Mujjo, a Dutch design brand, introduces The Originals, a new line of handcrafted sleeves made from natural wool felt and organic tanned leather for Apple devices.  Each case has a leather flap, except for the leather iPhone sleeve, and a felt body.  Each bag also has a smart storage compartment for earbuds, papers, and the like.  They are available in brown leather/black felt or white leather/gray felt.  Cases are designed to fit the iPhone, iPad, 13″ MacBook Air, and 13″ MacBook Pro.  They are available for pre-order now at Mujjo and will be available in European stores in June.  There’s a US distributor that will hopefully have them at the same time.  Prices range from €29.95 to €59.95  ($38-$76).

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: Cases and covers

Mujjo Introduces The Originals Collection for Apple Devices originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 23, 2012 at 1:00 pm.

With the availability of iPads, netbooks, tablets, and smartphones nowadays, it doesn’t leave much room for our older laptops. Everything has become smaller, thinner, lighter, has better battery life and virtually no heat output. However, if you are like me and still have an older laptop or notebook in your arsenal of electronics then you should know that the older laptops have a tendency to generate that unwelcoming bottom heat. Heat that can get hot enough on your lap that it feels like a piping hot cup of coffee without the protective cardboard sleeve.

This is where the Cryo E40 Laptop Cooler from NZXT comes in to play. The Cryo E40 is a lightweight and solid entry-level laptop cooler. But where it has a leg up over other coolers is its ability to place its two fans anywhere on the metal mesh cover giving your laptop the maximum cooling air flow it needs.

Heat is a killer for hard drives, causing them to become sluggish or unstable.  It’s just not good  for the overall laptop, since heat can destroy vital components nestled within, such as the motherboard, memory, processor, circuits, etc. This is where adding something as simple as a laptop cooler can help alleviate some of that unwanted heat. However, not all laptops are built alike. The air vents underneath are not always in the same location. The problem this raises is the one cooler may work well for a Dell notebook but may not work so well for an ASUS laptop. They could have air vents in different areas, so the cooler’s fans may not line up properly with the laptop’s vents, causing inadequate airflow.  The ideal solution would be to have the cooling fans line up perfectly with the laptop’s vents or hotspots.

The Cryo E40 has two 80mm fans that are equipped with low-powered magnets for easy placement and removal. Plus the low power magnet won’t harm any of your laptop’s components. The fans are powered with a coiled USB that plugs into your laptop.

A nice thing about the coiled cable is that it is not attached to the cooler’s frame so you can position it on either side of the cooler, depending on where your notebook’s USB port is. Some coolers have a USB that is dedicated to one side so if the USB cord isn’t long enough to reach the laptop’s USB port then you are forced to find a cooler that has he cord on the side you need it to be on. With the Cryo E40 you can literally position the cord  through a slotted opening on either side of the cooler. And since the cord is coiled, it isn’t hanging loose and cluttered inside the cooler.

The top metal mesh cover and the plastic base are held together along the edges by the same low-powered magnets. The magnets supply a really good hold and separate fairly easily. The plastic base appears to be durable and didn’t feel cheap. It is pretty solid as far as plastic goes. Not flimsy at all. Since the top part was metal, I was concerned about the bottom being just plastic.

The metal grid and bottom base basically form a shell that houses the 2 fans. I was concerned, that since the fans are inside the shell with the wires, there is a chance that the wires could hit the spinning fans if not stowed away properly. The danger there is the risk of the fan blades cutting a wire in half or slicing the rubber coating exposing a wire.  But as long as you put the wires in an area that won’t get in the way of the fans, then you should be alright.

The Cryo E40 ran pretty quiet, but in a completely quiet room you can probably tell that the fans were running. However,  if you were playing a game, watching a movie, or listening to music, you wouldn’t even notice it. These aren’t military-grade whisper-quiet fans, but they are pleasingly quiet so they not distracting at all. Unfortunately, I don’t have a noise/sound meter so I couldn’t tell you the exact decibels, but I can tell you that I have used other coolers and the E40 was unnoticeable compared to my other ones.

The Cryo E40 is made for laptops and notebooks up to 15″ inches, however, it looks that it can accommodate sizes a little bigger like a 17″ inch laptop. Anything bigger most likely would be pushing it.

Since the mesh cover is metal and could cause a laptop to slide around, there are two rubber strips on top for the laptop to sit on to prevent sliding.  The bottom base is slightly angled, allowing for a more ergonomic typing position unlike other laptop coolers in the market which are just flat. In comparison to other coolers, the one thing that is lacking on the E40 is a USB hub. It would have been nice to have at least one extra USB port since the E40 would be taking up an existing port. However, do keep in mind that this is an entry-level cooler.

