To enter our Skooba Design Skooba Skin Giveaway, we asked you leave a comment saying what kind of laptop you own, and to let us know which Skooba Skin you would like to carry it in … and we now have our winners!

The 1617 in tough Black Ballistic winner is Heatwave96!

The 1415 in yummy Blueberry Microsuede winner is breley!

The 1012 in retro Brown Corduroy winner is JD Northwest!

Please allow me to gush for a moment, because it is not something I’m usually inclined to do …

I truly enjoy using my little 11″ MacBook Air; it is the computer that I grab when I don’t want to be tied to a desk. I use it on the couch, I use it outside on our deck, and sometimes I use it “just because” … and when it’s time to travel, I typically toss my Air inside whatever bag I happen to be carrying. The 11″ Air is the most totable (while remaining usable) laptop that I have ever owned.

While I prefer to keep my Air inside a protective sleeve when it’s being… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

If you have one of the sexy 2010 or 2011 MacBook Airs, then it makes absolutely no sense to cover that svelte beauty in a big fat laptop case. ACME Made has got perhaps one of the thinnest and most minimalistic sleeves that I have seen, so whether you prefer to carry your Air in a laptop bag or not, the Skinny Sleeve Stretch Shell may be its perfect protector.

I was sent a review sample in black, but there is also a purple version; the Skinny Sleeve is available for both the 11″ and 13″ MacBook Airs.

Composed… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

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 ...

Have you ever found a sleeve that suited you 100 percent?  Well with Caseables, you finally can with their customizable sleeves.  I was not sent a custom sleeve, but a sample of one of the sleeves that they currently make.  Every stitch on this one is done with the same care and quality as any custom that you can order from Caseable.

The inside of the sleeve is covered in very soft white fleece which should protect your laptop from scratches just fine.  I am not too sure about the color inside this one.  With all of the other color choices for the rest of the sleeve, on the classic model I… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Dan mentioned a little while ago that AUTUM was releasing Straight Jackets for the new MacBook Airs and the iPad, which he soon followed with a review of their iPad Straight Jacket. Because Dan and I are now the owners of new MacBook Airs, we have been sent a couple of AUTUM’s MacBook Air Straight Jackets to review as well; I was sent the 11″ version, and Dan has Both the 11″ and the 13″.

The picture above shows all three; the 13″ is on the bottom, the 11″ is in the middle, and the iPad… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Let’s face it, laptop sleeves can be boring.  Well if you just can’t find the pattern or design that fits for your taste, then check out Caseable.  Available in two different styles, the sleeves can be made with images that you provide or you can just pic a color, add text and even add handles to your design.

The prices also seem pretty reasonable at only $69.99.  That may sound expensive, but when you think that your case will be handmade in Brooklyn, NY and only with images and colors you approve it’s not bad.

Oh and they even make a sleeve that will fit everyone’s favorite… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

There aren’t many materials that are more long-lasting, beautiful or more protective than thick, full grain leather; Saddleback Leather Company is one of the few companies who takes advantage of that fact. I recently received their iPad Sleeve / Large Gadget Pouch, and have since had a chance to put it under the microscope (figuratively, of course).

Opening the sleeve, I was immediately impressed by its lovely appearance and the smell of its thick leather. The sleeve measures 8 ¾” wide x 10 3/8″tall when lying flat, but according to Saddleback, you “can fit a large grapefruit inside.” The even, double row stitching (done with industrial grade marine thread) is… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

TOM BIHN is ready for the new MacBook Air notebooks with their Cache sleeve. There is one for the new 11″ MacBook Air that is available for pre-order and one for the 13″ that is already shipping. Here’s how the company describes their sleeve:

A padded sleeve for your laptop, the Cache is designed to protect your laptop against scrapes and scratches. Its 1/4″ (6mm) thick foam padding laminated with an exterior of four-ply Taslan and an interior of brushed tricot cradles your laptop. No noisy Velcro® or zipper, the Cache closes by simply tucking a generous flap into the top opening. The Cache

Water field Designs wasted no time in announcing two new custom-fitted cases for the just-announced MacBook Airs. Both are old favorites of mine that are perfectly sized for both the new 11.6″ and 13.3″ MBAs. Both MacBook Air cases are in production now and will begin shipping by October 29. They are currently available now for pre-order at www.sfbags.com.

The SleeveCase for MacBook Air

The SleeveCase offers simple, but excellent, slipcover protection to the MacBook Air. I have, and use one with

Feur is the German word for “fire.”  Being a firefighter I’m sure it’s not surprising that I often visit various firefighting related blogs & web sites. During a recent visit to one I stumbled upon a link the Feuerwear web site.

Feuerwear is a German company who takes out of service fire hose and turns it into bags, wallets and belts.  Since the hose they use to make their products was actually used in the field, each item they produce takes on its own individual look.  Fire hose often gets dragged through the elements and exposed to extreme heat and extreme cold.  Feuerwear throughly cleans each piece of hose they

Some people decorate and adorn their laptops with stickers or Gelaskins.  Sometimes you can buy a laptop that comes with a design on the back of the LCD that just begs to be shown off all the time even when it’s in the case.  That is exactly what the Altego Laptop Sleeve was made for.… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

There are lots of ways to protect your precious MacBook these days. There is fine leather, strong plastic and everything in between. Twelve South has come up with something truly innovative. The BookBook is

a unique new leather MacBook case that looks just like a vintage book. Designed exclusively for Apple MacBooks, BookBook features a hardback cover and a padded leather spine that keeps your Mac safe and secure as you shuttle it from place to place. Since it looks like a vintage book, BookBook also disguises your Mac, reducing the risk of theft. BookBook for 13-inch and 15-inch MacBook Pro

The distressed leather looks good while the design safely stores your MacBook inside. The BookBook has an MSRP of $79.99 and is available now from TwelveSouth. We have one on the way for review and look forward to sharing our thoughts…

Full release follows…… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...

Almost all of us are super mobile with our gadgets, especially computers.  If you are like me, you travel everywhere with a laptop or netbook.  Protecting the device is huge issue.  EVERKI’s netbook case/sling provides hard shell protection plus much more.  Fit a netbook or laptop up to 13″ into this multi-use case.  Check out the product release and video of it in action after the break.

Skooba Design has just announced their new line of Netbook Neo Sleeves, which feature a “form-fitting, stretchy and cushy neoprene skin” so that you can carry your netbook alone or in a bag without adding a bunch of extra bulk. They’re available in catchy color combinations, and they’d look spiffy with Skooba’s recently announced Netbook Messenger.… Continue reading on Gear Diary ...