Follow up to “Link It Up: Laptop Cases” 15 Aug 2006
29 comments Latest by PismoPB900
Recently, we ran a “Link It Up” feature for laptop cases. There were a ton of comments and good recommendations. Here’s a Wists gallery that collects all of the recommended bags. (The thread is good if you want to read all the detailed opinions, the gallery’s better if you just want to browse visually.)
Impressive customer experience
In the original post thread, Griff told us about some impressive attentiveness from Glaser Designs…
I saw Paul Mansour’s comment above in which he stated that Glaser Design bags were superior. I have to give Paul a nod of agreement since visiting the website and my recent customer experience. I visited the site and requested a catalog last night (though I am still struggling with the price). I received an almost immediate email from Mr. Glaser, indicating that they would ship the catalog the following day. Today, I got a phone call from Mr. Glaser, thanking me for my compliments regarding the product (which is a real piece of art based on what I can tell on the website) and inviting me to call once I get the catalog to discuss the different bags, organization options, and my needs to ensure that I get the right one. I am definitely impressed. Much like my experience with Basecamp!
With that kind of attention to detail, it’s no wonder that the Glaser bags are the hotness (see below). When people care about doing stuff right, they care about doing stuff right.
Glaser Designs A4 Portfolio
Other cases of note
Matias Laptop Armor: The only way this secret agent case could get cooler is if you handcuffed it to your wrist.
Zegari Minimalist: Very refined. This light-streams-through-the-window-onto-model photo seems a bit of a stretch though.
Acme Designer Slim: Comes in some nice pattern choices for those who want a case that’s less “guy.”
Pinder Bag: Nice option if you need a more affordable case. Pinder also has a very nicely written About Us section that discusses its philosophy and explains that 5% of net revenues go to charity.
Hardcover case: David Pogue loves how it protects his laptop from scratches and scrapes.
Ugly backpacks
Is there some sort of law that laptop-friendly backpacks need to be ugly? There are many nice, clean, minimalist cases out there but all the backpacks seem to be sloppy affairs inundated with zippers, pockets, buckles, etc. I guess it’s the nature of the back-friendly beast.
It’s no wonder several folks commented they prefer to just buy a sleeve, like this nice leather one from Toffee, and then insert it into a “regular” backpack or bag that”s more to their liking, like the Jack Spade Warren Street Product.
E-commerce videos
Prediction: E-commerce sites will start to really grok the power of video soon. Check out this product demo video at hardcovercase.com. It”s not done all that well (it’s just a bunch of still shots with narration, actually). But seeing a movie of a product, even something like a laptop case, goes a long way toward closing the gap between the hands-off experience at a site and the tactile one you get at a brick “n mortar location. And it’s a lot simpler concept than the click to zoom/turn widget widely used at sites today (e.g. this one at Bloomingdale’s).
More links
Want even more cases? Lattimer collected a bunch of links on the same topic at the Mac NN Forums: “Everyday it seems someone is asking for links to bags to fit their new 12/15/17 Powerbook. I thought it would be a good idea to dedicate a thread to listing all links/comments/reviews of bags and such right here.”
29 comments so far (Jump to latest)
Nick 15 Aug 06
There was a laptop bag in that photo? Where?
Miguel 15 Aug 06
Tumi is great. Some of their backpacks are very good looking, too.
David 15 Aug 06
I’ve always loved the laptop bags made by Red Maloo. The Kimono sleeve is simple yet functional… very much “getting Real” design wise.
Don 15 Aug 06
there is also a good post at productdose about the Coolest Laptop Bags that’s worth a look as well.
Ross Winn 15 Aug 06
I saw an aluminum laptop case at the airport on Sunday. It looked like a Zero Halliburton but it had an apple logo in translucent white plastic.
Anyone seen anything like that?
Ross Winn 15 Aug 06
I saw an aluminum laptop case at the airport on Sunday. It looked like a Zero Halliburton but it had an apple logo in translucent white plastic.
Anyone seen anything like that?
dmr 15 Aug 06
Our large messenger bags hold a notebook just fine, and you won’t look like a 50 year old man or super nerd.
PerS 15 Aug 06
I’d recommend you all take a look at MOO from Moolight
Joe Ruby 15 Aug 06
That Glaser bag is $440 to $632?!? You gotta be a (rich) idiot to spend that much on a laptop case.
I got a cheap black laptop case. That holds my laptop. That’s all that matters.
“With that kind of attention to detail, it�s no wonder that the Glaser bags are the hotness (see below). When people care about doing stuff right, they care about doing stuff right.”
I love that stuff - that’s what high-priced designers tell you when they want you to forget about the price. Price is a very important factor, except to the biggest of fools.
Davis W. Frank 15 Aug 06
Timbuk2 has some nice solutions. I’ve just purchased one of their Ace Day Packs, which looks like it’s discontinued. The Track Day Pack is nearly identical.
Also, if you want something even less conspicuous, Jandd makes some packs that can have laptop inserts that clip inside. I used a Mogen for the last 7 years until my new widescreen laptop didn’t fit (so I upgraded to an Ace).
Jon Barr 16 Aug 06
I have had a Brenthaven for 5 years now. By far the best case I’ve ever owned. It’s also nice to know that if I ever have a problem, I can send it to them and they’ll fix it, no questions asked. Brenthaven is kind of the bes kept secret in the Apple community.
Jon Barr 16 Aug 06
I have had a Brenthaven for 5 years now. By far the best case I’ve ever owned. It’s also nice to know that if I ever have a problem, I can send it to them and they’ll fix it, no questions asked. Brenthaven is kind of the bes kept secret in the Apple community.
Ketan 16 Aug 06
Just got a bag from sfbags.com (Waterfield Designs). Very well made, love it so far.
hamstock 16 Aug 06
if you are spending $600 on a bag why not just get a good looking briefcase or shoulder bag and put your laptop in a sleeve inside that bag? The glaser bag is quite cheap looking for a $600 bag. Putting a sleeve inside the Jack Spade was a better idea.
Jessica 18 Aug 06
I invented a cool alternative to a laptop case called octopus. Go to www.octopusnewyork.com to check it out.
It is a strap that you can put your laptop sleeve in and then carry it on your shoulder. Or for light travel put your 15” or larger laptop directly in the strap. Great at airport security because your laptop is easily visible in the strap. And it is only $18.00!
Bob 22 Aug 06
Ugly backpacks? Not the Starck version:
http://en.red-dot.org/287+M5e0c620d6b1.html
Though that picture doesn’t show its best feature - neat retractable straps that make it look just as elegant when carried by the handle.
Evan 29 Aug 06
The ZeroShock bags at Shinza (http://shinza.com/index.php?cPath=5) are awesome. Simple and outrageously durable. I also have a Jack Spade back in which I slip it.
Mina 02 Sep 06
Some guy handed me a flyer during my lunch break. I usually just chuck em in the trash, but to my surprise these bags were really cool.
www.bumbakpaks.com
Just got mine yesterday and it’s really the most ergonomic laptop bag I’ve ever used. They just got a deal with Sony Style so they must be taking off.