Sorona is a polymeric fabric that is produced from corn stock. Reports show that by using Sorona, instead of other materials normally found in laptop bags, greenhouse gasses are reduced by 63%. Not only do these new bags have a smaller environmental footprint, Mobiel Edge claims that Sorona makes them “soft and extremely stain resistant with high strength and stiffness qualities.”

Additionally, Mobile Edge’s ScanFast laptop bags are specially designed to meet TSA standards, allowing travelers to pass through security checkpoints without removing their laptops.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VFboKDEB_A

The new ScanFast 2.0 Collection consists of a black briefcase, messenger, and backpack. All are available today for $99 each and are backed by a Lifetime Warranty.

Via Mobile Edge Blog

Mobile Edge ScanFast 2.0: Environmentally Friendly Bags Made From Corn is a post by Carter Sprunger from Notebooks.com.

Computer Bags

If you are carrying both a computer and a camera, you may want something to protect them and the tools that go with them.  You could just grab a nice notebook bag and a camera bag. Or you could combine them in one case. Our Publisher, Xavier Lanier recommends the Lowepro Pro Runner 350 AW. It is a backpack that will not only hold your DSLR camera and its gear, but also a notebook computer with a display up to 15.4-inches. On our recent trip to Charlotte to hang out with the Red Bull Racing team learning how they use technology in NASCAR, I was impressed with how neatly it carried and protected all his photography and computer gadgets.

While you are on the road, your bag will need to protect all your gear. That is why Xavier recommends Voodoo Tactical. They sell military grade equipment including bags and packs. These look like they will keep your tech safe. And the image they cast might make you feel safe too.

They don’t look very professional, but they’re great for when you have to get a little dirty/rugged. Very versatile and weather resistant. I bought a small one as a range bag and now use it as my daily gadget bag. They’re extremely compact and expand as needed. (Xavier Lanier)

Xavier recommends the Level III MOLLE Assault Pack, which is a military style backpack. He said the following:

The smaller one can shrink down to about 4″ thick, but can expand to fit my 15″ MacBook Pro, 12″ Tablet or iPad, and my DSLR or video camera. It’s absolutely built better than any computer bag I’ve ever seen. You can clip on accessory pouches for anything from mobile phones to water bottles. Both of mine are black. They both have water-resistant pouches and zippers. Really good price compared to computer bags.

The bag he recommends costs $62.95 and comes in many colors.

While some of love the military grunt look of the Voodoo bags, you may want something a little more stylish. That is why you might want to check out Waterfield Designs. I reviewed one of their iPad cases, and in fact we will be giving it away soon.

Waterfield Designs makes larger bags and sleeves for notebook computers and many other electronic devices. If it needs a power cord or batteries, they likely have a nice case to cover it. The Cargo Mambo Combo looks like the perfect thing for a travel bag as it comes in a package price with the bag, a pouch for accessories, and a sleeve for your computer. They are expensive, but they make great products.

Finally, our Editor, Josh Smith, has been testing the Mobile Edge EVO Backpack. It is designed for larger 16 or 17-inch computers. The EVO bags are black with colorful highlights.

They look like a great solution for larger notebooks. The 16 accessory pouches and pockets will make this a great solution for carrying it all on the road. Below is Josh’s video preview of the pack.

Charging Solutions

If you have an iPod-wielding child who will not put the “toy” down, then you will also eventually have a child begging for batteries. My son’s both have iPod Touches. Playing games and watching videos on trips keeps them entertained. But if the battery dies, they get grumpy. So our DLO Game Case Boost helps keep the juice flowing. It serves three purposes. First, it is a nice protective case with rubber outer shell covering a hard plastic inner shell. The inner shell also serves to hold two AA batteries that extend the life of the iPod Touch by about two hours. I recommend getting some rechargeable batteries though, or else you will go poor buying AAs. The third benefit is that it makes the iPod Touch feel more like a gaming controller. My son loves his and I love the protection it gives his expensive toy and at $30 that’s cheap insurance.

