Belkin CushTop Hideaway Review

The Belkin CushTop Hideaway seems to be the perfect companion for your laptop. If you are like me and leave your tablet or notebook lying around the house where it could get bumped or knocked off a table or bed. I know when I am working my tablet gets set down all over the place and my dog sometimes likes to investigate it. Lets see how well the CushTop Hideaway protects and stores your standard notebook.

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Features:

• Stores power supply inside
• Made of durable microfiber
• Works with laptops up to 15.4"
• Weight: 26.6 oz.

Design and Aesthetics

The CushTop Hideaway is designed for use on the couch, bed or floor as a CushTop. The only color choice so far is brown with a light blue inside compartment. The material feels durable and hides dirt well. The design is very simplistic and sleek, there really isn't much to it.

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The CushTop doesn't have any handles or pockets. It's just a rounded box with a slot in the middle where your tablet or notebook stores inside securely. The design is solid and has no signs of flex. In fact, right out of the packaging, I had a hard time putting my 13.3" Fujitsu T5010 tablet inside and pulling it out. That is how stiff the material was. I am sure after a few uses though it will loosen up.

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The Fujitsu T5010 fits snuggly inside and honestly I don't see how you could store a power brick inside with a notebook, especially a 15.4" notebook. There isn't that much room. If you have a small power brick and detach the power cord and wrap it up tightly, you could cram it in there.

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It does keep your notebook safe from kids or pets and I even knocked the bag over to see what would happen. Guess what, nothing happened, no damage was done.

Using the Bag

If you aren't using the CushTop Hideaway to store your tablet or notebook, you can use it as a lap desk. It doubles nicely as a place to set your notebook while typing on the couch or laying in bed. It sits on your lap comfortably and has a slanted design, which makes typing a breeze.

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When the CushTop is on your lap it also keeps the heat from your notebook off your legs. A nice feature indeed. Remember though, your notebook doesn't lock on top of the CushTop, so it can be pushed off if you aren't careful.

So, if you need a lap desk or a place to safely store your notebook, the CushTop Hideaway may be your solution. It isn't very big and it doesn't take up much room, so it fits perfectly next to your couch or bed. It doesn't look odd either since it has a nice contemporary design.

Conclusion

The CushTop Hideaway looks great in any room and my friends didn't even know I had my notebook hidden inside. To me that is a bonus. You have this sleek bag that safely stores your notebook from unwanted intruders while looking good. The design is sturdy and you don't have to worry about damage. The only thing you have to worry about is if there is enough room for your notebook and power brick because the inside compartment isn't very big. You don't want to store your power brick in another location either because that is inconvenient. However, I am sure the material will flex a little after being used. When using it as the "CushTop" it works great too. It makes for a comfortable place to set your notebook and work while relaxing on the couch.

Pros

• Contemporary sleek design
• Securely stores laptop and doubles as lap desk
• Lightweight
• Durable material

Cons

• No handles
• Material is stiff and can be hard to get certain notebooks in and out easily
• Not that much room inside

Pricing and Availability

The Belkin CushTop Hideaway will be available soon for $39.99. For more information check out Belkin's website.

 

Thanks for the review.

It's fascinating the way that manufacturers keep creating products to fulfill needs that we didn't realise we had. However, this one could have a role to play since laptops used on laps are a little low for comfortable use. What is the overall thickness (and the other external dimensions)?

John

 

Maybe the material is stiff so that the notebook's rubber feet wont sink into the ''cushtop'' thus blocking the vents?

I do really like the idea of this though.

 

Thanks for the review.

1. I wonder if the material is like cushion pad so that it gives some protection for the laptop when it falls to the ground.
2. Are both ends open so that the laptop can go through the CushTop? Or is one end sealed and it can contain the laptop?

 

There is only one end that is open. The laptop has to be slid in from the top. The bottom is closed. This way your notebook sits securely inside. The material on the outside is a durable microfiber and it is kind of like a cushion pad. It's lightweight and comfortable to sit on you lap, but still solid enough to protect your laptop if knocked over.

 

But is the outside soft enough that, when used as a cushion, the computer's feet will sink in and then the airflow to any air vents on the bottom is blocked?

John