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.

Of late, I’ve had the opportunity to add a few chapters to my continuing saga for the “perfect” gear bag (for me at least), the most recent being an evaluation of the Tom Bihn Cadet.  Being mainly a messenger bag fan(atic), I’d been wondering if there was one out there that could supplant my venerable Timbuk2 Commute from its daily carry status.  One bags that kept resurfacing in my searches was the Rickshaw Commuter 2.0 Laptop Bag.  I had the chance to check one out, as well asa Rickshaw MacBook Pro Sleeve.  Onward, Gadgeteers!

Background

As I’ve described in previous reviews, I’ve been on a quest to find the perfect bag to haul my gear.  What does “perfect” mean?  It’s a bit of a moving target for me— a mix of style, organizational features and capacity that seems right for my needs and tastes.  I’ve been partial to messenger style bags, with their cavernous interiors and buckle-down flaps.  I can’t say that I’ve found the perfect bag for me yet, but my Timbuk 2 Commute comes pretty darn close.  But I’m still open to trying out others!

Rickshaw Bagworks, also known as Rickshaw Bags, also known as simply Rickshaw, is a small, urban San Fran-based company that is best known for producing bike messenger-style bags and backpacks, many of them custom made-to-order in their shop.  Though they may not yet have the name recognition of some of the bigger boys, their product offering has grown steadily over the past several years.

Options

Rickshaw’s Commuter product line of bags includes four versions: the Commuter 2.0 Laptop Bag (reviewed here), the Skinny Commuter 2.0 Laptop Bag, the Commuter 2.0 Backpack and the Skinny Commuter 2.0 Backpack.  Reviews of the other Commuter 2.0 products may come another day, but for now we’ll focus on the Commuter 2.0 Laptop Bag.  When ordering the Commuter 2.0 from the Rickshaw site, there are several options from which you can select:

Materials

You can select your choice of materials from among the following:

• Classic Cordura® – Cordura nylon exterior/Cordura nylon binding
• Performance Tweed™ – Performance tweed exterior/Cordura nylon binding
• Waterproof Sailcloth – X-Pac™ sailcloth exterior/Cordura nylon binding

Colors

After selecting the version and materials, you can select from several stock color combinations for each material.  Alternatively, you can also choose to customize your own Commuter 2.0 by selecting from a growing list of materials and colors, and your personally-designed bag will be hand-assembled to order in Rickshaw’s San Francisco shop.

Specs

From the Rickshaw site, specs for the Commuter 2.0 Laptop Bag:

• Holds up to 15” laptop
• Waterproof, wipe clean liner
• Briefcase laptop bag or messenger
• Removable laptop sleeve
• Organizational pockets, metal hardware
• Assembled-to-order in San Francisco
• Dimensions: 15.75″W x 11″H x 4.75″ D

The Outside

Since, as the expression goes, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, the customizability of the Commuter 2.0 means you can make it beautiful to your own liking.  The front of the bag has one of features that is obiigatory of messenger-style bags, a large flap.  For this particular bag, the flap was covered with Rickshaw’s Performance Tweed material in a reddish-pink color, with camouflage nylon binding along the flap’s edge and a red-lettered Rickshaw logo patch.  Probably not the colors I would have selected, but I do like the Performance Tweed—it’s a different fabric from what you’ll find on most messengers.

The rear of the Commuter 2.0 features a grab handle and a large double-zippered pocket.  The double-zippered pocket is an example of the ambidexterity that Rickshaw has designed into the Commuter 2.0.

Closeup of the grab handle.  It is padded and circular in cross-section and stitched securely to the bag.  In addition, you can see another small loop of material that I suppose can be used to hang the bag on a hook or something similar.

The generous padding in the handle makes a big difference in the comfort level of carrying the bag.  I’ve used a lot of bags that had grab handles that were so thin that they felt like they were cutting into your hand.  Not so here.

Closeup of the Performance Tweed flap, binding and the Rickshaw logo tag.  All of these can be customized by color and/or pattern.

