13 Inch Laptop Sleeves

13 inch laptop sleeves cut to fit a 13" MacBook Air, XPS 13 or equivalent with a few millimetres to spare and no more. Padded, water-resistant and slim enough to slide into a bag that is already full.

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Screen size is not the measurement that matters

A 13-inch screen does not tell you the size of the laptop. Bezels have shrunk, so a current 13" machine can be smaller than an older 12", and some 14" laptops fit a 13" sleeve while others do not. The number to work from is the actual width and depth of the closed laptop in centimetres, which is on the manufacturer's spec page.

Aim for five to ten millimetres of clearance in each direction. Less and it will not go in when the sleeve is cold. More and the laptop slides around, which is what wears the corners.

Frequently asked questions

Will a 14 inch laptop fit a 13 inch sleeve?

Some 14 inch laptops fit a 13 inch sleeve, because thin-bezel designs are physically smaller than older machines. Compare the closed dimensions in centimetres rather than the screen size.

How much room should a sleeve have?

A sleeve should have five to ten millimetres of clearance on each side. Any less is a struggle to insert; any more lets the laptop slide and abrade its corners.

Is a sleeve enough protection on its own?

A sleeve is enough protection inside a bag, where it prevents scratches and cushions knocks. Carried on its own it offers little against a drop onto a hard floor.