We have other gadgets that we carry on trips from our iPhones to our Verizon Mifi cellular router, which lets up to five Wi-Fi enabled devices get online via Verizon’s broadband cellular network. Sprint has one too. Our charging solution is to have a cable for the car to charge our iPhones and the Mifi. If we are way from the vehicle, we give extra juice to these devices with Energizer’s XPAL XP2000 ultra slim charger. It is essentially a small battery with two USB ports one mini and one standard. You plug in the cable that comes with it to charge up the device. On one end is a standard USB connector. The other is a plug on which you put one of the included adapters. Once it is fully charged you plug one of the adapters into the included cable. Connect to your device and the XPAL and you are charging away. To check how much power the XPAL has left, push the Check/On button on the top and it has four blue indicators to show the power level.

The XPAL has a number of adapters for various devices. To charge a device plug it in and push the Check/On button and it will charge fine. The adapters will fit many cell phones, devices with micro and mini USB connectors, and Apple products via the dock connector. It works fine with iPods, iPod Touches, and all iPhones, but it will not charge the iPad. I have not tested it with other cell phones. It is $48 at Staples. They also have both smaller and larger capacity versions. The $100 model will even charge many notebooks.

Speakers

If you are at the beach, on a picnic, or just in a hotel room and want to play some music for everyone to enjoy, you will need some speakers. This category is far too large to cover in this space, but I do want to make one recommendation. The folks at iHome sent over a great mobile speaker solution for us to test out. I’ve been playing with it and will be writing a full review soon. For now, I can recommend the iHome iP46 Portable Speakers for iPods and iPhones. Not only are they portable speakers with an Apple dock, but it is also battery-powered. You can either plug it in with the AC adapter or after charging the internal rechargeable battery, run it untethered. On the back there is an Auxiliary input via 3.5 mm stereo jack. So you could plug your notebook in so everyone can hear if you are playing a video on your computer or portable DVD player over a projector. The sound is very good and in my initial test the battery lasts more than 7 hours.

The iHome works well with an iPod, but there are issues using it with an iPhone. My iPhone 4 is a little temperamental. I have to sometimes reboot my phone by pressing and holding the power button on top and then sliding the red slider that appears after a few seconds. Usually after a reboot it works just fine. Also, in the picture above you can see that I have a case on my phone. It works with the case on occasion but usually I have to remove the case first. However, all iPod Touches and other iPods seem to work well with the speakers. The sound is very good, but the SRS Boost button makes it even better when listening to movies and music. Spoken word is best with the SRS button on. The feet on the back keep it steady. I love this product and can’t wait to try it out on our trip coming up.

Next week ten people from our church are travelling to Wisconsin to do some mission work. One of the things we plan to do is hook up my notebook to our projector to watch movies after our mission work is done. The iHome speaker will help us enjoy the movies so much more because I will plug the notebook’s headphone jack into the line in on the back.

Summer Travel Tech: Accessories is a post by Kevin Purcell from Notebooks.com.

So what was new with Mobile Edge?  The big announcement was about Mobile Edge utilizing DuPont;s new ‘Sorona’ material to make their laptop bags.  What is so new about Sorona?  Its an eco-friendly, renewable resource.  Sorona is made from corn. Yes, corn.  Mobile Edge is trying to hop on the ‘green’ bandwagon like some of their competition to make their product line green for the years to come.

The other announcement was about their Sumo line of messenger bags.  If Mobile Edge is the adult line, Sumo is the kicky, trendy line of bags.  The Sumo line of messenger bags is now in new colors and one of a kind urban camo patterns.

I talked, I drooled.  I wound up with a great bag to take all my CES gear home in.  You’ll be seeing reviews of the Mobile Edge and Sumo product lines in the coming weeks.

CES: Mobile Edge going green is a post by Amy from Notebooks.com.

According to Waterfield Designs CEO Waterfield Gary David Beckham, Robert Downey Jr. and Brad Pitt all carry man bags. I generally care more about functionality than appearances when it comes to notebook bags, but this lineup sure looks good.

The Muzetto Laptop bag is lightweight and has a vertical orientation. The main compartment accommodates small notebooks with up to a 13″ display. There are a handful of pockets to stow your power adapters, camera and accessories. The interior is gold, which makes it easier to see inside of it. It’s available now for $239.

