I came across these typewriter key coasters while placing an order with one of my favorite online catalogs - Sundance.  Each coaster is stamped with a courier font letter of your choice and encased in glass at $8 a pop (two or more $7 each).  Order your favorite letter, piece together initials, or get creative and spell out something like LOVE or DREAM or QWERTY. These coasters would make the perfect gift and fit the decor of any writer.

And, let’s not forget the iPhone.  Do you realize there are over 50,000 iPhone and iPod applications  available through the App store to date (June 2009)?  It’s hard to even wrap your brain around the depth of innovation Apple has spurred by opening the pipeline to developers with one simple question in mind - If you could hold a computer in the palm of your hand, what could it do?  We’ve taken some time to comb through the App Store and come up with quite a few applications that can enhance a writer’s tool belt.

Writers In General

WikiPock Plus Edition ($14.99)
Search and read Wikipedia without internet connection. The entire encyclopedia is in your phone.

VR+ Voice Recorder ($29.95)
You can record, email and play back voice memos - and save them for later.  Recording can be played back in mp3 format from a PC or cell phone.

All-in-one advanced calendar and to-do list.

My Secret Diary ($8.99)
My Secret Diary is a great tool for you to store your secret diary entries in a safe password-protected place.  Store up to 25,000 diary entries.

Advanced English Dictionary & Thesaurus ($14.95)
The best-selling English dictionary and thesaurus with 1.6 million words and WordNet technology.

Screenwriters 

We’ve received a few emails asking if there is a script formatting mobile application.  To date, the only one we know about is ScriptRight.  However, you should use your best judgment as we do not have any experience with the app.  It only works with Windows Mobile, and the site appears to have not been updated in quite some time. ScriptRight.

With 500 films produced annually, and producers constantly trying to mismatch old movies with new concepts (i.e. ET meets Rainman), writers need to stay knowledgeable of movies past and present.  Check out the fun and informative apps below:

Information on latest releases and the location and times of local movies.

 iPhone Applications

Idea Generator ($0.99)

Just what the title says.

Very helpful to-do list.

Helps you create logically deduced arguments/debates.

*New apps are created everyday.  If you know of any others that pertain to writers be sure to leave a comment below.

Smartphones  are quickly propagating the cellphone landscape, making anyone who whips out a mundane flip phone appear slightly "out of touch".  The point of this article is to discuss whether or not the benefits of owning a smartphone are to the writer’s advantage.  But first, let’s answer a few general questions about the gadget.

What is a smartphone?
In a nuthshell it’s a cellphone that allows you to do a host of other things via mobile applications. 

What’s the difference between the iPhone, the Blackberry, and all the others?
In a word…OS (Operating System).  In order to access email, internet, IM, pictures, etc on your computer you need an operating system like Windows or OS X, right?  Same thing goes for  smartphones  - which are basically tiny, limited computers that allow you to easily make phone calls. The iPhone’s OS is derived from OS X.  BlackBerry has a proprietary OS created by RIM.  Treos either use Palm or Windows Mobile. In addition each carrier has limited operating systems on their less expensive smartphones (i.e. VZ Navigator).

Is the smartphone an imperative tool for writers? 
Let’s put it this way; you can live in a log cabin with no indoor plumbing or electricity and create the greatest novel known to man using a 1935 Remington typewriter.  So technically, technology isn’t imperative to a writer, but it does make life easier.  That’s exactly what the smartphone does for a writer - IT MAKES LIFE EASIER - for the reasons listed below:

1) Accessibility

It’s the 21st century. You are expected to be more accessible in a multitude of ways. Meaning…your publicist or agent should be able to contact you at all times via phone, email or text.   Don’t want to be bothered 24/7?  Then turn your cellphone off, but at least have the ability to be more accessible.

2) Mobility

What if you want to take a break from writing and leave your laptop at home, but you still need to attend to a few emails?  You can still conduct a wide range of business using just your smartphone.  The editor just sent the 2nd draft changes via a word doc and you’d like to take a quick look.  No need to haul out the laptop.  Smartphones have applications that can open .DOC, PDF, .XL and .txt files.