In conclusion, the Cryo E40 from NZXT is a solid and light laptop cooler with moveable fans, making it a customizable cooler for any laptop or notebook  that you use with it. What it does lack in a feature or two clearly makes up for it in the features that it does offer.

Filed in categories: Laptops and Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Laptop cooler

NZXT Cryo E40 Laptop Cooler Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 21, 2012 at 11:00 am.

The CitySlicker MacBook Air Case from WaterField Designs is a beautifully compact as the Air itself.  This bag is protects your Air with three layers – impact-resistant plastic, high-grade neoprene, and a padded liner – while staying thin.  The CitySlicker has a ballistic nylon body with a distressed leather front flap.  The back has a zippered mesh magazine pocket.  Inside are four mesh pockets for cables and accessories and the large compartment for the Air.  The leather flap is available in black, chocolate, grizzly and camel colors.  It’s available for the 11″ ($129) or 13″ ($139) Air.  The grab handle (seen top, left) is a $10 option.  Other options include D-rings for a shoulder strap, a Simple Strap Mini, and the Suspension Strap Mini.

Filed in categories: Bags, Backpacks, Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: MacBook Air bag

WaterField Designs Introduces the CitySlicker for the MacBook Air originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 18, 2012 at 1:00 pm.

Going for a consistent look for your Apple setup? With a small footprint, aluminum body and matching detachable stands, the uCube speakers from UltraLink have a style that looks like they should have been included in the box with an iMac or MacBook. Plug ‘n’ Play USB powered, they claim to utilize a “smart” Digital Signal Processing power supply and a Balanced Mode Regulator for better sound even at higher volume levels. That all sounds pretty cool. Get it? Sounds pretty cool?Anyway, they are available in silver, black or red and can be found at several online sellers such as Thinkgeek, Crutchfield and Apple itself. Only drawback may be the price—$150 a pair, which means styling isn’t the only thing uCube has in common with Apple products.

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: Speakers

uCube Speakers Have Apple-like Styling (and Price) originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 18, 2012 at 8:00 am.

Vendors are beginning to accept the idea that women like, need, and use gadgets, too.  While we can use the same gadgets that men do, sometimes we’d like our bags and accessories to be a bit different – perhaps smaller, maybe a bit more colorful.  knomo London makes “perfect urban accessories to carry your devices,” like this Aurora Zip Tote.  While they make gear for both men and women, this bag is definitely designed for women to carry a laptop, papers, even a small purse in.  Let’s give it a look.

The Aurora has a lightweight quilted nylon exterior with black Saffiano (faux leather) trim.  The quilted fabric has a silky feel and a sheen.  The bag is available in black or berry quilted fabric.  I obviously received the berry.  The front has a zippered pocket that can hold cards or a cellphone (see top photo).  A silver-toned metal badge in the middle of this pocket displays the knomo name.

There are two carry handles that are attached to the bag with large, silver-toned metal buttons.  These straps have a 4.25″ drop to the top of the bag.  They’re made of the faux leather, and they are rounded and cushioned.

The back of the bag is plain, with no pockets.  The bag measures about 15.5″ wide X 12″ tall.  It weighed about 2 pounds 6 ounces on my digital kitchen scale.

In addition to the attached handles, the Aurora has a removable shoulder strap.  It’s made of 1.5″ wide belting.  There are two, large, lobster-claw clips to attach the strap to the silver metal D-rings on the bag.  The strap is adjustable with the metal buckle, seen in the photo, above.  It adjusts from to 29.5″ to 52″, including the clips.  You can carry the bag as a shoulder or crossbody bag.  The strap has no padding, but it’s wide enough to spread out the weight of the bag a bit on your shoulder.

The sides and bottom of the Aurora have a black, breakaway zipper that allows the bag to be expanded when you need to carry a larger load.  The zipper has plastic teeth and a metal pull.  When closed the bag is about 1.5″ thick.

The bag unzips to about 5″ deep.  The zipper breaks open at the top to allow for full expansion.  The sides and bottom of the expanded bag seem to be made of the same material used for the exterior, but it is thinner and not quilted.

There’s a zippered top, shown pull out of the top of the collapsed bag.  It also has a breakaway zipper with plastic teeth and a metal pull, so the top can be completely opened.  The panel pushes down into the collapsed bag, and it keeps the contents of your bag secure.  It doesn’t completely close the length of the bag, so small items could fall out.

