Reviews by The Church of Apple

Tag: Laptop

  • Matias iRizer Review

    The iRizer is a very portable laptop stand that is available from iRizer for $39.95. The stand comes in two easy portable pieces that take laptop stands to a whole new, portable level than any other that I have seen before.

    Form

    Let’s be honest, the stand isn’t made out of the best looking material on the market. It isn’t wood or bamboo. It isn’t metal. It’s plastic, hard plastic yes, but it’s plastic. However, the stand has a simplicity to it that does actually make it attractive.  The stand comes in just two parts. There’s one part that slides into one of four slots on the other part, each slot putting the stand at different angles. These pieces by themselves, laid down flat, are very thin and light. They are very easy to carry and very easy to use. The plastic they use in the product is strong and sturdy and it will not break easily. The rubber padding on the stand used to keep the laptop in place is not cheap and will not come out of the stand. The part of the stand that the laptop is sitting on does bounce a bit while typing, especially with a heavy laptop, but it isn’t a big deal. The thing I wish it had was more options for colors. But while it isn’t the most expensive looking stand out there but it doesn’t have to be, practicality and simplicity can be elegant too, right?

    Function

    The main reasons we buy laptop stands is to provide sufficient ergonomics, to stand the laptop in case we want to use it like a desktop and to provide cooling for a laptop. This stand provides this and more. First off, the stand comes in four different angled positions, 20, 30, 40 and 50 degrees. 20 and 30 degrees are both more for regular, on-the-desk, typing positions while 40 and 50 are more for standing the laptop and using external devices such as bluetooth mice and keyboards. All the degree positions are labelled to the benefit of the costumer. The 20 and 30 degree positions I find are very ergonomic and keep your hands at a good position to prevent Carpal Tunnel. I have found all four positions to be quite comfortable viewing angles as well. The stand does not have nor need a fan as it has holes for air to go through and of course we all know that elevating laptops off the ground provide air flow as well. Almost all laptops stands cool down your laptop at least a little and this one is no different. In addition to great ergonomics and the ability to cool your laptop, this stand is also ultra portable. I can easily fit the stand and the laptop into the laptop bag. I can not exactly say the same thing about really any other laptop stand I have tried. It can’t fit in a manila envelope but it can fit in just about anything else. The stand also comes with a iRizer mini stand for your iOS device. I thought that was a nice touch. There is only one thing about the stand I am not a fan of and that is that it’s not very comfortable to put into your lap. It really only works on a desk, which is okay since when I travel to a hotel, I use the desk. Or if I go to Starbucks, it’s also okay. Let’s face it, it is a traveling laptop stand due to it’s ultra-portability. It’s a great stand, regardless of it being somewhat uncomfortable on the lap, I take it anywhere I go with my laptop.

    Conclusion 

    Pros

    -Sleek design

    -Thin and light, ultra-portable

    -Ergonomic

    -Provides airflow for the laptop

    -Comfortable to use

    -Different positions that are easy to change to

    -iRizer mini

    Cons

    -Typing is bouncy with heavier laptops

    -Should be sold in more colors

    -More for use on the desk, not the lap

    Things to Improve

    First off, I would start producing the stand in multiple colors. Second, I would improve the “shocks” of the stand, if possible. Finally, I would increase the width of the piece that goes on surfaces to make it a bit more comfortable to have it in your lap.

    This is a great laptop stand. It has it’s faults but I think it’s one of the best stands I’ve tried. It’s portability and ergonomics makes it an ideal laptop stand for anyone who travels a lot. However, if you use it mainly at home and you have your laptop on your lap more than your desk or table, then this isn’t the stand for you. This stand earns four stars from me.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

  • Vangoddy Pindar MacBook/Laptop Carrying Bag

    The Vangoddy Pindar MacBook/Laptop Carrying Bag is a multifunction, multi-device carrying bag for all of your personal electronic devices. This bag carries a MacBook/MacBook Air/MacBook Pro, an iOS device or an Android device (God forbid) and an iPad or an Android tablet (again, God forbid). It is stylish, flexible and functional for a fair price of $41.99. Let’s see if it is the laptop bag for you.

