LaptopCase
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CruxSKUNK Kickstarter project: iPad laptop case with a smelly name
CruxCase, a Utah-based company that has created a number of well-done iPad cases in the past, today announced the kickoff of a Kickstarter project to fund the development of a new aluminum keyboard case for iPad that essentially turns the tablet into a laptop. The CruxSKUNK project doesn't seem to need any help -- it already has 542 backers and is just shy of its US$90,000 funding goal -- except for that name. Of course, I'm a bit biased. I awoke at 3 AM this morning with the scent of skunk in the air, so the name of this project is turning my stomach a bit. The design details of the laptop case are interesting ... but I'm not sure I see why people are getting excited. The idea of essentially turning an iPad into a laptop surrogate isn't all that new. It is billed as being "about as thin as a Macbook Air and weighing about the same," so there's really not much of an incentive to use it as a laptop. After buying a 64 GB Wi-Fi iPad for $699 and one of these -- the current "price" for backing the project is at $155 -- you're only about $144 away from buying a real 11-inch MacBook Air, and trading iOS for an actual laptop with OS X. Then again, you can't turn your MacBook Air into a tablet. The hinge on the CruxSKUNK flips a full 360°, so you can keep the iPad in the case and have a tablet to hold, although it will now be much thicker than just holding an iPad in your hand. You can easily pop the iPad out if you dislike holding the case with the iPad embedded in it. Other good points -- this looks like one of the best keyboard cases I've seen so far in terms of design and construction, and the keyboard is full-sized for fast typing. There's also a nice leather case for the CruxSKUNK. Take a look at the project, which will probably be fully-funded by the time this post is published, in the following video. I leave it to CruxCase's Brian Probst to prove to us that iPad laptop cases are really a good idea -- let us know when the review samples are ready to go!
Grove announces Bamboo Backs for MacBooks
Grove , a company based in Portland, Oregon, has announced they are expanding their line of bamboo-based goodies for your Apple product. They already have a variety of iPhone and iPad cases, so it was really just a question of time before they found a way to coordinate your iThings with your laptop. In a TUAW exclusive, I get to tell you all about The New Grove Thing: Bamboo Backs! Designed to fit the top of your unibody laptop be it 11, 13, 15, or 17 inches, they are super thin bamboo panels (only .035" thick!) with adhesive on the back to stick it to your machine. As an added bonus, you can get one with a cutout in the center so when your computer is on, the glowing Apple logo lights up the shape of your choice. Now, if you and nine (or more) of your friends or coworkers all want the same logo, you can get in touch with Grove and have them do a nice custom cutout of a corporate logo or other particular design. I've seen these in person, and my initial impressions are all favorable. I saw one applied and removed and it pops off flawlessly. They really are thin, and they look really nice once installed. I also got to see a few of the logos in person and they are all wonderful (my favorites: the globe, the command symbol, and the @ sign). As a Portland company, they are obligated to put a bird on it, and even have a variety to choose from. Priced at $29 each, they are also easy to get your hands on without throwing your budget into complete disarray. Truly, the curve and the aluminum of the current generation of Apple laptops are beautiful, but there's something about the old school/analog vibe of the bamboo backs that really pleases me. I got to tour Grove's facilities, and since everything they make comes from the same building as their offices, I got to see the magic happen from the milling to the lasers to the hand finished packaging (the smell of the wood and the oil finishing is so very nice). It's all done in one place and while they could outsource it, the founders told me they aren't interested since this way they can keep a close eye on every single piece of the process and make sure everything they ship out meets their standards. Plus it makes it easier to whip up a physical version of an idea if all your materials are already in house. And let's be honest, it's got to be fun to work across the room from two laser cutters! I have included the intro video below. Which design would you get? Introducing Grove Bamboo Backs from Grove on Vimeo.
Razer trots out Transformers 3 Edition DeathAdder, Vespula and laptop case
After what we're guessing was a fruitful tie-up with Tron, the fine folks at Razer are back at a similar well; this time, the company's dishing out a limited run of gear that's been splashed with color and branding from the upcoming Michael Bay train wreck blockbuster, Transformers 3. Outside of being doused with red, yellow, silver and purple paint, the special edition DeathAdder mice ($69.99 a pop) are identical to the version already on the market. If that's just not enough, there's also a dual-sided Vespula mouse mat ($44.99) to commemorate the film, not to mention a foursome of colored laptop sleeves ($49.99 each) that'll make public your infatuation. Curiously absent? A handwritten letter of congratulations from Shia LaBeouf.
