Gear Diary » Gear Bags

JumpFromPaper Bags Really DO Make Real Life Feel Like a Cartoon

Dan Cohen — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 04:30:14 +0000

Judie posted on these über-cool JumpFromPaper bags the other day. As she wrote,

I loved the way “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” (1988) and “Cool World” (1992) mixed cartoon elements into a real-world backdrop. I enjoyed the same effect as a kid, watching older Disney movies such as Mary Poppins, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and Song of the South. There’s just something quirky and irresistible about imagining a world where cartoons can come to life; anything can happen!

The bags are the creation of design duo, Chay Su and Rika Lin. They have produced a line of travel, camera, laptop and general gear bags which look like props from a cartoon. They look amazing, but the question remained… were they real? Would they look as cool in real life? You judge!! Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

JumpFromPaper Makes Real Life Feel Like a Cartoon with Seriously Ridiculous Bags

Judie Stanford — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:30:41 +0000

I loved the way "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" (1988) and "Cool World" (1992) mixed cartoon elements into a real-world backdrop. I enjoyed the same effect as a kid, watching older Disney movies such as Mary Poppins, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and Song of the South. There's just something quirky and irresistible about imagining a world where cartoons can come to life; anything can happen! Evidently the minds behind JumpFromPaper feel the same. Created by Taipei-based design duo, Chay Su and Rika Lin, JumpFromPaper is a bag company that has produced a line of travel, camera, laptop and general gear bags which look like props from a cartoon.

One cozy afternoon, the two girls were chatting, when they got to sketching their dream designer handbag. A surprising idea popped up – “How amazing it would be if a two-dimensional hand-drawn illustration could come to life as a real bag!” They explored every possibility, rendering fantasy handbags in perspective, and giving birth to JumpFromPaper™. Cartoon-like outlines and bright and cheerful colors add a brisk yet funky flavor. And despite the slim appearance, each JumpFromPaper™ bag has a roomy interior to accommodate personal belongings and even a laptop.

This is one of my favorites, the "Cheese" camera bag ...

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Jill-e Designs Shows Off Stylish E-GO Leather Tablet Tote for iPad 2

Bryan Eley — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:30:35 +0000

You may not be able to deny that Albus Dumbledore from the Harry Potter movie series has style, but you too can be stylish sporting Jill-e Designs's new E-GO Leather Tablet Tote for the iPad 2. You can be a technophile, but there's no excuse not to look spiffy as well!

The E-GO Leather Tablet Tote features:
Top quality, weather-resistant, all leather construction
Adjustable leather strap to carry cross-body or on shoulder
Messenger bag styling with secure snap enclosure
Protective padded interior with stylish fabric lining
Protective pocket for tablet or e-reader
Additional interior space for notepad, wallet, glasses and keys
Spacious, easy access front pocket

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

HEX Introduces New Fleet Collection; Cross-Body for iPad and MacBook Air 11″ Stands Out

Judie Stanford — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 20:30:55 +0000

I have no doubt that there will be a ton of laptop bag and device case announcements to come out of CES, and at some point they may all start to look the same if there aren't any differentiating features. Fortunately there are some companies with products that are already standing out; HEX is one of them. A 2012 CES Design & Innovations Award Honoree, Hex has just announced a new 12-piece Fleet Collection. Some of the more notable are the Tote for 15” MacBook Pro and for me, especially -- the Cross-Body for iPad and 11” MacBook Air.

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

New Alienware Gaming Laptop Cases Unveiled by Mobile Edge

Judie Stanford — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 06:05:09 +0000

Even if you don't have one of those super-powerful Alienware M18x, M17x, M14x, or M11x gaming laptops, you can still carry your all of your gear in style. Mobile Edge has released two new Alienware branded bags, the Orion Messenger and the Tactical Backpack ...