    Form

    The bag is big enough for a 14 inch laptop such as a iBook G4 14″ but of course the most common size laptop to use in this bag is a 13 inch laptop. I have used both my 13 inch Air and 13 inch Regular MacBooks in the case. They fit just fine and are easy to take out. The bag is black with colored trim. You, of course, can choose which color. It comes in blue and black, all black, red and black, green and black, orange and black, purple and black. It also comes in all pink. The color is on the trim on the front of the bag, it has some green stitching, the logo is stitched in color, the green piece for earbuds to go through and the bottom rubber piece that protects the fabric from the hard floor. The fabric on the outside is soft but firm. The feel on the handle is very comfortable in your hand. The strap is also quite comfortable, it has a soft, padded feel to it. The inside is also padded which protects the devices inside. The inside and outside are made well and look great. Overall, it has great aesthetics.

    Function

    Laptop bags really only have one purpose, that is to protect your devices while making it easy to carry them. This bag does both. The bag is well padded so your devices will not be damaged should you drop it. The bag also makes them easy to carry. It carries three devices, or at least I was able to fit three devices: my MacBook, iPad and iPhone and all chargers for them. The case also, of course, doesn’t stop there. The straps and handle make it easy to carry. The strap comes off when you don’t need it that way when you carry it by it’s handles, the strap doesn’t get in the way. The bag also has an interesting feature. The pocket that you put your iPhone opens and you can access your phone from the pocket without having to take it out of the bag. Above that is a hole for your headphones to go through. There is a pocket next to it that is zippered. It is big enough to hold an iPad mini in. However, I use it for perhaps an additional iPod or device. The inside has a mesh area for chargers, an area for an iPad next to that and of course the pocket for the laptop is next to that. In addition to these cool pockets, there is also a flap on the side of the bag that allow you to put your charger cord through so you can charge your computer while it is still in the bag. The bag is a great bag, it has some unique features and it is one I can highly recommend.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Great aesthetics
    -Protects devices
    -Comfortable to use, convenient to use
    -Unique iPhone pocket
    -Unique slot for a charger

    Cons

    -None

    This is a great bag. There really aren’t ways for Vangoddy to improve this bag. It gives great features for a great price. This bag gets 5 stars from me.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

  • RooCase Deluxe Carrying Bag Review

    The RooCase Deluxe Carrying Bag is a laptop bag made for 12-13 inch laptops. The case has many pockets and is well-padded. It is available from Amazon for $33.47. Let’s see if it is the laptop bag for you.

    Form

    The bag comes in several colors. It comes in black, blue and black, pink and black and red and black. I received the blue and black case. The bag has the color as the main color and black is the trimming. All the colors look great. The case is made of a soft material. The outside of the case has a few well-placed pockets. The bag looks nice on the outside. It isn’t a designer laptop bag but it doesn’t have to be. It looks nice enough. The stitching on the bag is well-done and it has good craftsmanship on the bag, strap and handle. The case has two protectors on the bottom to help it stand upright and to help it not get dirtied or ripped by the unforgiving floor. The inside of the case is also well made. There are many pockets inside the bag for maximum storage. All the extremities, such as the zipper and the strap attachments are well made and won’t break easily. The bag by itself is pretty light so it doesn’t add much weight to the weight of the things inside. Overall, in terms of aesthetics, this is a great laptop bag.

    Function

    There are quite a few things about this bag I like. First, the bag provides a lot of protection for your laptop. If you drop this bag, your computer will not have a scratch on it. The bag is very well padded and it will protect it’s contents very well. Second, this bag has a lot of space in it. There are at least 10 pockets that I counted. There are a few pockets for bigger things such as one for the computer and one for the charger. There are a few medium sized pockets such as one for an iPad or other accessories. There are also a few smaller pockets inside that you could put your phone and a few other accessories in. In addition, there is a few slots to put your stuff in. I could see some one putting 2 laptops, an iPad and an iPhone with all the chargers for each device and still have room left over. Everything is fairly easily accessible. Also, the bag can be carried by strap or handle. I find it easier to carry it around by strap only because it makes it even easier to reach for your device inside the bag. The zippers and velcro are easy to open but will not break. Overall, this bag is a great laptop bag for the money.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Great aesthetics
    -Protects the things inside well
    -Holds a lot of stuff, there’s plenty of space
    -Easy to carry
    -Everything is easy to get to

    Cons

    -None

    Ways to improve

    For the price, this is a great laptop bag and I personally see nothing that should be improved on this bag.