Ona Union Street DSLR / laptop messenger bag review
Ever heard of Ona? Up until last week, we hadn't either. Turns out, Ona's a purveyor of "fine" camera bags and accessories, and given that it's the holiday season, we figured it prudent to have a gander at the outfit's latest and greatest -- you know, just in case you've a camera lover in your family who you've yet to buy for. The all-new Union Street ($279) is quite clearly an upscale messenger bag on the outside, but the internals are arranged in a way that the amateur photog / gadget lover would appreciate. There's room for a few pens (of the lens and / or ink variety), a smartphone, a navigation system, a 15-inch (or smaller) laptop and -- according to Ona -- a DSLR along with three lenses. The other notable aspect is the waxed canvas exterior (dubbed Waxwear), which is generally more rugged and weather resistant than your average patch of suede or leather. How's it all shake out? Join us after the break for our pair of pennies. %Gallery-109233%
Caseable keeps your mobile gear protected, acceptable to high-fashion society
Yeah, you've got a plethora of options when it comes to covering the investment known as your very own laptop / tablet. But how's about 20,000 options? Caseable, a minty fresh startup from the wilds of Brooklyn, New York, is currently offering handmade cases for just about every size notebook or tablet imaginable, and if the pages upon pages of factory styles don't sit well with you, you can toss in a JPEG of your own. Of course, such customizations won't come cheap -- a standard 15-inch or iPad case looks to start at $69.90, but hey, at least it's cheaper than this thing.
Thanko's Laptop Table Bag stores your laptop, hides a table, saves your lap
We've all ready the scary reports of what happens when a laptop makes your lap top a little too toasty. The solution? Buying a desk, obviously, and now Thanko has one that you can take with you. It's called the Laptop Table Bag and it looks like a surprisingly normal, if decidedly corporate-issue, laptop bag. But, out of the bottom pivots four legs to hold your mobile device at what may or may not be a comfortable height. The 5980 yen ($75) contraption weighs about six pounds empty, making it a poor companion for your ultralight, but if your machine is more of a luggable -- or if your manservant does the carrying for you -- you may not even notice the extra heft. %Gallery-106360%
Engadget's back to school guide: Laptop bags
Welcome to Engadget's Back to School guide! We know that this time of year can be pretty annoying and stressful for everyone, so we're here to help out with the heartbreaking process of gadget buying for the school-aged crowd. Today, we have laptop bags in our sights -- and you can head to the Back to School hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. By now you should have had enough time to decide what on our laptop buying guide takes your fancy, but, as Apple will tell you, the protective case is sometimes as important as the precious hardware itself. You'll notice that this year we have a good number of bags that include padded camera sections as well -- to the point of perhaps being described as camera bags with laptop compartments -- but we feel that's justified by the massive proliferation of DSLRs into the mainstream market. Entry-level interchangeable lens shooters have grown cheap enough even for non-photography students to consider owning one, but we can think of no good reason why they should require a separate bag of their own. So, on with the recommendations.
Ask Engadget: best backpack for holding a laptop and textbooks?
We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget question is coming to us from Eric, who is just about ready to ship off to the "best years of his life." If he can find a backpack, that is. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com. "I am going to be attending college in the fall and am l looking for a good backpack that not only provides protection for my 15-inch laptop but also has space for accessories and books. I don't care about brand; I want something that will last and I don't have to replace for a while. Thanks for your suggestions!" Look, this guy doesn't need yet another thing on his plate when it comes time to get ready for college. The least you can do is provide him a name and model of a solid backpack for carrying around his LAN party rig and [Insert Course Here] 101 books. Bone throwing is encouraged in comments below.
