Gear Diary » Laptop Bags

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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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.

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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 ...

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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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 ...

Holiday Gift Guide: For Those Who Work on the Go

Dan Cohen — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 19:00:56 +0000

From the Editorial Staff of Gear Diary: Is there someone in your life who loves music? If so, here are five gifts with which you can't go wrong. We have to start this list with the 11" MacBook air. It's small, light, under $1000 and it makes working on the go a pleasure. You'll quickly forget that it is as small as it is. Judie has one and loves it. Dan has one and loves it. Elana has one and loves it (and she NEVER raves about technology.) Get one at Apple.com 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 ...

TOM BIHN Introduces the Cadet Briefcase for Apple Laptops and iPad

Dan Cohen — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 17:45:35 +0000

We love TOM BIHN's bags and are always happy to see them bring out a new design. Today that design is the Cadet, a bag that is

a laptop briefcase designed for Apple laptops including the 15" MacBook Pro, 11" and 13" MacBook Air and the iPad 2. The Cadet is designed to carry your laptop or iPad, a few files or magazines, power supplies, pens, notebooks, and other small accessories. The Cadet is also a checkpoint friendly laptop bag.

The Cadet comes in two sizes with one designed for a 15" or 13" MacBook and the other sized for the 11" MacBook Air or iPad. Both have a removable protective laptop sleeve (the company calls 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 ...

Gear Bag Review: PowerBag Messenger

Dan Cohen — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 21:00:48 +0000

CES is coming up, and this year we will have the biggest Gear Diary team covering the event ever. Even though CES is more than two months off, it isn't too early to start thinking about the ins and outs of the week. As we have mentioned previously, one of the biggest challenges at CES is keeping cameras, phones and video recorders charged and usable. The days are long and the tools we use to cover CES are in use from early morning until late at night. Battery cases and external batteries help a great deal but, this year, we'll have yet another way to keep our devices charged thanks to PowerBag. PowerBags come 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 ...

Laptop Bag Review: the Acme Made Clyde St. Messenger

Dan Cohen — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 21:00:45 +0000

We've become big fans of Acme Made's bags over the last few years and are always excited when they release a new design. A short time ago we brought word of a new bag, the Acme Made Clyde St. Messenger and we now have one for review that we have been using for the last few weeks. It is a big messenger bag and, in typical Acme Made fashion, it has a good bit of understated-style and quality construction. Here's a closer look. From Acme Made:

The Clyde St. Messenger is a solid, all-purpose messenger bag. It’s

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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 ...

Gear Diary at 5 Giveaway: It’s In the Bag Winners Announced!!!

Dan Cohen — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 02:45:10 +0000

We've got winners! Three awesome laptop bags, lightly used review samples, were up for grabs and today we are announcing who is getting them. But before we get to that here's a bit of a reminder. We've got two other contest currently running. There's the "Gear Diary at 5: You CAN Get There from Here, Magellan RoadMate 9055-LM Giveaway". Check it out and enter here. And then there is the "Gear Diary at 5: Win a Sceptre 24″ HDTV / DVD Combo AND Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Gear Diary at 5: You CAN Get There from Here, Magellan RoadMate 9055-LM Giveaway

Dan Cohen — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 02:00:33 +0000

Okay, we're going to keep this going. Right now we still have the Gear Diary at 5 Giveaway: It’s In the Bag contest for three awesome laptop bags running. It will end tomorrow, but there is still time to enter. You can find it here. In addition, we've got the contest for giving away the Spectre TV/DVD combination that's also running. You can enter the contest to win the TV/DVD player right here.

Let's add yet another contest giveaway into the mix.

We're giving away a Magellan RoadMate GPS!!!

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Gear Diary at 5: Win a Sceptre 24″ HDTV / DVD Combo AND a Grand Prize 1st Look

Dan Cohen — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 02:00:46 +0000

We have already given away some great stuff as part of our 5 year celebration but we're just getting started. Here's the next round in our giveaway plus a first look at the grand prize. Before we go there though just a reminder that we are still running our "Gear Diary at 5 Giveaway: It’s In the Bag" contest and we have three awesome review samples up for grabs. Head over to enter! Now the new giveaway. Judie just reviewed the Sceptre 24″ HDTV / DVD Combo. Aside from some disappointment with the sound coming from the speakers Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Gear Diary at 5 Giveaway: It’s In the Bag

Dan Cohen — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 18:45:04 +0000

Yes we are continuing the giveaways in a big way! This time around we have some awesome laptop, gadget bags to give away. Before we get there just a reminder that our Gear Diary at 5 Day 4 Giveaway: iPad 2 Cases Galore! is still going on. We have great cases to offer so check them out and get entering. Details can be found here. Now on to the new giveaway. CASES!!!! Here's what we have to give away.