The Commuter 2.0 features a mesh pocket with toggle-drawstring closure on either end—another feature geared toward ambidexterity.  Although I suspect this was designed to hold water bottles and the like, these could really be used to hold just about anything to which you may want to have quick access.  The toggle-drawstring closure is a particularly great feature.  If you have something smallish in the pocket, rather than worry if it will slide out if you toss your bag into a trunk, just pull the tab on the drawstring and the toggle holds the pocket closed.  A lot of companies include pockets like this on their bags, but I really wish more companies would add this toggle-drawstring feature.

On the back of the Commuter 2.0, near the bottom corners, are two small plastic D-rings.  To these D-rings, you can attach a Cross Strap, offered by Rickshaw as an optional accessory for $5.  The Cross Strap helps stabilize the bag against your body for when you are biking or engaging in otherwise active activities.  There is a D-ring on either corner for ambidexterity.

At first glance, the Commuter 2.0′s shoulder strap appears pretty standard.  Like many similar bags, its includes a strip of nylon webbing metal attachment hooks and a velcro strap pad.  Also included is a rather unique adjustment buckle.  More on that below.  The shoulder strap from the top:

And the underside of the shoulder strap:

Both the shoulder pad and the adjustment buckle have a mesh texture to aid in ventilation.

The strap pad has a velcro closure and can be removed.  The adjustment buckle is rather unique.  More and more messenger bags are featuring the capability of altering strap length “on the fly” so that it can be adjusted for the desired comfort level or wearing style.  However, this one has a few extra features.  For starters, the back of the adjustment buckle is padded on the back side for comfort, so the buckle isn’t digging into your torso.  It also includes a couple of D-rings that can be used as attachment points for the Cross Strap, or for carabiners and other items.  Note two D-rings for ambidexterity.

The swivel-hooks that attach the shoulder strap to the D-rings on either end of the bag are metal and solidly constructed.  The hooks are spring-loaded with a fair amount of spring-back force, so you shouldn’t have to worry much about them spontaneously unhooking themselves if your bag gets jostled. 

The main closure mechanism of the Commute 2.0′s flap is a pair of side-release plastic buckles on nylon webbing.  The straps are adjustable which allows them to act as compression straps and give some expandability to the bag.  The are also mounted under the flap, as opposed to on top of it like many messengers.

The Inside

Lifting the flap reveals a bunch of additional features.  For starters, the inside is lined with a waterproof, wipe-clean liner in a grayish color.  The light color makes it easier to see that elusive pen when you are rooting around the bottom of your bag.

Like the drawstring-toggle pockets on the outside ends, the exclusive “magnetic silencers” are another great feature of the Commuter 2.0.  What are they, you ask?  Let’s just say the Commuter 2.0 might have the most versatile closure system ever.  OK, you’ve already seen the side-release buckles.  Pretty standard fare for messengers.  There are also two strips of Velcro under the flap, with opposing strips on the bag.  Again, pretty standard.  But here’s where the fun begins.  Rickshaw has included four magnetic silencers, two for the flap, two for the bag.  One side of the silencers is a layer of Velcro, the other side a layer of the same material as the interior of the bag.  Embedded between the layers is a thin magnet.  The magnets in the flap silencers and in the bag silencers are aligned such that they can be used to keep the bag’s flap closed much like the Velcro.  But unlike the Velcro, the magnets allow much quieter opening.  Below, I’ve shown the magnetic silencer removed on the left and attached on the right.

Again, below I’ve shown the magnetic silencer removed on the left and attached on the right.  You can also see the small strip of horizontal webbing for attaching a blinking light, reflector or other item.

Another shot, looking down the front of the bag.  Here you can see the twin zippered compartments (ambidexterity again) with the trademark Rickshaw zipper pulls.  You can also see a vertical strip of webbing to which can be attached carabiners or other items.

Opening the zipper on the left, we find a fairly decently sized compartment inside, with a two diagonal interior pockets, one on the inside of the compartment, the other on the inside of the compartment’s flap.  This compartment also contains a small, spring-loaded hook suspended from the top of the compartment.  To this is attached a length of webbing with an identical spring hook for keys, USB sticks and so forth.

Unzipping the zipper on the right reveals an identical compartment to its opposing twin, sans the extra spring clip extended.  Here, I’ve placed my MacBook Pro’s power supply and a small Moleskine notebook to illustrate the type and size of things can toss in here.  The diagonal pockets give some nice organization of smaller and/or thinner items, while the compartment itself has a good amount of space for larger items.

