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Two-wheelin' in the Fast Lane

Michael Brown — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 09:10:00 -0600

I’ve always cursed under my breath while walking behind people dragging rolling laptop bags at tradeshows. But arthritis in my shoulder forced me succumb to rolly temptation, and I found myself pulling Solo’s new Shock Stop laptop bag around Las Vegas during the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show.

I take my laptop with me almost everywhere I go, so I’m always on the lookout for a great bag. I had originally requested Solo’s new product (model SSA901, specifically) for our annual Geek Gift Guide because of its gimmicky shock absorbers. Yep, this bag has honest-to-goodness spring-loaded shocks on its wheels. Unfortunately, Solo couldn’t deliver the product in time for our photo-shoot. But I figured taking one to CES would be the ultimate field test, and this bag passed with flying colors--and not only because my shoulders were pain free when I returned to San Francisco.

Frankly, I don’t know how much good the shocks did; but they couldn’t have done any harm. The detail that impressed me the most was the way the bag’s pockets are organized. Two front-mounted pockets can be accessed without having to open the rest of the bag at all. I use the shallow one at the top to store my MP3 player, earbuds, and a couple of USB thumb drives—items that always seemed to get lost in other bags I’ve used. This is particularly useful because I always double-check to make sure I’ve packed my thumb drive before dashing out of the house, and it’s always been a pain to dig through the interiors of other bags I’ve carried. A larger pocket in front of and below that proved handy for tucking my boarding pass and baggage claim check, as well as the spare telephone and Ethernet cable I carry with me. (I was never a Boy Scout, but I do my best to be prepared.)

You can open a third compartment, still without opening the main section where your laptop is stored, to access even more storage. When opened fully, this section accordions out so you can slip a file folder or thin binder into your bag. There’s a nine-inch-wide zippered pocket in front of that, plus three smaller pockets that I use to stash a Wi-Fi adapter, personal GPS, cell-phone charger and spare batteries, extra business cards, and a few other odds and ends.

The bag will accommodate up to a 15.4-inch notebook PC, so those of you traveling with media-center monsters like HP’s Pavilion HDX will need to look elsewhere; in my case, there was plenty of room for the homegrown model that Gordon built a while back. The computer fits in an elastic pocket that’s just about in the middle of the bag, which means there’s plenty of padding to protect it. Two large interior pockets on the opposite side provide perfect storage for a power supply, portable mouse, or whatever extra gear you carry with you. When the bag is closed, these push into the otherwise vacant space created by the bag’s steel frame and telescopic handle.

If you like to travel light, there’s enough room inside for at least one change of clothes alongside your PC. I used this space to stash spiral-bound steno book, a couple issues of the magazine, and a handful of press kits. Although the vast majority of exhibitors distribute press materials on CDs or USB drives, I still run into the occasional numbskull who insists on using dead trees. I’ve declined to take such materials in years past, but I needed them this year because I was updating my blog with daily dispatches from the show.

The bag is constructed of a rigid internal frame and covered by densely woven polyester fiber. I had no problem stowing the bag in the overhead bin on the airline, but with dimensions 17.5 wide, 16.75 inches high, and 9.0 inches thick, the fit under the seat in front of me was a bit tight. The CES show floor was extremely crowded this year, which meant there were times when I just could not allow myself to pull the cart behind me—I knew someone would trip on it. And as much as I appreciated the inch-and-a-quarter of gel padding in the handle, I found myself wishing that Solo had included a provision for a shoulder strap. This bag is heavy even when it’s empty. That doesn’t matter much when you’re rolling it on the ground, but the weight can take a toll when you do have to carry it.

Aside from that criticism, the Shock Stop is the best bag I’ve ever toted. It’s rugged, offers plenty of easily accessible storage, and it’s virtually impossible to tip over, even with all its compartments flopped open. Be sure you don’t pay the full $120 list price; I’ve seen it available online for a much more reasonable $70.

So I’ve joined the ranks of the idiots who drag their notebook bags behind them at trade shows. I’ll do my best not to trip you.

Mobile Edge SecurePack

Christopher Null — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 18:48:42 -0600

Despite its imposing appearance and room for a 17-inch laptop, the Mobile Edge SecurePack is second only to Tumi’s bag in its light weight. And yet it’s jammed full of features that make it an impressive choice for hauling your gear, especially if you’re on a budget.