Hello Rewind laptop sleeve hands-on
Hey, we just got our Hello Rewind laptop sleeve in the mail, and we're pretty psyched about it. If you'll recall, Hello Rewind is a startup in New York City dedicated to helping the survivors of sex trafficking learn new skills by running a business turning old T-shirts into laptop sleeves, and all of the proceeds are used to sustain the enterprise and help more survivors. Pretty neat, especially since helping out just requires you to donate a favorite old shirt and $49 -- and the sleeve itself is actually quite nice. Be warned, though: it fits pretty snugly around 15-inch MacBook Pros, and it wasn't even an option for our bruiser 15-inch HP Elitebook, so you might want to get a size up if you've got a bigger machine. Of course, that pales in comparison to the bigger problem: what T-shirt are you going to use? %Gallery-92150%
Hello Rewind transforms old shirts into swank laptop sleeves, helps humanity
Look, we've got no qualms with the litany of existing laptop sleeves on the market today. Many are fine, fine pieces of kit. But if you're in the market for something to cover up your shiny new 13-, 15- or 17-inch machine, you owe it to yourself (and your fellow Earthlings) to check out what Hello Rewind is offering. Put simply, this company accepts your order for a new sleeve, sends you a pre-paid envelope, awaits the arrival of your used tee of choice, and then mails you a soft, personalized wrapping for your precious workhorse. During the process, the outfit uses the proceeds to fight sex trafficking and assist women that were formerly sex trafficked in New York City, which is just about as noble a mission as we can think of. Be sure to give the source link a visit if you're interested, where each sleeve can be procured for $49 with free shipping on both ends. [Thanks, Greg] %Gallery-85132%
EVERKI Camber is a netbook bag with a degree in ergonomics
The EVERKI Camber netbook case must have an inferiority complex. Why else, when every other netbook sleeve is designed to take up minimal space, does the Camber sport a large, bulging protrusion from one side? Well, you might say, it's designed to raise your netbook or ultraportable up to a more ergonomic 30 degree angle away from horizontality, but when was the last time you really regretted not owning a CushionSpeaker or a CushDesk? The more useful feature here, for us, is the space that bulge provides for storing your charger and AC plug (which can be horrifically huge in the UK), though whether the $49.99 price is justifiable, we leave up to you. Video demonstration awaits after the break.
Engadget's recession antidote: win a be.ez LAbesace LIME DROP laptop case!
This whole global economic crisis, and its resulting massive loss of jobs got us thinking. We here at Engadget didn't want to stand helplessly by, announcing every new round of misery -- including today's news from Toshiba and Sony Ericsson -- without giving anything back -- so we decided to take the opportunity to spread a little positivity. We'll be handing out a new gadget every day (except for weekends) to lucky readers until we run out of stuff or companies stop sending things. Today we've got delightful LAbesace LIME DROP messenger bag for 15-inch laptops, complete with a rugged nylon exterior, plenty of room for your smaller gizmos and a sign that says "Kiss Me, I'm Famous." Read the rules below (no skimming -- we're omniscient and can tell when you've skimmed) and get commenting! Hooray for free stuff!Big thanks to be.ez for providing the gear!The rules: Leave a comment below. Any comment will do, but if you want to share your proposal for "fixing" the world economy, that'd be sweet too. You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine. Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad. Winner will be chosen randomly. The winner will receive one (1) be.ez LAbesace LIME DROP case for 15-inch laptops. Approximate retail value is $89.99. If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. Entries can be submitted until Friday, April 17th, at 11:59PM ET. Good luck! Full rules can be found here.
Road Tested: Voltaic Systems Generator laptop bag
Thinking green? Voltaic Systems' Generator laptop bag (US$499) might be just the thing to buy for Earth Day on April 22nd. I had a chance to road test one of these incredibly cool bags for a month and was very impressed. What makes it so special? Well, it could be the big photovoltaic panel on one side of the Generator that provides 15 watts of power to feed your electronic devices. Voltaic points out that the Generator is the "first solar bag powerful enough to recharge a laptop." That panel charges an internal 58Wh Lithium Ion battery pack that can run most laptops. The solar panel isn't the only thing that's green about this bag. The materials that make up the majority of the bag are made from recycled PET soda bottles. In fact, the shell, webbing, mesh and lining of the case are made of 100% recycled materials.