Looking down into the Commuter 2.0′s main compartment, you can see a large pocket on the inside of the front of the bag for folders, magazines, and so forth.  Along the inside of the back of the bag you can see the laptop sleeve.  More on this below.  Here I’d also point out that, with the laptop sleeve in place, there is not a lot of extra room in the bag’s main compartment, as least compared to most other messengers.  You’ll have room for a textbook or two, or a 3-ring binder, or some additional computer accessories, those sorts of things.  But this bag probably isn’t going to be the kind that will allow you to just open the flap and chuck stuff in all day, and sort it out when you get home, or to put your lunch, school books, workout clothes and DSLR camera all inside.  This is a great bag, it’s just not that kind of bag.

The laptop sleeve is attached to the inside of the bag with two generous strips of Velcro.

Having removed the laptop sleeve, and looking down into the bag’s main compartment once again, you can see that it is a quite simple, rectangular shape.

Another shot looking down into the main compartment.

The laptop sleeve is made from the same grayish, waterproof, wipable material as the interior of the bag itself.  It is a simple, effective design.  The laptop sleeve from the front:

And from the back.  Note the two Velcro strips that attach the sleeve to the inside of the bag.

My 15″ MacBook Pro fits in the sleeve like a glove.

The inside of the laptop sleeve is lined with a plush material that helps cushion the laptop against impacts and also allows it to slide in and out easily.

Turning our attention back to the exterior rear of the Commuter 2.0 and unzipping the large compartment reveals an organizer area.

The organizer has pockets for several writing implements, notebooks, USB sticks, business cards and the like.  I’ve thrown in a few of my oft-carried items to illustrate.  Yes, that is indeed a Lego Yoda pen on the far left.

In true messenger fashion, the Commuter 2.0 can be carried in multiple ways, a few of which I’ve illustrated below.  In honor of this bag’s color scheme, I wore my pink T-shirt.  Hey, it was a freebie I got for helping out at a kids’ triathlon.  Working left to right, the first pic is the simple over-the-shoulder method.  The second and third are with the strap across the chest, which is more of the classic “messenger” style.  The sliding adjustment on the strap makes this across the chest style even easier, as you can lift the strap over your head, then cinch up the slack in the strap to whatever position you like best—some like their messenger to ride higher on their back, more like a backpack, while some prefer it lower, as I’ve shown in the far right pic.  Again I would point out that this bag has been designed for ambidexterity; any of these carrying configurations can be set up for either right- or left-hand carry.

An Extra Accessory – The MacBook Pro Sleeve

The Rickshaw folks also included one of their 13″ MacBook Pro Sleeves in Performance Tweed fabric.  However, I don’t have a MPB in that size, but if a 13″ fits in here like my 15″ fits in the Commuter 2.0′s sleeve, it should be a perfect fit.  From the Rickshaw site:

• Perfectly sized for 13″ MacBook or MacBook Pro
• Elegant velcro flap-closure design
• Ultra plush, soft, durable liner
• Plush laptop-grade padding to protect your laptop
• Made to order in our SF factory
• Graphite Performance Tweed™ Exterior
• 14.25″W x 10.9″H x .75″ D (empty)
• 14.”W x 10.75″H x 1.75″ D (stuffed)

Yeah, that’s right.  The interior is Cookie Monster blue.  And almost that fuzzy.

Rickshaw also included this funky decal.

Conclusion

The Rickshaw Commuter 2.0 laptop messenger bag has both the main features that are essential to a typical messenger bag, and also some features that are quite unique.  Ability to select materials and colors, ambidexterity, useful organizational features and the unique “magnetic silencer” closure system make this bag a great choice if you like customization and options.  The only downside I saw was that the main compartment doesn’t have an abundance of cargo space compared to other messenger bags, so if you’re in need of a gaping-maw, throw-everything-in carry-all-and-then-some, this probably isn’t your bag. However, if you’re after a bag that is a bit more streamlined, with style customization and lots of organizational features, the Rickshaw Commute 2.0 is worth a look.

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

Tagged: Laptop Bag, Laptop Sleeve, messenger bag, Rickshaw Bagworks

Rickshaw Commuter 2.0 Laptop Bag and MacBook Pro Sleeve Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 28, 2012 at 11:00 am.