For the M11x, there are two durable cases offered. The sleek M11x Neoprene Sleeve has easy access carrying handles and an outside zippered compartment for accessories. The semi-rigid M11x Portfolio is ideal for travel with a unique design that allows you to use the laptop while still inside the case. The all new M14x has three case options which include the M14x Neoprene sleeve, the Orion Messenger Bag and Orion Backpack. Both the

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CES 2012: The Gear Diary Big Battery Shootout

Dan Cohen — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 23:00:42 +0000

One of my all-time favorite Tom Lehrer songs is Be Prepared. (You can hear it here.) Unfortunately despite our best efforts we weren't prepared to keep our devices running all day at CES last year. This year, however, that's not going to happen. No, this year Judie is bringing the Yoobao Power Bank 11,200 mAh Battery Review we reviewed a few months ago and I am likely going to bring the PowerBag Messenger that we reviewed here. That isn't enough however so we will bring a few more external batteries along for the ride. As I was trying to figure out which external batteries to bring I realized a few things about Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Disassemble Your Tech Gear with the iFixit Pro Tech Base Toolkit

Bryan Eley — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 15:00:02 +0000

I have a confession to make. I love to take things apart. Back when I was a kid I had a super-sweet Milton Bradley Star Bird toy, an early electronic noisemaker with revving engines and laser blasts. In the course of kid play, something inside broke loose and rattled around, driving me nuts. Spaceships off to do ground assault ought not to have a broken piece giving away their stealth attack so I, being young and adventuresome, decided to put my Star Bird in space dock (Dad’s table vice grip) and haul out a trusty Sears Philips screwdriver and effect repairs. I was successful, and so launched my interest in taking gizmos apart. More recently, with Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Mobile Edge Has Got Your Back If You Are Worried About Privacy

Judie Stanford — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 02:30:58 +0000

Are you feeling a bit spooked by all the recent stories about how our mobile phones are transmitting our GPS data, who we are talking to, and other possibly sensitive information? Here is one solution that might help: buy a bag that has a wireless security shield. What that means is that when your phone is placed in the pocket -- even if it is turned on and otherwise fully functioning, no data, calls or GPS will be able to come or go.

Wireless Security Shield™
In an effort to help provide ultimate security for your Bluetooth enabled Cell

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Get Serious About Protection with Pelican’s i1075 HardBack Case for iPad and iPad 2

Dan Cohen — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 17:20:21 +0000

I've been seriously considering just bringing my iPad and a Bluetooth keyboard with me when I head out on vacation next Sunday and this has me pretty much convinced that that's just what I'll be doing. Pelican has just announced the availability of their new i1075 HardBack™ case for the iPad and iPad 2. The i1075 is part of the new HardBack™ Protector series of cases from Pelican so we will be seeing more styles for various devices in the coming months. The i1075 HardBack™ case for the iPad and iPad 2 is

watertight, crush proof, and dust

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Holiday Gift Guide: Luxurious Items for Leather-Loving Gadget Hounds

Dan Cohen — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 16:00:31 +0000

From the Editorial Staff of Gear Diary: Is there a lover of leather in your life? If so, here are five gifts with which you can't go wrong. The Orbino Padova 2 Crocodile iPad 2 Case: Yeah, at $689.00 this iPad 2 case is a splurge but it is handcrafted from Crocodile and is a stunner. Judie has one and loves it. Here's a video of the case. Gorgeous isn't it? If that is too rich for you, then you can go with a Padova for iPad 2 made from standard leather. It costs $209.00 and is also a gorgeous case you or a loved one will use proudly Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Tablet Accessory Review: Skooba Tablet Messenger V3

Dan Cohen — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:00:30 +0000

When a company like Skooba (Gear Diary's very first advertiser!) releases a new product, we take notice. Two years ago we reviewed the company's Netbook Messenger bag. I liked it a lot and had this to say,

In all I have found the Skooba NetBook Messenger to be a great bag for daily use. If you carry a netbook (or a MacBook without too many accessories) and want a bag that is small, light and easy to grab and go this is a great choice. It looks good, will likely put up with a good deal of use and abuse.