Number 1

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Acme Made Announces New Clyde St. Messenger Bag

Dan Cohen — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 18:00:34 +0000

Judie and I are both huge fans of Acme Made's products. We've reviewed their Clutch, their Skinny Sleeve, their Slick Case for iPad and their awesome Courier laptop bag. We got word today of a brand new style, the Cylde St. Messenger, and it looks great too. Here's Acme Made's description of it:

The Clyde St. Messenger is a solid, all-purpose messenger bag. It’s built tough with lots of interior space and pockets to store it all. With styling that looks as good in a conference room as it does on the street, the Clyde St

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Change is in the Air, and it is Not Just the Coming of Fall

Dan Cohen — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 21:00:27 +0000

Let's face it, the iPad is eating everyone else's lunch and that not only goes for other tablets but for traditional computers as well. MG Siegler has a rather interesting and excellent post over on TechCrunch the other day that makes this point rather well. In it he argues that the iPad represents a Clear and Present Danger to the traditional PC market. The reason? Unlike those of us who write for a living (whether as bloggers or... say... clergy) and need something that we can use to write hundreds or thousands of words, the vast majority of people can use an iPad (he is careful to point out that Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Gear Deal: Dell Alienware m14x 14″ Core i7 “Sandy Bridge” Laptop

Dan Cohen — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:05:54 +0000

Today's Gear Deal is a powerhouse 14" Dell Alienware m14X Laptop. It features NVIDIA Optimus graphics, weighs less than 7 lbs., has up to 6 hours battery life, offers an optional 1600 x 900 display, 256GB SSD and more. It also includes two USB 3.0 ports, a miniDisplayPort, an HDMI 1.4 port, a 9-in-1 card reader and much more. The laptop is now available starting at $1,099 less a $50 coupon code. That brings the price down to $1,049. If you really want to go hardcore our Gear Sponsor has highlighted the 14" Alienware M14x with a Core i7-2630QM 2GHz Quad-core, 8GB of RAM, a 1600x900 LCD, a 500GB HDD and 3GB GeForce GT555M for 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.

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Gear Diary Roundup: Week Ending July 31

Dan Cohen — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 13:00:01 +0000

Well, July is over. The heat keeps coming, kids are getting read to go back to school and there's no shortage of gear news and reviews. Here are a few posts you may have missed but are worth a look… Gear Diary’s Back to School Gift Guide and an ARCHOS 70 Android Internet Tablet for You to Win!

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

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Waterfield’s New MacBook Air Smart Case Let’s You Carry Your MBA with Style and Protection

Dan Cohen — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 22:32:28 +0000

Apple announced the new MacBook Airs this morning and Waterfield has a new design that will make protecting it on the go simple and stylish. The new Waterfield Smart Case for MacBook Air is a simple but effective sleeve for both the 11" and 13" MBA. It features the company's excellent build-quality along with a style that belies its hardcore protective features. Among those features: a plastic insert that shields both sides and the bottom of the MBA and a snug fit that will keep the laptop from sliding out. In addition there is a mesh pocket that expands if you need to carry something but sits flat when empty. I've used the Smart Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Revolutionary Laptop Bags from Normincies Available for Pre-order

Douglas Moran — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 14:00:55 +0000

A number of years ago, when I was working (seriously) three jobs at once, I splurged on a pair of Mephisto sandals. They put me out something around $300, which is more than three times what I had ever paid for shoes before. "And why," you might ask, "did you pay so much much for a pair of flinkin' sandals?" Well, aside from the fact that I got them from Nordstrom, and love shopping there (and hate shopping anywhere else), there's one incontrovertible fact: I'm wearing the damn things right now, and they still look like I bought them yesterday. Sometimes you want to shell out a bit extra for quality that's going to last. Not always Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Laptop Gear Review: The Acme Made Clutch

Dan Cohen — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 17:00:40 +0000

Two years ago Judie reviewed Acme Made's Courier laptop bag. Her conclusion

I am really impressed with just about everything the ACME MADE Courier delivers. This bag is such a beauty; but it is also an amazingly light workhorse with plenty of pockets, compartments, and an impressive carrying capacity. If you are searching for a laptop bag that doesn’t look like all the others – and that doesn’t compromise function at the expense of form, then the Courier may be the bag for you!

I loved the look of the Courier and was grateful when the company sent one in 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 ...

Review: Everki Flight Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Backpack

Travis Ehrlich — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 21:00:50 +0000

As the amount of gear I carry increases, the ability to carry it with comfort and style becomes more important. I have recently reviewed several products from Everki including the Camber Netbook Case, Beacon Backpack, Track Messenger, and the Agile Slim Laptop bag. I have loved the design and quality of Everki products, so I was excited to have a chance to review the new Flight Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Backpack. Not only is carrying all of your mobile gear important, but also being able to travel easily, especially when catching a flight.

Let's take a look.

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