laptop bags

I needed a laptop bag because my work gave me a laptop. Luckily I don't have a very serious job where I have to have to tote some black leathery giant manbag, so I knew I could get something a bit different and brightly colored.

The point of this story apart from to point you at the 'coolest' laptop bag makers is that the range of choice I had is simply incredible. I was expecting to find about 1 which I compromised on liking, but instead I was stuck for choice between about 5 different models, colors and sizes.

Who would have thought the market for "people who can spend £100 (of work money) on a laptop bag, but want something like a Transformers lunchbox" was so big?


Also a note on brands. I have not heard of either of these 2 brands and certainly never seen an advert for them, but I have a very clear idea that one is super-surfy funky, and the other is ultimate geek-chic. Just surfing their sites and reading 1 customer review has given me a pretty complete brand/marketing experience.

The other point is the time taken. From vague need (um, some kind of bag/slip) to purchase it took about an hour. I am a fairly adept Internet searcher - if you had asked me how long I thought it would take I would have said about 15 minutes. But what do you even type? coolest laptop bag? urban chic laptop bag? where do I find a critique of messenger style VS backpack? When you know what you want, search means it's easy to find, but when you're not sure?

Oh yes the bags:

city-renegade geek-chic: http://www.tombihn.com/
Most telling bit: they sell a special cable tidying accessory called the 'snake charmer'

Ridiculously "dude": http://www.crumpler.co.uk
Most telling bit: deliberately pointless animation on website

Thus endeth the tale of my totally online shopping trip.

some pens!

Sorry, no updates for a while. I have been super busy at work, and also I think I am going to migrate deadinsect's blog into another blog, or something. I was going to start a blog reviewing pens, but I couldn't quite face it. Anyway here are reviews of 3 pens. Enjoy. Is there any other stationery you need reviewed?

PILOT G2 0.7
It’s essentially a G-1 re-housed in a click-top retractable action, with an added rubber grip. The top has quite a firm click action, which I like – it’s a commitment to writing or doodling something, like putting your car into first. The clip is also well designed – it’s too solid to play with and hence break, and has a pleasing contour, which matches the grip contour at the front. It’s a subtle curve but it feels good – not sensual, but comfortable. While you do get the inevitable amount of nib-wobble due to the fact that it’s a retractable, this is so small as to be imperceptible, and the slightly wider grip means that overall, writing is much less tiring than with a standard bic-width Pilot G-1.



A bag of sherbert broke in my bag, and this pen was covered in it for about a week, but the nib was protected from the worst of it, and it’s still writing smooth today.

It’s also subtle – you won’t get a second glance if you pull this out in a meeting, aside from a knowing nod from another Pilot user. Yes, the extra refinements mean you lose some of that raw, street feel of the G-1, and some of the associated focus, but they’re more than worthwhile for the speed of the click & draw, and added cruise comfort provided by the wider frame.

PILOT V SIGNATURE
This is a post where if you really don't get it, you just won't get it. What I am about to do is talk for quite a while about how great a black felt tip is, and how much better than any other black felt tip pen is.

But seriously, this thing is frankly awesome. Feels a little bit stubby, with ever-so-slightly fat dimensions which add to the mystique of how uniquely wieldable it is. I don't even know where to start. Ok, yes, it is a pen, so writing I guess. Its flow is smooth and thick, but with a real delicate aura around it. The soft nib lets you get all angry and creative, or make little camp doodles. But it's not uncontrolled artistic rage like Van Gogh - it's more like a ninja who has trained for years so he can unleash his vengeful wrath into feats of incredibly beautiful, deadly precision. If you ever need to do a sketch that has real authority, this is your pen.



This is the most fun I ever had drawing a lightbulb. Even better than the time I drew one in Pictionary and we won the last all play to lap the other team round the board. Had I done that using a Pilot V Signature pen, I could not write this today because I would have gone mad from the pleasure.

It also has the trademark Pilot 'ink-visibly-leaking-through-the-grip', which reassures, as well as ink levels visible through the barrel. This means you can watch the ink slosh around to help you get in the zone. The cap fits on tightly with a satisfying click. It's complete. If anyone suggests they have a better black marker, then G2s, outside. Now.

3M POST IT NOTE PEN
You twist the barrel and it reveals a dispenser of tiny little post-it flag-like index tabs. It's very good - here's the video.

Ok, so basics, it's a standard ball point, fat-body, with triangular rubber grip. Feels a little light and plasticky, poor for doodling, but excellent for signing new credit cards. Not a serious writing tool.



One thing I enjoy is writing the phone numbers really small on the little tabs, and sticking them on your monitor or in your notebook. Or you could try drawing little Mickey Mouse faces on them and selling them at raves. Suggestions welcome.



Another reason to like this pen is that it's made by 3M. They make everything from glue to touch screen monitors - the diversity is part due to a company policy which states that 15% of their turnover must come from products introduced in the last 3 years. Might be a fun place to work.

Link to manufacturer:
www.3m.com/uk/promote