Golla Jade 13″ Laptop Bag
Website: Golla USA
Price: $74.99

Material: Polyester and Nylon

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Overview:

In addition to the Golla Sunny 10.2″ Laptop Sleeve, the Jade 13″ Laptop Bag is an eye catching shade of purple with an abundance of flowers. In contrast to other bags in Laptop Bag Review Week, the Jade 13″ Laptop Bag targets mostly the female population. Currently, while a vast majority of the bags for laptops are more “male friendly,” female co-workers commented that the bag was designed with a “woman in mind.” At initial glance, the Golla Jade 13″ Laptop Bag has a simplistic look, where the inside contains many pockets for the traveling person.

Main Compartments:

Inside, there are numerous amounts of pockets. The Golla Jade 13″ Laptop Bag possess a cushioned laptop compartment that fits my 13″ MacBook Pro snuggly, a zipper pocket, and four additional pockets for accessories. When testing the bag, I was extremely happy with how secure my laptop felt in the bag. Also, because it has many inner pockets, it is effortless to find a compartment to store miscellaneous items I would like to take with me.

Straps and Zippers:

In all of the Golla bags I have used before, I have always been impressed with their level of quality. Through the rigorous testing bags go through in our labs, the zippers, without fail, never break! The zippers are flexible, so unzip and zip the bag as many times as you wish and the zippers hold up. Unnoticeable at first sight, the Golla Jade 13″ Laptop Bag has an adjustable shoulder strap, as well as top handles by which you can either carry it or use as shoulder straps.

Outside Compartments & Miscellaneous Compartments:

As if the inside compartment did not have enough pockets, the Golla Jade 13″ Laptop Bag has two outside compartments. One that can be easily used as compartment for storing a laptop charger and the other for miscellaneous accessories. These outside compartments can be used for quick access when time is short.

Conclusion:

Have a 13″ laptop or know someone who does? This would be a perfect laptop bag if you are looking for one with many pockets and can be easily transported. The bag looks very clean on the outside but it’s powerful on the inside. Containing a multitude of pockets is perfect for carrying many accessories. However, if you are looking for more of a “male looking” laptop bag, we recommend reading the review of the Golla 13″ Metro Laptop Sleeve.

Have a Golla Jade 13″ Laptop Bag? Leave a comment!

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Golla 12-13” Metro

Backpack
Website: Golla

Material: Polyester

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Overview:

Golla is a company based in Finland that makes bags that are both safe for your computer and fashionable.  They have many bags for laptops, iPods/iPhones, mobile phones, and other mobile devices.  The Metro for 13” computers is one of the great bags that Golla makes.  It is a laptop sleeve that is great for taking your computer with you wherever you need to go.

Compartments:

The Metro is a small, compact sleeve for your computer that is great for just taking your computer with you. Its main compartment holds your laptop; however, there is a velcro pocket on the back that is good for holding papers.

Straps and Zippers:

The Metro has one collapsible strap that is great for carrying around the bag.  It fits right back into the side of the case when you are finished with it.  The zippers are similar to the zippers on the Onyx 13”.  They are sturdy and are padded with rubber for a better grip.  The zipper is strong is unlikely to break.

Conclusion:

The Golla Metro 13” is a good bag that, again, is stylish and durable.  I feel very safe when my laptop is in this bag.  It is great for anyone who doesn’t want a full back back, but wants a nice bag in which to carry their laptop.  It is great for taking your laptop over to a friend’s house for projects, or taking your laptop to work in style.  If you would like to see the Metro, it can be seen here at Golla’s website.

Tell us your experience with the Metro! Leave a comment.

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Targus 15.6 Spruce Backpack
Website: Targus
Price: $69.99

Material: Recycled Plastic Bottles
Warranty: Lifetime

Gallery: Targus Spruce EcoSmart Gallery

Overview:

Targus is known for making great bags, and the Targus Spruce EcoSmart Backpack does not fall short! The Targus Spruce Backpack is part of Targus’ EcoSmart backpack line. The EcoSmart line is made entirely of recycled plastic bottles. Not only does it have many different pockets, all of them have great depth. The back panel is cushioned so it absorbs shock and allows for a more comfortable fit. The Spruce backpack shows the green stitchings which set the backpack apart from others — a techie fashion statement, if you will. Also, it has three circle-shaped designs which add to the backpack’s style. Green is a major theme, no doubt, since green is an “eco-friendly” color. The colors give the backpack a sleek yet sophisticated look that anyone would love.

Main Compartments:

The Spruce backpack has the standard two pen loops, zippered pouch, and a key clip. Additionally, it contains a business card holder, so you can always give your business cards out. In the other two main compartments are a large area for books, notebooks, or whatever you would like to fit in. In the second compartment, there is a laptop compartment and another area where you can add a few more books or notebooks. The laptop compartment is such that a 15 inch MacBook Pro fits snuggly, so it’s more likely to accommodate smaller laptops. The Spruce backpack also has a pocket on the outside, so you are able to put something into your backpack quickly.