3) MemoPad

I use the MemoPad on my BlackBerry a lot!  Ideas are always popping into my head.  Pen and pad are not always available and nor can I trust that I won’t lose the slip of paper, so I whip out my smartphone, open MemoPad and access my personal "Ideas" file.  When I get home, I sync my phone with the computer so that I have access to my "Ideas" file at home, the office and while mobile. 

The iPhone comes with a simple application called Notes.  MemoPad is free with BlackBerry and there are applications for Palm and Windows Mobile as well.

4) Reminders/Calendar

Writers can constantly be pulled in a million different directions, especially immediately after the release of your best seller.  You’ve got an appointment with the publisher, lunch with the agent, a meet and greet at Starbucks, the dentist at 3:00 and a 7ish writer’s group meeting.  Smartphones have all your appointments neatly organized within the calendar, alarms to alert you, and it all syncs nicely with your computer.

5) The Web

I’m not going to list the hundreds of reasons a writer needs to access the web, so let’s just take it as a given that you do…  With built-in internet capabilities, smartphones allow you to carry the world in your pocket.  The world is a good thing.  Having access to it 24/7 is a great thing.

6) Tethering

How do you access the internet on your laptop when you’re away from home? If you’re at the local coffee shop you can log onto the cafe’s Wi-Fi service.  You can also use a modem solution which attaches to your computer via USB or ExpressCard slot, but you still have to pay an additional monthly service fee.  OR you can tether and completely eliminate the need for Wi-Fi hookups when you’re mobile.  Tethering with regard to smartphones means you can access the internet by "tethering" your phone to your laptop either via Bluetooth or USB.    Wherever you have cellphone coverage, you have internet access.  To learn more about using the iPhone to tether go here.  BlackBerry and Verizon allow you to tether for $15 /month.  As long as you’re not downloading huge files and limiting your bandwidth it’s a great solution.

7) Staying Informed

No matter what kind of writer you are, it’s important that you stay abreast of current issues and what’s going on around you.  I use a free application on the BlackBerry called Viigo to receive RSS feeds from my favorite internet sites.  I get world news, local news, tech news and financial updates from my trusted sites. 
 

It’s pretty typical that people who love to write often love to read; and people who love to read can serve up some scrabble "woopass".   The Scrabble Premier Collector’s Edition from Restoration Hardware is so gorgeous your writer friend will likely dig out her old Scrabble set for routine play and reserve this collector’s edition for the well-heeled crowd. This is one of those thoughtful gifts that will never be forgotten.

Price:  $169

The base of the Concealed Floating Bookshelves tuck indiscreetly between the pages, offering the appearance of a floating stack of books.  I can imagine an entire wall covered with floating books. Each shelf is made of powder-coated steel.  The large wall-mount is $11.50 and the small wall-mount is $8.99 and holds the same weight.  There’s your conversation piece; now just add wine.

If you want to mix it up, Smart Furniture also offers what they call a Flybrary.  Much like the  Concealed Floating Bookshelves, the books are suspended to the wall with invisible shelves, but the spine faces up.  Priced at $30, the Flybrary is engineered to hold up to 20 lbs.  For those of you taking a modern approach to your office setup, these creative bookshelves might be just the right touch.

One of the reasons we wanted to offer a review of sling bags is because most folks carry their backpacks like a sling, and yet there are so few laptop slings on the market.  There are millions of “casual professionals” toting computers in their daily commute, many of whom would like to be hands-free when mobile but don’t really care for the “backpack look”. The sling is a viable option for these folks, and in our quest to disclose the best laptop bags on the market, we may have uncovered a couple slings you weren’t aware of.

 

All of the bags chosen for this article series were chosen for the quality of the manufacturing, design, materials and functionality.  It’s not always about money, so we didn’t factor cost into our initial round-table discussion about which manufacturers to contact; we just wanted to contact the best.
 
