I don’t have a desktop computer anymore, relying solely on my trusty notebook for all of my computing needs. In this way, I’m constantly on the lookout for interesting laptop accessories that expand and improve my mobile computing experience. Over at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, I had an opportunity to check out one of the biggest accessory makers in the industry, as well as a couple that aren’t quite as well known just yet. Let’s see what CHOIIX, Targus and new comer ISIS DEI have up their sleeves for laptop owners.
Entering the Bedroom with Curves
People use their notebooks just about everywhere, including the bedroom. When you are busting through some emails or watching YouTube videos in bed, however, you may find that your sheets aren’t exactly the best surface for computing.
The Choiix U cool notebook pad is designed specifically for this purpose. Available in your choice of blue, black, or green, it is an ergonomically designed pad for when you want to use your laptop in bed or on the couch. The curvy design allows for adequate airflow beneath your notebook and, at the same time, the U cool is stiff enough to provide sufficient support. It sure beats using a pillow as a notebook pad, that’s for sure.
A New Choiix in Notebook Cooling
Easily the most unique product out of the Choiix collection is the incredibly conventional “Chair” wood notebook stand. Whereas we are more accustomed to finding laptop stands made out of plastic and sleeves made of metal, this stand is made with your choice of birch, walnut, or bamboo.
How effective this is as an actual notebook cooling stand is questionable, but if you’re looking to make a “natural” fashion statement with your computing, this might be the ticket. It has three adjustable heights, a pillowed wrist rest for extended comfort, and a curved surface to allow for airflow.
The Chair Wood Notebook Stand will accommodate up to 15-inch widescreen laptops. I just hope the wood doesn’t catch on fire.
Netbooks Need Cooling Too
At COMPUTEX Taipei 2008, we were offered our first glimpse at Choiix notebook accessories. The brand would be an off-shoot from parent company Cooler Master, offering a range of fashionable laptop accessories. The Air-Through was announced at that time, largely targeted at owners of thin and light laptops like the MacBook Air. It offered active cooling by way of a couple of fans and it also had a USB hub to give the Air a little more functionality.
At CES 2009, Choiix expanded on this philosophy by revealing the Mini Air-Through. The design itself is very similar, except everything has been scaled down to accommodate netbooks of seven to ten-inches in size. There is only one fan here and the USB hub has been relocated to the more angled back, but it’s functionally the same. That’s a good thing. The Mini Air-Through is one of the very few cooling pads out there catering to the netbook market.
Always Bet on Black
In like manner, the original Choiix Air-Through was only offered in a plain white and gray color scheme. This was supposed to be in line with the color scheme that you’d find with a MacBook or a MacBook Air. Well, not everyone wants a white cooling pad. In the immortal words of Wesley Snipes (Passenger 57), “Let me give you a word of advice. Always bet on black!”
Apple users and other notebook owners told Choiix that they wanted a black version of the Air-Through, so Choiix followed up by creating the darker variant. Personally, I think the black edition looks a lot better.
Zipping Through Airport Security
When travelling as a techie, it can be a pain having to take out your laptop every time you need to pass through airport security. Not only is this process inconvenient, it also presents an unfortunate opportunity for your precious notebook to get scratched or damaged. The recently updated TSA regulations provide specifications wherein you can use a properly designed laptop bag to get through security without removing the notebook. Recently, we reviewed a bag from the folks at Tom Bihn called the Checkpoint Flyer that met these regulations. However, the high-end price made it only practical for frequent flyers. Targus answers the need for more frugal bags.
One of the entries from Targus in this market is the new Venture. This bag, available in both backpack and topload styles, will fit notebooks as large as 15.6-inches and it expedites your airport security experience by way of the Zip-Thru design. The laptop is isolated on one side of the case, whereas the other side is used to store the rest of your goodies. The “Checkpoint Friendly” Venture Backpack is $100 whereas the Venture Topload is $80.
Targus Tells MacBook Users to Chill
Note all laptop cooling pads are made equal and not all notebooks are made the same. This is why when you choose a laptop cooling pad, it may be great for your Dell, but horrible for your Lenovo. This is because different laptops have different heat zones.
Mentioned in our Targus Holiday 2008 Gift Guide for Mac, the Chill Mat for Mac is meant for the MacBook owners in the audience, not only because of its white and gray color scheme, but also because of its inherent design. The fans have been placed strategically to cool the hottest parts of a MacBook. With two quietly powerful fans, ergonomically angled design, and soft mesh bottom, the Targus Chill Mat is a great option for Mac people.
ISIS DEI Gets Their Day in the Light…
Stuck somewhere in one of the low rent areas of the SANDS Convention Center, ISIS DEI got our attention with a couple unique products that combine urban flare with functionality. Their presence was somewhat strange considering all their products are built and designed for Macbooks. Nonetheless, they were here at CES (not at MacWorld) and this is what we saw…
The first product that caught our eye was called the “Golden Jimmy” (if you have to ask what a Jimmy is, then this product isn’t for your demographic) which is a custom molded condom for your keyboard made out of silicon. Traditionally, you’ll find these things in a clear color, but ISIS DEI thought it would be fun to “blingify” your keyboard, giving it a bit of a different look.
The other product was their new “Roach Rasta Edition” MacBook case which combines both functionality and design into the non-smokable version of the hemp material. The case is lined with 5mm thick memory foam to protects your system from damage while screen straps allow you to use your Macbook right in the case. The edges of the case even fold down to allow you access to all the ports. The final detail is a pair of golden zipper heads.
ISIS DEI’s products are usually found in campus computer stores and other trendy and hip outlets where the youth of today dwell. A recent partnership with SkullCandy might see them in more places very soon.
Accessorizing from the East, West and the Streets…
Targus and Choiix offer very different approaches to the laptop accessory realm, clearly demonstrating the difference between western and eastern influences while ISIS DEI shows off what the youth of today are craving. Targus offers products that fit right in line with the conventional North American way of life, whereas Choiix seems to offer more of a Taiwanese flair for style. Which you prefer is up to you. Check out the gallery from our visits on the next page and stay tuned for the continuing CES 2009 brain dump.
CES 2009 – Laptop Accessories from Targus, CHOIIX and ISIS DEI Photo Gallery
