Great Gifts for Her on Valentine's Day

It's always a struggle to figure out what to give on Valentine's Day. Like, love, friend or soulmate, there is something that will capture her heart or just put a smile on her face, depending on what it is you want to do. For sure, you can't go wrong with technology fashion, and here are a few suggestions.

Newly dating is a tough category. You want to be thoughtful and yet not too personal. If she is a working gal, something like a brightly colored business card case is a good start. You could also give her a laptop sleeve with a cool design, which can show you get her style but not be too costly.

What to do when you've been together for a little longer? Pick a laptop bag that she can remember you by every time she carries it. Designer Chloe Dao has struck a chord with unique styles in a playful yet sophisticated pattern of abstract floral (pictured is the satchel).

Not yet time for the big "ring" but getting close? You probably need to at least step up with something that is lush. We suggest a laptop tote by Urban Junket, as the style can double as a handbag plus it is made of fine leather.

Top Laptop Case Recommendations for 2010, part II

Our view of the trend in laptop cases continues.

5) checkpoint friendly laptop bags – Since we’re on the topic of frequent travelers, it’s important to mention that checkpoint friendly laptop bags have gained rapidly in popularity. Rather than taking your laptop out of its case at security, these are permitted to transport through the x-ray in the case. We recommend the mobile edge scan-fast laptop messenger. The laptop compartment opens to TSA specifications, and then there are many added pockets for easy access to everything else that the busy travelers needs to carry. Plus, it has a sleeve so that it will slide over a wheeled bag handle and sit tight.

4) designer laptop tote – With the last year’s economic challenges, some folks have held back from buying new accessories. However, we are seeing ladies begin to update their wardrobe with a practical choice, like a laptop tote. It’s pretty hard to choose just one. The Moonsus cosmopolitan satchel is true to its name. Made of supple leather, this laptop tote looks more like a stylish handbag but the three-quarter zipper opens to several handy compartments, including one specific for a laptop. This author travels with a similar by Moonsus, and the bag does wonders going from day meetings to a just a handbag when I’m on the road and don’t want to carry multiple bags.

3) eco-friendly laptop sleeves – Is it fashion that influences culture or vice versa? Regardless, we have seen an increased interest in laptop cases that take concern for the environment by using recycled items. Greensmart has built its brand around this concept, and has multiple sleeves and jackets made from recycled plastic bottles.

2) netbook case – The whole point of a netbook is small and compact. If that is the point, then why would you choose a big laptop bag? We’re partial to the Higher Ground mini shuttle 10”. One of the best features is the cool deck workstation – the case opens up into a full work station that your netbook never needs to leave. The cool deck dissipates heat to keep your laptop from overheating while in use. This mini-notebook case is so versatile it comes in multiple color choices and has a removable shoulder strap.

1) Designer Laptop Sleeves – By far, these sleeves were the top seller this holiday. They are economical (most less than $50), versatile (can fit in numerous other bags), and expressive (try a few and use the one that fits your mood). There are an assortment of designs ranging from flowers or hearts (pictured) to skulls or camouflage. The neoprene is imprinted with a patent-pending process that makes for a design that is truly permanent and won’t peel off.

Top Laptop Case Recommendations for 2010

Laptops were one of the top purchases this past holiday, which means that you may be one of those folks who is walking around with a laptop that is not protected. Take care of your laptop while showing off your style. Here are the Top 10 laptop cases choices coming into 2010. (Actually, this is Part A with 5 of the Top 10. Part B will have the remaining top 5.)

10) sleeves for 18” laptops - The first question you ask is why would someone buy an 18”+ laptop? For those folks in graphic design, they know exactly why. They also know that it has proven virtually impossible to find a sleeve or bag that will fit. One of our favorites is tucano neoprene laptop sleeve 18.4”. It’s simple, and yet it does the job. The neoprene sleeve comes in basic black and will fit laptops up to 17.25” x 11.25” in size. You can carry this solo or slip it into another bag.

