<![CDATA[Gizmodo: laptop bags]]> http://tags.gizmodo.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/gizmodo.com.png <![CDATA[Gizmodo: laptop bags]]> http://gizmodo.com/tag/laptopbags http://gizmodo.com/tag/laptopbags <![CDATA[Timbuk2's Hemlock and Q Backpacks Have Swing Around Easy Access to Your Laptop]]> I haven't carried a Boy Scout backpack in years, but the laptop feature in Timbuk2's latest sounds great: The sleeve is sideloading, meaning you can pull out your laptop without busting open your whole bag and spilling crap everywhere.

You'll actually notice that all of the bags have laptop compartments—that's because going forward, laptop bags won't be a separate category for Timbuk2, but a "function" of all of their bags. All of them hold 15 or 17-inch laptops, depending on the size bag you get. Up top, respectively, is Hemlock, Q and Swig. Swig doesn't have the sideloading awesomeness that Hemlock and Q do, but it's the first backpack of Timbuk2's that you can personalize the colors on. They come out later this month. Here's all the details:

Hemlock
Made for the urbanite that needs a pack to schlep around town in style – from the office, to the rock climbing gym, to courtside at the game, the pack features a rolled, expandable top, Swing Around Access™, a side-access compartment designed to fit a 17-inch laptop (15-inch in the small) and signature Timbuk2 D-ring bottle opener. Available in solid, color block and the official camo of the Navy Special Ops and the retail price is $90 for Small and $100 for Medium.

Design features include:

* Durable Ballistic nylon
* Waterproof flap liner
* Compression straps
* Accessory attachment loops
* Quick access pockets under front flap
* Padded back panel
* Lightweight Ergonomic Shoulder Straps
* And stash pocket hidden in the back

"Q" Computer Backpack
Appropriately named after the gadget inventor of the Bond movies, the "Q" has a place for everything. This pack is designed to fit a 15-inch laptop with multiple grab handles for convenience and Swing Around Access™. Available in dark brown/black, army/spinach, rev red/gun metal, and black and the retail price is $100.

Design features include:

* Durable Ballistic nylon
* Swing Around™ access
* Padded laptop compartment
* Multiple grab handles
* Lightweight Ergonomic Shoulder Straps
* Pocket for cords and peripherals with outside access

H.A.L.
H.A.L. (Heuristically programmed Algorithmic Computer) is the "Q's" older brother, named after HAL 9000 of the Space Odyssey saga, which was capable of speech recognition, lip reading, art appreciation as well as maintaining all systems on the ship. Similarly, the H.A.L. almost thinks for its owner and easily runs a mobile office. Designed to fit a 17-inch laptop, the backpack has multiple grab handles and plenty of capacity as well as Swing Around Access™. Available in dark brown and black and the retail price is $120.

Design features include:

* Durable Ballistic nylon
* Swing Around™ access
* Padded laptop compartment
* Multiple grab handles
* Lightweight Ergonomic Shoulder Straps
* Pocket for cords and peripherals with outside access

Swig
A messenger-inspired carry-all pack built for dudes AND ladies (Hallelujah!). Two large internal compartments accommodate loads of stuff and the organization panel makes it easy to find your keys. This sleek pack features a front-flap closure that comes in two sizes to fit a 15- or 17-inch laptop with a dedicated padded laptop compartment and the signature Timbuk2 bottle opener. Available in black/gun metal, moss/camo, gun metal/blue, and dark brown/orange and the retail price is $80 for Small and $90 for Medium.

Other features include:

* Accessory attachment loops
* Waterproof flap liner
* Quick access pockets under front flap
* Padded back panel
* Lightweight Ergonomic Shoulder Straps
* And stash pocket hidden in the back
* Customizable beginning August 2009 at www.timbuk2.com

[Timbuk2]

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<![CDATA[2UNFOLD Laptop Bag Is Probably Too Attractive for You or Your Computer]]> Your MacBook Air or whatever is a sharp machine, sure. But it's not timeless, handcrafted Italian leather that's transformable into one of eight different styles.

The 2UNFOLD laptop works as an urban briefcase, shoulder bag, safecase, rucksack, leather courier, canvas courier (it's reversible!), leather clutch or canvas clutch. No, I don't know what all those variations mean either, but the link at the end of this post contains handy photographs.

In vertical modes, the 2UNFOLD holds laptops up to 17 inches. In horizontal modes, it's suited for 13-inch notebooks. But either way, it makes for a zippy, pockety, and stylish bag that's a bit too beautiful for us to toss haphazardly onto the airport floor. $483.

(Sorry if that price part stings a bit.) [2UNFOLD via bbGadgets]

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<![CDATA[Artmu Laptop Sleeve 'Transforms' Into a Mouse Pad]]> Triggering a "why the hell didn't I think of that?!" moment, Artmu has designed a laptop sleeve that, when unzipped and opened up completely, transforms into an effective mouse pad. Altogether now: Why didn't I think of that? [Aving]

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<![CDATA[Warning: Cocoon Innovations Laptop Bags Might Contain Facehugger Aliens]]> If ever there was a laptop bag that could get you shot to hell by an assault gun-carrying Lt. Ripley, it would be this concept bag from Cocoon Innovations.

Cocoon says that the bags have a some meat to them beyond just their organic good looks. Inside the bags, there's a proprietary material called the Grid that serves as an "elastic organization system." The system either allows users to organize the interior into several configurations, or it serves as an incubator for the most deadly fictional creature known to man.

