The SOHO sleeves have a slim, two-tone design with colored stitching, a simulated premium leather finish, and a reinforced, outer shell. Other features include: color-matching, padded lining; “sure-grip” custom iSkin designed zipper pull; and a clam-shell design for easy access to the laptop. I've been test driving the MacBook-sized version.

The SOHO is lightweight, smooth to the touch and relatively stylish (or so my daughter tells me -- and she should know). The top panel of the sleeve, which has colored stitching and multi-layered construction, has two diagonal elasticized retainers that slip up over your laptop's lid to hold the machine in place.

The SOHO offers more protection than a standard soft sleeve -- though it's made of synthetic leather, it boasts a semi-rigid interior and a reinforced spine -- but less than a full-fledged briefcase or backpack. That's something you should keep in mind: a sleeve is meant to be used when you need to carry or use the laptop itself with no peripherals. The SOHO has room for your laptop -- but nothing else. Forget about including a power supply, mouse, etc., when using it. There's no handle or should strap. For heavy duty protection or long distance transportation, you'll need a bigger, beefier case -- and most such cases allow sleeves such as the SOHO to slip inside.

The SOHO line is available in a variety of color combinations, including: black with pink; black with blue; black with red; black with orange; and black with blue. They cost US$59.99 for 13-inch versions and $64.99 for 15-inch versions. And therein lies my biggest problem with the SOHO line: they're a bit pricey for a laptop sleeve. But if they fit your budget, they offer respectable protection for your portable Mac -- and look good doing it.

Macsimum rating: 7 out of 10.