As unmanly as it sounds, the first thoughts that ran through my mind when I first saw and touched the Saddleback Classic MacBook Air Sleeve was……’Ooooo, pretty’. To make it worse, I even took a (nice long) whiff of the leather as I was unpacking it….smelled wonderful. Saddleback’s rich leather, craftsmanship, and incredible attention to detail have never failed to impress me. So, when I upgraded from my 2010 13″ MacBook Air to the latest, more petite 11″ version I, of course, needed new tech-accessories to properly protect my new laptop and this sleeve is a great (stylish) place to start.

The Saddleback Classic MacBook Air sleeve is created from a single piece of thick, rich full grain leather.  A majority of Saddleback Leather creations are constructed of 4-5 ounce full grain leather, which comes from the top layer of the cow hide (the toughest part). In the case of the MBAir sleeve, the leather is folded over and double stitched along three of its four sides.

The front of the sleeve is stylishly embossed with the Saddleback logo; the only distinguishing nuance of this relatively simplistic, yet classically styled, laptop accessory.

Other than being a gorgeous piece of leather, there is little to note on the backside of the sleeve. The cutouts on the top and bottom make it easier to get the MBAir out of the sleeve. At the beginning, the sleeve was tight, needing two hands and a good deal of force to get my MBAir in and especially out. Over the past month or so of use, the sleeve has stretched a bit, enabling me to insert and remove my MBAir more easily.

That said, the sleeve remains snug and form-fitted enough so that the laptop will not accidentally/unexpectedly slip out. It still takes two hands to remove but does not take a huge effort.

The design of the Saddleback Classic MacBook Air sleeve really works well with the wedge shape of the MBAir. As you can see, the folding of the leather creates a rounded side for the thicker part of the sleek laptop. While the stitched side tappers to a near point for the thinnest part of the MBAir.

The smooth, curved edge is ideal, in terms of comfort and function, for carrying the sleeve and MBAir around in your hand.

As discussed above, the bottom of the sleeve has an access point to push on the laptop while pulling from the other side to more easily remove the laptop.

Even though some of the MacBook Air is exposed, the Saddleback sleeve does a good job of protecting a majority of its aluminum casing. The sleeve primarily protects against bumps and dings (vs falls and drops).

The inside of the sleeve is lined with pigskin (which has the 2nd toughest tensile strength rating of leathers (FYI: kangaroo is the toughest)).

As you would expect of any Saddleback product, the sleeve’s finishing and stitching are of the highest quality and craftsmanship. The stitching along the sides and bottom is done with a single strand of continuous-filament, marine-grade U.V. resistant polyester thread. Like all the Saddleback Leather creations I have seen/reviewed over the years, they are built to withstand the test of time. So far, I have yet to have one of their items even break in let alone wear out.

The MBAir Sleeve is available in Saddleback’s four usual colors:

• Chestnut
• Carbon black
• Dark coffee
• Tobacco

Specifications:

• Outside Dimensions – W: 8.625″ x D: 0.75″ x H: 12.625″ (21.91cm x 1.91cm x 32.07cm)
• Inside Dimensions – W: 8″ x D: 0.5″ x H: 12.375″ (20.32cm x 1.27cm x 31.433cm)
• Weight: 0.65 lbs
• Lining: Lined with pigskin

The extra small sleeve is designed for the 11″ MBAir and the small is sized for the 13″ MBAir.

Not only does the Saddleback Classic MacBook Air sleeve look professional, but it feels great to carry as well. The sleeve adds approximately 10 ounces to the 2.2 lbs MBAir, not a huge amount of extra weight considering the protection it provides. This sleeve radiates Old World charm, handmade quality that is difficult to find in today’s day and age. Considering it comes with a 100 year warranty, its cost of under $70 is very well spent.

Note: The links to Saddleback Leather on this page are affiliate links, which earns a small percentage of any sales that come from The Gadgeteer.

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

Tagged: Laptop Bag, Laptop Sleeve, Leather

Saddleback Classic MacBook Air Sleeve Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 24, 2012 at 11:00 am.

