The correct title should have been “I got a new Computer”, but since this 12″ Powerbook is so small and so light, I really feel like I have a new toy. After a few weeks of MISERABLY SLOW COMPUTING due to having only half my real RAM, Mosaic was kind enough to hook me up with a new Powerbook (thanks Chad). This will allow me to get back on track with my projects because I was really wasting a lot of my time looking at the Mac OS X spinning beach ball while having my usual(but required) apps opened. My blog posting frequency had even declined cause I didn’t want to deal with even more frustation than the required. So, I have gone from a 17″ Powerbook to a 15″. And now from a 15″ Powerbook to a 12″. Let’s hope they don’t come out with a 10″ cause I really like my menu bar apps and already I’m having issues fitting them all on my new compact screen.
This leads me to my next topic, bags. New computer, new bag, that my motto. Otherwise it’s like giving your new fiancé your old fiancé’s engagement ring. I’ve always had a thing for bags. Through the years I’ve collected some links of bag manufacturers I keep track off in case I nee to get a new bag, like now. So here’s my list. So far I am leaning towards getting the Breakfast Buffet from Crumpler, an Australian company. But, I would LOVE to hear what you think. And I would LOVE it if you introduce me to some new bags too. I’m looking for small, compact, well designed stuff.
Bag Links
Crumpler Bags – really digging the breakfast buffet for my 12″
Incase - interesting bags, very cool new site
Tom Bihn – some hits some misses
Oakley - interesting stuff
Boblbee – hardcore bags
Acme Made – totes for the metro-sexual
demano - very very cool stuff. it’s got european written all over it!
MacCase – androgynous looking bags
Triple Five Soul – some hip hop flavored bags
Booq Bags – very cool (but not cheap) bags for the pocket lover
Messenger Bags – interesting messenger bags but a bit big for a 12″
Ogio – coll sports oriented bags
CamelBak – if u need some water with your laptop
Gravis Footwear – hit or miss bags for the metro-sexual too
Burton Snowboards - cool wearable electronics gear
SFBags – custom made sleeves
Spire USA – so so looking backpacks
Shaun Jackson Design – one side flapping backpack
Timbuk2 - build your own messenger bag
TiBag – one sling bag
Targus – one of the most boring bag design out there
Brenthaven - even worst than targus
Bagreview.com – some really good bags reviewed here
eBags – pretty good selection of bags
Added by User Commments
Koie – hip little bags and totes
Chrome – cool messenger bag but way too big for a 12″
Patagonia – mostly messenger bags
Tumi – need i say more?
RadTech – kinda plain looking bags
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I went through the whole “which bag for my powerbook” quest a few months ago and settled on a Tumi. Lifetime warranty, beautiful designs, and very rugged.
If I had a 12″ powerbook, I’d definitely check out the Tumi T3 FLIP Flap Brief (The black with silver inner lining looks really nice and I think the interior screenshot shows a 12″ powerbook). For added protection, the booq sleeves are very nice.
I’ve just got my new toy on saturday, a mac mini, my first apple mac and I love it, got an apple keyboard and mighty mouse too – works great. They even do bags for these too although I’m not sure where I’d take it. Good news on your 12″ powerbook though, look forward to reading more blogs.
I’ve used/bought a lot of different “bags” in search of that right one. I’ve used a Targus (you’re right, they are ugly, but I was getting desperate). And I’ve used a Booq bag (was my favorite until my dog chewed the strap) and I have had an Ogiothat the strap just broke one day while walking into work.
So I’ve finally found a bag that I like…a lot. It’s made by RadTech. I opted for the “Loft“. So far it’s been the best investment of them all.
Now I’m beginning to think I have some kind of bag fetish???
I can’t emphasize enough how much I LOVE my Cobra XM from Booqbags. It’s made with a 15″ PowerBook in mind so it may be a bit big for your tastes. The quality is first rate. Small details are given great care such as the zippers, the clasps on the strap, etc. I have looked at other bags (before and after buying the Cobra) and I am pleased I made the right choice.
I use a Boblbee backpack, the one with the laptop compartment. It’s ergonomic, it comes in all sorts of sizes and colors, and the PowerBook is really well protected, plus it looks cool. I can recommend it.
Only downside: When it’s hot, your back doesn’t get enough ventilation, and so one tends to get pretty sweaty back there. They do offer an accessory aimed at this problem, but I haven’t tried that yet.
I too, have always had a thing for bags. I currently have one that I do like a lot, from a small company called Koie, and the bag I have is the Currumbin. It has good protection for laptops, alot of other different sized pockets to put stuff, and it isn’t too large. I also like making the backpack straps disappear, and use it as a sort of brief.
For my 12″ PB, I did have a Brenthaven bag. I liked it simply because it fit the PB and was extremely light.
I’m going the other way in notebooks and recently purchased a 15″ PB. As for the bag, I went with the Crumpler – Luncheon. It is the same design as the Breakfast Buffet but made for the 15″. I like the bag but would rather have more buckles/zippers than velcro.
The 12″ Powerbook is a great machine. I’ve had mine for a couple of years now, and she’s still going strong.
And thanks for the bag links. I’m a bit of a bag freak (and shoes for some reason…) and I’m going to love hunting through all those sites.
For my 12″, I went the neoprene slipcover route. With the Powerbook inside, I can throw it into any of my bags and still have plenty of room. The bag then also has the advantage of not screaming “steal this computer,” a nice bonus.
Mel,
One more for the list:
http://www.chromebags.com/
Jaime
Cool! I want one! I mostly use my G5, because my Powerbook is a bit dated… 500mhz TiBook. Today I noticed that Apple has some recalls going on Powerbook batteries. You may want to check the list… https://depot.info.apple.com/batteryexchange/index.html?lang=en