Here at LitCentral Founders’ Blog we wanted to strive to do better than the mundane laptop bag reviews that inundate the web - offering a press kit, Photoshopped image and a cursory review.  In this three-part article series (What Bag Carries Your Geekd’m?) we lay hands on the product, take pictures and communicate the functionality and quality of these bags.  Part I of the series covers the best laptop and messenger bags.  Part II covers the best laptop backpacks, and Part III showcases some of the best laptop sling cases on the market.

Part III - Best Laptop Slings

It’s obvious that Axio really thinks about the design of their bags, but even more so with the Slingpack.  The pockets and carrying straps bring a lot of functionality to the bag and yet it still fits within Axio’s sleek overall design.  It’s Axio’s attention to fine details  that makes their bags stand apart from the crowd - and the Slingpack is no exception.  

Axio sent us three bags - Slingpack, Hybrid, and  Messenger.  All three bags are black, lined with a vibrant red and constructed with this incredibly durable and easy to clean 900D polyester.  The Slingpack has two outside pockets sewn along the seams to maintain a sleek overall appearance, and the zippers are topped-off with chrome pulls.   There’s an MP3 player pouch embedded in the shoulder strap with an audio port for your headphones. 

The adjustable shoulder strap is dedicated to the left shoulder.  At first I would find myself “thinking” rather than “slinging” because it’s a natural tendency to grab things with my right hand.  After a few days of use, the hesitancy began to fade, and the bag and I became one.    I didn’t use the lower strap but it’s there if you want to secure the Slingpack across your body.   The backside lends itself to a padded panel  constructed of a breathable type mesh which is a godsend in Temecula, California, where temps reach 100-plus-degrees in the summer months. 

Inside there are three large zipper and Velcro-closure pockets, a large padded laptop compartment and additional open-face pockets for pens, and small gadgets.  Your computer is surrounded by padding (not only within the laptop chamber), as the entire bag has a thick layer of padding on all six sides. 

Honestly, this is one of the best slings on the market.  With all the thought, unique design and quality materials, Axio has the nerve to offer this bag at a sweet price point of only $84.95.   It’s one of those bags you reach for on the shelf and the moment you touch it you think, "I bet they’re charging an arm and a leg for this…", but then you flip over the price tag and…  Shhhhh!  Don’t tell Axio, it might be a mistake!

External Size:  17”H x 12.5” W x 4.5”D
Weight: 2 lbs  2oz
Holds: 15” laptop or smaller
Material: 900D polyester
Purchase Here

•   •   •   •   •   • 

  Belkin Sling Bag

As we mentioned with the Belkin Slim Backpack, this bag is a sweet bargain.  You get a cool, sleek design with durable materials, and lots of pockets for all your gadgets and important docs.  The bag is identical to the Belkin Slim Backpack, with the exception of the uni-strap located on the back.  Again… 

Purchase Here 

Chrome Bags Soma

The Soma is really a fusion of three different types of bags – the messenger, the laptop bag, and the sling.  We put the Soma in the sling category of the article series.  This is because the way this bag is designed to be carried stands out amongst its best features.  First things first… if you haven’t heard of Chrome Bags as a writer or a techie, it’s because the company mainly markets to bicyclists.  However, Chrome Bags has moved into the laptop bag business, and inadvertently made the world a better place.  The ingenuity and genius that was once only offered to bike folks has been directed toward creating two laptop bags – the Soyuz and Soma. We covered the Soyuz in the backpack series. Let’s take a look at the Soma…

Cost: $140.00
External Size:  15.4”H x 12.5” W x 4.75”D
Weight: 2 lbs  2oz
Holds: 15” laptop or smaller
Material: 1000 denier Cordura
Purchase Here

* Stay tuned…  We will be giving away many of the bags featured in this three-part article series!