The zipper panel is designed to work when the bag is expanded, too.  You can see here that the panel doesn’t completely close off the top.

There’s a stiff panel at the bottom of the bag that flips up out of the way when the bag is collapsed, as seen here.  You push it down into the bottom of the bag to form a sturdy, stable bottom when the bag is expanded.

The interior of the bag I received is a mushroom color.  Its texture is like that of a microfiber cleaning cloth.  The interior fabric has a stain-resistant coating.

The back wall of the bag has a laptop compartment with a snap tab (made from the faux leather) closure.  The front of the compartment is made of a thinly-padded, quilted piece of the interior fabric.  The back of the compartment has no padding other than what’s offered by the exterior wall of the bag.

The compartment will accommodate up to a 15″ laptop.  My husband’s 15″ MacBook Pro work computer fit into the compartment.  My 13″ MBP fit with room to spare.  You can see there are two snaps on the front of the compartment to adjust for the thickness of the computer.  A piece of the faux leather covers the backs of the snaps to protect your laptop from scratches.

There’s a large zippered pocket on the inside front wall.  It’s big enough to hold your wallet, keys, cables, or the like.  You’ll notice a white label inside.  This label is the knomo TRACKER.  The label has a unique ID number (obscured with a blue bar in this photo) and both UK and USA phone numbers.  If you misplace your bag, the finder can call one of these numbers and knomo will be able to trace the bag back to you.  (If you’ve first registered your bag with knomo.)

The knomo London Aurora Zip Tote is a stylish bag without being too trendy.  It’s business-like without being severe.  I like that it’s expandable, so you can zip it down when you need to carry only a laptop and a couple of small accessories.  Or you can expand it to a large tote when you need to throw other things – shoes, a lunch, a big stack of books or papers – in with your laptop.  I wish it had a couple more organizer pockets inside, and maybe a couple of pen loops.  The front faux leather pocket could use a couple of changes, too.  It’s not quite big enough to hold an iPhone in a case, and I fear that the metal zipper, while attractive, could scratch my phone’s screen.  Because you can wear it as a crossbody bag to spread out the weight of the loaded bag across your back, the Aurora is pretty comfortable to carry.  All in all, the knomo Aurora is an attractive, useful laptop bag for women.

Filed in categories: Bags, Backpacks, Laptops and Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Laptop Bag for Women

knomo London Aurora Zip Tote Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 15, 2012 at 11:00 am.

I am an old U.S. Air Force guy from back in the day…like my father, grand father and many uncles before me. I often think that I missed my time in history. I hate to say it, but I soooo would trade all of today’s tech/gadgets to be a P-51 or B-17 pilot. I grant you, it’s was a perilous, life in your hands occupation, but the adrenaline rush must have been like few in modern history. Well, when I first saw the No. 1943 Navigator Bag from Col. Littleton, it made me smile and think ‘now that is cool’. The designers and artisans at Col. Littleton have not only captured the look and feel of an old World War II navigator bag but added a few modern day tweaks for your iPad and other tech as well. I’ll be honest, I was jazzed to hear they were going to send me one to try/see in person.

True to form, the Col. Littleton Navigator Bag is exquisitely done: soft supple leather, solid brass hardware, Old World styling, fine stitching, and edge finishing. Like many of the other Col. Littleton bags I have reviewed, the craftsmanship and materials are truly second to none. However, I have to say, the Navigator bag takes it to the next level….this is what I call a ‘legacy item‘. It is an item passed down through the generations forever looking good and coveted by a majority who see it. I fully expect, when I am dead and gone, the Gadgeteer Kid will use this bag and perhaps even one of his kids after him.

Specifications:

Inside Dimensions: 10.5”H x 15.5”W x 4”D (expanded).

Empty Weight: 3lbs 13oz (w/o strap) / 4lbs 6oz (w/strap)

Weight w/my Gear: Just under 8 pounds with 11″ MBAir, iPad and a bunch of misc bits and pieces. With just my iPad and basic tech-gear, the bag ensemble weighs a little less than 6 pounds.

Without a doubt, the Col. Littleton Navigator Bag is the best bag I have ever used, extremely well built and incredibly finished. Silly as it sounds, I was literally giddy when it arrived on my doorstep….and in regards to tech-gear accessories, that does not happen often.

The materials, construction and design of this bag are ‘perfect‘. I could find no flaws and have no suggestion for quality or design improvements. The stitching is meticulously straight and even.  The hardware is all solid brass and the leather edges line up and are sealed/finished perfectly. Both the brass and leather are proudly stamped with the Col. Littleton logo throughout the bag, but not in a over-the-top/in-your-face manner.

