2008 CES Bag Roundup

by Sarah Meyer

We've already announced several exciting new laptops and tablets launched from CES this week. So, I'm sure that your next thought after, "When can I get one of these?" was "What will I carry it around in?" After all, who wants to carry a shiny new laptop around in an old crusty bag? Well, no worries, because several manufacturers announced new lines of notebook bags and cases at CES. Here, we'll take you through a rundown of what to carry in 2008.

Belkin

Belkin is launching a couple new bags this year. The first is the Laptop Hideaway, meant to hide your laptop and accessories from sight while protecting them. This bag is meant to be placed in almost any room and is large enough to fit a 15.4" notebook, as well as magazines, notebook pads, or even extra remotes. The Hideaway will be released later this month and comes in two color schemes.

(view large image) Belkin Hideaway

The Ceylon Messenger Bag from Belkin is a smaller, lighter messenger than many on the market, perfect for carrying a notebook to and from work or school. It sits on it's own when on a flat surface for easily removing items and has a nice, simple design. Although, it's smaller, it can still hold a 15.4" notebook along with accessories and this bag has several pockets for storage. It's available in late January and will come in three color schemes.

(view large image) Belkin Ceylon

Belkin's new Backpack is already available in the U.S. and has a slim design like the Ceylon Messenger. I didn't actually get to see this one in person so I don't know for sure how much you can stuff in it, but I'd say this bag is for those of you who travel light. It fits a 15.4" notebook and comes in five color schemes.

(view large image) Belkin Backpack

Golla

Golla of Finland is releasing a new collection of bags and sleeves in 2008. The design is vibrant and fun and we're working on getting these bags in for review as they seem to be catching on worldwide. You can check out their website at Golla.com.

Kensington

Kensington is launching several new items in 2008. Among them, they are releasing the Contour Balance line of notebook bags specifically designed for females.

The Contour Balance notebook case is similar to a large handbag only designed to fit 15" notebooks. The bag is quilted and has a soft, cushiony outside designed to hug the side. It can be carried as a handbag or a messenger since it comes with a detachable shoulder strap. The bag comes in two colors, onyx and chocolate.

(view large image) Contour Balance Notebook Case

Along the same lines as the Contour Balance Notebook Case, is the Notebook Roller. It has the same design as the case but with wheels and a telescoping handle. The handle can be hidden in a pocket on the back so that the roller can be carried like a handbag and has a comfortable side panel to hug the body. The roller is the largest of the Contour Balance line and can fit up to 15.4" notebooks.

(view large image) Contour Balance Notebook Roller

The Contour Balance Notebook Backpack is a smaller backpack made for laptops up to 14". The backpack still has several pockets for organization and has the same comfortable fabric panel as the Balance case.

(view large image) Contour Balance Notebook Backpack

Mobile Edge

Mobile Edge is adding additional bags to the Maddie Powers collection for women. These bags come in various sizes and styles, depending on what you're looking for as a consumer. They include: the CuteBug Messenger which is the largest bag in the collection and can hold up to a 15.4" laptop, the CuteBug Sheba, a smaller version of the the Messenger holding up to a 14" laptop, and the CuteBug hipster, a slimmed down version made for those who want to travel light.

(view large image) CuteBug Sheba

Mobile Edge is also introducing the Slipsuit, a sleeve for notebooks of all sizes made out of durable Neoprene. These come in various colors and with a detachable strap so you can travel with it.

(view large image) Slipsuit

Mobile Edge also is planning on releasing new bags this spring that they've yet to officially announce, so we'll keep you updated.

Targus

Targus is introducing several new bags in 2008. The most interesting might be the SonicPak speaker backpack. This 15.4" notebook carrying case has removable front panel speakers so that you can listen to your music anywhere. It also has a battery compartment with an on/off switch and a power-indicator LED light. The SonicPak will be available in March of 2008.

(view large image) SonicPak

The Velos Messenger line is a new direction for the typically traditional Targus. These bags come in three color combinations and have a trendy, but simple design. They hold up to a 15.4" laptop and will also be available in March.

(view large image) Velos Messenger

The final launch for Targus was the Grove series. The Grove series, part of the Targus EcoSmart Green Initative, is PVC-free and will feature recyclable plastic and nickel-free metal. The Grove series come in four styles: the Sling, Messenger, Covertible and Topload. All four products fit most 15.4" laptops and will available soon.

(view large image) Targus Grove Sling

 

Except for CuteBug, Slipsuit and Sonikpack (which doesn't look bad but just too normal), the others are cool..

 

For those of you with a ton of cash, might I make a suggestion? The Voltaic System Generator Bag - http://www.voltaicsystems.com/bag_generator.shtml

Its a bag with a big photovoltaic panel on one side, and the first solar-cell bag powerful enough to actually charge your laptop, not just PDA/Cell etc... The downside is the price however.

 

IMHO, what I've gone and done is bought a sleek lil notebook sleeve for my ASUS G1s and then just went and bought a JCrew messenger bag... really really comfy, wont cut into my shoulder walking around my university campus, and multipurpose, rugged and classy all in one!

laptop sleeve: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834990009

bag: http://www.jcrew.com/catalog/product.jhtml?id=prod78646231&catId=cat280094

 

How come the large image is not really large.

 

They should make some better ones for 17inchers, most are 15.4....

 

That "belkin backpack" has been on sale, at least here in canada, from dell.ca for the past 6 months.

 

Thanks for the roundup Sarah. There are quite a few nice and stylish bags in the line up.

 

Yes, I totally agree.

 

I asked a few manufacturers why they didn't have more 17" bags; they replied that they don't sell as many of them. Not sure why, maybe because many people use 17" laptops as desktop replacements.

I think Mobile Edge will be releasing at least one 17" laptop bag this spring, and although they aren't new, Targus has a couple of top selling 17" bags, including a backpack and briefcase that aren't super expensive.

Also, you can always get a nice 17" sleeve and then purchase a bag that suits you from any manufacturer, inlcuding those that don't nessecarily market notebook cases.

 

thanks for the review...always in the market for a good laptop bag. Did you see the cool metal jackets by Allsop? pretty cool concept...removable aluminum stand to help keep your lap and computer cool...it slides back into the case to travel with.