In 2005 Michelle and I co-founded LitCentral Inc. and we both needed bags that were professional, durable, and functional.  When your career choice requires that you constantly have access to a computer, you become very familiar with what the laptop bag market has to offer.   One thing is for certain, while quality often equates to higher price, a higher price tag doesn’t necessarily equate to quality.  A few years ago, I paid $100 for a Victorinox backpack and it lasted less than 12 months before the fabric started to unravel and the clips broke off.  You would think paying more for a recognizable brand would equate to quality – wrong!

Want something unique? Something that screams, “I stroll the road less traveled(!)?”  Well then, you better check out Axio’s Hybrid.  What — a hybrid backpack?  Exactly.  Axio describes this backpack as “functional minimalism with style” - and I completely agree.

True story:  I was in St. Louis Lambert Airport the first time I ever spotted an Axio backpack in the wild.  The guy that was wearing it was in line in front of me.  He sort of stood out from the crowd so I asked him what kind of backpack he was carrying . He said, "Axio" then he turned around and went back to looking cool.

I usually reserve backpacks for travel because there is nothing I loathe more than having to carry THINGS in my hands when trekking through airports.  Yes, I risk looking younger than I am, but who says that’s a bad thing???  Secondly, a backpack provides space for the packing of all sorts of stuff I don’t end up using or reading because I’ve fallen asleep before we’ve left the runway.

Most backpacks on the market fall prey to the “cluttered” look.  Because of the general design of a backpack, it’s easy for manufacturers to clutter the surface with pockets, zippers, bungee cords and nylon netting.  So when a backpack design comes along that marches-to-the-beat-of-its-own-drum, it makes you stand up and take notice.   The thoughtful sleek design of the Hybrid offers plenty of storage options, but with the Axio Hybrid, it is accomplished with clean sophistication.  

I love the functionality of this backpack and the fact that it exudes "cool" is just a bonus.

Cost: $139.95
External Size:  19”H x 13.5” W x 10.5”D
Weight: 3 lbs  9 oz
Holds: 15” laptop or smaller (17” XL available)
Material: 900D polyester
Purchase Here  

Axio Hybrid Backpack

•   •   •   •   •   •   •   • 

I actually know three people who own either the Slim Backpack or Slim Slingpack, and for some odd reason all three own Macs.  Maybe that’s because after they’ve dropped a couple grand on a computer, the Belkin fit within their remaining budget.   This is the least expensive backpack in our review ($49).  However, as I mentioned in the first article series, Belkin offers a really decent line of laptop bag products for the price point, and the Slim Backpack is no exception.

If you’re the kind that likes to throw your backpack on your back and forget about it, the Slim Backpack might be your perfect companion.  This backpack lives up to its name, offering just enough room for your laptop, a couple of books, MP3 player, pens, and a document folder or two. 

The top grip handle lays flush with the bag and allows for an alternate carrying method.  The laptop compartment has a soft, padded velvet lining to help protect your laptop from bumps and scratches.  Inside amongst numerous open-faced pockets, there is a detachable pouch that is perfect for housing your A/C adapter and gadget cords.  The 15” Slim Backpack comes in 5 different color combinations.

There are two horizontal and vertical pockets on the front, which can accommodate other slim gadgetry such as an iPod or a cell phone. There’s also an earphone jack connected to the front pocket that allows you to thread your headphones through, up, and over your shoulder.

Overall, I think the Slim Backpack is a really good deal for the budget conscious writer. You get good value for your buck, and with a lifetime guarantee backed by Belkin you really can’t go wrong.

Cost: $49.99
External Size: 18”H x 12.5” W x 5”D
Weight: Not provided
Holds: 15.4” laptop or smaller
Material: 100% polyester
Purchase Here

Belkin Slim Backpack

•   •   •   •   •   •   •   • 

This is part of Chrome Bags philosophy and how the company got started:

"Chrome was founded in Boulder, CO by a couple of guys who needed a bag that lasted forever. They began sewing in their garage using the toughest material they could find. A company came out of that with a philosophy of building stuff that would function well in tough conditions and would last a lifetime." [sourced: Chrome Bags website]

See…now that’s what I’m talking about - necessity, a mission, and passion - all packed into a garage.  Then bam! A company is born.  I love that stuff.

