Rainebrooke Blog (Laptop Bag Explorer) » Laptops http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog Everything Pink... Pink Laptop Bags, Cases, Backpacks, Totes, Tech Accessories & Gadgets, Laptops and other News. Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:41:30 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Pink laptops for summertime back to school shoppers http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/2010/06/pink-laptops-for-summertime-back-to-school-shoppers/ http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/2010/06/pink-laptops-for-summertime-back-to-school-shoppers/#comments Mon, 28 Jun 2010 15:22:11 +0000 Steve http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/?p=472 School will be back in full swing in just a few months. If you’re shopping around for a new laptop and looking for a pink laptop, we’ve listed a few models that will be perfect for students heading back to school. Even if you’re not a student these pink laptops will look great in your office or home.

Dell – Dell offers pink laptops  in their Mini 10, Inspiron’s (11, 14, 15 and 17), and the Studio (14, 15 and 17). Along with Dells standard pink laptops, several of their models can be customized with different pink themes in Dell’s design studio.

Sony – Sony offers a pink Vaio laptop in the 8″ P series, 10.1″ W series, 13.3″ Y series, 14″ EA series, and 15.5″ EB series.

HP – HP offers a pink laptop in the mini 10.1 210

Asus – For the pink princess in your family, Asus offers a pink Disney netbook

Colorware – Colorware can customize a large variety of electronics including the MacBook, Macbook Pro, Air, iPad, iPhone and more. If you’re crazy about pink and really want a pink MacBook or pink iPad, then check out Colorware. Once of the nice things about Colorware is you can send in your existing laptop or iPad for customization or buy it brand new and customized directly from them.

Finally, there are several other pink laptops available through retailers such as Amazon and Walmart. If you search Google shopping for pink laptops you’ll find a great list of models available.

And if you’re already shopping for a pink laptop you should check out our pink laptop bags and cases to go along with your new laptop. Be sure to also take a look at our new Zoey pink netbook / iPad bag which will be available in July.



]]> http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/2010/06/pink-laptops-for-summertime-back-to-school-shoppers/feed/ 0 How to measure a laptop’s screen size http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/2010/06/how-to-measure-a-laptops-screen-size/ http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/2010/06/how-to-measure-a-laptops-screen-size/#comments Thu, 24 Jun 2010 14:56:19 +0000 Steve http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/?p=468 One of the most common questions we get is “Will my laptop fit in your laptop bags?”. A large number of people are often confused when it comes to measuring a laptop screen size. The natural tendency is to measure the screen horizontally from edge to edge, but this will give an incorrect measurement when shopping for laptop bags and cases.

Most companies and retailers that sell laptop bags, including Rainebrooke, will often state that a bag will fit up to a certain size laptop, most of the time referring to the screen size. For example our product descriptions will say “fits all laptops with screen sizes up to 17 inches”, or “fits all laptops with screen sizes up to 15.4 inches”.

What these laptop screen size measurements define are diagonal measurements. When you measure your laptop screen size, the proper way to measure is diagonally from one corner to another corner. Because of this diagonal measurement the size is actually larger than the width horizontally. So a laptop with a 17-inch screen will have a diagonal measurement of 17 inches, but the actual width of the screen horizontally will be smaller. For example the Apple 17-inch MacBook Pro has a diagonal screen measurement of 17 inches, but the actual width of the screen is 15.47 inches.

Next time your shopping for a laptop bag (or hopefully a woman’s pink laptop bag :-) ), you’ll know how to measure your laptop screen size and find the perfect fitting bag.

If you’re still unsure about the dimensions of your laptop, please feel free to send us an email and we’ll look up the dimensions for you.



