The $35 nylon Curmio Travel Carrying Bag turns the iMac into a portable machine. It’s available for all sizes of iMacs, but the M1 iMac is so light and thin that it’s already halfway towards being something you can carry around. It’s such a great accessory I’m surprised Apple doesn’t offer its own version. I purchased the M1 iMac because it’s the perfect upgrade from a laptop. At only around 10 pounds and about as thick as an iPad, the new iMac begs to be transported from place to place. But carrying it outside of your home can be awkward, and that’s where the Curmio fits in.
Transformer or Not?
I bought the Curmio with low expectations. For less than $40, the carrying case wasn’t a significant investment, and I was desperate to find something to tote my iMac. While it’s lightweight and not very large, the M1 iMac with its 24-inch screen is surprisingly hard to carry. It’s easy enough to move around your living room, which seems to be what Apple intended, but there’s nowhere to easily grip it when carrying it over long distances. I had a couple of scares when I was putting the iMac into the back of my car and nearly dropped it.
Curmio to the Rescue
I was pleasantly surprised by the Curmio case when it arrived the next day. It’s well made with durable nylon, solid stitching, and easy-to-use buckles. The Curmio case straps onto the iMac in just seconds. It protects the screen well enough from scratches and dings, but you still don’t want to drop your computer even with the case on. There’s a carrying handle on top of the Curmio case, and once your iMac is inside, it’s as easy to carry around as a reasonably heavy briefcase. Best of all, there are several handy pockets on the front and the back that the mouse, keyboard, and power cable can fit into. Curmio isn’t the only manufacturer to offer an iMac carrying case, however. I might invest in the highly rated Gator Cases Creative Pro Series Nylon Carry Tote Bag if I had money to burn. The Gator case is much sturdier than the Curmio, although it currently costs around $200. The Creative Pro has adjustable interior padding and a foam block cradle to keep the iMac from moving around. There’s also a rigid panel reinforcement in the front flap for extra screen protection. The bottom of the case is protected by rubber feet and plastic panels. You can also use the iMac while it’s still in the case, and it has a folding sun shield to protect the screen from getting washed out. Also intriguing is the BUBM 21.5-inch Nylon Carry Tote Bag, which encases your iMac in what looks like a giant purse. The BUBM is discrete enough that it would be hard to tell you’re carrying a computer in this bag, which could be helpful in some situations. I’m delighted with the Curmio case and highly recommend it to anyone looking to carry their iMac around short distances. But if you need heavy-duty protection, you might want to look into either the BUBM or Gator case. Regardless of your needs, your iMac will thank you for the extra protection and carrying potential.
