Targus introduces checkpoint-friendly Zip-Thru laptop case

As we surmised earlier this month with the formal introduction of Mobile Edge's trio of TSA-approved laptop bags, the flood of competitors are now rushing out. One of the first out of the gate is Targus, delivering its Zip-Thru 15.4-inch Corporate Traveler Laptop Case. Just the first in the outfit's sure-to-be-long line of checkpoint-friendly bags, this one measures in at 16.93- x 6.5- x 13.98-inches, weighs 3.74-pounds, is constructed from durable black ballistic 1680 denier nylon and can -- of course -- slip under those airport scanning machines with your precious machine still tucked inside. Unfortunately, it won't be available for summertime travel (look for it to land in October), but you can go ahead and budget in $99.99 well before Q3 gets sticky.

[Via CrunchGear]

[Rick White @ Jul 30th 2008 9:01AM]

"Bowling ball candle? That's fine. Hairdryer with a scope? Yeah, I got no problem with that..." - Jerry Seinfeld

[ShadowKain @ Jul 30th 2008 2:14PM]

XD So appropriate for this situtaion...

[Dan @ Jul 30th 2008 9:02AM]

Sure. And when you take that bag up to the scanner, the TSA agent will calmly tell you to take the laptop out of the bag and that he does not care who the heck approved it.
He is not loosing his job because something slipped through.

These are useless marketing ploys.

[Anthony @ Jul 30th 2008 10:43AM]

Totally. Agree. I have been thinking how great this would be (I mean, not great, but..). I fly at least twice a month & have the system down, but it would be nice. However, w/o a backpack solution I probably wouldn't bite & know TSA isn't going to be up on things (at least at first & probably not for a while- I still slip liquids through- sometimes by mistake- on a regular basis).

[BigBloke @ Jul 30th 2008 11:17AM]

+1
Yeah, like you are going argue with the TSA: 'Dude, this bag is approved, get your grubby mits off mi laptop.'

They don't have a sense of humour, and never will. Its going through the scanner mate...

[CurtisH @ Jul 30th 2008 9:02AM]

Any bets that the TSA will fail to properly train their security folks and you'll end up having to take it out for them anyway?

[Matt @ Jul 30th 2008 9:15AM]

My buddy had the TSA approved locks cut off his bags because the agents didn't know what they were or how to open them. I'd say the chance of it happening is fairly huge and the dollars spent on these suckers will be largely wasted.

[kjb434 @ Jul 30th 2008 9:17AM]

I think that is even a fair bet since you know the TSA agents won't know that the bag is approved!

[lowdef @ Jul 30th 2008 9:34AM]

the TSA...keeping America free of foreign and domestic terror in the form of laptop bags and shampoo bottles and water bottles since...uh never

[DivineDart @ Jul 30th 2008 10:03AM]

Thats when you call them a matthew perry looking bitch

[jason @ Jul 30th 2008 9:15AM]

couldnt terrorist just hide something behind the laptop anyways?

[fraz @ Jul 30th 2008 9:16AM]

Of course the obvious bit here is that it needs airport staff to be aware, otherwise they'll stick to what they know - 'are you trying to be funny? it's in a bag, i said take it out, if it I can't see it then it's not out.' Going by the recent banning of someone with a transformer t shirt on I doubt they'll let this go through without being taken out of it's case

[Michael @ Jul 30th 2008 9:34AM]

You know, I wish I had this a week ago. TSA dropped my laptop. It wasn't in the case all nice and padded, cause they made me take it out of the case of course.

P.S. Damage claims against the TSA take from 90 to 6 months before you hear what they decided they are going to do about it (which can include nothing).

[Michael @ Jul 30th 2008 9:35AM]

crap...where's the edit button....I meant 90 days to 6 months.

[Jay @ Jul 30th 2008 10:34AM]

Agreed, TSA agents aren't going to give two .... about who you tell them approved the bag. Besides how hard is it to take your laptop out of the bag when you are already taking off your shoes, belt, watch, taking our your wallet and loose change, explaining the shrapnel in your left forearm, and pulling out the bag of 3 oz. shampoo bottles filled with vodka.

[BigBloke @ Jul 30th 2008 11:20AM]

Geeze mate, you must be desperate...shampoo bottles filled with vodka.

Few bubbles at the mouth while partaking I presume?