Two years later netbook's run is over and done. Now it is a tablet world Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Review: Mission Workshop Sanction Weatherproof Rucksack

Dan Cohen — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 22:00:44 +0000

Last week we took a look at two high-tech bags from Powerbag. The PowerBag Messenger and the PowerBag Backpack both pack 6000mAh batteries and an interior system of charging cables so you can keep your mobile electronics charged on the go. The Messenger will be coming to CES with me and the Backpack will be used by Kevin during the week. Between the two bags we are hoping to avoid our annual tradition of struggling to keep our phones and tablets charged during the grueling days in Las Vegas. But what if you want to carry lots of stuff, need to make sure it won't get damaged if it rains and don't need Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Gear Bag Review: PowerBag Backpack

Dan Cohen — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:00:29 +0000

We took a look at the PowerBag Messenger the other day. It combines an incredibly well-designed, strongly constructed bag with the ability to recharge your devices on the go. On almost all counts it thoroughly impresses. And at under $140, it is not much more than a 6000mAh external battery would be on its own. That makes it a great deal in my opinion. The company makes a number of other designs and they were kind enough to also send a PowerBag backpack as well as the messenger. Since the power aspect of the backpack is the same as it is with the messenger bag, I thought we might take a look at the backpack on Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

New Laptop or Tablet? Skooba Design has a Great Way to Carry It!

Dan Cohen — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 14:45:47 +0000

Skooba Design makes some amazing bags and gear accessories. They are all well-built and amazingly functional. In fact, once you start using one, you quickly realize that Skooba's bags were designed by people who actually carry and USE mobile devices. This level of thought and functionality is seen in pretty much every aspect of the bags including the location of pockets, the size and the placement of zippered areas. The company sent us word that their new fall lineup of laptop and tablet cases is on the way and they look great. The new V.3 Collection includes two laptop bags, an iPad/tablet messenger, and a new version of Skooba’s Superbungee shoulder strap. At the same Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

iSafe Bags Announces Waist Pack with Built-in Personal Security Alarm

Douglas Moran — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:15:58 +0000

I'll tell you right up front: I always have mixed feelings about these kinds of products. Alarms, surveillance, locks, codes, keys; I just wish we lived in a world where we didn't need this kind of stuff, don't you? And no, though I'm the official old fart of GD, even I don't remember a time when we could just leave our front doors unlocked. Ah, the downsides of the modern world! My feelings aside, that doesn't change the fact that bags like this have a lot of fans, and can be durn useful in a number of--well, let's just say "iffy situations". If you're concerned about said situations, you could do a lot worse than to Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Gear Diary at 5: Sena’s Got Your iPad 2 Covered Contest

Dan Cohen — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:00:33 +0000

Seems like our 5th Anniversary contest are spawning even more contests! So let's keep going. Before we do, here's a reminder that we already have some great contests going. There is the Gear Diary at 5 Giveaway: Trick Out Your iPhone 4 and the Gear Diary at 5: You CAN Get There from Here, Magellan RoadMate 9055-LM Giveaway and finally there is the Gear Diary at 5: Win a Sceptre 24″ HDTV / DVD Combo Giveaway (That one ends today, so hurry up and enter.) Today we are starting our Sena's Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

The Skooba Design Cable Stable Mini Review

Judie Stanford — Sat, 27 Aug 2011 15:15:39 +0000

Even with so many devices going toward the microUSB "standard", I can't help but travel with a minimum of three different types of cables -- and sometimes more than that. My phone uses microUSB, my iPad has its own Apple connector, and my camera is miniUSB. When packing, I also need to bring along the battery chargers for my camera and MacBook Air, along with a few other miscellaneous doo-dads. You may recall that I reviewed the Skooba Design Cable Stable DLX early last year; while I have found it to be an excellent solution when I need to bring along the whole 'kit and kaboodle', there are times when I have wished that it Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Review: AViiQ Portable Charging Station