]]> http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/2010/06/how-to-measure-a-laptops-screen-size/feed/ 0 Laptop Review Sites ~ What’s your favorite review site? http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/2010/05/laptop-review-sites-what%e2%80%99s-your-favorite-review-site/ http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/2010/05/laptop-review-sites-what%e2%80%99s-your-favorite-review-site/#comments Sat, 22 May 2010 17:47:32 +0000 Steve http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/?p=423 Processors, memory, storage, graphics, battery life… these are a few of the things I love to read about. And yes, as you can probably guess, I’m a fairly big computer geek. Just about every day I scan through one of my Twitter lists looking for tweets about laptop reviews. I like reading reviews about newly released laptops, what’s inside them, their speed and performance, the reviewer’s pros and cons, the design, the screen, keyboard and ports available and also the dimensions. Dimensions are always important to me so I know which of our pink laptop bags and cases the laptop will fit in.

Below is a few of my favorite laptop review sites and blogs (listed in no particular order). Do you have a favorite laptop review site? Comment on it below and I’ll add it to my list.

Visitor submitted laptop review sites:
]]> http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/2010/05/laptop-review-sites-what%e2%80%99s-your-favorite-review-site/feed/ 2 Portable Mice for Laptops ~ What’s your favorite mouse? http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/2010/03/portable-mice-laptops-whats-your-favorite-mouse/ http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/2010/03/portable-mice-laptops-whats-your-favorite-mouse/#comments Mon, 22 Mar 2010 14:30:42 +0000 Steve http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/?p=350 I’ve never been a big fan of using a laptops touchpad so I’ve always counted on my mini portable mouse when I’m on my laptop. Unfortunately it was dropped and stopped working. I had the Microsoft Explorer Mini Mouse which really worked well and was an editors choice at CNET. The thing I liked best about it was it worked on any surface. This was a nice feature when I wanted to kick back on the couch and get some work done.

Even though I liked it, I thought I’d look around at what new portable mice are available. Below are a few models I checkout out, along with links to reviews that I found for each model. If there is a portable mouse you really love using, let me know in a comment below. I’d love to hear any suggestions and comments you have about your favorite (or least favorite) portable mouse.

Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 3500 – Has the BlueTrack technology which allows it to work on almost any surface. Also has the Nano transceiver which can stay plugged in…this would be a nice change from my previous mouse.

Reviews: none found, product ships in April

Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 4000 – Also has the BlueTrack technology for working on any surface along with the Nano transceiver.

Reviews:
CNET review – OK with the exception of short battery life, lack of precision and price.
PCMag review – Does the job but it’s nothing to get excited about and the reviewer doesn’t like its inability for horizontal tilt on the scroll wheel.

Microsoft Arc Mouse – Folds onto itself which makes it really portable and has a good range and small transceiver. However it doesn’t offer the BlueTrack technology which is negative for me.

Reviews:
CNET review – likes the design and portability, but is mentions the side button is hard to use.
PCMag review – overall positive for design and function, but doesn’t like that it takes 2 AAA batteries and feels gamers might not like its lightweight feel.

Razer Orochi – Bluetooth & wired capable, small size, plenty of customizable buttons

Reviews:
CNET review – highly customizable and really accurate sensitivity
Craving Tech review – overall seems really pleased… tested it by playing Left 4 Dead (the one computer game I play when I have time :-) )

Logitech Marathon Mouse M705 – long battery life, tiny receiver and a fast scroll wheel (big + for me)

Reviews:
Digital Versus review: likes the scroll wheel, batter life and tiny receiver, but feels the overall size is not comfortable (too big for portable use, too small for daily use)

Logitech Anywhere Mouse MX – Darkfield technology that tracks on any surface (+), good size, tiny receiver

Reviews:
CNET review: Darkfield technology delivers on its promise, but feels the price is too steep for a portable mouse.
Gizmodo review – says it’s “one of the best-tracking mice” they’ve ever used

Kensington Wireless Mouse – I checked out several of Kinsington products at their site, in particular the one I linked to. They all look like decent mice, but I searched around for reviews and couldnt find any that were recent… not sure why, but this doesnt help me much when deciding to buy their product or not. If you know of a recent review for a Kinsington mouse let me know.

