(Credit:
Aerovation)
Planning on flying with your laptop on a summer vacation? You should definitely consider a TSA checkpoint-friendly bag. There is no shortage of options, but this new model from Aerovation makes one important change to the typical design so getting away from the checkpoint is even faster.
Most TSA-compliant bags split into two pieces: one side for a laptop, the other for your travel gear. These sides butterfly open letting the notebook sit flat on the security scanner's belt in order to meet guidelines. Once through the checkpoint you have to stop and seal up the two sides.
Aerovation solved this small-but-inconvenient issue on this bag by lining the sides with Velcro. Just grab it by the handle on top and the two sides slap together and instantly connect so they're not flapping around as you run to catch your flight.
This model--the Aerovation CPF--is designed to fit laptops up to 15.4-inch wide-screen sizes and sells for less than $80.
I have not tested or even seen this bag in person, so I can't speak to its quality. Just letting you know it's out there if you're in the market for a fairly inexpensive laptop bag to speed you through airport security.
(Credit:
Belkin)
Back in September, Dan Ackerman reviewed two of the new airport checkpoint-friendly laptop bags, one from Targus, one from CODi. And while there are a few more on the market, the only one announced Monday was this one from Belkin.
Available now in the U.S. for $59.99, the FlyThru puts your laptop off by itself on one side while accessories and your other miscellany are off on the other side. It just unzips and lays flat on the belt as it takes a ride through the screener.
It's designed to fit notebooks up to 15.4 inches, wide screen or standard. Metal zippers and other hardware were kept to a minimum so as to not stymie security, and apparently the zipper for the laptop compartment is positioned to let you grab your bag off the belt without it falling out. Super.
(Credit:
IOGEAR)
I know, it's a mobile USB hub. What's there to be excited about, right? IOGEAR's new 3-Port USB 2.0 Mobile Hub--the GUH276--is only worth mentioning because of its thoughtful design.
The hub only has three ports (hence the product name), but unlike others I've tried, these all face up and are widely spaced so no port has to go unused because of a bulky device. And instead of trying to jam a fourth USB port on top, IOGEAR attached a mini-USB cable to the device. The cable is capable of doing data transfers, say from a digital camera or camcorder to your computer as well as charging stuff like MP3 players, cell phones, or other mobile devices.
When you're done using it, the two cables securely wrap around the outside edge. Not bad for $12.95.
When it was announced last year, the Logitech VX Nano notebook mouse earned a CNET Editors' Choice award for its compact, comfortable shape and dual scrolling modes.
(Credit:
Logitech)
Now there's a new Nano in Logitech's lineup: the V550 Nano, announced on Wednesday, adds a unique "clip and go" dock that lets you attach the mouse to your laptop's lid.
According to the company, plenty of users carry their laptops among rooms in the house or from a desk to a conference room at work; the dock lets you carry the mouse and laptop in one hand. "Now, you won't have to choose between grabbing your mouse or a cup of coffee," a Logitech rep quips in the press release.
Otherwise, the V550 Nano incorporates all the features we loved about the VX Nano, including the dual-mode scroll wheel, tiny USB receiver, and 2.4GHz wireless technology. Even better, the $60 V550 Nano costs a bit less than its predecessor.
It's difficult to judge a product like the V550 Nano based just on pictures--mousing preferences are such a personal thing, as we've seen--but I do like the idea of being able to roam from room to room without juggling my laptop, cell phone, mouse, and beverage (one of which is almost always dropped in the process).
What do you think: is it hot or not?
This GreenSmart case is made from recycled water and sodapop bottles.
(Credit: Shoreline)Act2 GreenSmart laptop jackets are an ecofriendly spin-off from the people who make Shoreline laptop cases. Each jacket is made from the remains of 17 PET beverage bottles, with padding that reuses industrial waste and recycled paper tags printed with soy ink. They come in seven sizes, with a shoulder strap and extra pockets enabling access to the innards while on the go. You can open the laptop on a desk and access the ports without removing the jacket. Each black, blue, or brown jacket costs $40, and sleeves are $25. The StuffBak return policy offers protection should you leave the bag in a cab.