The Muzetto Personal has a similar outward appearance, but doesn’t have a dedicated area for a small computer. Instead, it has just enough room for everything us guys normally cram in our pockets. The smaller Muzetto is what many people refer to as a ‘murse’ or man-purse. The smaller bag costs $179.

Both sizes can be personalized with your choice of six accent colors.

Waterfield Designs’ bags are extremely well crafted and are a far cry from the mass-produced notebook bags you’ll find at most electronics retailers. Instead of offering one size fits all solutions, Waterfield Designs allows customers to customize their bags. They’re able to do this because the bags are made right here in my hometown of San Francisco.

Visist sfbags.com to learn more or order.

Muzetto ‘Man Bags’ for Mobile Gear is a post by Xavier Lanier from Notebooks.com.

Bags with Form & Function

The attention to detail, craftsmanship, and thoughtful design is apparent while watching Rickshaw’s Founder and CEO, Mark Dwight, tour the features of one of their custom made bags. The bags are designed to stand up straight when placed on a table or floor and sport a substantial handle to quickly grab and go. The PVC-free liner is waterproof as is the bottom of the bag which is a relief for those who occasionally wait for the bus or a cab in the rain. The flap comes in a variety of striking patterns and closes with the usual velcro, but has the distinctive addition of magnetic closures Mark dubs “The Silencer”. They cover the velcro and keep a crowded classroom or conference room from turning your direction as you rip your bag open to grab a pen or paper. Buckles seal the deal as added protection. Inside you will find a padded laptop sleeve that can be removed in the case that you purchase a larger laptop in the future. This option also provides the luxury of using the bag for other purposes. There is also plenty of room for papers, a couple magazines, and books. Usually covered by the flap are large pockets for carrying your usual gadgets and items such as your phone, keys (there is a tether for them), moleskine notebooks, and pens. The back of the bag features a large pocket with a zipper for quick access.

Customized to Fit Your Style

An incredible thing about these bags is that they can all be customized to fit your personal style. Rickshaw uses upholstery grade materials which are made for a high amount of wear and can be used to create the look and feel you want. Clean and simple or crazy and colorful can be achieved at your request. Their blog even features a number of custom bags created for individual events and organizations such as the 2008 TED Conference. They take a hands on approach to helping their customers find the right bag to fit their needs. CEO Mark Dwight can frequently be found posting videos for customers showing their bag being made or the finished product in all its glory.

Beyond the Bags

On their web site, Rickshaw acknowledges that their business means more to them than just the bags they make. They understand that their bags in addition to how and where they are made play a big factor in the company DNA. From their site: “In addition to our bags, we share a strong set of humanistic, environmental, and social values that guide the way we conduct every aspect of our business.” Now this may seem like marketing fluff at first, but by looking a little deeper you can see that Rickshaw walks the talk. They have managed to keep the making of their products almost entirely local and in their San Francisco factory. They strive to be environmentally conscious and even have a product line called “Bottles to Bags” with an exterior made from 100% post-consumer recycled beverage bottles. (Take a look at the video below to see how they create material from the bottles). They also frequently give back to the community and participate in things such as the upcoming Teens in Tech Conference and partnering with REDF to help at-risk youth find employment in the San Francisco area.

Rickshaw’s passion for their product, customers, and community is obvious. It is always great to purchase a product that is well made and fits your needs, but it’s quite a bonus to also support a company like Rickshaw Bagworks that understands that a business can contribute more to its surroundings than just a cool bag.

Rickshaw Bagworks – Beyond the bag (w/video) is a post by Adam Helweh from Notebooks.com.

I like the idea of the Rhino Skin, but I don’t like how the MacBook just sits in it and isn’t secured to the case in any way.

The Rhino Skin Aluminum case for MacBooks will cost $149.

Rhino Skin Aluminum Case for MacBook is a post by Xavier Lanier from Notebooks.com.

The Folee 2′s exterior is constructed of water-repelling 1680D cross-weave ballistic nylon. The interior has deep red lining, making it easy to find and organize your gear. One feature that’s particularly useful is its magnetic closures.

