Recommend a Tech Toys Bag? 124
SuperMallen asks: "With the recent purchase of an iPod and iPod-capable car radio, I am realizing that I have reached maximum capacity in terms of what can go in my pants pockets. Given that I want to take both the iPod and my radio face with me wherever I go (along with my cellphone, Bluetooth headset, wallet, keys, and possibly a laptop with mouse, power supply, and whatever reading material I'm carting around), I'm thinking that what I need is a medium sized bag or backpack with pockets dedicated for this sort thing. What does the Slashdot community do for things like this? Any brands or models you have found work for you?"
Techno Bill (Score:2)
The obvious solution is to emulate Techno [wikipedia.org] Bill [hackvan.com]
Hmmm (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Hmmm (Score:2)
Re:Hmmm (Score:5, Funny)
Yeah, but then you'll just have one more thing to carry around, don't ya! Where you going to store a battery powered vagina anyways? You'd need a special hidden pocket in your tech-no-bag so that the other people on the train won't scream every time you reach for your iPod.
Re:Hmmm (Score:3, Interesting)
http://www.homemade-sex-toys.com/case/ [homemade-sex-toys.com]
Re:Hmmm (Score:3, Interesting)
I used to carry around a bag with a USB hard drive, a USB thumb drive, a Cybertool, a cell phone (provided and required by work), a note pad, pens, pencils, and a Zaurus. Of course, I also needed the wifi card for the Zaurus, and the ethernet card with a cable, and a modem with a phone cord, just in case I needed to get in to work and there wasn't an access point handy.
Plus an umbrella. And a pack of Imitrex.
Then I realized I was basically carrying
Re:Hmmm (Score:2)
Re:Hmmm (Score:2, Funny)
That is not exactly true, many people with vaginas come with a purse that you can take advantage of. Once you marry a such a person, then you can also upgrade the purse to a larger, more convenient size. Of course this does seem like a whole lot of hassle just to have a place for your gadgets, so I recomend that you continue to just keep it in your pants.
Re:Hmmm (Score:2)
billyhoward: Find someone with a vagina.
Re:Hmmm (Score:1)
My response "If you didn't want to carry your purse with you, you should have left it in the car."
Re:Hmmm (Score:2)
Re:Hmmm (Score:2)
that's why... (Score:2)
Re:Hmmm (Score:2)
Re:Hmmm (Score:1)
Here's what I got (Score:4, Informative)
It works great. I think that mine is a little larger though.
Same here (Score:2)
I wish there was some kind of hybrid between this and a mini trekker backpack (for photo gear). This bag isn't good for photo gear, but the trekker isn't good for carrying a laptop, and carrying 2 backpacks isn't an option...
Re:Same here (Score:2)
Re:Same here (Score:2)
It's basically a Mini Trekker with space for a laptop.
Re:Here's what I got (Score:1)
Re:Here's what I got (Score:2)
Re:Here's what I got (Score:2)
Re:Here's what I got (Score:2)
laptop
cd case
ipaq
external usb drive
daytimer
laptop ac adapter
cables
Seriously, I can barely fit a couple of books in there. I like it, and I'm considering some mods, like adding some of my own internal pockets (there's lots of 'em, but they don't help much with the "slide" problem, and the bag still gets thicker faster than it gets full).
Or, I'm going to get a Becker Patrol Pack (http://www.stubbygear.com/product.asp?productid=7 256 [stubbygear.com]).
Re:Here's what I got (Score:2)
If you're going to carry that you might as well carry the pleather bag with OSCON embroidered on the side.
OTOH, if you want to minimize your blatant geekyness in public, maybe a bag from these guys: MEDIUM Design Group [mediumdesigngroup.com].
As the great George Carlin said... (Score:3, Insightful)
Here's an idea - don't carry so much crap around.
Re:As the great George Carlin said... (Score:3, Insightful)
--Luke
ChristianNerds.com News. [christiannerds.com] - If you're one too, it's probably of interest to you.
Re:As the great George Carlin said... (Score:1)
Re:As the great George Carlin said... (Score:1)
George also said... (Score:2)
Maybe some folks carry other items not listed here that *are* important, but aren't necessesarily geek toys. I certainly know some diabetics that can't travel far outside without taking testing equipment and and medicines.
Flickr tags (Score:4, Informative)
Also there's the whatsinyourbag [flickr.com] tag, but it's pretty much the same thing.