We were all very impressed with the build quality of Chrome Bags’ Soyuz.  This backpack  was the largest of all the backpacks we reviewed and it fits a niche – “the extreme writer”. 

The Soyuz has a main backpack chamber that’s completely waterproof from the inside out.  This chamber is huge and lined with a thin rubber-like material.  How could you use this compartment?  For the writer who journeys beyond the corner café… perhaps to surf, swim or go to the gym before writing, you can throw your wet gear into this compartment and breakout the laptop when you reach your writing destination. The laptop compartment has a unique side-entry, fully padded compartment with a divider for a document folder. Although the Soyuz does not have any tie downs or straps within the laptop compartment, we felt like the 12" tablet PC we tested was snug and secure.  The laptop compartment could easily service a 15" laptop while a 17" would be a little tight but still make the cut. 

If you live where you are consistently exposed to rain, snow, dust, or sand, and you need to protect your precious laptop against these external elements, then you would be amiss not to check out the Chrome Bag laptop product line.  The design and industrial materials that go into Chrome Bags is clearly evident.  Fully waterproof.  Urethane coated YKK zippers.  Seam-sealed main chamber. An 18 oz truck tarp free-floating liner.  Military speck seam binding tape.  Metal cam lock buckles.  And on and on! 

You have to respect a company that throws so much into a single backpack, at a decent price point, and then backs that baby with a lifetime guarantee.  But then again, who needs it?  The chrome on a garaged Harley would rust before this bag wears out.

One more thing… There’s a “hip factor” that applies to Chrome Bags.  How can I explain… The next Hollywood movie that is made deep in the Seattle woods where the fictional writer lives in one of those high-tech, environmentally clever, all glass homes, with a Weimaraner on the white couch and an Audi R8 in the garage…  Chrome Bags product placement needs to be all over that set, because that’s the “hip factor” these bags are dripping with.  Can you see me now?

*Note – At the time of this publishing this popular model was completely out of stock.  Check back in June for new shipments or sign up for email notification.

Cost: $180
External Size: Dimensions: 14W" x 21H" x 6D"
Weight: Not provided
Holds: 17” laptop or smaller
Material: 1000 denier Cordura®
Purchase Here

•   •   •   •   •   •   •   •  

Remember the kid who sat in the front of the class and made straight As without lifting a finger?  This is the backpack he carried.  His name was Alec and not only was he astute enough to realize the ingenuity and innovation that went into the build of his backpack, but he was clever enough to call it by name –  Smart Alec.

Tom Bihn designed the Smart Alec to be a regular backpack with one large main compartment. Two side pockets offer storage for water bottles, cell phones and A/C cords. The adjustable crisscross bungee cords on the front create a pocket, allowing you to strap down a sweatshirt, large rolled documents, etc.  The bag opens at the top, allowing easy access to the contents inside.

This is a great backpack for airline travel because of the light form factor and the wide mouth.  After takeoff you can tuck the Smart Alec between your legs and have easy access to the contents throughout the flight. 

The Smart Alec comes in four different color combinations and in true Tom Bihn style, it’s made of durable, top quality material and backed by a lifetime guarantee.

But there’s more to this backpack.  Tom Bihn offers accessories that turn this backpack into a “Transformer” – as you change the accessories, the functionality of the bag changes.

Let me explain…

With this “Transformer” approach, you don’t always have to use the Smart Alec as a regular backpack.  Insert a Vertical Brain Cell and this bag converts to a laptop backpack.  Add in the Vertical Freudian Slip and you now have an organizer for documents and writing instruments.

What if it’s a light mobile day and all you need is your laptop?  No problem.  Use just the Vertical Brain Cell and you have solid protection guarding your most prized possession.   Accessorize the Vertical Brain Cell with a shoulder strap or just tote the bag with the nylon handles.  The front mesh pockets will expand to accommodate your A/C adapter.  

