Posts Tagged laptop
Protect your iPad with the Defender by Otterbox
I remain unconvinced of the perfection of an iPad as a travel computer, though I do think it’s one of the best ways to make your friends look at pictures of your vacation. I have a first generation iPad that I bought for a project and I do enjoy using it as a reader, a browser, and for pestering my friends with photos of penguins. I find Apple hardware to be a bit hothouse flower in nature, the pretty brushed metal surfaces get smudged, the touch screen gets scratched. Their machines are just a little too delicate.
There’s a whole array of companies cashing in on the fragility of these devices. Indeed, if you’re going to drop the cash on an iPad, you want it to last, of course. And if you’re going to haul your iPad with you around the planet, you really should find a way to protect it. That’s where Otterbox’s Defender comes in. The Defender wraps your iPad in bumpers and hard plastic, and includes a screen protecting sheet. Pack your iPad in this superhero suit and it’s ready to go out into the world.
Getting your iPad suited up is a little bit tricky. You’ll need to follow the instructions in exactly the order they’re presented, otherwise you’ll find yourself trying to get the iPad back out of the case to apply the screen protector. This isn’t easy, in fact, it’s so counter-intuitive that a number of people have made YouTube videos showing you how to remove the case. Once I’d watched three videos too many, I was able to remove the iPad, no problem, and then, apply the screen connector before putting the case back on.
The case adds substantial weight to your iPad, there’s no two ways about it. You can carry it around without the easel base that also comes with it, but I found that I liked the base for two reasons. One: It’s quite nice for table top reading. Two: Flipped over, it makes a nice full case for your iPad. It protects the screen even further when it’s not in use.
The rubber bumpers around the edges have protectors for all the buttons and jacks; you won’t get the dreaded fluff in the headphone jack situation using the Defender because the jack is covered over when it’s not in use. (The phone cases have this feature, too, and it’s a good one.) The silicon surface is very non-slippery to the touch — your iPad won’t fly out of your hands or slide across the table, and even the easel has grippy little foot pads.
I feel a lot more secure schlepping my iPad around when it’s wrapped in this protective housing. The Defender runs about $80 dollars directly from Otterbox and comes in two models, one for the first generation iPad, one for the iPad 2. They’re slightly less on Amazon and eBags, so check prices there, too.
- Learn more: Protecting your Gear: Otterbox Cases
- You’ll need a bag, too: Briggs and Riley Excursion Field Bag
Posted by Pam in Business Gear, General Gear on June 24th, 2011
Kolobags BJX Laptop Messenger Bag
Stylish and smooth, this Kolobags laptop messenger bag is large yet thin allowing it to glide with ease through the travel process. It fits easily into the overhead bin of an aircraft or underneath the seat in front of you. Plus, it easily fits behind my lags when on an airplane so that I can stretch out my feet once in flight. Other bags are too bulky to stay upright behind my feet.
An over-the-shoulder strap makes it great to sling over one side and still carry another bag with both free hands. It is also really great to wrap around the top of my rollaboard bag handle to carry it effortlessly on top of my wheeled luggage.
The front flap of the bag features various pockets for easy access to certain items like keys, pens, cell phones, or passports. Outside pockets make life so much easier because it saves you from having to unbuckle the strap and rifle through your belongings.
There’s even a large outside pocket that fits an iPad, Kindle, paperwork, or thin book. Again, all of this is super convenient when in a cramped airplane seat where there is little space to go rummaging through the interior of your bag. A separate zippered pocket on the back of the bag is perfect for a newspaper or other paperwork.
The interior pockets feature their own zipper closures and are padded to protect a laptop, but also offer plenty of space for magazines, books, and other travel accoutrements.
This style of bag is available in black, but there are other similar versions in brighter colors. Always a smart move when trying to prevent someone else from getting confused and walking off with your bag.
I appreciate the larger size of this bag that easily fits both Macs and notebooks of longer sizes. The nylon exterior fabric brushes off rain or moisture without absorbing it, which is especially important when expensive gear is inside. Kolobags makes a variety of laptop messenger bags and designer laptop cases that are both attractive and durable.
The company is well known for bringing style back to business gear, but the company also has stylish items for all types of on-the-road travelers such as diaper bags, camera cases, and gaming cases. The BJX laptop messenger bag is one of the company’s tamer looking items, but their web site shows the full splash of color that their products are bringing to an airport terminal near you. Between now and 8/30/2011, you can enter code PRACTICALTRAVEL when purchasing at www.Kolobags.com to receive a 10% discount.
Posted by Ramsey in Business Gear, Travel Light on May 9th, 2011
Wenger Patriot Rolling Laptop Case
Wenger, maker of the genuine Swiss Army knife, has experience in creating products designed with multiple uses and features. Its line of luggage does not fall short, but many travel companies have a fleet of bags for every need. My latest concern has been to find something that provided a happy medium between a full-size rollaboard and a briefcase.
I tried out their Patriot Case and was pleasantly surprised at how I could travel so comfortably with only the shirt on my back (plus one in my bag!), my computer and electronic gear, some toiletries, and a few magazines. Typical rollaboards are too big, and a briefcase is too small. Wenger’s bag is the perfect size.
It rolls with ease and features numerous pouches and compartments to keep things organized. The built-in laptop sleeve is nestled in the heart of the bag providing the ultimate protection and security. A Velcro strap keeps it from shifting and interior pockets for cords and PDAs are in the front section for easy access.
