Pro. Altogether there are 14 sections or pockets, pen holders and zipped enclosures. Unlike the Black-only Matrix, the Apex 3.0 is available in Black, Navy, Air Force Blue and Obsidian Green. Full Troubadour Apex 3.0 Backpack review.

Both Matrix and Apex 3.0 feature a trolley sleeve on the back to attach to a suitcase handle, and a robust handle at the top for when you want to give your shoulders a rest or not bump into people in crowded spaces.

Troubadour also sells a sling version, the Apex Sling. While not large enough to fit even a 13-inch MacBook, it does have a padded pocket for an iPad mini. It features many of the larger backpack benefits, such as the quality build, good looks, sustainable materials, hidden iPhone pocket and AirTag pocket. Further down we review the Apex Tote and Apex Briefcase for flexibility in the. smart range.

• Fits: 13-inch (15L bag) and 13-16-inch (20L) versions
• Capacity: 15L and 20L

A roll top bag is simple to use as they have fewer straps and zips than a traditional backpack. They feature a wide top opening so you can quickly see what’s inside and make it easier to reach in and pull out your belongings. It is adjustable in volume as unused space can saved and bulking reduced by rolling up the top flap as you close it. Tighten the strap to condense the loa or loosen when more space is required.

Previously we have championed the Ogio Alpha Convoy 525r Rolltop Backpack, which I have used happily for several years. However, our heads and minds have been turned by Stubble & Co’s The Roll Top, available in either 15L or 20L capacities. We tested the spacier 20L model.

Its more waterproof than the Ogio and has smarter colour accents as well as eight overall color options: Black, Yellow, Urban Green, Arctic White, Tasmin Blue, Concrete, Sand and Ember Orange.

The padded laptop compartment is easily accessed at the side of the bag. The 20L version fits up to a 16-inch MacBook; the 15L allows for a 13-inch laptop. Inside the laptop compartment and also lining inside the main bag are contrasting colours: inside the black, white, concrete and green bags, it’s a striking orange. The main compartment has a reinforced, magnetised roll top closure. I’m used to a more click-tight buckle fastening but am getting the hang of the G-hook fastener. There are five internal organiser pockets, including two with mesh.

On each side are generous elasticated side pockets for your water bottle, umbrella or bike lock. And, an essential if carrying the bag off your back, there’s a top grab handle. Roll-tops are often used by cycle couriers for their fast, easy access, and the Stubble & Co Roll Top features a bike light anchor and reflective trim for enhanced visibility and road safety.

• Fits: up to 16-inch
• Capacity: 35L

We haven’t found a laptop backpack that beats the Pakt Travel Backpack for storage smarts, comfort and versatility. There are many imitators but this remains our favorite, and there’s a recent version 2.0 that makes it even better and more environmentally friendly.

The 35L backpack model meets the carry-on criteria for most airlines. It weighs 4.1lbs, and measures 21.5 x 12.5 x 8 inches (55 x 32 x 21 cm). The 45L backpack, however, exceeds those limits so you’ll have to pray that you’re not pulled aside as you check-in or board the plane. It weighs 4.4lbs, and is sized 23 x 13 x 9 inches (60 x 33 x 24cm).

You can use it as a backpack, but also hide away the straps and carry by the side handles as a duffle or via a top handle. This might make the 45L bag appears smaller than it looks strapped to your back, and you can get it through check-in with all that extra storage.

It features a handy clamshell interior with two compartments, so you can pack the backpack like a suitcase. Spread out open, it should fit under a bed or couch, saving you from unpacking to a wardrobe for short stays. Between the compartments, a padded sleeve gives robust but luxury protection to your MacBook (up to 16 inches). You can access the laptop from the top, making a security check much less hassle.

There’s a multi-section front admin pocket that will handle a bunch of tech gear you might need close to hand, such as AirPods, chargers, power banks and cables, or even an iPad. There’s also a key leash in this part. An expansion pocket adds additional packing space without adding to these dimensions. Check your favorite airline for carry-on limits.

Pakt sells a 15L Everyday Bag that can fit inside the Travel Backpack. On the plane, you could remove this and store by your feet for easy access, and then slide it back in the pack when you take that out of the overhead when you disembark. There are so many great extra features: the water-bottle holder is generous in size yet a tight elasticated hold; a zipped, hidden pocket at the back and bottom of the pack is handy for placing your phone, wallet and pocket fodder when you are passing through airport security; one of the pocket sections includes a deep AirTag holder; you can pull out hidden accessory straps on one side; and there’s roller-luggage passthrough to give your back a rest.

