Maybe it’s just me, but some of Belkin’s new Eee PC bags look like they’re designed more for a day at the beach than for lugging around a laptop that you use for actual work. But with prices ranging from $13 to $25, these padded cases are actually kind of attractive.

HP doesn’t ship a case or even a slipcover with the HP 2133 Mini-Note. The computer comes with very little packaging, which I appreciate. But when you open the box, all you’ll find a computer, battery, power cord, and a disc or two. That’s it.

Since the Mini-Note is smaller than most laptops, if you throw it in a typical laptop case it’s going to slide around a bit and it’s more likely to get scuffed up than a 12-15 inch laptop. You might be able to find a case for a portable DVD player that’s the right size. Perhaps you could order a custom slipcover or case if you can find one. Or if you’ve got a crafty streak, or better yet, a spouse with a crafty streak, you could make your own.

My wife runs an Etsy store where she sells curtains, bags, and other knit and sewn items. A while back she had been kind enough to make me a padded case for a digital audio recorder, so I asked her to make me a padded case for my Mini-Note. My computer fits snugly in this case, which I can then throw in a backpack or other bag without worry.

Farrah doesn’t plan to make laptop cases on a regular basis, but you can check out some of her other items at her Etsy store.

Buy an Eee PC and Asus will throw in a little slip cover. But if you’re looking for something that offers a bit more protection or style, there are at least a dozen other options out there. Not bad for a PC that’s only been on the market for about half a year.

Looking for a protective case for an Eee PC that you don’t even need to remove when you want to start using your computer? Proporta’s Crystal Case for the Eee PC is a shock absorbent case made of shatterproof clear plastic. It covers up all the vulnerable points on an Eee PC, but has holes so you can access all of the computer’s ports. It also has holes over the vents so your Eee PC won’t overheat while in its case.