Why the “Secure” in its name? Not because of padding, which is on the average side. Rather, the name denotes a unique design crafted to prevent bad guys from getting at your gear while it’s riding out of sight on your back: Aside from a water bottle pouch, there are no external pockets on the backpack. In fact, you can’t even open the backpack unless you take it off: The primary zipper can only be undone after releasing two shoulder clips and removing the bag from your body entirely.

Unfortunately, gaining access to the SecurePack is challenging even after you take it off: Getting in and out of the bag often means fighting with the two large shoulder straps, and if you’re in a hurry or need quick access to your gear, this bag just isn’t for you. It won’t stand up on its own, either.

The interior is roomy with a decent number of pockets, a laptop section, and two removable pouches held in by Velcro.

Month Reviewed: December 2006
Verdict: 8
URL: www.mobileedge.com

Tom Bihn Super Ego

Christopher Null — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 18:42:49 -0600

Super Ego, we like your name, but we love your style. Cool, compact, and with plenty of room for flair (at least 15 pieces), the Super Ego will keep your gear intact and lookin’ good no matter where the day takes you.

The design of this messenger bag is fundamentally no-nonsense: A zippered compartment holds your notebook (padded sleeve sold separately) and little else. Or flip open the flap covering a second storage compartment to access additional pouches and pockets. A pair of water bottle holsters and a slim document pocket can be reached without opening the bag at all.

Don’t like the standard plastic buckle? The Super Ego can be outfitted with a hipper-than-thou seatbelt-style buckle ($10), complete with reflective strap. How sexy is that? The zippers are even covered with “splash-proof” rubber. Frankly, you might not be cool enough to pull this bag off.

Without the laptop sleeve, padding is minimal, but so is the size of the bag: It doesn’t take up a lot of space and it stands up well on its own. But it’s the looks—available in seven bag colors and 11 accent strips for the buckle—that really earn this bag top honors in our roundup.

Month Reviewed: December 2006
Verdict: 9
URL: www.tombihn.com

Spire Meta

Christopher Null — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 18:31:22 -0600

If you’re planning on taking your 17-inch notebook to the top of Kilimanjaro, look no further than the Spire Meta. This bruiser of a backpack, weighing nearly six pounds when completely empty, is so cavernous that we recommend you keep small children away from it, lest they wander inside and become unable to find their way out.

Why would you want something the size of a small refrigerator on your shoulders? Storage space and security. The Meta has more cargo space than any other bag we tested, with three giant primary storage areas plus a dedicated ultra-padded sleeve for your 17-inch laptop. Frankly, it’s not too tough to fit four 17-inch laptops in the pack. This isn’t a bag for the guy going to a LAN party. This is a bag for the guy who is the LAN party.

As you might expect, the styling is utilitarian (with a full chest and waist harness for when things get really heavy), though the Meta is far from ugly. That said, it’s hardly the right bag for a jaunt to the coffee shop… unless you’re heading to Kenya to pick the beans yourself.

Month Reviewed: December 2006
Verdict: 7
URL: www.spireusa.com

Acme Made The Clyde

Christopher Null — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 18:09:24 -0600

If you’re the prototypical geek slob that our research department says you are, then The Clyde is a lot like your desk: It’s big, disorganized, and easily laden with so much crap that you won’t stand a chance in hell of finding anything that isn’t “on top.”

Acme Made’s strangely named messenger bag is a tough, all-ballistic nylon shoulder bag that recalls the reason messenger bags were created in the first place: Its gigantic primary pouch can hold a ton of stuff. Just keep piling it all in there (along with your laptop, which rides in its own included 15.4- or 17-inch sleeve) until you can no longer get the thing snapped shut.

Acme pays lip service to the idea of multiple pockets and dividers: The interior has one segregated divider in the rear, and the front of the bag has two zippered and one Velcroed compartment for smaller items. A cell phone or water bottle pocket sits to one side. But, other than a few pen holsters, that’s about it.

This is a very light bag, and there’s minimal padding throughout. It’s up to that padded interior sleeve to protect your notebook, though it too seems on the thin side. The whole bag is so minimalist that it’s difficult to get it to stand upright. Instead it tends to flop on its side, spilling its guts like a yellowtail on all-you-can-eat-sushi Tuesday.

Colors include black, gray, or brown shells and orange, green, or gold lining. The large model (which we tested) costs $180, while a smaller version is $155.

Month Reviewed: December 2006
Verdict: 6
URL: www.acmemade.com