Belkin Laptop Hideaway Review

by Sarah Meyer

Since the advent of wireless internet, the notebook has become a constant travel companion and so the notebook backpack, notebook messenger and notebook briefcase became extremely useful and important to consumers.

But what about the times when you are just sitting on your couch or laying on your bed? If you're like me, you set your notebook on a side table or night stand and walk away. That is a harmless but potentially costly decision with animals, children and/or clumsy, careless adults amuck.

That's where the Belkin Hideaway comes in to play. It is made to store a notebook and accessories in common household rooms without being noticed. But is the Hideaway really that useful; could it become the next big thing in notebook must-haves?

The Hideaway Specifications

• Dimensions: 17" x 12" x 6.5"
• Notebook compartment: 15" x 9" x 2.5"
• Weight: 28.4 oz.
• Durable, hand-washable microfiber

Design and Aesthetics

The Belkin Laptop Hideaway comes in two color combinations - Dove/Tarragon and Chocolate/Tourmaline - and is made out of a durable hand-washable microfiber.

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On the outside the Hideaway is sturdy; the case is made of what seems to be a hard plastic. The inside is softer and stuffed with almost an inch of padding, perfect for holding a notebook without scratching the exterior.

The Hideaway can hold up to 15.4" laptops, although my Dell Latitude D620 fit great. The notebook pocket is the largest compartment at 15" x 9" x 2.5".

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There are two pockets for stuffing accessories, magazines, remotes, power bricks, etc. I kept a NY Times Crossword puzzle book, a Sudoko book and a puppy training magazine in the larger pocket. This pockets dimensions are approximately 10" x 8.5" x 2.5".

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I kept a spare power brick and two phone chargers in the smaller one. The dimensions are approximately 5.5" x 8.5" x 2.5". There is also a small pouch inside this pocket; I kept pens and pencils in that one.

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Using the bag

I loved using the Hideaway because as mentioned in the intro, I'm one of those people who use my notebook on the couch (I heart wireless internet) and I am constantly leaving my notebook lying on my coffee table. Not only is that probably not safe with a new puppy around, it creates clutter. Now, I'm saving space on my table and keeping my notebook safe from any potential accidents.

It also gave me a place to store our phone chargers, as opposed to leaving them plugged in, lying on the floor. So I'm helping conserve energy as well as keeping those wires out my puppy's mouth.

I've gotten multiple compliments on the Hideaway's design and purposefulness. Most of my friends have the same living room notebook habits as I do and love the idea of place to store a notebook when not in use.

Did I mention the Hideaway has a lifetime warranty?

Conclusion

I love the Belkin Laptop Hideaway. It has helped me not only protect my laptop but kept some clutter off my table, floor and out of an ornery puppy mouth.

The only problem I see is the $50 price tag for a bag you can't tote around with you but it is incredibly useful in a home. And let's be honest, I've seen less useful "organizational" side tables for double the price.

Pros

• Stylish, clean lines
• Stores extra accessories
• Hand-washable
• Lifetime warranty

Cons

• Doesn't fit notebooks larger than 15.4"
• Could add more storage space

Pricing and Availability

The Belkin Laptop Hideaway can be purchased via the Belkin website. The Hideaway is $49.99.

 

is dis for girls looks like it

 

Well, it's for people who don't leave their laptops on a desk but want someplace to store their laptop out of sight when visitors come over.

So, that being said, yes ... it's obviously targeted more toward women. Let's face it, most men don't care if their dirty underwear is out in the middle of the floor when friends come over to visit. My home office looks like a landfill.

In any case, I'm pretty sure this type of storage solution makes sense for a lot of people.

 

Looks like something my aunt could use, as her lappy and accessories are dropped wherever she last used them. I'll take one in dove.

Mine as well. I just recently tossed out several garbage bags of obsolete pc parts that I gathered up from around the "office". It killed me to get rid of the stuff, but I had to make room for new stuff that I will packrat in the future.

 

Neat idea, great for when you have guests coming over and need a quick place to stuff the laptop that's sitting on the coffee table.

 

Just curious, why is hand-washable listed in pros? Isn't like every laptop bag hand washable?

 

I saw this @ Belkin's HUGE booth @ CES... and SarahM's right. The thing is made out of hard plastic and is very sturdy... and therefore durable. There has to be some sort of VERY hard (maybe even metal?) shell underneath that maintains its shape.

What I dont get is...where's a pic with a laptop in it though?

 

Hmmm...I don't see this being super useful, at least for me. When I want to put my laptop away, I just put it on the desk I have for it.

I suppose some people don't have dedicated desks for their laptops though, so I could see this being useful in that case.

However, most people probably have a regular case for the laptop and I'd just assume put it in there before shelling out $50.

I don't know, it looks nice and easy to use, but I don't really see a need for it. That's just me though.

 

i dont really get the hideaway part. i mean i would notice a bag like that just lying around in my living room or something. that bag is kinda noticeable :/

 

I care.

Still, it seems like a rather pointless product.

 

If you have a desk, I don't think this would be particularly useful. $50 is also a bit much. Is it study enough to double up as a lap desk? And if it's in a spot where my dog can potentially reach it, putting my laptop in a bag wouldn't stop her from knocking it over...

 

I'm a guy and I'd buy it, LOL.

Anyway, this seems like a great idea, I would put it between my couch and end table, that way it's out of the way but still handy for surfing between tv commercials.

 

Meh if I need to store it, its going in my backpack. if I just want it out of the way for a guest coming over then I can put it in a drawer or something if I thought it was actually in the way (in reality id just take it into anther room like ontop of my bedroom dresser, and that means I can leave it running because its probably doing something. Putting it in this carry thing would make it overheat unless I shut it off.

If I am turning it off again, its going in the backpack it takes just as long to put it in there as it would this.

I think this is one of those pointless products myself where a company is just trying to get you to spend money on something you dont need, plus my house is very dusty this thing would get full of dust fast because I see no way to close it... thats a big reason why I keep mine in a backpack when not in use.