Obligatory Seinfeld Reference (Score:2)
Get a purse... (Score:1, Insightful)
1) Not carry as much crap
or
2) get a pretty purse
wear a jacket, research backpacks later :P (Score:3, Informative)
Timbuk2 [timbuk2.com] and Targus [targus.com] both have bags that have satisfied my needs in the past and currently (laptop messenger and sport deluxe bags, respectively). I still currently use the Targus backpack, as I tend to carry more books around, and it has plenty of pockets and elastic straps to carry all of my random junk, but I'm sure there are fancier models out nowadays.
Re:wear a jacket, research backpacks later :P (Score:2)
(Specifically the Commuter series.)
Apple Store (Score:1)
A Man Purse (Score:2)
Maxpedition Fatboy Versipack (Score:2, Informative)
I have used a Maxpedition Fatboy Versipack daily for about six months, and have grown to really like it.
http://www.maxpedition.com/product/product_vp_fatb oy.htm/ [maxpedition.com]
http://www.maxpedition.com/product/catalog_versipa ck.htm/ [maxpedition.com]
Re:Maxpedition Fatboy Versipack (Score:2)
http://www.maxpedition.com/product/catalog_versipa ck.htm [maxpedition.com]
Whoa.... (Score:2)
Spire (Score:1)
http://www.spireusa.com/ [spireusa.com]
Re:Spire (Score:1)
Personal Problem? (Score:5, Funny)
sound like a personal problem to me.
Tried everything myself... (Score:1)
Re:Tried everything myself... (Score:2)
Re:Tried everything myself... (Score:2)
Most backpacks have laptop section and two pockets (Score:1)
Better pants (Score:1)
I prefer the 50-50 twill in Khaki. You can never have too many pockets.
Screw Propper (was Re:Better pants) (Score:2)
The fact that once I told iCab, the Mac only browser [www.icab.de] to spoof its identity, the site worked perfectly for me.
So the pricks at Propper lost a sale due to their stupid website developers who can't code for anything other than IE or Netscape.
Fuck 'em!
Gear bags (Score:2, Informative)
Cargo Pants (Score:2)
Personally, I'd start committing gadgetcide before I worried about carrying another bag around.
Specialized pants. (Score:1)
THG has an article
http://www.tomshardware.com/consumer/20041207/ind
Euro Class Bag / Sleeve (Score:2)
I consider the lack of specialized pockets and padding to be a bonus -- a laptop sleeve is better protection against the usual bashing involved in puttin
Reassess your kit (Score:5, Informative)
Same for the iPod - do you _really_ need to take it everywhere? It's a music player, not a binkie.
The Bluetooth headset can definitely stay in the car. That or just leave it on your ear rather than trying to find pocket space. If you're going to try to walk around like a wannabe Borg, you might as well look the part.
You do _not_ need to bring the mouse everywhere. $5 says your computer has a touchpad or one of those nipple things.
Not saying you have to get rid of all of this stuff, just saying it sounds like you're carrying around more crap than you actually need.
Anyway, if you are going to carry that much weight, I would strongly push you toward getting a small padded case for your laptop and then throw it into a backpack designed for backpacking. Most of the laptop and courier bags out there weren't designed with your body in mind. I switched to an innerframe day pack from REI for days when I'm schlepping myself around the city on my feet or my bike, and my back and shoulders have thanked me a thousand times over.
Re:Reassess your kit (Score:3, Funny)
He should really get a girlfriend. She can help carry gadgets, and she'll even have two of those nipple things!
Stereo Bluetooth Headset + SD card MP3 player + (Score:2)
http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?cgiurl=ht tp%3A%2F%2Fcgi.ebay.com%2Fws%2F&fkr=1&from=R8&sati tle=omiz&category0= [ebay.com]
(Searched Ebay for "Omiz")
radio (Score:2)
security through obscurity
unless you're parking in harlem
Best Tech Bags EVER (Score:3, Interesting)
They have hard shells with special pocketed inserts for all of your goodies. I use my for my laptop and its accessories. Plus the straps and back of the bag are very comfortable. And they fit nicely under the seat in most airplanes.
This is approximately the one I have. [boblbee.com] I think they discontinued my particular finish.
Timbuk2 messenger bags are great for laptops (Score:2)
Re:Timbuk2 messenger bags are great for laptops (Score:2)
Buy a briefcase (Score:1)
Tom Bihn Bags (Score:1)
ScottEVest (Score:4, Interesting)
http://www.scottevest.com/ [scottevest.com]
Up to 52 hidden pockets and allowances for a personal area network!