Dan Cohen — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 21:00:29 +0000

The promise of converged devices like the iPhone was, among other things, the ability to travel light. Instead of needing to bring a phone, an address book, a music player, a note pad, a camera, etc., smartphones promised to replace all of that and be the only thing you needed to bring with you. Funny but, at least for many of us, that hasn't happened. Sure, my iPhone DOES replace all those aforementioned items, but along with my iPhone I now carry an iPad, a Bluetooth headset and, at times, a second phone. And in order to keep them all working I also need to bring wall chargers and cables. That's NOT converged living Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Hex Launches New Collection of Tech-Friendly Bags and Cases

William Herbert — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 14:00:40 +0000

The seemingly everlasting style conundrum - fashion vs. function, might finally have a solution. According to Hex, makers of those stylish iPod Nano watchbands, you can have your cake and eat it too. Having recently released a brand-new Fall/ Winter bag collection, the Oxnard, California-based trend-setters are banking on the dual appeal of fashion and function. Currently available for pre-order, the tech-friendly bags feature a versatile combination of pockets, padded pouches, compartment separations, organizers and adjustable straps. If you've been hunting for a more fashionable way to carry your laptop or iPad, this seems like a pretty straightforward solution.

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Gear Diary’s Back to School Gift Guide and an ARCHOS 70 Android Internet Tablet for You to Win!

Judie Stanford — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:40:17 +0000

Update: The giveaway is now closed, and the winner is darktweak! We appreciate everyone who entered, and we'd like to remind you to keep an eye out for many more great Gear Diary giveaways! =)

It's time to start thinking about the supplies you are going to send your kids back to school with, and we are here to help! We've gathered together a collection of goodies that any student would like, and while there are plenty of practical items, we didn't forget the gear that helps makes time off from studying even better. Whether you are on a limited budget or the sky is the limit, there is something here for everyone ... including an Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Skooba Design Adds Tenba Photo Bags to Portfolio

David Goodspeed — Mon, 23 May 2011 14:30:00 +0000

In response to many customer requests, Laptop bag manufacturer Skooba Design has partnered with the well-known Tenba brand to add photo/video carrying cases to Skooba’s product offering. Skooba will act as a reseller for the 35 year-old photo brand, which is a division of a separate company. The Skooba website is set up with quick links to match your lifestyle needs. One of four tabs – photographer, fashionista, road warrior and tech lover – will take you to a page with bags suited to fit your exact needs. I love this new offering of the Tenba bag lineup. I still use one of their earlier satchel style models every day at my “day job.” Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Review: Lowepro Compuday Photo 250 Backpack

Travis Ehrlich — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 20:00:29 +0000

I love gear bags, especially backpacks. The great thing about a gear bag is that I can carry more of my stuff. I have a backpack for my DSLR as well as a backpack for my MacBook and all of the items that go with it. Just the other day we took a short family trip and my wife was amused that I had to carry two backpacks with me. She asked why I did not just find one that could fit all of my stuff I was taking. Well, lucky for me, I was able to review the Compuday 250 from Lowepro which does exactly that. Let's take a look.

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Review: Skooba Design Harmony 15″ Tote

Carly Z — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 19:00:27 +0000

My office is business formal attire, which means men wear suits and ties and women wear pantsuits/skirt suits. However, men have a leg up here, since men's suits typically have pockets big enough to hold wallet, keys, etc. Women's suits, not so much. Apparently we're only going to keep the world's tiniest stick of gum in there. In any case, this means it's always key to have a nice bag with you at all times. Do you opt for a small purse plus a briefcase, or do you find a bag that's stylish enough for everyday carrying but roomy and functional enough to use as a laptop bag/professional bag? Skooba Design thinks it can step up and be that Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Skooba Design’s Easter Special: 40% Off the Harmony Collection

Judie Stanford — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 21:45:58 +0000