Not only does the Navigator bag look good, but it is made to last a lifetime of use. As you can see, the Col. Littleton designers have added many brass rivets for greater strength throughout the bag….like the handle and brass shoulder strap points of attachment to name a few.

The back of the Navigator bag has leather reinforcements for the snap/closure straps. In addition to those, Col. Littleton rivets a small brass shield with their moniker and individual serial number on it (my bag is number 058).

The No. 1943 Navigator Bag can be compressed or expanded (up to 4 inches) with the buckled straps that go around the top/bottom and sides.

Over the entirety of the bag, the brass hardware is very well done. The words “heavy”, “bold”, and “strong” come to mind when I think of the best way to describe them.

The Navigator bag is held shut by two straps that snap closed on the front, allowing for easy access. Each strap wraps around the bag and has a workable buckle for a bit of expandability. In addition to the straps, there is a specially designed, solid brass lockable, keyhole-peg type of mechanism for better securing the Navigator bag closed.

In addition to the Col. Littleton logo, bag name, warranty stamped into the leather, you also have the option of a small brass plate with your initials to be added…..making this bag truly your own.

The inside dimensions of the Navigator bag is 10.5”H x 15.5”W x 4”D (expanded). There are two leather dividers that create three large pockets within the bag. The rear and middle pockets can hold a medium sized laptop (aka 15″ MacBook Pro) or a decent amount of paperwork. My 11″ MacBook Air easily slides into the center pocket of the bag. The front pocket not only has small pockets for business cards, pens, etc but a slot for your iPad as well. Unlike the Col. Littleton No. 42 Courier Bag I reviewed last year, all of the pockets are completely separated from each other so your tech-gear does not rub upon each other. The iPad is suspended within the bag, giving it greater protection from drops and bumps.

Even though it weighs nearly 8 pounds when I fill it full of my gear, I found the Navigator bag very comfortable to carry around. The handle is soft and nicely sized.

The shoulder strap is not only well made and good looking….

…..but feels great over your shoulder as well. It was not a burden at all.

I have to agree with Col. Littleton’s commentary on this bag:

‘My office is inundated with relics from the past, and I’m probably chief among them. Military artifacts especially seem to find a home with me. I’ve been looking at an old, official Army-issue World War II Navigator’s Bag (circa 1943) in my office for years. The design seemed timeless; and with all the compartments inside, I thought it would be a perfect fit for today’s busy executive.’

The Navigator bag’s design is timeless…. iPad, laptop, chargers, pens, business cards, cords, etc are all well taken care of in this classic satchel. There is zero doubt in my mind, the old-timers I work with (among others) are jealous.

This level of quality and handmade craftsmanship does come at a cost. At nearly $900, this bag is not inexpensive. A majority of people would say that is down right expensive. I would argue, that while $875 is a great deal of money for most, you are definitely getting what you paid for in this case. Lets say you use/own this bag for 20 years….that is approx. $0.12 per day (3-4% the cost of a latte/day) to own such an excellent, handmade, piece of Americana. Plus that cost/time fraction of a dollar continues to diminish the more years & generations it is used.

Filed in categories: Bags, Backpacks, Laptops and Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Laptop Bag, Leather

Col. Littleton No. 1943 Navigator Briefcase Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 14, 2012 at 11:12 am.

If you were one of the eleventy bazillion people that went to see Marvel’s The Avengers movie a couple weekends ago, congrats, you helped break box office records. But now that you’ve seen the movie, you are probably suffering from Avengers withdraw… Fill the void with more Avengers by collecting Dane-Elec’s character replica USB drives. Captain America, The Hulk, Thor and Iron Man are available in 8GB flash drives from Dane-Elec. They will soon be available individually from Amazon, but if you can’t wait, you can grab the whole set for $50.95 from Neobits.

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: USB

Marvel’s Avengers fight crime and move files originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 13, 2012 at 12:00 pm.

I’ve been searching for a perfect case ever since I got a new Macbook Air 11″.  I came across the Booq website and they had a hardcase that looked perfect for my shiny new Macbook Air.  So I asked Julie if I could review their Booq Viper Hardcase for Macbook Air 11″.  Let’s see how it works.

The first thing I noticed about the Viper Hardcase was that it has an extremely unique smell.  It’s a uniquely identifiable smell.  Like opening a brand new car and you got that new car smell.  Just like that, but totally different smell.  The Viper Hardcase smelled like burning tires.  It’s a god awful smell for a consumer product.  It could be I got one that’s just out of the factory, but I do really hope they air these out before shipping to retailers.  I let the Viper Hardcase air out for 2 weeks by the window before even going near it to photograph it for this review.  After 2 weeks, it still got that burning tires smell.  Not as strong but it’s still there.

