Soft Cell - how much protection?

[Joy]

My (vague) recollection is that I ended up paying duty last time...? It helps if the Tom Bihn people very explicitly post on the outside of the package that all products are manufactured in the US.

To quote from our Shipping Page....

"Brokerage fees are included in the flat rate shipping charge. (Taxes, duties, and other fees imposed by your country aren't included.)"

I can't remember what the duties are for Canada but I don't think they're that much.

[agent]

Okay, one final question to help me make my decision... Are Tom Bihn bags considered NAFTA-eligible goods? Just wondering if I'll have to pay duties if I have it shipped to Canada.

Thanks!

[Foggy Morn]

I have a Fujitsu st4110 Tablet PC and it fits in the #5 Brain Cell I have. The 4110 is thin, and the BC is a tad thicker than the 4110 so it's not a snug fit. In another thread, Nicole (also works at TB) recommended the #6 as being a bit slimmer and slightly taller.

On the #5, the top zipper section poofs up a tiny amount when it's zipped up with the 4110 in it, though the fit is not at all too tight. I'm going to be getting a #6, but that's primarily because I don't want to give up the #5 Brain Cell for my iBook.

One big plus for me is that the Brain Cell is sturdy enough to use as a lap desk for my laptop. I was in a coffee house the other day and got to sit in a nice comfy chair and write for several hours because I didn't have to sit at a hard chair and table. Very nice! (This was with my powerbook - yes, I do have too many computers - and would probably be unnecessary with a tablet PC.)

[agent]

We don't make a Vertical Size 5 Brain Cell because there would be no advantage to it over the Horizontal Size 5 Brain Cell. The Horizontal Size 5 Brain Cell is basically a square, and will fit in any bag that a Vertical version would. I'd recommend the Size 5 Horizontal Brain Cell as the best size for your Fujitsu.

Thanks for the reply, Darcy. Unfortunately, the $25 shipping fee to Canada forces me to think twice about this. It's going to be a tough decision, that's for sure!

[moriond]

Soft Cell vs. Brain Cell use

Even though I don't own a soft cell (but I have a half dozen Brain Cells) there is no doubt in my mind that the extra cost and bulk of the brain cell is entriely worth it for me. I do have some padded laptop sleeves (from another vendor - Waterfield Designs) and while they are lovely and have wonderful construction they offer only a fraction of the protection offered by the Brain Cell). I have so many because every time I get a new laptop at home or work I immediately purchase the proper sized Brain Cell. -Alan

Alan, if you have half a dozen Brain cells you're in good shape, especially if they start limiting selection of colors. I use a sleeve when I carry laptops in the Buzz, and the Brain Cell when I carry them separately, or in bags like the ID, Empire Builder, or Smart Alec. The Size 5 Soft Cell is a bit loose for the 12" Apple PowerBook (but works well for the 12" iBook), so for a padded laptop sleeve I use the Tucano Second Skin (shown there in the 15" size; 12" size looks similar).

In fact when the Empire Builder would not fit the Brain Cell for my new Thinkpad T60p with large capacity battery I ended up getting a Super Ego just so I would have the protection of a Brain Cell over the Soft Cell.

Alan, what size Brain Cell do you use with the T60p and the extended life battery? I use the Size 4 (and switch to the regular battery -- for the 14" T60p), because I don't find the Brain Cell sizes well matched to the newer Lenovo laptop sizes and extended life batteries.

[Darcy]

In that case, can anyone tell me what size of the Vertical Brain Cell will fit a Fujitsu T4210 tablet PC? The laptop fit guide only lists a Horizontal Brain Cell.

We don't make a Vertical Size 5 Brain Cell because there would be no advantage to it over the Horizontal Size 5 Brain Cell. The Horizontal Size 5 Brain Cell is basically a square, and will fit in any bag that a Vertical version would. I'd recommend the Size 5 Horizontal Brain Cell as the best size for your Fujitsu.

[thalweg]

Brain Cell is definitely the way to go for protection

Even though I don't own a soft cell (but I have a half dozen Brain Cells) there is no doubt in my mind that the extra cost and bulk of the brain cell is entriely worth it for me. I do have some padded laptop sleeves (from another vendor - Waterfield Designs) and while they are lovely and have wonderful construction they offer only a fraction of the protection offered by the Brain Cell). I have so many because every time I get a new laptop at home or work I immediately purchase the proper sized Brain Cell. In fact when the Empire Builder would not fit the Brain Cell for my new Thinkpad T60p with large capacity battery I ended up getting a Super Ego just so I would have the protection of a Brain Cell over the Soft Cell. Please don't think I'm putting down the Soft Cell. I'm sure it is a fine product but it does not offer the protection I need. -Alan

[agent]

Thanks for the reply, Ken. It sounds a Brain Cell is the way to go. In that case, can anyone tell me what size of the Vertical Brain Cell will fit a Fujitsu T4210 tablet PC? The laptop fit guide only lists a Horizontal Brain Cell. Thanks!

[Ken]

Against falls, it will not offer you the protection that a BrainCell does. It will protect the computer from an object bumping or jarring it, but I would not rely on it for protection from a fall.

[agent]

Hi there,

I was just wondering how much protection the soft cell sleeve offers? I'm planning on putting a Fujitsu T4210 tablet PC in there, and will place the sleeve in another regular backpack. The question I have is how much protection does the soft cell offer? For example, to what extent will it protect the computer from falls?

Thanks!