I recently jumped back into the world of netbooks. Mostly I wanted something on which to use Windows 7. So I tried a number of them running the new OS and settle on the Toshiba NB205. A bit of surgery and the diminutive machine now has 2GB of RAM and an SSD drive. It runs rather well and gets 8-9 hours on a single charge. Now if only I had a way to easily carry it since my other bags are designed for much larger notebooks…

Thankfully Skooba has me covered with a new line of bags especially designed for netbooks. The Netbook Messenger Bag has 20 pockets, holds netbooks with up to 10 inch screens and weighs just 24 ounces. At 14×12 x 3 inches in size it is large enough to carry what you need but small enough to travel lightly.

The MSRP of the bag is just $49.95. Details and more images can be found on the Skooba website. The full Press Release follows.

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It is not a so-well-kept secret that I travel quite a bit for my day job. While 2009 has seen a slow down in travel for me, I still will easily make my American Airlines Platinum status for the 4th year in a row. As a reminder to everyone: Airline status is not something to be proud of. It means that you spend too much time on airplanes and that you know exactly which seats and rows have power outlets… but I digress. Since September 11, 2001 the single biggest challenge with air travel has not necessarily been the airlines but the security process you have to go through in order to get to your gate. I’m not complaining – security has kept us from having any significant airline issues since 9/11 – but it can be challenging, especially for seasoned travelers.

Normally when you go through the security checkpoint at the airport you are required to remove your laptop from your bag and put it in a seperate tray in order to be x-rayed amongst the other things you have to removed from your person – shoes, belts, etc. For most this is not that big of a deal but for people who have a lot of stuff in their bag along with their computer, it can take a minute or so to get the computer out of the bag and onto the belt. Meanwhile, the seasoned travelers are tapping their toe behind you waiting impatiently.

To help solve this challenge of travel, Skooba Designs has released a wide range of bags they refer to as their Checkthrough series. This series of bags are approved by the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) for allowing your computer to remain in the bag and be x-rayed. It is a tremendous time saver, especially on those days when the airport security is exceptionally busy. Skooba Designs was kind enough to send me the Checkthrough Roller bag for this review and after several trips with it I have to say it is a winner. Not only does it help you get through security checkpoints but it is a roomy and functional roller bag.

The Skooba Checkthrough Roller Bag

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Booq is introducing a new computer case- The Viper rush. The Viper rush is a semi-rigid work-in laptop case. It is made from high density foam and offers a high degree of protection.

As a “work-in bag” it opens about 120 degrees to provide in-bag access to the machine. That means you can open the bag, get some work done and then pack up again in seconds. It isn’t JUST a work-in bag, though. Lightweight, protective, roomy enough for basic accessories, the bag is a great daily bag whether you use the work-in feature or not.

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I. Am. A. Mobile. Computing. User… Period.

I live for converged devices, laptops, netbooks, and data on the go. I’ve got unlimited data on my Smartphone account; and have tethered my laptop to my phone when I need to be online in a pinch. When I travel, I need to take it with me; and when it comes to airport security, I dread the TSA required aerobics and mandatory disrobing… Thankfully, to help make things easier, Skooba Design has created the CheckThrough Backpack.  Let’s take a quick look to see how (and if) this thing makes traveling easier…

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I’ve never been a huge backpack fan. Instead, I have always been partial to messenger-type bags such as the Acme Courier Judie and I both reviewed a few months ago.

The H.A.L. Backpack from Timbuk2 may just change that. It is versatile, well-designed and pretty impressive! Let’s take a look.

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Sydney Australia based STM Bags introduces the Scout laptop bag. Key features are simplicity and rugged exterior with a felt lined and padded interior. The Medium Scout features a simple one buck fastener and plenty of pockets internally for the stray chargers and connectors that mobile users accumulate. More photos after the jump. Continue Reading

Need a bag to help you zip through airline security? Well if you believe in miracles you might check out this Targus 16″ Zip-Thru – on sale for $32 (normally $80). Features leather-wrapped handles, an ergonomic, non-slip shoulder strap, and a trolley strap for attaching to rolling luggage. Great for the HP HDX16t Premium Laptop also on sale for $749 at over 50% off.

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It’s Back To School Time! That means one thing – Back To School Shopping. But not everyone is made of money or has older kids that need all the top of the line stuff that Time Magazine seems to think is needed in their Back to School Tech List for Wealthy Spoiled Students. Those of us with younger kids know that the one annual essential item is a backpack. Honestly I don’t know how my kids aren’t both walking like hunchbacks with all the papers, books and bottles of water they pack into theirs. The ugly secret of backpacks is they’re usually only good for one season (I’ve found this true even with the expensive LL Bean models). So instead of buying the high end overpriced backpacks – I tend to keep my eyes open for deals like this Wilson Youth Backpack. Made of tough 600 Denier and with two front pockets, 2 side sleeves for water bottles and adjustable padded straps. You can grab one today for $7.99 shipped – which is about 1/2 the price of any decent backpack I’ve spotted elsewhere.

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I’ve just received the welcome news that Skooba Design is introducing two new Checkpoint friendly bags to their Checkthrough collection: the Checkthrough Roller and the Checkthrough Backpack. Both are designed so that you can leave your laptop in the bag when passing through Airport security, and both look pretty darn good!

Let’s peek…

Checkthrough Backpack

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I’ve mentioned several times how much I love the idea of convergence devices.

From my iPhone, to my clock radio, to my USB hub/dock I’m all about getting the most function out of every device I own.

The Voltaic line of gear bags not only will carry all of your gadgets around town for you it’ll charge them too.

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CASECROWN is a southern California based company founded by self described gadget lovers.

They make some of the most affordable cases around, and they were kind enough to send me one of their Classic Slim Cases for laptops to review.

Here’s a quick overview of the case from the CASECROWN web site:

- Perfect Fit For Your Notebooks
- Premium Quality Shock-Absorbing Double Memory Foam Interior
- Water & Wear Resistant; Zipper Scratch-Free Exterior Material
- Light & Thin Compact Design
- Internal Supporting Bands To Secure Your Gadgets

How does this laptop case match up?  Read on to find out.

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Today only you can grab a Timbuk2 Coder bag for only $28 (normally $80). The perfect day-tripper. Holds your laptop, power brick, pen, papers, and cash money. Available in Small, Medium and Large and Navy, White, Black and Brown colors. Hurry because this deal’s done after today.

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To frame for a second just how eco-centric my family is, let me give an example: on our recent vacation to Ohio, we returned with two trash bags full of recyclable materials because we found the recycling in the area we stayed inadequate. Also, a recent report showed that simultaneous to an explosion of ‘green’ advertising, as many as 98% of all ‘green’ product advertisements are misleading. So, when someone claims to make an eco-friendly product, I am immediately skeptical. Therefore the Mobile Edge ECO Messenger gets a double-look here: first and foremost for its utility as a messenger bag, but also based on the claims of being an ECO friendly product.

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