We'll know more by CES, I'm sure. [UberGizmo]

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<![CDATA[Belkin FlyThru Laptop Bags Save Notebooks From TSA Butterfingers]]> The concept of "checkpoint friendly" laptop bags have been around for a couple months—with Solo and Mobile Edge leading the charge—but Belkin's now getting in the action with their own FluThru Laptop Case. Their version will run you $59, complete with "minimal metal zippers", 15.4-inch laptop capacity and notebook isolation for easier screening. Not having to take out your machine so screeners can drop them onto the concrete is definitely worth $59, unless you want an excuse to buy a new laptop. [Belkin]

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<![CDATA[Timbuk2 Travel Suitcases Feature Pockets for Ninjas (OK, Geeks)]]> Timbuk2, makers of free Gizmodo advertising/superb laptop messengers, are expanding their focus to a complete line of travel gear available this holiday season. And their new bags not only feature the infamous Timbuk2 panel styling, but "ninja pockets" for the guy who has to yank out all his electronics at checkpoints—namely you. Read on for the full three bag rundown.

The Checkpoint

An aluminum chassis supports your gear while detachable skateboard wheels casually defy The Man. Outer security pockets ease checkpoint friskings. ($250-$275)

The Suitcase

Holding 3-5 days' worth of clothing, The Suitcase features the external "ninja pocket" that, while unspecified, looks just wide enough for a 13- or 15-inch laptop. ($225)

The Doctor

An old school center-folding doctor bag, The Doctor is actually spring loaded to achieve that trademark motif. ($120) [Timbuk2]

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<![CDATA[TSA's "Checkpoint Friendly" Laptop Bag Policy Starts Today]]> You know that new TSA policy that kind of sounds like a ploy to sell new generations of laptop bags? The one where, if you have specific types of bags that are deemed “checkpoint friendly” by the TSA, you won't have to take your laptop out while going through security lines at the airport? That goes into effect today. The new policy is supposed to speed things up, but if you can't trust that stupid-ass office schmuck in front of you to take out his (or her) laptop in the last 35 minutes you were all waiting in line god damn it, I don't see how having different categories of X-ray-able bags won't just add to the confusion. [Yahoo! News]

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<![CDATA[Question of the Day: What Do You Carry Your Gadgets In?]]> For a long time, I just threw all of my gear into an Eastpak backpack I'd had since high school. But my laptop got all scuffy and gross like it had been hanging out in the wrong Starbucks or something, so I finally got an actual laptop bag to keep it all protected. (Also, the backpack made me feel like I was still in high school.) Now I have a couple I rotate between depending on the mission—I like Timbuk2's huge Hacker bag for trade show survival, and a smaller one for everyday. But it's messenger all the way (as it is for most of us at Giz). What do you carry all of your gear in? And what are you lugging, anyway?

Gawker Media polls require Javascript; if you're viewing this in an RSS reader, click through to view in your Javascript-enabled web browser.

[Image via geishabot]

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<![CDATA[Lightning Review: Gama-Go's High Design Laptop Messenger Bags]]> The Gadget: Gama-Go's messenger bags, which are conveniently wide enough for a 15-inch laptop, its charger plus lots and lots of other gadget accessories. It's also got a nice water resistant outer material that makes it good for light showers.

The Price: $68 for the small and $88 for the large.

The Verdict: Is it enough to replace the Timbuk2 laptop messenger as our go-to bag of choice? Not quite, but at 2/3 the price, it's good enough for toting around your laptop, camera, cellphone and other gear when your pockets just won't do.

There's no dedicated laptop compartment like the Timbuk2, and it has fewer internal pockets, but it functions just fine as a city bag or man purse. The bonus here is that Gama-Go has a more inspired and trendy design, whereas Timbuk2 has the classic three-stripe motif. (Timbuk2 does have artist-designed bags, but cost around $150 each.) Gama-Go fans should give this one (the large one—the small doesn't fit a laptop) a look, but hardcore mobile workers will want to go for the higher priced and higher quality solution. [Gama-Go]

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<![CDATA[Wi-Fi Finding Laptop Bags Make Complete Sense]]> There are a lot of Wi-Fi finders out there, including a Wi-Fi finding shirt, but few are as practical as a finder embedded in a laptop bag. After all, not having to pull your laptop out of the bag to look for a signal is a great time saver when you are hopping around town looking for some freebie bandwidth.The "Wifinder" lineup of laptop bags from Soyntec offer four different styles to choose from, ranging from €43 (about $62) to €43 (about $101). [Product Page via le Journal du Geek via GeekAlerts]

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<![CDATA[Crumpler's Beer For Bags Swap Starts June 9]]> Every year Crumpler barters its laptop, photo and messenger bags in exchange for beer. The tradition started five years ago in Australia, and this is the second time the event is being held in NYC. Bring in a case of Coopers and four Fosters Oil Cans and walk out with a Barney Rustle Messenger bag. Two cases of Asahi and a packet of ramen noodles fetches a Moderate Embarrassment laptop satchel. To figure out the exchange rate you'll need to stop by a store to pick up the handy-dandy Beer for Bags Wheel (larger version after the jump) or just order one from the website. All of the combinations come out to a discount of around 30 percent. At the end of the week everyone heads back to the store to drink the assorted brews—belch!—there were over 1,000 cases of beer on hand last year.

Crumpler's Beer For Bags, June 9th - 17th

beerforbags1.jpg

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