The ad above says it all -- you can save 40% on Skooba Design's Harmony Collection, thanks to the bonus 10% they are tacking onto an already good 30%-off deal; even better, you get free shipping on orders over $50. Carly will have a review on the Harmony 15 Tote early next week, but in the meantime -- enjoy fantastic savings by using the EXTRA10 code at checkout when purchasing from the Harmony Collection. =) Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

FitPac NEO Review and Giveaway

Carly Z — Sun, 17 Apr 2011 01:00:11 +0000

There are very few times that an accessory can be polarizing and generate major debate, yet the FitPac NEO generated quite the discussion when I showed it to some friends. Reactions ranged from "Why would you use this?" to "Oh, I could totally see this being helpful for x, y, z". You'll have to read a bit further to see what Sarah had to say about it, but first let's look at what the FitPac NEO is and why it may be a bit of an acquired taste. The company describes themselves and their products as:

FitPac Lifestyle Accessories, a new millennium sports, travel and fashion accessory company, has created an innovative way to carry our cell

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Aligata Leather Releases New Premium Leather Products to Protect Your Gear in Style

Dan Cohen — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 15:15:13 +0000

One of the best things about being involved in this blogging community is that you never know who you are going to meet along the way. That is certainly the case with our friend Tom from Aligata leather. Shortly after the iPad was released, I did a review of a number of iPad folio cases. Shortly thereafter we received an email from Tom. He told us he was designing a simple but premium leather folio for the iPad, and he wanted to know if we wanted to take a look. Shortly thereafter Judie and I received sample of them. We were impressed by the cases, but even more impressed with Tom. He is one of Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

WaterField Introduces the Muzetto Man Bag; Call Me Useful, Just Don’t Call Me a Murse

Dan Cohen — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 18:15:46 +0000

When I got my iPad one of the first high-end bags for carrying that I got to review was the Waterfield Muzetto. I had wanted one ever since I had read Judie's review of the laptop version of the bag. Her conclusion at the time:

I have always been a fan of Vertical bags, in fact one of my favorite purses is the Louis Vuitton Musette, which this bag’s style greatly resembles. I really enjoyed carrying the Muzetto when I traveled to Seattle, and perhaps even more than that — I enjoyed all the comments I got from the other attendees who absolutely loved it, and that stranger at the airport. At least one

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

CES: Meeting with Timbuk2

Judie Stanford — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 01:00:07 +0000

At CES we met with one of our favorite gadget bag companies, Timbuk2. While with them, we got to see some of the bags and accessories they'll be introducing this year. Not surprisingly, we were impressed with the continuing evolution and utility of their designs. We have reviewed several of Timbuk2's bags over the years, and we were impressed anew by the design and quality of the bags being shown. Among the bags they will have coming out this year is the upcoming Command ($130, shown above). The Command won a CES Innovation award, and it is TSA-compliant so that your laptop does not have to be removed when going through security Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

CES: GOLLA Launches New Product Line at CES

LarryGreenberg — Fri, 07 Jan 2011 17:50:27 +0000

Each year at CES the Finish bag company Golla launches its new collection. The company makes a variety of universal pouches as well as device specific cases for the iPad, iPhone, Mac Book Air and others.

The designs are bright, colorful and refreshing.

Learn more about them by visiting the company's web site here.

Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Review: Mobile Edge Sumo Messenger Bag

Joel McLaughlin — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 17:00:10 +0000

We've been looking for a good bag for my wife's new laptop. Her new laptop would not fit into her old bag since she was using a netbook. When Mobile Edge's Sumo Messenger Bag came up for review, I jumped at the chance. Will my wife be happy with this new bag? I was sent the Sumo Messenger bag in red. Chalk up one point for Mobile Edge picking a color my wife likes with red being a favorite! This bag has a ton of pockets on it. On the exterior there is one on the flap. two on the front panel, one on the back panel and one on each side with one of those made Continue reading on Gear Diary ...