9) kindle cases – Okay, these are not laptops but a ton of Amazon Kindles went out the door for the 2009 holidays. The Kindle is slim and trim, which definitely means it makes sense to protect, especially given the size of the screen and the fact that the screen has no “cover”. Kroo USA’s amazon kindle melrose case is a sleek cover that opens like a book, and will hold the Kindle, a writing instrument and a few extra papers, in case you are a note-taker.

8) laptop backpacks for kids – One of the top selling laptop bag styles for kids is the backpack, and one of the most popular styles this holiday season was the high sierra stretch laptop backpack. Featured at less than $50, it comes in fun, bright colors versus only basic black. The laptop compartment will fit a 17” laptop, making it work for just about everyone, and then many extras will fit in the second zippered compartment. No doubt this bag was built to last: High Sierra is an official supplier to the US Ski and Snowboard teams.

7) laptop totes for teens – For those of us over 25, we think about backpacks as the mode of transport for laptops and books for the teen or college kid on campus. However, now the trend, especially for females, is moving toward some other styles, like the laptop tote. More of a fashion statement, pink laptop totes like mango tango’s faux leather flight bag, give a girl the look of carrying a handbag. This definitely is more of a match for her designer jeans.

6) wheeled laptop bags – The frequent traveler knows that there is no faster way to travel through airports. A unique design is one offered by Rick Steves, the notorious travel guru who is featured on public radio and his own guidebook series. Rick Steves avanti rolling laptop tote is perfect for a day commuter trip or one night (for the minimalist). The wheeled bag (pictured) fits under the airline seat in front of you, minimizing stress over rushing to board the plane. There is a padded laptop compartment and then a roomy front section that has dividers that can be used for paperwork or a change of clothes.

To be continued...

Holiday Gifts Under $50

There has been plenty of discussion in the news about being thrifty this holiday season. We firmly believe that being thrifty doesn't mean that you can't get something meaningful and fashionable for the ones you love. There are technology fashion gifts under $50 that your friends and family will be excited to receive.

Already, we are hearing that laptops are one of the #1 purchases for the 2009 holiday gift season. So, why not get that someone special a laptop bag to protect his or her laptop in style? Several styles from athena, including the flap laptop bag(pictured), offer a stylish choice at less than $50 for the ladies. Netbooks, laptops 10" and smaller, have come on strong this year. Whether male or female, there are cool netbook cases under $50, like the tucano vertical laptop messenger bag, mobile edge portable laptop backpack, and the sumdex mini notebook case.

Giving a laptop sleeve is a great way to go if you're not really sure what style bag will make sense. A sleeve can be carried solo or in another bag (even ones that are not necesssarily laptop friendly). Many of these are priced as low as $20-$35. If you can be sneaky enough to find out the dimensions or size of your recipient's laptop, it will make for a better fit, as laptop sleeves are meant to be form-fitting. We especially like the polk dot collection from isis dei. There are also greensmart's neogreen laptop sleeves, which are eco-conscious, as they are made with 25% energy than neoprene.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month

If you were watching Monday Night Football tonight, you saw that even the NFL has jumped onto the mission of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Players were sporting the well-known pink ribbon on helmets, coaches had them on their lapels, and there were even pink spats on a few guys. Because of recent awareness efforts, breast cancer has one of the top survivor rates of all cancers. It only makes sense that for this month that we highlight Mobile Edge, one of our laptop bag brands who has supported the Komen Foundation with 10 percent of the retail sales price of each Komen laptop bag sold going to the Foundation.

Since the inception of their ‘Caring Case Collection’ Program in 2004, Mobile Edge has donated more than $250,000 to the Komen Foundation and its local affiliates. Who says that you can't look stylish while supporting a good cause? The Komen milano laptop tote looks very lush in a faux croc (pictured) and looks more like a handbag than a laptop bag. If having an all pink laptop bag is not your style, you can try a choice like the Komen geneva laptop tote, which is black with pink accents. It has an equal number of interior pockets as the milano, but also offers an exterior pocket, which makes reaching for last minute items handy.