Funchico.com - Funky, Chic & Cool Laptop Bag News

Sirocco Laptop Tote by Ice Red Bags

Trying something a little different this time - a video review!  Check it out!

Reviewing the Laptop Bag Reviewers

This is a very cool article I found today from Consumer Search - a review of laptop bag reviewers.  I am, of course, delighted to note that my Funky, Chic and Cool laptop bag lens made their Top 10 of Laptop Bag Review sites (even if they spelled my name incorrectly - sigh).  From their site ...

Browsing through the well-illustrated reviews at this site is like browsing through a beautiful store. The reviewer tests laptop bags that designers and manufacturers send her for review, using each for a week -- unless she really dislikes it after just two days. The FAQ section lists her personal favorites, which include the Tumbuk2 laptop sleeve, the Rawlings Messenger bag, the iSkin SOHO sleeve and the Tom Bihn Archetype laptop sleeve.

(Note - the above isn't quite accurate - it's the Timbuk2 laptop backpack)

Their other Top 10 review sites include the usual suspects like MacWorld and PC Magazine, but also cool sites like National Geographic and TheGadgeteer.com.  If you want to make sure you've covered all your bases before buying a bag, definitely check out Consumer Search's review of laptop bag reviewers.

Cool Bags from Recycled Mosquito Nets, Plastic Bags or Milk Cartons

Saw this on CoolHunting - Smateria is a Cambodian business that makes wallets, totes and even a laptop bag from recycled materials ...

When not providing protection from balaria, dengue fever and other insect-born illnesses, mosquito nets often end up refuse. Smateria uses a clever recycling method to make functional, attractive bags. The Drink Carton Wallets (below right) also come almost entirely from trash. Companies using the omnipresent Tetra Pak cartons give secondhand containers directly to Smateria, where they thatch them into durable money-holders. The Plastic Bags are have the most directly re-purposed source material. They take a spectrum of used shopping bags and weave them into far more resilient totes.

Smateria employs a workforce of local residents and give equal opportunity to the disadvantaged. Members are fully trained before being given access to equipment and are encouraged to organize and share their own work independently of the aforementioned items. That way everybody wins.

I really love the look of the wallets!  There are no interior shots of the laptop bag, so you might need a sleeve.  But I love it when a company can give back to a local economy as well as do something good for the planet!

The Metro-Traveler Laptop Bag (and a little inspiration) from Rainebrooke (Review)

One of my favourite things about reviewing laptop bags and cases is getting to know the designers behind them.  There are always interesting, charming or heart-warming stories about how they got started or what their inspiration is for designing.  Steve over at Rainebrooke is no exception.  His wife's frustration with her bulky laptop bag provided the inspiration for his bag designs.  And his two adorable daughters provided the inspiration for his company's name.

Steve recently released his newest bag - the Metro-Traveler Laptop Bag - that I have reviewed.  From the write-up ...

The new Metro-Traveler's functional design, solid construction and uncluttered look made it the perfect bag for my working weekend. I basically needed to bring a pared-down version of my office over to the island with me; the Metro-Traveler helped me get organized and keep things simple.

I tested out the "traveler" part of the Metro-Traveler early on - the bag has a back flap that you can either use as an extra pocket (for files or magazines) or as a pass-through with your rolling luggage. When you're not using it, the pass-through is zipped closed at the bottom and Velcro'd shut at the top, which keeps the bag looking sleek.

You can read the full review of the Metro-Traveler Laptop Bag over on my Squidoo lens.  Plus, there is a 10% discount code for Rainebrooke bags over there too.  Thanks, Steve!

The Shine Glossy Laptop Bag from Ice Red Designs (Review)

I'm always amazed by the different textures and materials that bag designers use for their laptop case creations.  One of the more unusual ones I've come across recently is the Shine Glossy from Ice Red Designs.  I recently wrote a review of it over on my Squidoo lens ...

Few things captured my imagination as a child like space travel. I loved all of those '70's space adventure shows, where swashbucklers carried phasers as they sought out new life and new civilizations. I especially loved all of the technology - the computers, the robots, the hand-held healing rays - I believe these shows planted the seeds of my now-flourishing gadget and gizmo obsession. And, of course, there was the fashion. In the future, everyone's hair was perfect, the alien princesses had the coolest jewelry and everything they wore was shiny.

The Shine Glossy Laptop Bag in Silver brought a big smile to my face when Alan revealed its silvery goodness. The shiny silver vinyl cover with white nylon piping made me feel like my laptop and I were blasting off into the future! The Shine Glossy is a delightful combination of space age camp and modern style.

You can read the full review of the Shine Glossy!