    This is one great laptop bag. It can hold a lot and it can protect a lot. I wouldn’t say it’s a designer laptop bag but does it need to be? In fact, I think it would protect better than a lot of designer bags do and at one third the cost. It’s practical for the everyday consumer. This bag easily gets 5 stars from me.

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

    Images Courtesy: Amazon

  • MacCase Classic

    The is a case made for 12 or 13 inch iBooks or MacBooks of any generation from the original, colorful iBook to the 2012 MacBook Air. There is a uniqueness to this case. The MacCase Classic is shaped like an old original colorful iBook and has the same design as the original iBook does. It really does feel like an irony putting a MacBook into the bag, but it fits fine. There is a bit of history to the case itself as well. The MacCase Classic was introduced shortly after the original iBooks came out. They were, in a sense, one of the first companies to make accessories for the (more) current Apple products. Admittedly, I do not have one of the original iBooks, however I do have an iBook G4, a MacBook and a MacBook Air to test it with and they all fit fine. The MacCase Classic is available from MacCase for $29.95.

    Form

    The case definitely does well in this category. The case on the outside has a rainproof material that I can guarantee won’t allow rain in. The case has the cool, original iBook look to it. It has the same oval-like shape with the gumdrop tangerine, blueberry, key lime, indigo and graphite colors, the original colors of the original iBooks. Also, on the top half of the case is the white that the original iBooks had. On the back side is an all black material that feels pretty solid with the addition of a pocket on the back. The pocket on the back will hold your charger so that you won’t stay uncharged. The strap also feels solid and I know that it won’t break. The strap has a part that goes on your shoulder that feels padded and comfortable on your shoulder. The handle on the MacCase is a joy to hold. It feels very comfortable on the hand. Overall, it seems very nice on the outside of the bag. The inside of the bag is the same story. As you open the zipper, which by the way has the MacCase logo on it in the style that Apple put the name “iBook” on the screen, you will see a nice, padded inside. The back where the back of the computer goes is padded, the sides are padded and the front is padded. The only spot that isn’t padded is the clear part on the front where you can see the Apple logo of the iBook or MacBook through, which I think is a nice added feature. There is a small U-shaped pocket on the inside that perhaps you could fit an Apple Remote and some headphones, it really is a nice touch. Again, the MacCase logo with the classic iBook style writing is on the inside. Overall, aesthetically, it is a great case.

    Function

    It is the same story here as in the aesthetics. The case, as I mentioned, is very well padded and the computer will not break in it. The computer will not only be well-padded but it also will be strapped in. This I view as an advantage for a few reasons. One, the computer won’t move inside the bag, limiting any damage that could occur by dropping the bag. Two, the computer will not sag to the bottom to where you can’t see the Apple logo through the clear part on the case. In addition, there is a pocket on the outside of the bag where you can store the computer’s charger. You can’t store much else in the case but then again, you don’t need to. It does protect your computer and it’s power cord for a cheap price. It also provides a conversational piece as well. In addition, to the protection it provides, the addition of both a handle and strap is nice. If you prefer the handle like I do, all you have to do is take the strap off. I know most bags have this ability but it is nice that it has the ability. Like I mentioned before, the case does seem to be waterproof on the front. On the inside, there is a pocket that you could store an Apple remote in, wallet, headphones etc, just some small things that you may need to put in the bag. Lastly, the zippers on the bag seem to zip and unzip smoothly. Ultimately, this bag is as good in it’s function than in it’s form.

    Conclusion

    Pros

    -Great protection (padding and strapping in) for your iBook or MacBook (12″ or 13″)
    -Great aesthetics (handle, strap, outside, inside etc.)
    -Two pockets to store power cord and a few other personal items
    -Clear “window” to see Apple logo

    Cons

    -None

    Ways to improve

    This suggestion is nothing wrong with the case, it is just something they may want to try. On the original iBook, there was a colored handle that matched the color of the computer. I suggest that they try this, try duplicating the color of the handle with the color of the case for that added original iBook effect.

    This 12″/13″ iBook/MacBook bag is a great bag. The protection it offers coupled with the novelty and cool factor it offers and it’s cheap price make it an ideal iBook/MacBook bag and easily earn it five stars. Great job MacCase!

    Thanks for reading,

    Joe

    Images Courtesy: MacCase