It may not be the most stylish coat in the world, but well, it's geeky and it will keep you warm in the winter.
Pants capacity (Score:2)
I reached that stage with ashma inhaler and cell phone. I must have more in my groin to start with.
Elivs
You could even look cool (Score:3, Interesting)
If you want to have a "cool" solution, buy an assault pack. If you have a friend in the military, he/she can take you on post to get a really nice high-speed pack for about $140. If you get one from CamelBak (example) [camelbak.com], it will also have an embedded hydration pack (2 or 3 liters) so that you can stay hydrated. Yes, it's cool to drink water.
Fanny packs!! (Score:3, Insightful)
(w/ apologies to Ben Folds)
Seriously, though.
In Germany, where I lived for a spell, it was permissible for us young males to wear a small shoulder bag. Well, hell, I happen to be gay, right, but the straights were doing it too. It was INFINITELY more efficient than this pockets business every guy in America puts up with. (Or at least the guys here in Chicago.) I had my 'handy' (=cell), my keys, my iPod, my headphones, hipster PDA (http://www.43folders.com/2004/09/03/introducing-
Go to that store. Buy something cute. Put the iPod in it. No need to ask slashdot for silly permission or reassurance. GET A PURSE.
Re:Fanny packs!! (Score:1, Flamebait)
How's this one? [copquest.com] It looks like it holds a lot....
That's right! (Score:2)
what I need is a medium sized bag or backpack with pockets
Here you go.
A place for everything... (Score:1)
Bigger items: Roadwired Podzilla [roadwired.com]
Laptop joins the party? Tom Bihn Brain Bag [tombihn.com]
Or just wear all your gear in a Tilley VOMP [tilley.com]
I've used all of the above and they are well made and functional.
LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD Brothers and Sisters!!! (Score:5, Interesting)
My first recommendation is to only carry small and where possibile, hybrid gear.
Secondly purge your bag weekly.
Thirdly, a small bag with a well padded single shoulder strap seems to put less pressure on joints, nerves, etc. The older you get the more you will appreciate this. It is counter-intuitive but backpacks easily cause me more discomfort, even with a good belt.
I am currently carrying an Eagle Creek Travel Gear shoulder bag [eaglecreek.com]. In it I carry:
Sony Clie UX40 [sonystyle.com] in an aluminum case
crap Cell phone (if work didn't pay for this it would be a Treo 650)
Bandana (almost as good as a towel)
2 pens
business cards
Mini flash light
usb ROM stick
mini tape measure
Leatherman Squirt mini-multi-tool [leatherman.com]
spare stylus
A small Moleskin notebook [mojolondon.co.uk]
earplugs
Sony noise reducing earbuds [sonystyle.com](passive)
Motorola HS820 BT headset (crap)
2.5 lb convertible Fujitsu Lappy w/extended battery [shopfujitsu.com](I fuckin dig this thing!)
Caselogic neoprene DVD Player Case [caselogic.com] for the laptop.
On the laptop there is easily 500 ebooks including textbooks for school, reference books for work and fiction for downtime. The whole enchilada weighs only 5.5 lbs!
And as soon as I figure out how to get Outlook to wake my laptop out of standby I'll ebay the PDA.
My sister carries a "healthy back bag" from LL Bean [llbean.com] that is even more comfortable. I'll try that next.
Take care of your body before it turns on you!
BillyBob
Re:LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD Brothers and Sisters!!! (Score:3, Insightful)
Rather than purge your bag, why not really lighten your load by not carrying around so much crap? What I carry on my person on a normal day:
Re:LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD Brothers and Sisters!!! (Score:3, Insightful)
You have a "laptop bag to take my laptop to and from work"
WTF do you think I'm carrying my lighter laptop bag? To get to and from work and side jobs as an IT consultant.
Instead of your one "good book" I've got 500, plus the textbooks and reference books required for work and school.
So instead of your 10 lb laptop, 2 pound book and 2 pound bag I've tried to explain how to cut the weight in half or a third. This will save your back and the nerves in your shoulder compressed by str
Re:LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD Brothers and Sisters!!! (Score:2)
That's true, but you still manage to look like an ass by calling yourself an Alpha Geek/Yoga teacher and using really odd emoticons like "(:-{p}". Or is that some arcane programming language of the late Seventies, grampa?