We stole one of the Brain Cell pics from Tom Bihn’s website to illustrate to you just how protected your laptop is when engulfed by this bag.  If you have one of the new unibody MacBooks with the glass screens this is one of the few bags I would trust to protect such fragile cargo.  Suspended between layers of corrugated plastic and memory foam, your laptop is no doubt well protected.  The Brain Cell comes in six different sizes and a host of colors.

Smart Alec
Cost: $130
External Size: 18.5”H x 11.75” W x 7.75”D
Weight: 1 lb. 13 oz.
Holds: 15.4” laptop or smaller
Material: 1050 denier nylon and 1000 denier Cordura ®
Purchase Here:

Vertical Brain Cell
Cost: $60
External Size:  varies (6 sizes)
Weight: 14 oz – 1.4 lbs.
Holds: 15.4” laptop or smaller
Material: 500 denier Cordura ®;
Purchase Here

Tom Bihn Smart Alec

What does a software company like LitCentral know about laptop bags? Plenty. It’s the equivalent of asking a NASCAR driver what he thinks about tires. We already know who’s the best in the business and we’re dedicating the month of May to showing you what they’ve got.

All of the bags chosen for this article series were chosen for the quality of the manufacturing, design, materials and functionality.  It’s not always about money, so we didn’t factor cost into our initial round-table discussion about which manufactures to contact; we just wanted to contact the best.

Here at LitCentral Founders’ Blog we wanted to strive to do better than the mundane laptop bag reviews that inundate the web - offering a press kit, Photoshopped image and a cursory review.  In this three-part article series (What Bag Carries Your Geekd’m?) we lay hands on the product, take pictures and communicate the functionality and quality of these bags.  Part I of the series covers the best laptop and messenger bags.  Part II covers the best laptop backpacks, and Part III showcases some of the best laptop sling cases on the market.

My biggest worry with contacting Aaron Irvin and asking him to participate in this in-depth bag review was that I would not have the words to capture the irrefutable exquisiteness of his bags.

The cultured experience begins from the moment you pry open the box.   Aaron Irvin cloaks his bags with a grey felt dust cover - which makes the unveiling of his bags a near sexual experience.

Walking in to pitch your screenplay or book proposal with the Microfiber Computer Bag softly whispers…"I’ve  already made it."

*Although we will be giving away many of the product samples used for this article series to our faithful readers, Michelle and I are doing rock-paper-scissors over this one.

"The Arrival"

•  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •

Have you ever heard someone say he or she “has a quiet elegance”?  That’s how I would describe Axio’s messenger.  Its simple, stylish, unisex design with red accents and chrome zipper pulls, leaves me feeling less techy and more modish.

Inside the bag is spacious and expansive, easily holding all my junk.  There’s also a separate padded laptop compartment.  The fabric is durable and easy to clean.

This Axio Messenger has been to Hollywood, the Orange County Boat Show, Barnes and Noble and everywhere in between.  Everyone here who managed a turn at sampling this bag loved it!

Cost: $84.95
External Size:  13”H x 17.5” W x 3.5”D
Weight: 1 lb  11 oz
Holds: 15” laptop or smaller
Material: 900D polyester
Purchase Here

•  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •

Belkin offers some nice subtle touches on the Flythru.  The handle is covered in nylon but just under the lip is a strip of velvet-like cloth that feels good to grip. The pad on the shoulder strap is both adjustable and removable. We counted four zipper pockets and plenty of open-faced pockets to stuff pens, passport, boarding pass, etc.  Belkin doesn’t list a weight on their website for the Flythru, but they should because it’s a noticeable feature that this bag is LIGHT!

Purchase Here

Belkin Flythru

•  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •

MacCase Flight Jacket

The MacCase Flight Jacket won the prize for the thinnest laptop bag reviewed in this article series.  The exterior is constructed from earthy soft leather that reminds me of the smell of a classic boot shop.   The interior is lined with a padded nylon material to help shield your aluminum MacBook from nicks and scratches.