The Breathe Sleeve from BBP Bags is a neoprene sleeve for 13″, 15″, or 17″ laptops.  The sleeves are made of 4mm-thick, 4-way stretch neoprene.  The laptop compartment closes with a zipper, and there’s a front accessories pouch, a back slip-in pouch, and even a little pouch for a USB flash drive.  What separates the Breathe Sleeve from other laptop sleeves is the BBP Breathe Technology that keeps your laptop cooler to prevent battery damage from heat.  The sleeves fit 13″, 15″, or 17″ MacBook Pros and PCs (check the website for interior dimensions to determine if your PC will fit).  The 17″ size is available only in black; the other two sizes are available in black, khaki (shown), fuchsia, and pink.  All sizes are $34.95.

Filed in categories: Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: Laptop Sleeve

BBP Bags Lets Your Laptop Breathe originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 10, 2011 at 1:00 pm.

About six years ago, my employer presented me with a laptop to use as my primary work computer.  It was handed to me along with an ugly little basic black laptop bag, and soon I was carrying this bag with me to and from work every day.  It wasn’t long before I abandoned that bag for a much more attractive and reliable laptop messenger bag from Timbuk2, and I’ve been using that bag ever since.  For over six years, that bag has traveled with me to and from work every day, and during some weeks, it also travels with me everywhere else that I go.  The bag has held up surprisingly well for as much use and abuse it has taken, but it’s starting to show its age just a bit.  Naturally, I jumped at the chance to review one of the newest products from BBP Bags, the Industries High-Back Messenger.  I’ve carried this bag exclusively for the past week, and here is what I’ve come away with.

Features

• Industrial stylo, meant to be worn across the chest on the opposite shoulder and high on the back
• Pockets galore
• Oversized shoulder pad for lefties or righties
• Pleather wrapped top grab handle (that’s right, pleather)
• Breathable backside pad
• Luggage handle pass-through
• No snag and low noise hook/loop for the front flap
• Tough exteriors with eco-friendly TPE or PU backing
• Bonus removable 15-16″ padded laptop sleeve included
• Additional sleeve sizes (10″, 13-14″, 17″) available
• Limited lifetime warranty

BBP Bags has been around for about five years now, making backpacks and messenger-style bags with a focus on ergonomics.  The Industries High-Back Messenger bag is a break from their standard messenger bags in that — as the name suggests — it is designed to ride higher on the wearer’s back, resting above the waist rather than at or below the waist.  In order to make the bag ride higher, the shoulder strap is shorter (though the length can be adjusted).  To be perfectly honest, I found this quite awkward at first… I’m accustomed to just slipping the strap of my bag over my shoulder and going.  With a shorter strap, putting the bag on is a process that has to be more carefully calculated.  If you wear glasses or sunglasses you may find yourself knocking them off of your head or face the first several times you try to put this bag on or take it off.

However, once you get the strap over your shoulder and the bag settled into place, the benefits of the high-back design become apparent.  The bag rests comfortably and securely, without even requiring an additional strap across the chest.  With my old bag, bending over to pick something up off of the floor or even a low table meant either holding the bag in place with one hand or risking having the bag slip off of my back and swing around in front of me.  Nothing quite like reaching down to grab a cup of coffee off of a coffee table only to have your bag come swinging down to knock it out of your hand.  Riding high on the back, the Industries messenger bag stays put.  I could bend down to perpendicular with the floor, and the bag wouldn’t shift a bit.

The bag also has pockets aplenty:  two zip pockets on the front flap that are just the right size for a smartphone or a portable USB hard drive, two more zip pockets on the front of the bag itself, a large zip pocket on the back, two open pockets inside the bag, and a zippered pocket on the laptop sleeve itself.  The laptop sleeve features a hook-and-loop closure tab to keep your computer in place, and the sleeve itself is removable, securing to the inside of the bag via small hook-and-loop closure patches.  This is a great feature especially if you might need to carry books or other items instead of your laptop… you just remove the sleeve, and now you have more room for other things.  BBP also sells additional sleeves in different sizes, so if you might be upgrading from a smaller laptop to a larger one at some point, you won’t have to replace the entire bag, you can just get a new sleeve.  Likewise, if you have a couple of laptops that you have to swap between, you could store them each in a sleeve even when they aren’t in the bag.  The zippered pocket on the sleeve itself is a great addition, as you can place your AC adapter in the pocket, and easily swap that out along with the laptop.

