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So you splurged and bought a MacBook Air, the new super-slim laptop from Apple. Odds are you didn't exactly need it, just as you didn't need a video iPod Nano - but it looks so freakin' cool, right?

The question now is how you are going to keep it safe from prying eyes and grimy hands. In most standard laptop cases, it will simply bash around in all the extra space.

Fear not. A few clever companies produced Air cases faster than you can say "upgrade."

First out of the gate was Waterfield Designs, which announced its 13-2 MacBook Air Sleevecase just two days after Apple chief executive Steve Jobs unveiled the computer at the Macworld conference in San Francisco in January.

Did they have insider knowledge?

No, says company representative Heidi Marzke. But they did have a key advantage: Waterfield does all its manufacturing in the City by the Bay. "We read the rumours pages religiously and get ready for any rumoured announcement. Then, after Jobs's announcement, we designed a prototype. Yesterday, I took the prototype to Macworld and tried it out on the MacBook Air. It fit like a glove. Voila! We're ready to roll."

The SleeveCase isn't pretty, but it will keep the laptop well protected: It is cushioned with neoprene and wrapped in a ballistic nylon shell. It's also customizable: You can choose the orientation, whether to add a strap or a flap and more. The price starts at $39 (U.S.) at .

But if you do want a case that can match the MacBook Air in the looks department, look no further than the AirMail ($29.95) When Jobs announced the Air, he pulled it out of a manila envelope to show just how thin it was. Self-professed "Apple geeks" Jona Bechtolt and Claire Evans decided to make that temporary case a reality. So the AirMail case looks just like an envelope, but it is made of out of vinyl and lined with fleece for protection. Unveiled soon after Macworld, response has been so great the first cases are set to be shipped on Monday. You can join the waiting list at .

If you don't mind waiting even longer, keep your eyes on Belkin.com, which is promoting a variety of cute, colourful neoprene cases that aren't ready to order just yet, starting at $29.95. The sky-blue shade should look smashing against the Air's silvery aluminum body. And check out the ubersleek Aria from Italian company Orbino. The minimalist design appears to be in the prototype stages (only an illustration is shown at ), but you can register for updates.

And finally, if the $1,899 (and up) price tag of the MacBook Air left you with a tiny case budget, consider making your own. A helpful guy by the name of Vincent Nguyen has posted a YouTube video showing how to make one out of a FedEx envelope.

Remember, it's what's inside that counts.

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