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

Fresh laptop bag design from Mamtak Bags - the Aya Laptop Tote

Every once in a while, a laptop bag comes along that makes you shout "Yes! YES!" Most recently, the Aya from Mamtak Bags did that for me.

Maybe it's Mamtak's design roots (Amsterdam and Tokyo - it doesn't get cooler than that)? Or that these folks know how to use the colour green on a laptop bag (both inside and out!)? What ever it is, the Aya has that je ne sais quois that made me fall in love at first sight. And then even after I put her to the test, I still love her.

The Aya is, quite simply, a beautifully designed laptop bag - it would be at home at a café in Paris, in a conference room in Brussels or on a runway in Milan (or even here in North America). The very best of European design is embodied in this one bag. Sleek and modern, stylish and functional, it makes me want to give my laptop a cool European name like Alessandro. Made of leather with a soft cloth interior, the Aya comes in four colour combinations - I have the Green & White combo, which has a fresh, flirty feel.

The front and back of the Aya are identical - each side sports a zippered document pocket, ideal for storing your travel documents, work papers or the latest copy of Wallpaper* magazine. The zipper pulls are covered with leather, which is a nice touch - makes it easier to grip and open any of the zippers on the bag. I always appreciate outer pockets on a bag for easy access - but I also appreciate that these pockets are zippered to keep my valuables from spilling out, in case my Aya gets knocked over on the train to Zurich.

Inside, the Aya keeps it simple. The interior is lined with a soft celery green fabric - makes it very easy to see what's in the bottom of your bag. There's a zippered slot for storing your valuables or smaller items (lipgloss, keys, card wallet, etc.) The middle of the Aya has a nice open area for files or reading material. There are two separate open pouches perfect for power cords or other big gadgets, or even a slim notebook. Finally there's the laptop sleeve, which fastens with a soft, thick tab of cloth with velcro. My 15.4" MacBook Pro fit nicely. The laptop sleeve isn't super padded but the bag itself is very structured and durable, so I'd say it's relatively safe to stash it in the overhead compartment.

The Aya's two handles are perfect for carrying over your shoulder. They're a good length and the slightly padded leather doesn't cut into your shoulder, even with a full bag - no Hunchback of Notre Dame here! And the bottom of the Aya has five silver feet to keep it up off the floor while you're enjoying your café au lait and croissant near Montmartre.

Whether you and your laptop are jet-setters on a European tour or you just want a durable, stylish, eye-catching laptop bag for your every day business, definitely consider the Aya. Allessandro will certainly thank you.

The Aya Laptop Bag is available from the Mamtak online store. It retails for 139.95 Euros (approximately 200 USD). You can also connect with the fine folks at Mamtak on their Facebook and Twitter pages.

Reveling in Gear and Gadget Pockets - the ScanFast Checkpoint Friendly Briefcase Bag 2.0 (Guest Review)

I am blessed with a lot of geek-tastic friends. Geek-tastic friends who go above and beyond when I ask them to do things. My buddy, Tris Hussey (who is the author of, among other books, Create Your Own Blog: 6 Easy Projects to Start Blogging Like a Pro) was in the market for a new laptop bag. I suggested that he come peruse my review copy stash - and if he saw something he was keen on, he'd take it for a test drive and keep it if he liked it - and do a little review.

Now, not only did Tris do a review of the ScanFast Checkpoint Friendly Briefcase Bag 2.0 from Mobile Edge, but he did a video review AND included a comparison with some of his older bags on why he liked the new one, but what he thought Mobile Edge could do better.

Even if you're not in the market for Mobile Edge specifically, Tris points out a lot of things to think about when you are shopping for a new laptop bag. The tips he shares in the video complement a recent post of his on the FutureShop.ca Tech Forum called Papa's Got a Brand New Bag - also worth a quick read if you're in the market for a new laptop bag.

Thanks for the review, Tris!

Kicking Some Serious Laptop Bag Ass - the KIKEN from Slappa

Not a lot of laptop bags make me want to pull some awesome jujitsu moves or break out my light sabre for a wicked Jedi vs Sith takedown.

But get a load of the KIKEN Laptop Shoulder Bag from Slappa.

Maybe it's the clever marketing from Slappa. Or maybe it's the name of the bag (KIKEN!). Or maybe it's the feature-laden bag itself. In any case, the KIKEN laptop bag from Slappa is a force to be reckoned with.

First, check out the cool marketing ...

Second, check out this excerpt from my review ...

I knew the minute that I unboxed the SLAPPA KIKEN laptop bag that it was a pretty bad-ass piece of business. Puncture-proof ballistic nylon - customizable front flap options - checkpoint friendly AND roomy enough for a 17" laptop? It was enough to make me yell "KIKEN!" and karate chop things. And I did! Good thing only the dog was watching.

First, let's talk aesthetics: thanks to SLAPPA's patent pending M.A.S.K. technology, you have a choice of flaps to customize the look (and functionality) of your bag. SLAPPA sent me three to try out and they easily zip on and off. (Think Karate Kid style: Flap on. Flap off.) I'm a fan of the Lime Blast (I likes a punch of colour). The monochrome P-Tac Matrix flap is very cool looking, and there is also a woven flap called Jedi Mind Trix, which has velcro straps to let you carry more gear (including a yoga mat, if that's your thing. Jedis love the yoga).

You can read the full review and see more pics of the KIKEN Laptop Bag from Slappa over on Squidoo.

Black is Anything but Basic - the Sumo Professional Laptop Briefcase by Mobile Edge

OK, I'll admit it. The basic black generic laptop bag often gets a bad rap from me. Not ALWAYS undeservedly. But, in the case of the Sumo Professional Laptop Briefcase from Mobile Edge, basic black is a good thing. Matthew from Mobile Edge recently sent over a review copy. Here's an excerpt of my review ...

My closet is full of work clothes, but I can only classify one outfit as "the perfect work suit". My perfect work suit fits me like a glove. It looks good standing up for a presentation - it looks good sitting down for an interview. I can trust it to carry me through the day with confidence and it always adds a little spring in my step. The Sumo Professional Laptop Briefcase from Mobile Edge, with its funky look, sturdy construction, and superior laptop cosseting capabilities makes it the perfect briefcase counterpart to my perfect work suit.

This bag is great for client meetings in the city or when I travel out of town on business. Actually, it's perfect to take with me on vacation too - it's for any occasion when I need my laptop (and why be coy? That's pretty much every occasion.)

You can read the full review of the Sumo Professional Laptop Briefcase over at Squidoo.

Laptop Bag Giveaway - the Kailo Chic from Kolobags

I think I've mentioned before that I live in Vancouver. And most of the time that is quite delightful, but this year, well, summer still hasn't really quite started. We actually haven't had more than two days of sunshine together at a time.

So, I've needed to find my own sunshine-substitute and I'm pleased to say that Kolobags has brought a little sunshine into my life with the Chloe Dao by Nuo Laptop Tote they sent over for review.

And this month, they are bringing YOU a little sunshine by giving away a Kailo Chic Casual Laptop Tote in the summer-friendly Orange Flower pattern.