With this version 2.0 of its Travel Backpack, Pakt uses rNylon (recycled nylon), which it claims can be recycled indefinitely—making it a more sustainable material than even rPET (recycled polyethylene terephthalate). It is covered in a water-repelling, tear-resistant PFC-free DWR coating, and is available in either Black, Forest or Ocean colors.

• Fits: 15-inch
• Capacity: 28L

If you have an Apple laptop and intend to take it outside the house or office from time to time, it goes without saying that you will need a good sturdy bag to carry it in. We recommend getting a well padded backpack that is designed for carrying a laptop.

A well designed backpack will include lots of areas insider the bag to store things in: such as a front pocket, a large main compartment and a large side pocket. Quilted shoulder straps and a padded back should ensure the backpack is comfortable to wear. It’s pricy, but the Timbuk2 Authority Laptop Backpack Deluxe is a good option.

• Fits: up to 16-inch
• Capacity: 23L

Relatively plain—but available in three colors of Midnight Blue shown above, Black, and Green—the lightweight and comfortable Bravo Backpack is not flashy but is packed with storage options inside and out.

Smart access points include a well-padded laptop sleeve and surprisingly capacious fold-down front section for easy access to your essentials, which is light colored to make finding those everyday items simple even in dark spaces. Inside there are two zipped pockets, pen holders and two mesh compartments.

There’s also a hidden side pocket for storing your valuables or maybe phone when going through airport security.

Its eco-friendly, weather-resistant Axoflux fabric is made from recycled plastic bottles.

• Fits: up to 16-inch
• Capacity: 15L

If you desire the convenience of a shoulder or messenger bag with the smartness of a modern briefcase, another part of the stylish if pricey Apex line of laptop bags is the Apex Briefcase—in black only. Made from a fabric that’s spun from recycled plastic bottles, the 15L Apex Briefcase features fluorocarbon-free waterproofing plus a waterproof, tear-resistant lining. The leather trim is vegan.

To protect your MacBook and tablet there are padded, suspended pockets with a neoprene hood and magnetic closure to secures the laptop. Also inside there are seven individual pockets, including a mesh pocket for faster visual accessibility. On the outside there are three pockets, including at the front a hidden slip-pocket for your phone and a large zipped pocket with a key leash, elasticated pockets and an AirTag pocket. On the rear, a magnetically closing pocket can be unzipped at the bottom to create a luggage sleeve.

Transform the briefcase into a hands-free shoulder bag with a robust strap.

• Fits: 13-14-inch
• Capacity: 12L

A more affordable but still premium laptop briefcase, the Incase A.R.C. Brief is so compact (measuring 15 x 12 x 4 inches) it almost resembles a sleeve, and makes a great compact commuter bag. Inside there are a lot of pockets for device organization, plus a soft but protective lining for your MacBook. There’s also a zipped pocket on the outside for easy access to wallet, headphones and keys.

It’s made of ReSpun 100% Recycled Polyester for sustainability points. And there’s a handy but discreet AirTag pocket for Find My peace of mind. Owners of the larger 15-inch and 16-inch MacBooks must sadly look elsewhere as this is for the smaller laptops only.

• Fits: 14-inch, 16-inch
• Capacity: 4L

If you are looking for a smart, tough-looking briefcase style bag with a solid construction, a good option is the Thule Gauntlet attaché.

It’s a slim and rugged case with enhanced corner and edge protection. There is a single, removable shoulder strap as well as handles. You don’t even need to remove the Mac from the case to work, although there’s not a great deal of space for extra storage.

It’s available for the 14-inch and 16-inch MacBook Pros. The 16-inch model is available in blue as well as black.

• Fits: up to 16-inch
• Capacity: 5.6L or 7.5L

If carrying a briefcase just reminds you of your schooldays or executives on Mad Men, think again as today’s stylish briefcases are less boxy and make a far better impression than dropping a boring backpack on the boardroom floor.

While this smart and stylish, without being too formal, laptop briefcase is called Rugged, its looks and build quality are at the luxury end of the laptop bag scale—and it’s priced accordingly, although it’s not over the top for a premium business briefcase that’s handmade by expert craftsmen in Spain. And, yes, it is rugged with a water-resistant outer fabric shell made of recycled plastic bottles, so environmentally friendly too. That said, we wouldn’t take this laptop briefcase out hiking in the woods—it’s just too lovely to dump in some mud outside your tent.

Available in two sizes—5.6L capacity for 13/14-inch and 7.5L for 15/16-inch laptops, it can hold a MacBook and a large iPad in its padded laptop and tablet compartments. It’s got special pockets for notebooks and your passport, as well as two clever detachable magnetic pouches for your chargers or other tech essentials. There are nine interior sections, holders for pens, and a row of card slots, as well as a dedicated integrated AirTag pocket.

