Booq has made itself known for some of the sleekest professional laptop bags and sleeves on the market. Their durable Vyper XL2 ($59.95), designed for the 17” MacBook Pro, protects your computer from regular wear and tear with a layer of high-density foam. The inner lining will not scratch your MacBook, either. Since it’s just a sleeve, it doesn’t come with a handle or carrying strap, so it’s not so practical as its own bag. It will, however, provide great protection for your machine when you haul it around in another bag, Booq or otherwise.
Marware’s Sportfolio line of laptop sleeves and bags keeps you in style while shielding your laptop from abuse. And they’re designed especially for Macs! The sleek neoprene Sportfolio sleeves for a 13” MacBook or 15” MacBook Pro ($29.95) comes with a pocket for a mouse, iPod, or digital camera and fits into another bag so you can take care of your computer without compromising style. If you need something for a PowerBook, Marware offers Sportfolio sleeves for those too ($9.95). If you like the look of the Sportfolio sleeves, Marware also makes cases complete with handles, straps, and storage for your accessories. The Deluxe version ($79.95) holds all sizes of MacBook and MacBook Pros and even provides headphone access, so you can keep your iPod in the bag while listening to your tunes. The removable strap on the Sportfolios for MacBooks and MacBook Pros ($39.95) allow you to rock it as a bag or use it as a sleeve inside another bag.
Speck’s SeeThru 15” MacBook Pro shells ($49.95) offer a great solution for Mac users who need a little extra protection and want to add some flair. The translucent case comes in three different colors—blue, white, and red—and snaps on to your MacBook Pro while you have it closed. The case’s ventilation system keeps your machine from overheating and its rubber feet help prevent slippage. The best part is that you can use all of the features of your machine while the two-piece case is in place.
Padded carrying cases are great, but what happens when you need to protect your MacBook while you’re using it? RhinoSkin’s 13” Apple MacBook Hardcase could be your answer. The extra durable plastic hardcase has openings for all ports and your CD drive as well as enough ventilation to make sure your computer doesn’t overheat. The cover flips underneath your laptop when you open it, providing a platform for comfortable typing and enhanced visibility. And the detachable accessory box keeps your power cord and other small peripherals with the case and not in a separate place.
Owning a lot of gadgets means keeping track of tons of accessories and cords. Keeping that stuff organized can be challenging. Waterfield Designs’ Gear Pouches come in three sizes—small ($19), medium ($22), and large ($25)—and are a great way to keep your mouse, USB cables, and power cord all in the same place. Use them to solve clutter problems in your laptop bag or just give yourself a pouch in which to store everything you need to access regularly. Their special small iPod Gear Pouches ($29) have built-in compartments designed for your iPod, charger, cable, and headphones. The large iPod Gear Pouch ($35) has the same dividers but also accommodates an FM transmitter, a dock, or other small accessories.
Brenthaven’s Fusion Messenger Bag ($59.95) takes a basic bag design and turns it into the ultimate tech geek accessory. Its inner CORE Protection System comes complete with a removable sleeve while the padded shoulder strap keeps you comfy. A front organizer panel neatly accommodates your cell phone, iPod, adapters, cords, cables, etc. in separate pockets. There’s even a zippered side pocket designed for a water bottle, and an option to expand allows you 20% extra capacity. The durable nylon bag comes with a lifetime guarantee.
The futuristic design of the Axio’s Urban Hardpack ($124.95) screams, “I love technology.” A backpack with a hard plastic shell, the Hardpack keeps your things safe from the outside world. Its compartments and hooks are specifically designed for the tech lover on the go. Carry your laptop safely and keep your other accessories organized in the zippered pockets. It’s a great, utilitarian bag for the plugged-in commuter.
Crumpler has been making great messenger bags for years so they obviously know what they’re doing. Their School Hymn laptop sleeves make a case for your laptop to go in the messenger bag you already have or may be considering. The price ranges from $40 to $50, depending on the size of your computer. They are lightly padded and semi-rigid which means they won’t take up unnecessary space in your bag like other bulky laptop sleeves. They’re available in a variety of solid colors. If you’re looking for something basic but quality, this is the case for you.
More Apple
More News
iPad Costs
iSuppli Corp., which generally waits until it can actually get the new Apple product to estimate its production cost, has decided to forgo hands on examination in the case of the iPad. They have--from just looking at it, it's amazing--decided the base model only costs $219.35 for Apple to produce. According to AppleInsider the base model won't make Apple anywhere near as much profit as the 32 GB model with 3G wireless priced at $729...that one reportedly costs only $287.15 to produce.
That's some profit! No wonder Apple execs have said they'd stay nimble on pricing! With demand for the iPad under scrutiny and this week's news that the "Take Picture" hint was removed from the Address Book app in the iPad simulator even we are starting to wonder if it's not worth waiting for the 2nd generation.
Trust us, it's painful to say.
Google Challenges the Internet
"Think Big" indeed. This time, Google is setting its sights on the very way we transmit information and asking people from around the country to nominate their city or state to be included in an ultra-high speed open internet network of Google's building. Set to include anywhere from 50,000 to 500,000 people, this network will boast 1GB per second fiber optic connections that Google reps are hoping will bolster developer creativity, test new ways to build the infrastructure and challenge internet service providers to band together to create a better internet instead of shunning change to maintain their bottom lines.
This is huge news, and we hope our city is on the receiving end of the new interwebs...here's the official Google Blog if you want to read it all in detail or submit your community.
Dogs on Twitter
From the country that's given us karate and karaoke comes the newest iPhone app: that's right, Japan's Index Corp. has announced the release of "Bowlingual," the dog emotion translator. Latest in a long line of technological advances, this app (to be released this summer) analyzes Fido's bark and puts it into one of six categories, like "needy." Or "happy." Then it adds a caption based on the emotion and allows you to snap a photo of your pooch in its current mood; as if that weren't enough it can modify that photo to enlarge your pet's eyes...oh...so cute.
Seriously, the app is set to sell for $5 and will post your pet's barks to Twitter. Silly? Yes. Fun? Probably!!
Will you let your dog speak his mind? Tell us here.
