MobileRatty: Laptop bag bonanza - best of the best, part 2 (one of these could be yours for free)

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Laptop bag bonanza - best of the best, part 2 (one of these could be yours for free)

2008-03-26 17:23:36 by Evan in Popgadget: Personal Tech for Women

"CARRY WITH FUNS" (Look for this one as a giveaway in this week's Popgadget Drop email. Not a subscriber yet? Takes only a second to sign up here.)

You can't help but smile when you see an E.Square Bag - the bright colors, the cheeky designs - but hiding under all that fun is a meticulously crafted, functional bag. I've been carrying my MacBook around in it for a week, and it's comfortable (has a padded shoulder strap which I've come to learn is essential for a 13 lb.laptop). It sports padded pockets for all your electronics, plus essential outside pocket for easy access to travel docs.

Kristina Kim, who founded the company with her husband says they "put fun prints on the bags in order to add splashes of colors" into our lives. "We know the designs are very bold and in very eye-catching colors, no one would ever think to have YELLOW on a laptop bag, but we did it and together with some other bold colors and big retro flower prints. AND hey! It's working and actually is very very well received in the market. So, we know tech cases (are) missing some colors, we will continue to put fun prints and bold colors on the bags."

Worried about stains on such bright patterns? E.Square bags are made of 600D polyester backing with PVC for durability, and Kristina says most stains just wipe off, which I've certainly found to be true with coffee. (Don't ask.)

Pictured is the "Old Brick Road" pattern but the "Macaroni Yellow" and "Sea Blue" are equally irresistable, and only $54.95.

"FITS LIKE YOUR FAVORITE PAIR OF SHOES"

I sure could have used this at CES, after lugging my laptop for miles. The Kensington Contour Balance Notebook Case is actually recognized by the American Chiropractic Association for "maximizing comfort while minimizing muscle strain."

Like your luggage, it's a roller which tools around like a little race car. I took it for a ride and liked it's handling; all the organizational pockets, including an external one for your tickets and one for your water bottle; the deep-quilted, impact-resistant notebook compartment with an "Air Brake" bottom, to further cushion your precious baby; and the magnetic handles.

At only 2.7 lbs, you can always use the shoulder straps; it hugs the body with it's "Air-Flo Contour Panel" which also serves to dissipate heat . Whoever designed this used their noggin.
Fits most notebooks up to 15" and sells for $79.99 at Kensington. If you're a Popgadget Drop email subscriber, you'll get a chance to win one - look for details in your email.

GIDDYUP

I don't know where the name "GiddyUp" came from either, but it's a great little laptop bag with big aspirations. Made of a handsome chocolate-covered durable ballistic nylon exterior (with pink trim), it very smartly features bright pink lining and pockets, all the better to find your stuff. Built to last, Pinder uses seat belt nylon for the shoulder straps, trim & handles for all the bags. And taking a note from traditional luggage, the zippers slide all the way down so you can quickly get to your laptop, cell phone, files, etc. Every bag is guaranteed for life and they donate 5% of the net proceeds to your choice of charities.

With enough padding to protect your electronics, it still comes in at under 2 lbs. and is available in seven flavors. Right now, they're on sale at Pinder Bags for $69.99.

"WORKING IN STYLE"

If Sarah Jessica Parker carried a laptop bag, this would be it. The sophisticated "Cosmopolitian" from Moonsus masquerades as a beautiful handbag, but has a center zip compartment with a built-in laptop sleeve (padded for most 15.4” notebook screens, fits up to 15”L x 11.5”H x 2”W).

What's to love:

- 100% genuine leather exterior (classy colors: Black, Red, Camel, and Oakwood)
- Elegant two-tone gold striped satin lining
- Two outer pockets with cleverly designed interior pockets for cell phone, PDA, and pen holders
- Front zip pocket
- Polished sliver buckle closure
- Metal feet to protect the bottom of the bag
- Shoulder strap drop length 11”

At 3.5 lbs, it's one of the heavier ones we've reviewed but you don't notice the weight, even if you over-pack it, as I always do.

$370 at Moonsus.

"LAPTOPS LOOK BETTER IN COLOR"

This line of fun bags by Rainebrooke is more like your "starter" laptop bag, say for a teenager's first laptop. You just know they're going to spill soda on it, get grass stains on the back, and swing it around like a purse. At under $40 for the Metro Light (pictured), you won't mind so much.

The comfortable padded shoulder pad is a big plus, as well as the convenient two front pockets for phone, PDA, iPod, keys, etc. My only quibble is that it needs more padding, so add a computer sleeve if you're gifting someone with one. Especially a tween or teenager.

Fits all laptops with screen sizes up to 15.4" and some 17". We'll be giving away a bright, hot pink one - look for details in the next Popgadget Drop email.