The Folee 2 is available for $215 (13-15 inch â€ËÅMâ€â„¢ model) or $225 (15-17 inch â€ËÅLâ€â„¢ model).The Folee 2 comes with booqâ€â„¢s new Terralinq service, which helps owners reunite with lost bags.

The Folee 2 is available directly from booq.

Folee 2 Product Page at booq.com

Booq Folee 2 Hybrid Travel Bag is a post by Xavier Lanier from Notebooks.com.

Booq produces some of my favorite notebook bags. They’re well designed, comfortable and stylish, but don’t use any gimmicky colors or designs to beg for attention.

The Boa slimcase exterior constructed of rugged, weather-resistant ballistic nylon. High density foam and non-scratch lining protect your notebook. The interior is compact, with only a few pockets for accessories.

The Boa slimcase comes in a range of sizes and can be ordered with a landscape or portrait orientation.

The Boa slimcase S90 (horizontal orientation) is designed for the 13-inch Macbook or 11 to 13-inch PC notebooks. The Boa slimcase M and M90 can fit the MacBook, 15-inch MacBook Pro and up to 13-inch PCs. The Boa slimcase XL and XL90 are built for the 17-inch MacBook Pro and up to 15-inch PCs. The Boa Slimcase XXL is fits 17-inch PC notebooks.

The smallest Boa slimcase is $105, with the larger versions costing up to $135. Booq’s bags are more expensive than some are used to spending on notebook bags, but their quality is excellent.Each Boa slimcase bag has a unique serial number that may be registered with booqâ€â„¢s new Terralinq service, which attempts to reunite lost bags with their owners.

booq Boa slimcase product page

Booq Boa slimcase Announced is a post by Xavier Lanier from Notebooks.com.

It measures 18-inches at its widest point and can easily accomodate any 15.4-inch notebook.

via ChipChick

Titan Luggage X2 Flash Notebook Case is a post by Xavier Lanier from Notebooks.com.

The Messenger Factor is available in two sizes to accommodate a 15.4-inch widesscreen (Messenger Factor M) or 17-inch widescreen (Messenger Factor L). The Messenger Factor comes in black, espresso/latte (brown) and parsley/green tea (green). My favorite is the brown color scheme.

The bags are made of water resistant nylon to help keep the contents dry from minor spills. There are three pockets on the exterior of the bag including an elastic pouch which can fit a small bottle of water, a zippered pocket on the right side of the bag and another zippered compartment that runs the width of the bagâ€â„¢s flap.

Beneath the bag’s main flap is an organizer for pens, business cards and other small items. A zippered compartment runs the width of the bag and can be used for stowing paperwork. The main storage compartment has a padded section to secure a notebook, room for a few books and three large pockets for accessories. I found that there was plenty of room to store everything that I normally lug around.

The back panel of the bag is made of padded breathable mesh to keep you cool in the heat. Thereâ€â„¢s nothing worse than a bag that makes you sweat and itâ€â„¢s impressive to see this feature in such a moderately priced bag.

The shoulder strap has a small amount of padding, but it is too narrow, meaning it dug into my shoulder when I had all of my gear in it. The Factor Messenger bag does have a second strap that can be snapped around your waist so you can wear it as a low-slung backpack. This was a significantly more comfortable way to wear it.

Power users will not be satisfied with its plastic closures and lightweight straps. The handle at the top of the bag is especially flimsy. However, the Factor Messenger is well constructed with strong stitching. As long as youâ€â„¢re gentle on the bag it should last for several semesters.

The list price is $59 for the Messenger Factor M, and $69 for the Messenger Factor L, but online retailers are selling them for $44 and $55.

The Messenger Factor is a good value if you like its looks. The padded rear panel and second strap can be a real back-saver. It will satisfy most students, but those looking for premium features will need to spend more on different line of bags.

Pros:
Second Strap
Bi-color design
Padded Back Panel

Cons:
Shoulder strap could be thicker
Clasps should be tougher

Review: Lowepro Factor Messenger Notebook Bag is a post by Xavier Lanier from Notebooks.com.