brain cell idea and questions

[seema]

I just found your site a couple of days ago, by accident. So far as I can tell, the products look fantastic. I am primarily interested in the sleeves (brain cell prob more than the monolith) because I want something that I can put in my briefcase. Messenger bags and backpacks aren't really my style.

I read that the brain cell doesn't really offer much protection in the vertical format. Is there some reason you're not offering a single bag that can replace both the brain cell and monolith and allow us to carry it in either orientation? I think that would be a hit. Also, I'm going to be getting my laptop in the next month or so, and would like to know if any new models or colors of the sleeves are just about to be released in, say, the next 2-3 months?

Also I really hope this doesn't offend or anger anyone. But I can't really decide between the brain cell and the trager transporter. Here's my question:

I see that the Trager transporter is on your site. That's what I was initially considering buying that got me linked to your site. Anyway, what would be the additional pros to your bag vs that one. All I'm trying to do is get the best protection I can for my laptop, and I don't care if it's brand X or Y.

[seema]

I was also looking at bags by other companies but dismissed them. I think you should put a comparison on your site saying why your bags are better than others that people might be considering. Perhaps in the form of a table with checkmarks in each bag's column, so people can easily compare.

[Darcy]

seema,

I like your idea of the Brain Cell/Monolith combo type bag. I'm not the design person so Tom will have to get back to us on if that would work or not.

Trager is a great company based in Seattle. We wouldn't sell products we didn't like. However, I would pick the Brain Cell over the Transporter because...

I like the look of the Brain Cell better, and it comes in cool colors
The Brain Cell has an exterior mesh pocket
And the Brain Cell has a velcro opening which I like better than a zipper opening

[seema]

Hi
any news on the combo bag idea?

also, are any significant enhancements or colors going to be coming out for the brain cell? I know you don't want to satotage current sales, but I *hate* buying something and then the super duper model comes out the next day!

[Darcy]

The Brain Cell won't be modified any time soon, but we will have a new color that's an old color: Wasabi. Should be available in all sizes by early summer.

[Tom Bihn]

Regarding a Brain Cell / Monolith combo case:
The way both of these cases work is basically the same: an inside "bracket" of corrugated plastic suspends a soft "sling" of fabric laminated to foam. The suspension is sort of like a hamock.
Imagine a hamock supported , say, by two palm trees. Imagine a white sand beach and a gentle breeze blowing and little waves lapping at the shore. The margaritas are excellent and life is good.
Now wasn't that nice?
Anyway, take this whole picture and turn it 90 degrees, so the palm trees are on their sides, one on top if the other. See? The suspension dosen't work any more. If you are still even in your hamock at this point, you are probably bouncing into one of the trees and having no fun at all.
Plus your margarita spilt.
This is not to say that the idea of a AC/DC insert is not a good one. It would just require a somewhat different technology than we currently use. I am working with some other materials but nothing would come of it for many months, if at all, so don't hold your breath.

[wbhauck]

seema,

I'd go for the Brain Bag. Actually, I did about four years ago.

I got the sapphire blue Brain Bag with a blue Snake Charmer and the Brain Cell. I used it daily the majority of four years to carry about thirty pounds (laptop plus many O'Reilly computer books). It's been all around the East Coast, to Sunnyvale, CA and to the U.K.. It's not ripped, torn or even become discolored despite being plunked down on the floor of a commuter train for two years.

The wide shoulder straps are quite comfy and have enough adjustment to fit over my bulky winter coat.

Definitely a winner.

Good luck,

bill

[seema]

thanks, it does sound like a winner. I have to first decide on a laptop (sorry, I'm a PC person) with a 14 or 15.4 screen. wish the 15.4s were < 5 lbs. thanks for all the info!

[wbhauck]

After much agonizing, I got myself a Dell Inspiron 5100. It's a good price, good equipment, and has the best ports I've seen so far--it has two USB 2 and a IEEE1394 (better known as Apple's FireWire), as well as standard video, S-video, 10/100 Ethernet, a modem, and headphone and microphone jacks.

I got the 14" XGA LCD. I upped it to 512MB RAM and added the TruMobile 1400 Wireless miniPCI card.

And it fits nicely in my Brain Cell. ;-)

bill