It can be carried by its full-grain cowhide leather handle or the detachable leather carry strap, and is available in Mocha, Black or Olive.

Fits: 13-inch, 14-inch

While a laptop seems like a self-contained unit, with keyboard, screen, trackpad, hard drive and everything all in one tidy package, it’s not quite as easy as that. You need a charger and charging cable for starters, and when you’re on the move you have to carry around your AirPods, and maybe you prefer a proper mouse to the MacBook’s trackpad. And what if you have an iPad to work on, too? A simple sleeve can’t cope with all that lot, but the Nomad Organiser certainly can.

The Nomad has ten pockets: a padded one for your MacBook Pro, and another padded pocket that fits an iPad from 9.7 to 12.9 inches, and capacious enough to handle the tablet with a Smart Cover. Be warned, though, that holding both laptop and tablet, the sleeve can be tricky to close if you are stuffing in chargers and other tech too.

One lower pocket is big enough for your MacBook charger, but you’ll notice a bump in the fine lines when closed. I prefer to keep my bulky stuff in a wider-opening bag—check out our favorite tech organizer bags—and use this sleeve for the thinner essentials.

Two pockets are zipped for safe-keeping (for example, cash or memory cards) and there’s a handy key fob strap. There’s a couple of holders for pens or an Apple Pencil. There’s a phone pocket, too, but I’m not sure I’d want all my devices in one place, and most of us prefer our phone at hand in a pocket or more-easy-to-dip-in bag. If you do, it’s large enough for a Pro Max iPhone.

Below that pocket are a couple of slots for credit or travel cards, and above it are five straps that will hold an AirPods case, cables and even an AirTag—after, all, at this price, even the sleeve on its own is definitely worth keeping tabs on at all times. I’d have preferred elasticated straps for a firmer hold but I can appreciate the all-leather design looks super lush.

You can carry the Nomad Organiser under your arm, via a subtle built-in handle, or you can attach a matching strap to sling it over your shoulder like a messenger bag.

It is a premium MacBook sleeve, handcrafted with full-grain Spanish leather, and really does shout cool luxury. Available in Tan, Dark Brown, Black and Navy.

• Fits: up to 14-inch
• Capacity: 7L

STM’s Myth laptop bag will fit up to 14-inch MacBooks, although it officially stated up to 13-inch laptops. It comes in Black, Granite Black, and Slate Blue depending. The slim shoulder bag protects your laptop by suspending it, so that it doesn’t touch the bottom of the bag. It’s also encased in foam. The shoulder strap is easy to adjust and has a non-slip pad to make it more comfortable. With a subtle luggage trolley sleeve, it can slip onto the telescopic handle of a suitcase for easy of use when not on your back—handy for busy travel interchanges and crowded trains and buses.

It’s well-made, with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) coated webbing handles with rivets, reverse coil zippers, and water-repellent C6DWR coating applied to the fabric.

Inside there are plenty of sections and pockets (we counted 10 but there could be even more hidden away) to help with organization. Cable-routing means you can charge your laptop or other devices while still in the bag.

if you fancy something more business-like check out the Troubadour Apex Briefcase, reviewed earlier, which is smarter but costs a fair amount more than the STM Myth.

• Fits: up to 16-inch
• Capacity: 40L

A duffel (or duffle) bag is a versatile and spacious travel bag, suitable for carrying clothing and personal items for various uses, from gym trips and casual weekend getaways to formal business trips and outdoor adventures. And you always need your MacBook with you, right?

The A.R.C. Duffel—featuring a water-repellent 100% recycled polyester exterior and detachable shoulder strap—boasts an external, zippered and padded laptop compartment plus easy-access exterior front pocket with mesh pockets and pen holders for your organized small essentials. There’s a discreet AirTag pocket cleverly hidden inside the internal woven label, plus a key clip

With a generous 40L total capacity, this carry-on friendly duffel features a dedicated luggage pass-through so it can sit with your wheely suitcase.

• Fits: 13-inch, 14-inch, 15-inch, 16-inch
• Capacity: 16.5L

Bags come in all shapes, sizes and styles, and our favorite laptop tote bag is the from the same range as the Troubadour Apex Backpack reviewed above.

There isn’t much “everyday” about the Apex Everyday Tote. It is most definitely a special tote, with zipped inside storage and nine interior mesh, zipped or open pockets and compartment, plus two on the exterior. You can pack a lot of gear in the 16.5L bag, including organized spaces for cables and chargers, power banks and passport.