[Sean @ Jul 30th 2008 12:00PM]

Is it really that hard to take your laptop out of the bag? I travel 3-4 times a month and perhaps it's because I've got my routine down but it doesn't seem much of an inconvenience. Certainly it's not worth replacing my perfectly good laptop bag for one that's "TSA approved".

[bogdatov @ Jul 30th 2008 12:47PM]

Think about it from TSA point of view. Anyone can make "fake" TSA approved bag, put label on it, etc. No ?

[Phoenix @ Jul 30th 2008 1:18PM]

I've got a solution for those of you who are afraid of dropping your laptop: get one which is designed to resist strong shocks. O_O Imagine that. That said, I agree this is just another gimmick and will blow over in a week.

[Michael @ Jul 30th 2008 5:45PM]

Sorry, I don't have to do a DAMN thing to make sure they don't drop my property. I take care of my things, and they REQUIRE that I surrender my property to them. It's THEIR responsibility to ensure the safety of my property while it in there control and I am under their direction to remain in a certain area or do a certain thing. Can you imagine what would happen if I bolted toward an agent to attempt to save my laptop from hitting the ground?? You've probably see it on YouTube, "Some guy gets tazed at Ariport for 'attacking' a TSA agent". Sorry, I just don't agree that it's all on me and I have to make up for their incompetence. Do I have to make sure I waterproof it too in case they are careless and spill something on it? or decide to take a piss in the middle of the security checkpoint on my laptop? Exactly, I can't know all the foolish ways they can damage my property and shouldn't have to try to accommodate them. I don't let small children touch my expensive electronics, but I have no choice when it comes to the TSA.

[Jay @ Jul 30th 2008 3:43PM]

With anything, it obviously will take some time before all the TSA checkpoints are trained and aware of the approved bags...

But from a travler that now carriers two laptops (one Windows, one Mac... and yes, I know I can run VMWare, but because of other reasons I can't).

It would be GREAT to be able to go through the experienced travler check-in line, just putting the laptop in-its-case into the tray and let it go through.

Thus all I have to worry about is basically my shoes and belt.

Cutting down from about 2ish minutes for the process, till less then a minute.

Multiple that by 100s of passengers at the busiest times at the busiest areas... it certainly will help significantly.

I am all for security, and don't really mind all the procedures...
And it will still boil down to the people looking at the monitors and doing their job.

If they are not 100% certain, all they have to do is notify the rest of the staff and manual search is done.

[Janne Swearengen @ Aug 5th 2008 10:52AM]

The TSA website has guidelines for the checkpoint friendly laptop bag that state:
"Laptop bag manufacturers may not indicate in any of their marketing, packaging, warranties, or related activities that TSA certifies, recognizes, approves, endorses, guarantees, sanctions, or in any other manner favors a particular bag or design. Manufacturers may indicate that a specific bag is "checkpoint friendly," based on their independent assessment of its characteristics, but must not state, imply or suggest that this designation has been conferred by TSA.
Bag manufacturers may not refer to their products as "TSA Bags" or any variation thereof. Similarly, the term "TSA" may not be used in connection with a company's call center, coupon codes, or other business activities. Such references imply that the manufacturer, or its product, has a special relationship with TSA, which would constitute a misrepresentation of the facts."

It would appear that your claim of "TSA approved" is contradictory to the guidelines. Am I wrong?

[ben @ Aug 8th 2008 11:11PM]

We're starting to get feedback from customers who have had zero problems putting their laptop bags through the screening tunnel without removing their laptops. We video taped the process. I think a lot of the comments here show a lack of understanding of the simplicity of this type of bag.

It's easy to be cynical about TSA and their relationship with vendors but I assure you there is no collusion. There are dozens of vendors who are going to introduce laptop bags that enable this type of screening. It's a matter of time before all laptop bags will be checkpoint friendly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EYxPgy0h0g

[Todd @ Aug 22nd 2008 3:15PM]

For all of you who don’t want to rush out and spend $100 or more for one of these MAYBE “checkpoint friendly” bags, take a look at LapStrap. http://www.TheLapStrap.com

For $25 you can use LapStrap with your existing bag.

Whether you are forced to take your laptop out in a security line, or if you just want to quickly carry your laptop to your next meeting or coffee shop, LapStrap allows you to lightly carry your laptop over your shoulder and frees up both hands.