You know how Apple’s design approach to everything is simplistic and super clean? If you add the word “handcrafted” it completely describes this bag.   The product sample we received accommodates the 17” MacBook Pro in a vertical position. The A/C adapter fits snug in the top zipper compartment.

The MacCase Flight Jacket is the "Top Gun" in slim-design laptop bags.  This unisex bag will last you for years to come while offering a classic style that befits any couture.

•  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •

Specializing in rugged cases for gadgets (iPhone, BlackBerry, iPod, etc), OtterBox puts a lot of attention into engineering cases that work well in the most extreme environments… and they do it well!

The OtterBox 7030 Laptop Case is one of the most customizable laptop cases on the market.  When you open the case you’ll notice the bottom is covered with a single, large piece of Velcro fabric.  What the heck??? But then, the engineering kicks in.  Because included in the shipment are 10 bumpers (3 sets) that when positioned according to the dimensions of your laptop, help to hold it in place.  The 7030 is reconfigurable allowing for use with a 15” laptop and then adjusting the bumpers inward to transport a 10” netbook.  That kind of design deserves a techie outburst…WOOT!

There’s another quick release Velcro strip that lies over the surface of the laptop to strap it in place.   For documents and magazines, there’s a rugged document folder that also attaches via Velcro, as well as a business card/pen holder.  Underneath, rubberized feet keep the Polypropylene case from sliding off of any surface.

It’s hard to dress-up the traditional square hard shell “briefcase”, but OtterBox pulls it off without a hitch.  The 7030 has a modern sleek design.  This case ebbs-and-flows within various environments. I would feel totally confident schlepping my laptop through the Amazon Rain Forest, entering a construction zone, white water rafting, or traversing the urban jungle.  Environmental protection elements guard against a 3-foot drop and 1 meter water immersion for 30 minutes. If you need a rugged laptop case you will be very pleased with the 7030 Laptop Case.

Got a meeting in Hollywood?  This case is so Men in Black.

Cost: $189.95
External Size:  16.375”H x 14.5”W x 3.375”D
Weight: 6 lb 75 oz
Holds: 15” notebook or smaller
Material: High Impact Polypropylene
Purchase Here

OtterBox 7030 Laptop Case

I love the Skooba Design motto – Better to explain the price than apologize for the quality.

It was a no-brainer placing Skooba Design on our short list of laptop bag manufactures.  I have always drooled over the Skooba Design laptop case advertisements displayed throughout my geek magazines. Good quality, stylish design, versatile – now that’s  what I’m talking about!

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a company put so much engineering design into a shoulder strap as Skooba Design has with the Skooba Super Bungee Bag Strap. I mean come on…this thing has a "sport-tuned suspension system"!  It’s designed to absorb the shock from the weight of the bag.  And the best part about it is, although the shoulder strap is sold as a separate item on their website ($25.95), it is INCLUDED free with the Satchel 2.0.

The LitCentral team took numbers waiting to try this baby out!

Cost: $99
External Size:  16.75”L x 12”H x 6”D
Weight:  2.75 lbs
Holds: 17” or smaller laptops
Material: Ballistic nylon, neoprene trim strip, nylon interior, patented Air Square in laptop compartment
Purchase Here

•  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •  •

It was 2006, LitCentral had just ordered tablet PCs with glass screens.  I had read horror stories on the internet of tablet users dropping their laptop backpacks and shattering the tablet screen.  So, I frantically searched the internet looking for laptop bag cases with shock absorbing engineering.  Tom Bihn’s Brain Cell was our saving grace.  Thus, when we first decided to do the laptop bag review article series for the blog, Tom Bihn was one of the first manufactures we called upon.

The Checkpoint Flyer meets TSA (Transportation Security Agency) standards, which allows you to leave your laptop inside the case when passing through airport security.  Simply open up the tri-fold bag and lay it atop the conveyer belt.  I only have one question, “Tom Bihn, can you make a checkpoint friendly shoe?”