The Viper Hardcase is made up of a rugged water-resistant 1682D cross-weave ballistic nylon exterior with a soft non-scratch interior lining.

Booq Viper Hardcase Specs:
Max Laptop Size: 11.8×7.56x.68″
Exterior: 12.8×8.6×1.7″
Weight: 0.7 lb

Notice the solid zipper pulls on YKK zippers.  The zippers don’t come in contact with the laptop inside.  The Booq logo is on the zipper pulls and on the protective zipper flap at the end of the zipper run.

Booq is also embossed on the spine of the hardcase.

There are 2 sections of the Viper Hardcase.

The top section has 1 large pocket and 2 smaller pockets.  There’s another Booq logo on one of the smaller pockets.  I was able to fit some papers, the charging adapter, and an external hard drive into these pockets.

The bottom section is the main compartment for the Macbook Air 11″.

This main compartment was designed for a totally naked Macbook Air 11″.  I have a clear case for my Macbook Air 11″ and it was an extremely tight fit.  It would’ve been nice if they gave it a little extra room for people with cases.

I have an Elago nano microSD card reader that’s always plugged in, and that makes it impossible to fit into the main compartment.

If you can get past the 2 weeks of tire burning smell and have a naked Macbook Air 11″ then the Booq Viper Hardcase would be good for you.  It’s priced at $49.95, direct from Booq.

Filed in categories: Bags, Backpacks, Laptops and Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Cases and covers, Macbook Air

Booq Viper Hardcase for Macbook Air 11″ Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 4, 2012 at 11:00 am.

The Cooler Master ARC stand helps you tidy your desktop by placing your Macbook Pro in a space-saving vertical orientation when you’re using an external display, keyboard, mouse, and other peripherals. When you’re not using the ARC with your MBP, you can use it with your iPad. A smaller slot will hold the tablet in a convenient viewing angle. The ARC is available now in either White or Black for $59.99.

Filed in categories: iPhone, iPad, iPod related, Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: iPad, Macbook, Stand

Cooler Master’s ARC Stand for Your Macbook Pro or iPad originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 2, 2012 at 2:28 pm.

If your computer has a USB 3.0 port, you’ll want a USB drive that can take advantage of the increased speed.  Verbatim has just released the new Store ‘n’ Go V3 USB 3.0 Drive that’s just what you need, with “10 times faster transfer rate than earlier generation USB 2.0 ports”.  Available in 8-64 GB models and in a variety of colors, the Store ‘n’ Go V3 is compatible with both Windows and Mac computers.  The capless design protects your drive without the hassle of keeping up with a separate cap.  The Store ‘n’ Go V3 drives are available now, starting at an MSRP of $19.99.

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Gear, Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: Flash Drive, USB 3.0

Verbatim’s New Store ‘n’ Go V3 USB 3.0 Drive Transfers Data Up to 2 Times Faster Than USB originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 2, 2012 at 10:00 am.

Janet has been posting some interesting reviews of cables kits that take up minimal gear bag space while still providing an ability to charge and sync data with our favorite USB enabled devices. Check the related links below to read her full reviews. Her articles have caused me to look for alternatives for my own disorganized cable collection. Ready Clips from AViiQ might be a good solution. The are USB cables for Micro, Mini and Apple’s 30 pin connector. Each cable is only 5.5 inches long and .25 inches thick. They are also completely bendable and feature a conveniently designed clip that allows it to be secured in any pocket, strap or notebook. The only caveat is the price, which seems a little high… They are available individually or in sets starting at $12.99

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: USB

AViiQ Ready Clips – Another Tangle-Fre​e Cable Idea originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 30, 2012 at 2:00 pm.

For those of you who have not heard of Henge Docks, they manufacture docking stations for Apple MacBooks. They have expanded their product line to include the Clique, a smartly done device that unites Apple’s Wireless Keyboard and Magic Trackpad into a single unit/device. The Clique is a tray with insets that securely holds both devices. The holder enables you to use your keyboard and trackpad without needing a flat surface to place them on. The Clique is available for $25 for both right and left (pre-order) handed people.

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: Keyboard, magic trackpad

Clique by Henge Docks originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 30, 2012 at 10:00 am.