The back of the bag is heavily padded, which is great for comfort.  In addition, there is a channel behind the back padding, allowing it to be used as a luggage handle strap.  I don’t do air travel with my laptop often, but based on the few times that I’ve had to, I can absolutely see how this would be a must for a frequent flier.

As much as I’d like that to be all that I have to say about this bag, there are some issues that I have found with the bag that I can’t leave unaddressed.  First of all, while I’ll admit that I can never have enough pockets on a bag, placement can be an issue.  Specifically, I dislike that there are pockets in the front flap of this bag.  I’m accustomed to just flopping the front flap of my bag over onto the table, and I’ve done that a few times already with the Industries messenger, remembering that I had my iPhone or a hard drive in the front flap pockets only after I heard them whomp down onto the table.  I’m sure that this is one of those things that you just get used to in the course of owning the bag, but it’s triggered the panic response in me enough times in a week that I think I’d have to make a point of putting nothing in those pockets that can’t take a beating.  Cables, perhaps.  Or gum.

Second, the closure system for the front flap concerns me.  Like many bags, the Industries High-Back Messenger utilizes a sort of redundant closure system, one that keeps the flap down when simply laid in place, such as a Velcro closure, and then one that ensures that the bag doesn’t come open unless you want it to, usually a clasp system of some sort.  BBP utilizes two strips of low-noise, no-snag hook-and-loop closure under the flap, and then an odd plastic clasp system that I’ve not seen before.  The problems here are two-fold.  The hook-and-loop closure is not terribly strong, so while it might keep the flap down in a stiff breeze, that’s about it.  Any serious pressure seems to cause this closure system to give way.  Granted, I didn’t go to the effort of manually pressing the closure strips closed, I just laid them on top of each other, but the point is that I shouldn’t have to do that.  The hook-and-loop closure system on my old bag, when closed with the same amount of effort (that is to say, none), would keep the contents inside even when the bag was turned upside down.  I could forgive the weak hook-and-loop closure on this BBP bag but only if it weren’t for the fact that I have little confidence in the clasp system as well.  This bag has a strange domed clasp, and while it seems to hold well when latched, it is fairly easy to think you’ve closed the clasp, when in fact it hasn’t fully latched.  This is bad news, when you consider that the hook-and-loop closure isn’t going to do much of anything to back it up.

The third issue with the bag is actually somewhat related to the previous one.  The pleather handle, while comfortable, is badly-placed.  Instead of attaching at the back of the bag or just where the front flap meets the bag, it is placed more on the front flap itself.  This means that when you lift the bag by the handle, the weight of the bag is being transferred to the flap closure system, which as I’ve already pointed out, isn’t exactly foolproof.  Any time you lift the bag by the handle when it has any significant weight in it (in my case, a laptop and AC adapter only), the stress on the front flap is enough to separate the hook-and-loop fastener strips.  You can hear them give way, and then the weight of the bag shifts as the flap attempts to come free.  Fortunately, the plastic clasps are there to catch the weight and keep the bag from opening completely, but imagine what would happen if one or more of the clasps hadn’t latched all the way?  This exact thing happened to me on the third day of carrying the bag, and needless to say, I wasn’t thrilled with the moment of panic that ensued as I could feel the weight shifting towards the front of the bag, and see the front flap flying open.  Fortunately, one of the plastic clasps was fully latched, but that experience was enough to get me to swear off the handle completely.  The handle either needs to be further back on the bag, or it shouldn’t be there at all.

In a nutshell, the BBP Industries High-Back Messenger bag is a nice, comfortable, subtly stylish, convenient bag with a highly-questionable closure system and a handle that you might as well cut off entirely.

Just a note, BBP: I’m not in the habit of wearing anything bearing the word “steez”, and I’d prefer to keep it that way.

Filed in categories: Laptops and Gear, Reviews

Tagged: Laptop Bag, Laptop Sleeve

BBP Industries High-Back Messenger Bag Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 12, 2010 at 2:21 pm.