Re:LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD Brothers and Sisters!!! (Score:2)
I am bald, have a mustache and a beard, ergo my smiley: (:-{)}
Have a great day Moonbender (nice tag BTW),
Bill
Re:LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD Brothers and Sisters!!! (Score:2)
Good job friend!
BillyBob
Re:LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD Brothers and Sisters!!! (Score:2)
Re:LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD Brothers and Sisters!!! (Score:2)
BillyBob
Re:LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD Brothers and Sisters!!! (Score:1)
Your comment on what you carry implied you carried said bag every day. My comment on a laptop bag was that I carry it only occassionally, and I don't so much carry it as I do move it from my house to my car and then my car to my office. As such, it's not really a daily item, and thus was only mentioned in passing.
Re:LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD Brothers and Sisters!!! (Score:2)
How's that for sanctimonious?
If that's your goal you need strive no further my friend, you've arrived in style!
BillyBob
Re:LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD Brothers and Sisters!!! (Score:2)
If you don't start paying attention when people are trying to 'splain shit to you someday you too will study anatomy, with your Doctor as your instructor!
Cheers,
Bill
Re:LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD Brothers and Sisters!!! (Score:1)
Uh, yeah, flew right over my head. Then again, I might have been commenting on the fact that there's no way a yoga instructor needs to carry around all of the crap you mentioned. As you called yourself an "alpha geek[1] / yoga teacher", one can only assume that your occupation is "yoga teacher". But yeah, I could see how that could go over your head, thus making you think that the "yoga teacher"
Re:LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD Brothers and Sisters!!! (Score:2)
Have a good day my low numbered Brother!
BillyBob
Attractive, Inexpensive, Functional: Pick Two (Score:1)
Take a hint from Mr. Norton (Score:1)
Wait... (Score:1)
Yeah, I got one.... (Score:1, Offtopic)
Try this [redcross.org] Jesus Christ you child of rampant consumerism get a grip. If your pants won't hold any more crap maybe it is time to look at folks around the globe that can barely find water that is drinkable. If you are so lost that you cannot find a bag to hold your toys, perhaps giving to others is needed.
Sera
Backpack (Score:2)
Great product. Almost perfect. I even carried my laptop in it, but the fabric/cushion on the bottom of the backpack is a bit thin.
Axio Tekno (Score:2)
I recently took a motorcycling vacation in the UK, and I took my Tekno with me along with my laptop, various paper items, mouse, power supply, air/car power adapter, iPod Nano, noise cancelling headphones and all sorts of other equipment. My cellphone clipped nicely to one of the external ring
Man Purse (Score:2)
Chrome Messenger Bags & Tucano Second Skins (Score:1)
Don't forget the breifcase (Score:2)
HEfty (Score:1)
Make sure... (Score:2)
I just have a standard 25-litre rucksack for carrying my tech. I have one of those tiny Sony Vaio laptops and it lives in a padded jiffy bag. I recently bought a new Pentax Digital SLR and I keep it in my old and dirty camera bag. Does the job and doesn't look like I've got a few hundred pounds/dollars worth of kit hanging off my shoulder
Re:Make sure... (Score:2)
Dakine (Score:1)
umm (Score:1)
A gear bag with integrated power... (Score:2)
While I can't say I've tried this, it certainly looks interesting:
APC TravelPower Cases [apc.com]
Basically a bag to carry your electronics that has an integrated power system to charge all your electronics - just plug in the whole bag and everything gets charged.
Jansport (Score:1)
I have a bag similar to this - it's several years old so they don't make the one I have. It's got a laptop compartment, with a nice padded bottom and fiberglass insert that acts as a shock absorber for a laptop when I carry one. It's got two cell phone pockets on each side (one for personal, one for work).
The inside is nice - place for a pen/pencil (I like nice writing utensils so I carry my own...). Another nice pocket in front of the lap
Re:Jansport (Score:1)
Wallet
Keys
Sunglasses (on my head).
Phone (maybe).
I only carry my "pile" of stuff to work and back as I always use the stuff throughout the day.
All about the belt, vest, and webbing (Score:2)
There's my favorite Tilley VOMP (vest of many pockets) that isn't too much of a fashion crime, but you're not going to look very good in the club with it on. The fact you're on here asking that question means that probably isn't relevant.
http://www.tilley.com/detail.asp?catId=13&gender=m &extractBy=Cat [tilley.com]
Utility Belt (Score:2)