Remember the Sony UX and OQO handheld PCs from several years ago? The Highton MI15 from Dynamism is a fresh new look at pocket PCs. And I’m not referring to the pocket PC PDAs of days gone by, I’m talking about a true PC in your pocket. The Highton runs a full version of Windows 7 Home Premium and is powered by an Intel Atom Z151 1.2GHz CPU with 1GB of RAM, and a 16GB SSD. It has a 5″ 1024 x 600 pixel touch display and weighs under 1 lb. It even features a 3G (HSPA/UMTS 850/900/1900/2100MHz) radio. The price tag is pretty spendy at $949… Although it looks like an interesting gadget, I think I’ll just keep using my 13″ Macbook Air with the larger display and touch typeable keyboard.

Filed in categories: Handheld PCs / Ultra Portables, Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged:

Do you have Windows in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me? originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 29, 2012 at 5:16 pm.

Are you a Mac fanboy/girl that thought you had everything? How did you not know about the CaseCrown Alumi-HUB 4-port USB Hub? Featuring a matte aluminum body and white accents, it bears a striking resemblance to Apple’s Mac keyboard and Magic Trackpad. Includes 4 USB ports and a shielded connection cable. Lightweight and compact so it could be used with MacBook laptops as well as desktop iMacs. Of course, you can still use it with your PC too. Regularly $50.21, currently on sale for $29.95. Now, if we could just get ‘em to make an 8-port version…

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: USB hub

CaseCrown Alumi-HUB Looks At Home By Your Mac originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 25, 2012 at 2:00 pm.

If the Apple Magic Mouse doesn’t live up to your ninja-like requirements, check out the Manhattan Stealth Mouse. It’s a 2.4GHz wireless mouse that is completely touch driven. It has no buttons at all. All actions are done with touch/gestures on the top surface of the mouse. It can even double as a controller for Powerpoint presentation. The Manhattan Stealth Mouse is currently available for pre-order at $69.00.

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: Mouse

Manhattan Stealth Mouse Looks Like a Sneakier Magic Mouse originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 19, 2012 at 12:00 pm.

If you’re tired of generic laptop sleeves that don’t really fit your laptop, take a look at the new Custom Fit SleeveCases for
PC Laptops from WaterField.  Simply enter the dimensions of your laptop, choose whether you’d like a horizontal or vertical orientation, make a couple other style choices, and WaterField will produce a sleeve just for your laptop.  The sleeves are cushioned with neoprene, and they have a tough ballistic nylon exterior.  The SleeveCases are TSA Checkpoint friendly, to make your trip through airport security a bit faster.  You can also add a shoulder strap and a piggyback pouch to the bag.  The Custom Fit SleeveCase for PC Laptops starts at $49.

Filed in categories: Bags, Backpacks, Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: Laptop Sleeve

WaterField’s Custom Fit SleeveCases for PC Laptops originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 13, 2012 at 10:00 am.

We told you about the BytePac hard drive enclosure system late last year.  With BytePac, you can use internal hard disk drives as external drives in the BytePac cardboard enclosures and the disk connection kit, or you can even archive a series of hard drives in the cardboard enclosures.  Now, BytePac wants to tell us about how we can make our own offline Wikipedia archive using a BytePac enclosure.  They even have a Wikipedia cover you can print and apply to the BytePac enclosure.  Learn how to create your offline Wikipedia with BytePac at their BytePacker-Club blog.

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: External hard drive, HDD connection kit

Create Your Own Offline Wikipedia with BytePac originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 11, 2012 at 1:00 pm.

Planning a weekend getaway with your laptop to a rainy destination?  Chrome‘s got your back with their new Citadel pack.   Made from weatherproof 1000 denier nylon exterior and waterproof 1800 denier military grade truck tarpaulin liner with high frequency welded seams, the Citadel fits up to a 17″ MacBook Pro inside its roomy, full-access, zip-open innards.  Ergo shoulder straps, EVA-molded back panel and lots of organization features and attachment points round out the design.  Available in classic Chrome black on black.  $190.  Also check out its smaller siblings the Soyuz overnighter ($160) and Krakow day pack ($130).  Each guaranteed for life.

Filed in categories: Bags, Backpacks, Laptops and Gear, Travel Gear

Tagged: Laptop Bag

Chrome Citadel Rainy Weekend Laptop Pack originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 10, 2012 at 3:35 pm.