What’s your favorite portable mouse? Let me know below and tell me what you like or dislike about it.



]]> http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/2010/03/portable-mice-laptops-whats-your-favorite-mouse/feed/ 0 Netbook & Notebook ~ is it time to drop the netbook? http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/2009/08/netbook-notebook-is-it-time-to-drop-the-netbook/ http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/2009/08/netbook-notebook-is-it-time-to-drop-the-netbook/#comments Thu, 20 Aug 2009 15:20:43 +0000 Steve http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/?p=190 What actually defines a netbook… where is the point it becomes a notebook?  I just came across a great blog written by Eric Ogg over at the CNET blog “Crave” that discusses this topic.  As Eric mentions in the blog:

…Which brings us to Dell announcing its $399 Inspiron 11z. It certainly looks like a Netbook and has a Netbook-like price, yet to Dell, it’s not a Netbook. Instead, the company describes it as a notebook with a slightly faster processor, and 1GB of more memory.

Acer says Netbooks “typically” have Atom processors, weigh less than 3 pounds, have screens between 10 and 11.6 inches, and are in the $299 range. HP says Netbooks are smaller than 12 inches and intended as companion devices designed for “content consumption, while the traditional notebook PC is also designed for content creation as well as consumption.”…

It will be interesting to see what the manufacturers actual settle on using.  I tend think the term netbook will be around, but will slowly fade out and only be used to describe models with screens smaller than 10″.

And Eric seems to agree the former flood of netbooks will slow:

“Because the definition of Netbook is so arbitrary, and because you get so much more for your money with thin and light CULV-based Netbooks, it’s really not hard to imagine the former flood of Netbooks to the market slowing down to a trickle.”

What are your thoughts?



]]> http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/2009/08/netbook-notebook-is-it-time-to-drop-the-netbook/feed/ 0 NVSpc ~ personalize your laptop with a custom paint job http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/2008/04/nvspc-personalize-your-laptop-with-a-custom-paint-job/ http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/2008/04/nvspc-personalize-your-laptop-with-a-custom-paint-job/#comments Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:41:12 +0000 Steve http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/?p=99 If you want your laptop to have a really personalized and customized look head on over to the NVSpc website. No vinyl laptop skins offered here, just highly customized paint jobs. NVSpc is a Miami based company that offers completely customized laptops. Unlike vinyl skins which cover the outside panel of a laptop, NVSpc can paint each of the individual panels of your laptop. You pick the colors, which areas you want painted, upload your own pictures or pick one of their pre-existing designs. I tried a couple different color combinations, picture uploads and pre-existing designs and each combination came out to around $400. The pricing depends on how many panels you have painted. The combinations I tried had all the panels painted, so you could choose to have just the outside painted for less than $200. They can also fill in the logo that’s on your laptop so the paint job is not disrupted and has a nice smooth surface. Don’t have a laptop? NVSpc also sells laptop from HP, Samsung, Acer and Panasonic. Buy a laptop from them and they’ll paint the cover for free. ~ Comment on NVSpc…have you ever used their services? If so send us a picture of your laptop and we’ll post it here.

[ratings]



]]> http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/2008/04/nvspc-personalize-your-laptop-with-a-custom-paint-job/feed/ 0 Top 5 laptops below $300 compared http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/2008/02/top-5-laptops-below-300-compared/ http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/2008/02/top-5-laptops-below-300-compared/#comments Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:23:34 +0000 Steve http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/?p=96 Are you looking for a cheap laptop? Then check out these 5 laptops below $300. The blog mentions a couple of nice looking ones that I wasn’t even aware of. Thanks to Amy at Virtual Hosting for bringing this to my attention.