You can keep a water bottle tightly upright inside, and still feel confident that your laptop is safe from spills with the padded laptop pocket boasting a neoprene hood.

There’s a zipped front exterior pocket that offers plenty of storage space, including a pocket for your AirPods case and a special AirTag pocket. The back exterior pocket can be unzipped at the bottom to create a luggage sleeve, allowing you to slip it over the handles of your suitcase.

The waterproof FortiWeave fabric is made from recycled plastic bottles, and the zip pulls are also recycled. A vegan leather trim keep the tote looking smart.

When you tire of carrying the bag by its handles, you can turn it into a shoulder bag with the non-slip detachable strap. It available in Black, Scree (a stony color) and Basalt (grayish blue).

• Fits: 13-inch, 14-inch, 15-inch, 16-inch
• Capacity: 33.8L

Makers of larger luggage are finally taking tech gear into consideration, too. We wouldn’t recommend you packing your precious MacBook into an aircraft’s hold section because of the risks of damage through rough handling, extreme temperatures and potential theft during transit. But carry-on cabin luggage is a fine place to securely protect your laptop in flight.

We were therefore intrigued when one of our favorite iPhone case manufacturers, Casetify, unveiled its range of hard-shell luggage, building on its expertise in tech protection and particularly its Bounce range that has integrated protective bumpers and sides that we trust to keep our phone safe through enhanced impact absorption if dropped or knocked out of our hand.

Casetify has scaled its protective Bounce technology for luggage: both the cabin-sized 21-inch Bounce Carry On Roller, and 29-inch suitcase. Each case shell is made from super-durable Makrolon polycarbonate, while remaining relatively lightweight: the carry-on cabin suitcase weighs 8.23lbs (3.75kg).

There is no special laptop compartment but you can buy a clip-in Tech Pack Organizer ($50) for your chargers and cables.

The superbly named Hinomoto Miraclent 360° ball-bearing wheels are the best we’ve tested in a suitcase, and genuinely glide the case across the floor. There’s a robust aluminum telescoping handle and what Casetify calls a puncture-resistant YKK double racquet coil zipper. It looks and feels sturdy like the rest of the case. There’s integrated TSA-approved locks for security, and even an AirTag pocket to help you track your luggage when it leaves you at the bag-drop counter.

Aside from the premium quality and ultra-protective shell, there are a raft of made-to-order customization options for the cases, on top of the choice of black, blue and red shells, including six background patterns, and a choice of fonts and colors for your initials that make finding your luggage simple in the sea of lookalike cases dropping onto the carousel.

Fits: 13-inch, 14-inch, 15-inch, 16-inch

Choose a hard shell if you want to wrap your precious MacBook in robust scratch and bump protection but still be able to use it in action. The minimalist and lightweight Incase Edge Hardshell MacBook Case comes in clear and see-through black versions for all of the current MacBooks in Apple’s laptop range.

It protects with raised edge bumpers in its high-impact resistant polycarbonate shell. All ports and buttons remain fully accessible. Rubberized feet keep the MacBook securely in place and less likely to slip off its surface.

Available from Apple, Amazon and direct from Incase.

Fits: 13-inch

If you want to protect your laptop while you are using it you can pop a clear or tinted case on it. The Speck SmartShell case comes in various sizes to suit different MacBooks.

There’s clear cases as well as a few different colored options, including Cosy Pink, Obsidian and Clear variant for the M2 MacBook Air, so you can pick one to suit your personality.

Fits: 13-inch, 14-inch, 16-inch

Laptop backpack and bags can be bulky, expecting you constantly to be travelling to airports or on trains, when sometimes you just need the convenience of a slim briefcase with the protection of a hard shell. SuitCase from Twelve South is an odd name for what is effectively a briefcase with a recessed handle, but it’s a great hybrid of sleeve, shell and carry on.

There are three layers of protection: a water-resistant, quilted gray fabric exterior; underneath the twill textile is a layer of hard plastic to protect your MacBook from impacts; and inside is a soft layer of microfiber to protect the surface of your Mac.

You don’t even have to remove your MacBook from the case to get working, and, when closed, dual zippers keep it securely closed, even when charging.

Fits: 13-inch

Some shell cases are built to do more than give your MacBook a bit of color. A number of manufacturers build hard shell cases that will add an extra layer of protection to your MacBook Pro or Air.

UAG (Urban Armor Gear) makes impact resistant armour for your MacBook. The Plyo series has extra strength built into the cushioning corners and cooling vents to ensure that there is adequate airflow (to stop your laptop from overheating).

Make sure you buy the exact shell for your model MacBook.