Small zippered pockets in the front hold cards, boarding passes, pens, passports, and keys without the need to fumble through large pouches to reach the smallest items. The second pocket features three dividers for paperwork, magazines, and files.
The largest section of the bag holds light clothing, electronic cords, and toiletries. This compartment makes this bag a hybrid between a briefcase and rollaboard and even fits into regional jet overhead bins when it is not overstuffed.
That is a big plus for me as I hate checking bags (even planeside). The trick is you have to squeeze the wheels into the bin first and make sure thick objects like magazines are removed. I am able to speed off the plane without waiting for a bag without sacrificing some of my travel necessities.
The long extendable handle reaches waist height to prevent even the tallest traveler from having to lean down to pull the bag, another pet peeve of mine. Bag handles should be like golf clubs and reach the appropriate height. The wheels on this bag are large and sturdy; they are better than what you find on most full-size bags.
Wenger’s lifetime guarantee based on reasonable use and durable fabric exterior are hallmarks of this business traveler favorite. Major retailers like Target and Amazon.com sell this bag for less than $100 in addition to Wenger itself. For a pint-size bag that packs a hefty punch, this is the perfect solution.
Posted by Ramsey in Business Gear, Travel Light on March 14th, 2011
Ecogear’s Black Tiger II Laptop Bag
We all want to do our part for the environment…don’t we? So we recycle, conserve energy, maybe even walk rather than drive to work. But, did you realize that your travel gear could do its own part? Enter Ecogear.
This company has done a tremendous job of introducing its own line of eco-friendly gear made with sustainable, toxic-free dyes that have a harm-free coating.
I tested the Tiger II laptop carrying bag and have taken it on more than two dozen trips in the past year. That’s just how versatile, light weight, and convenient it is.
My absolute favorite feature is the large pocket on the front flap, greatt for storing keys, a passport, pen, boarding pass, and loose change. Inside is a padded section for a laptop with a front compartment for cords and chargers. Two other large file, zip-top pockets are perfect for magazines, toiletries, and other items. The thick coating of the fabric keeps moisture out (ideal for when I am traipsing the city streets in the rain).
It’s a cinch to strap to the top of a rollaboard bag by tying the strap around the handle. Security is a breeze since I can whip out my laptop and toiletries from the same place while securing other things like my iPhone in the front pocket. On the other side of the nude-o-scope, I am on my way without wondering what I may have left behind if I am in a hurry.
Back to the environmental part. This durable bag is created from organic cotton, recycled bottles and nontoxic materials. It is PVC-free; polyvinyl chloride releases toxins when disposed. Ecogear was founded by entrepreneur Jimmy Chen who got his inspiration after spending a beach vacation with his kids and realized the importance of preserving our planet for future generations.
His company soon took flight and now sells its products online at Ecogear-Products.com. A variety of eye-catching colors and textures makes these items perfect for both the design-conscious and eco-conscious.
The black Tiger II bag sells for $69 on the Ecogear’s site and Amazon.com. It is more affordable than similar bags. During my travels, I often amass more than I realize, but this bag doesn’t fight back. It stretches to take my travel accessories thanks to an expandable strap in the front that keeps everything secured.
The company’s motto, “saving the world one bag at a time,” is catchy enough to make me buy these bags for all of my friends. And the affordable price helps too. Recycling has never looked so good!
Check Ecogear Tiger prices at eBags and Amazon.
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Posted by Ramsey in Business Gear, Travel Light on March 7th, 2011
Black Box Standard Travel Cable Kit
I travel with a ridiculous amount of cables, plug-ins and chargers for my laptop, iPod, phone and cameras. The thought of adding still more to my bag full of cords doesn’t excite me at all. That said, this Standard Travel Cable Kit by Black Box — which comes in a zippered black pouch of its own — might be a welcome item for travelers who could consolidate some of their cords, who are doing a lot of “mouse work” on their laptop, or who are traveling by plane overnight and planning on using a keyboard in dim light while others sleep.
Inside the the Standard Travel Cable Kit, whose case measures about 7 by 6 by 2 inches, is a little notebook light, an 18-inch, flexible cable that attaches to a free USB port on your laptop. Its one LED provides the perfect amount of light so you can see your laptop keys in the dark. I think this is pretty cool, and have been trying to figure out how I could turn it into a book light…
The retractable power cord is used with laptop power cords that come in two parts. You can use this slim, retractable cord in place of the more bulky cord for your computer that has the two “female” parts next to one another on one end and the plug-in that goes into the wall. (Technically, I’m talking about a NEMA 1-15P to an IECC7 male connector.) It stretches to 60 inches and is guaranteed up to 60 pulls.
Usually hotels provide ethernet cables wherever I need to plug into their wired internet service, so I don’t carry one with me while I travel. But this case does come with a Category 6 Retractable Patch Cable that stretches to 60 inches if you do regularly tap into wired networks.
Finally the super-cute little USB Optical Mouse is a quality item — it rolls smoothly over my desk and the pointer on my screen doesn’t jerk around at all when I use it. It plugs into your laptop with a 24-inch retractable cable that is guaranteed up to 2,000 pulls.
The Standard Travel Cable Kit retails for $26.95 on the Black Box website. The deluxe kit is $38.95 includes an additional retractable cable and stereo earphones.
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Posted by Kara in Travel Light on February 22nd, 2011