The La Boite Concept+CC LAB’s LD120 Hi-Fi Soundsystem+Laptop Desk from the A+R Store is the first high-fidelity laptop desk.  The desk has a leather-covered surface, and it’s available with red, black, or white legs with a piano-lacquered finish.  It measures 30″ tall x 22.5″ wide x 20.5″ deep.  It has a built-in DAC (digital-to-analog converter) sound card, 2 x 25W and 1 x 70W amps, and two tweeters and two mid-range speakers on the front, two full-range speakers at the back, and one woofer located under the desk.  Put the desk against a wall, and the two full-range speakers will reflect off the wall to create a wide stereo image.  You connect your laptop via USB, and there is also a 3.5mm audio jack and a pair of RCA jacks to connect other audio devices.  There’s even a power outlet for your laptop, so you have only one power cord from the desk to plug in.  It’s $1680.00, and that price at least includes shipping within the continental US.

Filed in categories: Audio, Video, TV Gear, Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: Laptop desk, Speakers

La Boite Concept+CC LAB’s LD120 Hi-Fi Soundsystem+Laptop Desk originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on April 4, 2012 at 9:17 am.

From design company Frank Etc. comes the concept of the Spider, a mobile solution for connecting to the Web.  The Spider Computer is an ultraportable device with a built-in projector and laser keyboard that you can easily carry with you.  When folded the Spider can also be used as a mobile phone.

“Its three legs can easily be folded out, allowing it to be placed on a flat surface. The mirror head opens, and the projection is directed towards the table surface or a wall. Digital correction compensates for angular differences in projection versus surface. Working prototype was made for technology, user studies and research. When legs are folded into the body, it becomes a mobile device, used as a phone, for messages etc. Circular LCD display with graphic interface. It can be carried in your pocket and brought anywhere.”

Filed in categories: Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: concept product

Surf the web with your Frank Etc. Spider originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 23, 2012 at 10:00 am.

You know you want to and now you can. Just slip on one of these USB Wireless Air Mice gloves from Brando, and you’ll be the envy of all your geek buddies. You’ll not only look like a tool borg, but you’ll be able to move your mouse cursor just by waving your omnipotent finger. It’s compatible with Windows and OS X. All this power can be yours for $42.

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: Mouse, Wireless

One Step Closer to Becoming a Borg originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 22, 2012 at 8:00 am.

This post brought to you by Lenovo. All opinions are 100% mine.

Is it possible to have a computer monitor that is too large? I think not! More is always better when it comes to screen real estate. But adding a 2nd monitor to your desktop or your laptop setup can be a hassle because they require a power cable and a video cable, not to mention that they are usually heavy and bulky. The Lenovo ThinkVision LT1421 14″ LCD monitor with Plastic Cover solves both of these problems beautifully. You can even carry it with you in your gear bag because it’s so portable.

Note: Click the images in this review to see a larger view.

I’m familiar with Lenovo’s high quality products as that is the brand of laptops, desktops and workstations that we use at my day job (Cummins Inc.). The ThinkVision LT1421 is a 14″ widescreen LCD monitor that is considerably different than other LCD monitors that I’ve used because it has been designed with extreme portability in mind. It almost looks like a tablet computer doesn’t it?

It comes with a plastic cover that snaps on the front to protect the display when you’re carrying it with you, and doubles as a tray for the adjustable stand built into the back of the monitor.

Together, the monitor and the cover only weigh 2.25 lbs, so it is very portable.

On the back of the monitor, you’ll find a Kensington lock slot, and a brightness adjustment button for 16 level brightness. The only connector is a USB 2.0 connection on the left side of the display when you’re facing it. That’s right, the LT1421 does not have a video cable connector or even a power cord connector. Both video and power use a simple USB cable.

This monitor lacks a VESA mount, so it’s designed just for use on a flat surface instead of mounting to a wall or a specialized bracket.

Notice the Red strip at the bottom center? That’s the foot of the adjustable stand.

The monitor can be used with or without the plastic cover, but it’s nice to have a place to put it when it’s not protecting the display.

The inside of the cover has slots that match up with the stand to provide a 12 degree – 40 degree adjustable viewing angle.

Connecting the LT1421 to your desktop or laptop is easy. Using the included USB Y cable, you can connect one end to the monitor and one (or 2) of the other ends into 1 or 2 USB ports on your computer.   I tested the monitor with my 27″ iMac, which only required one USB connection, but if you use this monitor with a laptop, it will most likely require that you plugin both cables. It’s also important to note that the LT1421 can draw as much as 5 watts of power, which may be a significant drain on your laptop’s battery.

The Lenovo ThinkVision LT1421 isn’t exactly plug and play. It comes with a driver CD that has to be installed first. I was a bit worried when I found out that the CD contains Windows XP, Vista and 7 drivers, but does not include Mac OS X drivers. Luckily I found that Mac drivers can be downloaded easily from DisplayLink, who is the manufacturer of the controller.