There is a rule in my house–for every t-shirt I buy, my girlfriend makes me part with two others.  To a normal person this might be a simple task of weeding, but for me it’s akin to parting ways with a longtime friend.  I can easily think of a dozen shirts I own, do not wear, but cannot possibly part ways with (I’m looking at you, college tee collection).  Hello Rewind is a company who heard this plight and constructed a business around it.  For $49 they send you a prepaid envelope for your t-shirt, sew it into a laptop sleeve in the size of your choosing (with the addition of felt and batting for extra padding), and send the final product to you after 4-8 weeks.  They currently offer 13, 15, and 17″ sizing universal to any Mac laptops.  The premise alone makes this company pretty cool in my book, but then they went a step further by partnering with the nonprofit organization Restore NYC to support sex trafficking survivors.  Hello Rewind works with Restore NYC to teach survivors life and trade skills through free classes and workshops as well as hiring and fairly paying these women to manufacture a portion of the sleeves.  I’m thrilled with this company’s mission and the means by which they’re achieving it.  Now to my closet to figure out which circa-1999 shirt my Macbook would look best in…

Filed in categories: Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: Laptop Sleeve, Spotlight Gadgets, t-shirt

Recycled Tees Laptop Sleeves originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on February 17, 2010 at 9:07 am.

Some weeks ago, I wrote an article wondering if gadgets were only for guys and bemoaning the lack of accessories and gadgets designed for women.  Memoggy makes a beautiful line of MacBook sleeves designed for women.  These sleeves  use imported hand-loomed fabrics decorated with hand-painted or hand-embroidered designs.  They are lined with a soft fabric to protect your MacBook from scratches, and the sleeves are TSA checkpoint-friendly.  They also offer some cases that are in a more modern design, made from what they describe as a “high technology fabric” with a velvet feel.  The sleeves range from $31 to $39.  (And I see that you can pre-order your iPad sleeve and save 20%!)

Filed in categories: Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: Laptop Sleeve, Macbook accessory

A MacBook Sleeve for Women originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on January 30, 2010 at 10:17 am.

If you like unusual accessories or if you want to disguise your laptop from thieves, a company in Spain may have your answer.  MiteMite Unnecessary Objects Lab produces vinyl laptop sleeves that look like folded newspapers.  You can choose from four different European newspapers.  The bags are designed for the MacBook Pro, but they can accommodate other laptops in their 15 X 11 inch interior.  They cost about 60 Euros (that’s about 85 American dollars), directly from MiteMite.

Filed in categories: Laptops and Gear, News

Tagged: Laptop Sleeve, Spotlight Gadgets

MiteMite Newspaper Laptop Sleeve for MacBook Pro originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 22, 2009 at 2:27 pm.

I had been looking for a laptop sleeve for awhile to replace my large, clunky leather briefcase. Between going back and forth to work and weekend trips, I wanted to ditch the extra bag and just toss my computer in my backpack without worrying about it being bumped, scratched, or damaged.  I’ve been using the Sumo Camo sleeve by Mobile Edge for the past two weeks and have definitely found the answer to my needs.

The Camo design case comes in three colors (Black, Red, and Green) and four different sizes, with the larger two sizes designed specifically for the MacBooks:

• 8.9″ (fitting netbooks 10″ x .75″ x 7″)
• 10″  (fitting netbooks 11.75″ x .75″ x 8.75″)
• 13″, designed for 13″ MacBooks, but fitting laptops 13.5″ x 1″ x 10″
• 15″ , designed  for 15″ MacBooks, but fitting laptops 14.65″ x 1″ x 11″

The 15″ sleeve fits my PowerBook G4 Mac (she may be old, but she’s still a classy broad ) perfectly.  I was expecting a wrestling match when trying to fit the sleeve around my laptop, but it was very easy to slide the laptop in and remove it again.   There is just a little bit of room on the sides of the sleeve, but nothing that would cause the computer to shift around inside.

The first thing that really caught my eye  once I had the case in hand was the camo pattern, which is comprised of the Sumo wrestler logo in overlapping shapes and colors.  You don’t notice that detail from far away, and it is adorable up close.  The picture really doesn’t do it justice.

The case is entirely neoprene, inside and out.  Rather than a zipper the closure device is an overlapping flap.  I had thought the computer would just slide right out with the lack of a more secure closure, but the flap does its job quite well.  I held the case upside down and shook a few times (highly not recommended, btw) but my laptop stayed safely inside the sleeve and protected by the flap.  The neoprene is thick and cushiony and the case feels, and looks, very well made.