Rebe laptop sleeves come in eight Mac-friendly sizes.
(Credit: Rebe)Jeff at Sustainablog, an early and innovative green blog, loves the one he bought, although he'd like a bit more cushioning for his computer.
GreenSmart bags are just one of the latest options in an ever-greening market of electronics cases. Among the more creative goods are Rebe sleeves (also here) that dress up a Mac laptop in Pucci-style '70s prints from recycled vintage fabrics. Newshounds might appreciate a shoulder bag made from recycled newspapers. FarmDesigns in London crafts cases from corrugated cardboard.
Extra! Read all about yesterday's news covering this laptop sac.
(Credit: hip & zen)Targus offers more sober, basic black EcoSmart laptop bags that are PVC-free. TREAD cases made of recycled tires come from Solio, maker of solar-powered iPod chargers, but they're out of stock. Livity sells hemp and recycled PET cases. To be truly nerdy, you can make your own laptop cozy with all sorts of materials, like bubble wrap or a pillowcase.
More holiday tips for green geeks: tech gifts, holiday decorations, virtual presents, getting paid to recycle.
How do I justify all the time I spend on Etsy, the sophisticated and simply brilliant marketplace for hand-crafted goods? If I didn't visit Etsy every day, I wouldn't be able to report back to you on the best shops for buying custom tech goodies. (I'm also certain that my Etsy obsession makes me a better gift giver. Friends and family, if this is not true, please keep it to yourselves.)
Without further ado, my favorite Etsy shops for iPod cozies, laptop wallets, and the like:
(Credit:
iPod Crafts/Etsy)
iPod Crafts
The name says it all. This store sells simple, sweet suede cases for all kinds of iPods, from the iPod Classic to...wait for it... the new 3G Nano. No iPhone/iPod Touch cases yet, but it's probably just a matter of time.
QuietDoing
This shop out of The OC (the county, not the show) sells more than iPod cases, but deserves mention for the sheer marvelousness of its turntable-motif iPod cases. The cases accommodate iPod Classic/5G, but you can have a conversation with the owner to request a custom-sized case for whatever your player.
(Credit:
tinymeat/Etsy)
tinymeat
Looking for a decidedly less-girly iPod case? In the iPod case aisle of the tinymeat shop, you'll find campy and ironic cases that profile monsters, religious symbols, race cars and--my personal favorite--one that proclaims what must be true but few have experienced: Bears are smelly. (Thanks to the Etsy's Most Wonderful Things blog for leading me here.)
Working Class Heroes
Classy, classy, classy. This Austrian shop makes the most subtle and elegantly designed laptop cases I've seen. Other CNET Networks authors love 'em, too.
(Credit:
Janine King Designs/Etsy)
Janine King Designs
No list of Etsy tech shops would be complete without mention of this laptop case mecca. This shop builds custom-sized laptop briefcases, totes, and sleeves in every pattern under the sun.
The deeper I dig on Etsy, the more I find. To find custom tech cozies and cases yourself, try these Etsy tags: iPod, mp3 player, cozy, laptop, and computer. Have you found a secret Etsy tech gem? Leave a comment.
(Credit:
AllProSoftware)
Putting one of these laptop shades on your computer might make it look like an old-school microfiche reader from the mustiest corner of your local public library, but I think it could actually serve a useful purpose. Any laptop owner knows that toting your Vaio or MacBook outside is borderline impossible because the glare from the sun renders the screen unreadable. This add-on, called CompuShade, attaches to the top of your laptop and can be unfolded when you're outside and want to block the glare out.
(Credit:
AllProSoftware)
Plus, it can keep people from snooping! So not only can you take your laptop to the park now, you can look at your favorite naughty hentai on it too! Isn't that cool?
It costs $25. Apparently it's one size fits all, and flattens to a small enough size so that you can still put your laptop in your designer tote of choice. However, the product page says it fits laptops up to 16", so those of you with 17" MacBook Pros might not be covered. (Ha ha, pun.)
(Via Apartment Therapy)
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