Wooden MacBook case for would-be Amish road warriors
Cut down a tree to save a Mac? Sure, it's better than using your face. These unpriced (hey, if you gotta ask...) wooden slip cases with leather lining and magnetic enclosures are designed and custom crafted by Rainer Spehl to fit 13-inch MacBooks or 15-inch MacBook Pros. While that's clearly a last-gen MacBook Pro pictured, we'll bet that Rainer will build the case to whatever dimensions you'd like just as long as you've got the cash to back up that pretty smile. Else, why not roll your own. [Via SlipperyBrick and Notcot]
TSA-approved Solo CheckFast messenger bag caters to netbooks
So, you're tired of removing and replacing your netbook each and every time you waltz through an airport (or a different terminal at Sky Harbor International -- great planning there, Phoenix), but the current crop of TSA-friendly bags are simply too large for your tastes. Clearly, Solo has felt your pain, as the CheckFast Netbook messenger bag is only big enough to handle netbooks 11-inchers or smaller. Our good pals over at Gadling were able to take it for a spin, and even being avid travelers, they were mighty impressed. The build quality was top-shelf, there was plenty of extra storage room and the $35 price tag was found to be downright delectable. Still in need of a last-minute gift? You may have just found it.
A Holiday Gift Guide for the frequent traveler
If the favorite people on your holiday gift list spend more time in hotels and airports than they do hanging out with you, then we can help. This guide to gifts for the frequent traveler is sure to put a smile on the face of your friends or loved ones wherever their travels may take them in 2009. Power on the go With rare exceptions, it's almost impossible to find an airport or hotel room with enough power outlets for all of your electronic gadgets. Rather than challenging someone to a duel with presentation laser pointers to see who gets to use the one available airport outlet, I've come up with a more peaceful solution -- carrying a compact multiple outlet with me. Belkin's Mini Surge Protector with USB Charger (at right, above) can handle three AC and two USB devices simultaneously. It's tiny and light, and fits just in just about any laptop case. My personal favorite is the Monster Cable Outlets To Go Power Strip (below), which fits six widely-spaced grounded AC outlets in a very flat 8.5" x 2.25" x 1.8" box. This one works very well with those obnoxious adapters that cover two or three outlets by themselves, and is perfect for sharing a single power outlet with five total strangers. If more people carried these in their laptop cases, there would be world peace...at least in airports. It's also available in even more compact 3 and 4 outlet models. Belkin Mini Surge Protector with USB Charger: $24.99 Monster Cable Outlets To Go Power Strip -- 6 outlet: $29.95 More below...
DIYer gets crafty with plywood laptop case
We thought the AirMail was our most favorite niche case of all time, but the homegrown Ply Laptop Case is really making a case (ahem) for top honors. After hours upon hours of masterful plywood bending, sanding and carving, the wooden case you see above was created. Internally, the case is lined with cork to "provide additional heat resistance and protection," and best of all, those with the requisite skills can make one to hold any size machine you can dream of. Now, if only there was a TSA-approved version...[Via MAKE]
Tom Bihn's Checkpoint Flyer laptop bag in the wild, reviewed
We could tell from the press shot that this here laptop bag was far and away the most beautiful of the TSA-approved bunch, and a recent review over at Gadling confirms it. Put simply, the Tom Bihn Checkpoint Flyer is "fantastic," and even the reviewer found himself startled at just how much he dug it. The build quality was remarkable, the ease of use was commendable and the design itself was obviously worthy of praise. The only real rub is the bloated sticker; the price of admission is a stiff $220, and that's before you add in any useful straps or extra packing cubes. 'Course, you're probably wondering how this thing fared in real-world use, and we're happy to report that no cavity searches were required when passing through security on a flight from Chicago to Amsterdam. Check the full writeup and a hands-on gallery in the read link.
Tom Bihn's Checkpoint Flyer: a TSA-approved bag worth owning
Now that the TSA has doled out the official verbiage about what it considers a checkpoint-friendly laptop bag, expect to see the usual players toss in an option or two for frequent fliers. Thus far, all we've seen are cases that get the job done while throwing style to the wind in the nearest dumpster; now, however, we've a better option to choose from. Tom Bihn's stylish Checkpoint Flyer meets all of the TSA's requirements while still looking like a briefcase we wouldn't be embarrassed to be seen with. The 2.6-pound bag is crafted from US 1050 denier ballistic nylon and 500 denier Cordura and includes a trio of pouches on the outside, splash-proof zippers and ten smaller pockets for stashing those increasingly rare bags of peanuts / pretzels. It's available now in three colors for $220 (yeah, we know, but it's made in the US of A).[Via Electronista]
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]