Tom Bihn included a horizontal Freudian Slip organizer with the product sample that allows for more inside bag room when removed.  Also, if you want to leave your laptop at home, you can detach the laptop case completely and just use the bag for reading material, screenplays, notes, etc.  In addition, the laptop case itself is detachable. This means that if you currently have a 15” laptop bag, but you’re planning on upgrading to a 17” in two months or you already have two different size laptops, you don’t have to buy an entirely new bag.  For $70 you can purchase a 13” or 17” laptop case that fits the Checkpoint Flyer

I was really impressed by the weight of the Checkpoint Flyer bag.  It’s unbelievable that this much “bag” is bundled into 1.1 lbs!

*  Tom Bihn also designs great travel bags and totes (Michelle loves their Shop Bag!).

Cost: $220
External Size:  Model reviewed 15” (14.3”W x 9.8”H x 1.7”D)
Weight:  1.1 lbs
Holds: Varies depending on bag size 13” – 17” laptop
Material: 1050 denier ballistic nylon
Purchase Here

I wrote at length about the advantages of netbooks for writers several months after these gadgets first stormed the scene. With the current state of the economy, the Founders’ Blog is getting more and more inquiries about the capabilities of these new computers. In response, I’ve taken the time to graphically depict what a productive office setup might look like as it relates to gadgets/technology and the netbook.

Let’s quickly eliminate a few skepticisms about netbooks. While a netbook is not as powerful as a laptop, it is adequate for a writer’s needs. Can a netbook run MS Word? Yes. What about Final Draft? Yes. Movie Magic? Of course. Writers have it easy - we deal with text, the whole text and nothin’ but the text. And netbooks are perfectly capable of running text-driven applications. I do caution a few things: before buying, make certain you purchase a netbook with at least 1GB of ram if it’s running Windows XP and at least 2GB of ram if it’s running Vista. Keep pictures and music to a minimum unless you are using the netbook to transport the files to the web.

I got up early last Saturday with the intention of dropping by Barnes and Noble to grab a cup of coffee and finish my latest issue of Portfolio magazine.  Michelle called to tell me she had picked up a copy of Peaks and Valleys, the latest Spencer Johnson book, the day before; so I thought I’d take a closer look at her purchase while I was at the book store. 

Just a couple hours later the remnants of my coffee were cold and I had consumed all of Peaks and Valleys.  What’s more, the book was so fantastic I bought it (even though I had just read every word from cover to cover).

I hesitate blogging about the book because just last month I had written a raving review for Malcolm Gladwell’s book Outliers.  I don’t want to dilute my recommendation by appearing as though every book I read is a gem.  That couldn’t be further from the truth. However in the case of Peaks and Valleys (and Outliers) - you will simply have to take my word for it - I hit the jackpot twice. 

Author Spencer Johnson, M.D. is the writer of the bestselling book Who Moved my Cheese? His latest, Peaks and Valleys, is written using a parable that begins with a young man’s desire to leave the beautiful valley he lives in and discover how life is different at the "peak of the mountain".  No, it has nothing to do with "the grass isn’t always greener on the other side".  Yet, as simplistic as the message in Peaks and Valleys is, you will discover the complexity lies in comparing your personal story to the young man’s journey. 

Envision a mountain peak.  If you climb to the top the air is fresh and the view is breathtaking, right?  Now envision the valley you have to climb out of to make it to the peak - there are rivers to cross and rocks to scale.  Nonetheless, if you recognize the lesson within the valley, it’s not so bad to have to trek through.  The streams can actually be refreshing.  Stop and fish, bird watch, eat wild berries and enjoy all the journey-through-the-valley has to offer while you’re learning your lesson. Have you ever come through a difficult time period and wished you were cognizant/wise enough to have been a better person while in the midst of it?

Johnson spent more than 20 years writing this book.  As a writer you have to respect that.  It’s got the 10,000 hour stuff Malcolm Gladwell refers to in Outliers.  Anytime anyone (especially a writer) puts that kind of time into something, stand up and take notice.  My guess is you will either love Peaks and Valleys or be completely unmoved by its simplicity.  I loved it and highly recommend.

Source: Musayari mountain pic