Being that the case is neoprene it’s also water resistant.  As a test I ran it under the kitchen faucet, and for the most part it was effective in keeping the inside dry.  The material itself did its job, but water was able to seep in through the seams of some of the side stitching.

Overall, I’m quite pleased with this case.  I like that all sides of my laptop are protected and that the neoprene itself is thick and shock absorbent.  Even the lack of a zipper I’m ok with, as a zipper would have the potential to scratch the laptop casing–and the camo flap is wicked cute.  The case definitely will not protect from a fall, but it will and has protected my laptop from debris, car keys, spiral notebooks, pens, the occasional leaky lunch, and other dangers of the backpack it gets thrown into.

The netbook cases come in at $19.99 and the laptop cases are $24.99 from the manufacturer.

Filed in categories: Laptops and Gear

Tagged: Laptop Sleeve, Neoprene, netbook sleeve

SUMO Camo Laptop/Netbook Sleeve Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on October 7, 2009 at 10:00 am.

I love the rustic style of these Macbook sleeves from ColcaSac of Salt Lake City, Utah. They are made by hand with all-natural environmentally friendly fabrics and are padded with fleece. They offer different designs, colors and sizes for 13, 15 and 17 inch Macbooks and Macbook Pro laptops. Prices range from $30 – $33.

Filed in categories: Laptops and Gear

Tagged: Laptop Sleeve

Wrap your Macbook in burlap and like it – ColcaSac originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on September 22, 2009 at 5:34 pm.

Samsill Corporation has announced the launch of Altego™, a new corporate brand. The Clear Laptop Sleeve represents Samsill’s first product launch under this brand. They are available in 5 sizes and have a transparent front panel to allow you to see the outside design of your laptop or netbook. They are also water resistant and airport checkpoint friendly. The Altego sleeves are currently being sold exclusively though Dell .

Filed in categories: Laptops and Gear

Tagged: Laptop Sleeve, Netbook, Spotlight Gadgets

See thru protection for your netbook or laptop originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 6, 2009 at 12:28 pm.

Hey gadget girls, are you looking for a trendy way to protect your laptop or netbook from everyday abuse? Then, I think that you will want to take a closer look at the stylish sleeves from CoverBee of Holland.

CoverBee carries sleeves for 15″ laptops and 10″ netbooks. The Dimensions of the sleeves are the following:

Laptop sleeves: 39,5 cm * 32 cm (15.6 inches * 12.6 inches)
Netbook sleeves: 26 cm * 21,5 cm (10.2 inches * 8.5 inches)

The sleeves are available in fun designs like Posh Leopard,  Red Polka, Made In Holland, Pink Candy, Black Dahlia, Black Polka, Lazy Cow, Zebra Mania, Black Boa, Snow White and Brown Boa.

The sleeve arrives in a protective canvas envelope. Hmmm, a sleeve to protect a sleeve What will they think of next?

They sent me the Posh Leopard netbook sleeve and it’s definitely luxurious to the touch and to your eyes. The exterior material is soft and fuzzy like fur.

While the interior is a quilted satiny Gold. The fabrics and construction both appear to be top notch. I was unable to find any defects as far as loose threads, etc.

The sleeve isn’t padded, but the material is thick enough to help protect your laptop or netbook from everyday bruises and bumps as you carry it from location to location.

My HP mini 1000 netbook slides effortlessly into the CoverBee netbook sized sleeve.

The only issue that I can see with this sleeve is that it has an open top and is slightly larger than the netbook, so there is a bit of material floppability (ooh I just made up a word). In other words, the sleeve can slip off easily. That said, I really don’t think this product is intended to be used as a primary case for a laptop or netbook. I see it as more as a way to add additional protection when placing it into another bag for transport

The CoverBee sleeve is a simple product that is available in several fun styles. The prices might seem a bit at € 19,99 – € 24,99 (~$28 – $35), but that price includes shipping to anywhere in the world.

Filed in categories: Laptops and Gear

Tagged: Laptop Sleeve

CoverBee Laptop / Netbook Sleeve Review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 19, 2009 at 3:31 pm.