Straps and Zippers:

Everyone knows that comfortable straps on a backpack are nice and, fortunately, the Spruce backpack has that in spades. There are many straps which allow you to get a personalized custom fit. When you put the Spruce backpack on, you are greeted by the comfortable straps. The right hand strap is equipped with a headphone holder, so you can wrap up our headphones when you are not using them. Also, the back panel is cushioned, so it absorbs some shock, and helps keep your laptop and other items safe. The Spruce EcoSmart Backpack is not as comfortable as backpacks such as Swiss, but it does a pretty good job. Though they pull gracefully but, the zippers on the Spruce backpack are solid so, unlike some backpacks, you do not need to worry about accidentally pulling them off.

Outside Compartments & Miscellaneous Compartments:

The Spruce EcoSmart backpack sports a water bottle holder and a MP3 player holder. The water bottle holder fits any regular sized bottle and you can even get a canteen to be even more eco friendly. A neat feature about the Spruce EcoSmart backpack is the MP3 player holder. While you’re walking across campus or walking to the coffee shop, you can plug in your MP3 player, feed the headphones through, and your ready to rock and roll. Also, when you’re done listening to your music, you can coil the headphones wires around the right hand strap and unwrap the headphones when you want to listen again.

Conclusion:

If your looking for a durable, stylish, usable laptop backpack that will not break the bank, the Targus Spruce EcoSmart Backpack is definitely a contender. In my opinion, this backpack would be perfect for a college student who does not carry too many books, though it can fit a respective amount, and who needs to carry his laptop around. I enjoyed reviewing the Targus Spruce EcoSmart Backpack and I look forward to see what else Targus releases in its EcoSmart line. If you are curious, take a peek at the Targus Spruce EcoSmart Backpack here.

Tell us your experience with the Spruce! Leave a comment.

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"Line 2 - 2 Lines, 1 iPhone"

Who knew the answer to the AT&T problem would cost just $0.99!

It can save you money. It can make calls where AT&T’s signal is weak, which tends towards EVERYWHERE. It can even turn the coveted iPod Touch into a full-blown cellphone! (Can you give me an “AMEN”?!)

The new Line2 app by Toktumi (yes, like “Talk to me!”) has pitted capitalism’s virtue of competition against the monopolist grip that AT&T has had over iPhone uses since its release in 2007. While previous apps like Skype and TruPhone promised similar consolation, Line2 is a far cry from their limited capabilities and more likely to be the source of frustration amongst AT&T execs.

Line2 gives your iPhone a second phone number — a second phone line, with its own voice mail, contacts list and the like. On their website, Toktumi imagines that you’ll distribute the Line2 number to business contacts, while maintaining your regular iPhone number to friends and family. Your second line can even be an 800 number or you can transfer an existing number.

To that end, Toktumi offers a raft of Google Voice-ish features that are intended to help a small businesses look bigger: call screening, Do Not Disturb hours and voice mail messages sent to you as e-mail. You can create an “automated attendant” (“Press 1 for… ”) that routes incoming calls to other phone numbers. Or, if you’re pretending to be a bigger business than you are, route them all to yourself (which is something I’d do…).

Line2 also turns the iPhone into a dual-mode phone. That is, it can make and receive calls using either the AT&T airwaves as usual, or — now this is the best part — over the Internet. Any time you’re in a wireless hot spot, Line2 places its calls over Wi-Fi instead of AT&T’s network.

For most, this is the greatest plus. Where, after all, is cellphone reception generally the worst? Right! Inside that burning building when I tried to call 911 that one time. Well, assuming the place isn’t burning down, you are most likely to have Wi-Fi in your house or your office building — meaning clear and reliable reception indoors.

Line2 also runs on the iPod Touch. When you’re in a Wi-Fi hot spot, your Touch is now a full-blown cellphone, and you don’t owe AT&T a cent.

The “cash money,” however, is where Line2 differentiates itself from other similar apps like Skype and TruPhone. Line2 is the first app that can receive incoming calls via either Wi-Fi or cellular voice, so you get the call even if the app isn’t running. Moreovoer, let’s say you’re on a Wi-Fi call using those other programs, and someone calls your regular iPhone number, your first call is disconnected whether you like it or not. Conversely, Line2 offers you the chance to decline the incoming call without losing your Wi-Fi call. Not to mention, those rival apps also lack Line2’s call-management features, visual voice mail and conference calling with up to 20 other people. AND Line2 is the only app that gives you a choice of call methods for incoming and outgoing calls.

With SO many features for $0.99 (and a $15/month), it’s unbelievable that AT&T isn’t putting up more of a fight. Granted, Toktumi only released Line2 this past February, they are well on their way to making AT&T feel a little hot under the collar.

Move over AT&T! Mine Kapitalism is here to stay!!!

Want to try the Line2 app?! Find it at the iTunes Store (here) or on Toktumi’s dedicated website: line2.com

What do you think about this new app? Will you be getting it (to replace a competitor’s app or supplement your iPhone)? Let us know what you think!

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We at The Real Mac Genius are pleased to announce that the reviews for Laptop Bag Review Week are starting. I cannot begin to evince my satisfaction for this Laptop Bag Review Week — there are many to come!

I want to thank the vendors who sent bags in for review: Tumi, Targus, Golla, and Solo. This event would not be able to take place without their generosity. The review team at The Real Mac Genius put these bags through rigorous tests and enjoyed reviewing the products.

The reviews will be posted throughout this week and the beginning of the next. If you have any comments about the bags, please feel free to leave them on the respective pages or send us a general comment by clicking on the “Contact Us” tab.

Again, I want to thank all of the vendors for sending in the products because this would not happen without them.

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