Once installed, you will see both displays and can arrange them and set the Lenovo to be a mirror of the desktop or as an extended desktop. I use mine as extended so I can put my iMessages app and Dropcam live viewer on it.

I have the LT1421 on the left side of my iMac. If I decide to move it to the right side, I can go into the settings and move the smaller box to the right side.

At first I didn’t realize that it made a difference if I had the smaller box at the top, center (as in the image above) or on the bottom, until I tried to move my mouse from the edge the iMac’s display into the LT1421′s display and it kept stopping at the edge. Setting as you see above allows me to move my mouse to the center edge of the iMac’s display so it will go “into” the Lenovo’s display.

The Lenovo ThinkVision LT1421 14″ LCD monitor has a max resolution of 1366 x 768. It has an anti-glare matte surface, good colors and decent brightness. I tend to have it set the to max brightness level which you see here. It’s not as vibrant as my iMac’s display, but it’s perfect for what I use it for. I’ve also been impressed with the viewing angle as I can read text on the display even when I’m at a right angle to it.

I think the Lenovo ThinkVision LT1421 14″ LCD monitor makes an handy companion for desktop and laptop computers. It’s especially convenient for the mobile warrior for presentations and other uses.

You can get a 10% discount on the Lenovo ThinkVision LT1421 14″ LCD monitor with Plastic Cover when ordered online using:

CODE: LENOVOMOMS (if you have a mom blog) or LENOVOTECHIES (if your blog is tech related).

Discount codes are valid 3/1/12 – 3/31/12 for part number 1452DS6

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptops and Gear, Reviews

Tagged: LCD, monitor, USB

Lenovo ThinkVision LT1421 14″ LCD monitor with Plastic Cover Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 19, 2012 at 2:13 pm.

ROCCAT says their Savu gaming mouse is “a competition device that ‘fusion welds’ an ideal blend of performance and customizable features into a robust, perfectly-balanced, medium-sized design.”  The Savu optical mouse has a Pro Optic sensor that delivers up to 4000 dpi, and the “latest R3 sensor also delivers lag-free gaming without any interpolation and provides ultra-precise feedback during even the fastest movements.”  Easy-Shift technology lets gamers set two functions for each mouse button and the scroll wheel, and Easy-Aim automatically reduces the dpi setting when in sniper mode for pinpoint accuracy.  You can select a single color, from 16.8 million, to display on the light bar, pulse in a single color, or cycle through colors.  The ROCCAT Achievement Display is an application that “compiles user data, provides a range of statistics for analysis, and hands out trophies when exceptional milestones have been reached” and let’s you share your accomplishments on social networking sites.  The Savu will be available in early May, but no pricing information is available yet.

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Gaming Gear, Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: Gaming gear, USB optical mouse

ROCCAT Savu Mid-Size Hybrid Gaming Mouse originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 13, 2012 at 12:00 pm.

Got a Mac with the new Thunderbolt port?  Then Elgato’s Thunderbolt Solid State Drive is the perfect accessory to plug into it.  This portable port-powered solid state drive goes at speeds of 270 MB/s.  That transfer rate is blazingly fast compared to the slow 35 MB/s that USB 2.0 gives or the 80 MB/s that FireWire 800 provides.  There are no moving parts, so it runs totally silent.  It comes in either a 120 GB or 240 GB version.  Priced at $429.95 and $699.95, respectively, from Elgato.

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: External drive, ssd, thunderbolt

Elgato’s Thunderbolt SSD is Lightning Fast! originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 9, 2012 at 1:30 pm.

This small USB keyboard from Brando combines a keyboard, mouse, and multi-touch functions into one compact device.  The FelTouch Bonepad 2.4GHz Wireless Keyboard is 5.9″ X 3.3″ X 0.7″ and weighs only 3 ounces.  It comes with a USB dongle to pair the Bonepad with Windows XP/Vista/7, Mac, or Linux computers with USB HID keyboard/mouse, media control classes.  You can pair up to five FelTouch accessories with a single USB dongle.  The Bonepad has standard keyboard mapping and PC mouse functionalities.  The capacitive multi-touch screen is used for typing or for gesturing to zoom in/out, rotate, or scrolling.  The two buttons on the top of the Bonepad can switch modes, so they can be used as right and left mouse buttons or for other functions.  The Bonepad is $55.00.

Filed in categories: Desktop Computer Gear, Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: USB accessory, USB keyboard

FelTouch Bonepad 2.4GHz Wireless Keyboard and Touchpad originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 1, 2012 at 1:00 pm.