[ratings]



]]> http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/2008/02/top-5-laptops-below-300-compared/feed/ 0 PC Guardian’s keyed cable locks in Colors! http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/2008/02/pc-guardian%e2%80%99s-keyed-cable-locks-in-colors/ http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/2008/02/pc-guardian%e2%80%99s-keyed-cable-locks-in-colors/#comments Mon, 04 Feb 2008 19:13:39 +0000 Steve http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/?p=93 As anyone who visits my blog knows, I love colorful products and especially colorful products that have anything to do with laptops. So when I came across the colorful cable locks from PC Guardian I just had to mention them. Nothing new about the lock or cable itself, they’re just now available in 5 colors (classic black, simple white, nirvana blue, electric green and crimson red). I think I’d have to go with the blue or red. PC Guardian is marketing these to college students, but I think they need to go further than this college market… there are plenty of us who are out of college and want products like this. This lock retails for around $39 and can be found at several retailers; see the PC Guardian site for a complete list. ~ Comment on this product and let us know what you think.

You can also read my other laptop security blogs here.

[ratings]



]]> http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/2008/02/pc-guardian%e2%80%99s-keyed-cable-locks-in-colors/feed/ 0 Toughbook-19 from Panasonic – One tough laptop that doesn’t need a padded laptop bag http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/2007/08/toughbook-19-from-panasonic-%e2%80%93-one-tough-laptop-that-doesn%e2%80%99t-need-a-padded-laptop-bag/ http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/2007/08/toughbook-19-from-panasonic-%e2%80%93-one-tough-laptop-that-doesn%e2%80%99t-need-a-padded-laptop-bag/#comments Tue, 21 Aug 2007 14:30:05 +0000 Steve http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/?p=79 Are you looking for a new laptop but you plan on dropping it occasionally? Or spilling your coffee it? Maybe you need it for your construction job out in the desert or up in the mountain snow? If you need a laptop that can really take a beating then take a look at the Panasonic Toughbook-19. The first time I saw one of these was from a distance and I thought it was just an older model laptop. A few weeks later and then again last night I came across an advertisement for one and realized exactly why it looked so thick …it’s designed to be tough as nails. The Toughbook-19 was designed using the MIL-STD-810F test procedures, which are U.S. government specifications that measure the durability of equipment used in harsh conditions. Panasonic selected test specs that mobile professionals face in the field, on the road and in the office.  The tests include drop tests, shock, moisture, dust and vibration resistances, exposure to extreme low and high temperatures and more. After basically beating the hell out of the Toughbook-19 in each section of testing it continued to operate as normal.
The Toughbook-19 is not only a laptop, but with a quick swivel it transforms into a handwriting friendly tablet PC. Other features include a pressure sensitive touchscreen, sealed port and connector covers, shock-mounted removable hard drive in stainless steel case, wireless ready for Sprint and Verizon Wireless networks, the ability to simultaneously access a wireless WAN, wireless LAN, BluetoothTM and GPS, and a full magnesium alloy case with handle.
Unfortunately this tough laptop comes with a tough price of around $3000+. But if you work in a rugged environment, I think it would probably be worth the price.
Here are some reviews of the Toughbook-19:

~ Comment on this laptop… Do you own one? What do you like or dislike about it?



]]> http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/2007/08/toughbook-19-from-panasonic-%e2%80%93-one-tough-laptop-that-doesn%e2%80%99t-need-a-padded-laptop-bag/feed/ 0 Recall Notice – Toshiba notebook computer batteries recalled due to fire hazard http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/2007/08/recall-notice-toshiba-notebook-computer-batteries-recalled-due-to-fire-hazard/ http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/2007/08/recall-notice-toshiba-notebook-computer-batteries-recalled-due-to-fire-hazard/#comments Thu, 09 Aug 2007 20:35:38 +0000 Steve http://www.rainebrooke.com/blog/?p=77 Toshiba is recalling about 1400 lithium-ion batteries containing Sony cells used in some Satellite and Tecra models.  The batteries are being recalled because they can overheat, posing a fire hazard.  Check this recall notice for complete information and model listings. Anyone who owns one of the recalled batteries can get a free replacement from Toshiba.


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