So disappointed.... Brain Cells no longer available

[quattro_joe]

I just went into the Tom Bihn store, to purchase a new Brain Cell, (what would be my third), and was told that they are no longer making them. They didn't seem to have any that would work for a new 15" Macbook Pro. The Brain Cell was the reason why I purchased a Brain Bag, and have used it to travel around the world for many years.

In my opinon, the Cache does not offer enough protection for frequent traveling. So now I am forced to make one of my current Brain cells work, by adding padding, or go a different route, and look for new options.

Very Disappointed! My Brain Bag is basically useless to me without the great protection that the Brain Cell offers!

[tebnewyork]

Not sure why you don't think a cache offers enough protection. I've been using one for MBP w/o any issue.

[AVService]

I too feel the Brain Cell is the only real level of protection that I can trust,have you ever used one?

The BC provides active drop protection as it suspends the machine in a cocoon of neoprene and if dropped the machine does not ever hit the surface that the bag does at least that is the idea.

The Cache provides some obvious scratch and maybe dent protection maybe but again the BC has semi Rigid sides which provide a lot more protection.

The only trade off is size really and that is a price I am happily willing to pay.

Not sure why you don't think a cache offers enough protection. I've been using one for MBP w/o any issue.

[tpnl]

I am fully with you @quattro_joe and @AvService. I too came across TB Bags when looking at the Brain Cell to protect my laptop. As per normal TB behavior, I then started to get some of the accessories for the Brain Cell ... the Brain Bag ... Zephyr ... Smart Alec ... Synapse 25 ... TriStar ... etc, etc, etc


I visualize the difference this way ...

Drop your laptop in a Brain Cell from your desk or shoulder height onto the ground - no problem (not even a worry).

Now do the same test with your laptop in a cache ... hmmm (a bit of worry - probably ok if it fell flat)

Now, what about when you do the same drop in a cache or Brain Cell onto the pavement of a parking lot ... ouch (Brain Cell - no problem)

Now, do the same test with both cache and Brain Cell - but a corner impact .... double ouch ... (Brain Cell - no problem)


As @AvService mentions, the cache is good (great actually) for protection against scratches and hitting a door jamb or furniture by accident. Its thick, motion dampening padding does wonders. But those impacts are nowhere as severe as a drop of 2 feet or more onto the ground - especially on the corner (the weakest part) and a hard surface - e.g. your laptop drops from the overhead bin of an airplane to the ground while you are getting it out.

For most people, I would say that the cache is the perfect balance of size and flexibility (the Brain Cell is bulky) because the environment and way you use it does not put it in a situation where there may be accidental drops. However, for those of us who need to work with laptops on-call (ie. need it at the ready no matter what) or in a drop rich environment, a Brain Cell provides the extra protection needed and piece of mind.

Is the Brain Cell needed if you are careful - no. But, as I look at my Thermos with extra "character" (dents) and phone with a scraped case ... I realize that I am much more accident prone ... and the fact that I have been known to occasionally walk into a pillar by accident does not help

BTW - a cache in a TB bag is good for me as the bag seams and the way the corners are handled actually provide more protection - e.g. piping in Ristretto, padding in Empire Builder and Cadet, laptop suspended in S19/25. However, if carrying on its own (which I like to do - the Brain Cell is the way to go, IMHO).

Cheers!

[TravelManager]

Now that most laptops have solid state hard drives, the brain cell is overkill for the vast majority of travelers. It takes up more space the I don't doubt the sales have significantly declined as buyers realized that the cache was good enough.

[AVService]

Now that most laptops have solid state hard drives, the brain cell is overkill for the vast majority of travelers. It takes up more space the I don't doubt the sales have significantly declined as buyers realized that the cache was good enough.

Sorry but there is a pretty expensive difference between "Realized" and "Thought" that a Cache was good enough,not worth it to me to take that chance.

The fact that you said it like that tells me that you think this is a given somehow and it surely is not.

[tpnl]

Solid State Drives are perfect for keeping your data safe if dropped - but a cracked broken screen is the usual problem these days with laptops and the pain to get it replaced unless you are handy to do this yourself.

Note also that most corporations go with the most economical versions of laptops - i.e. still with regular hard drives that are affected by high g-force impacts.

Cosmetic dents are also a problem as people do not always like to carry a dented laptop (me included).


I agree that the Brain Cell is overkill for a lot of people - hence the perennial lack of many other options in the industry. To each their own. I am not saying that people should get a Brain Cell if it does not fit their use case or concerns. I am saying that the Brain Cell was a differentiator that brought people in that might not ordinarily have become TB fans - myself included.

Also, a thinner version of the Brain Cell would be great too

Cheers!

[TravelManager]

The fact that you said it like that tells me that you think this is a given somehow and it surely is not.

The only thing I think is given is that the sales of the brain cell have slowed down considerably and that Tom Bihn would not have discontinued if sales had stayed strong.

[Ms. Ferret]

For most people, I would say that the cache is the perfect balance of size and flexibility (the Brain Cell is bulky) because the environment and way you use it does not put it in a situation where there may be accidental drops. However, for those of us who need to work with laptops on-call (ie. need it at the ready no matter what) or in a drop rich environment, a Brain Cell provides the extra protection needed and piece of mind.

Pretty much exactly this. I use a Cache for my smaller personal laptop, but I'm not comfortable with anything less than a Brain Cell for my work machines or my 8 lb gaming brick, especially since I bus everywhere.

[Ms. Ferret]

The only thing I think is given is that the sales of the brain cell have slowed down considerably and that Tom Bihn would not have discontinued if sales had stayed strong.

That'd be my assumption as well, just kind of a bummer.
I guess the problem with the poor non-glamorous Brain Cell is that you only buy a new one when you need a new one, but when you need a new one, you REALLY NEED one.

[AVService]

Well this is true for sure.

I just like having options and one of my favorite and most utilized are my Brain Cells,the Bihn versions of course not the obvious ones probably!

The only thing I think is given is that the sales of the brain cell have slowed down considerably and that Tom Bihn would not have discontinued if sales had stayed strong.

[quattro_joe]

That'd be my assumption as well, just kind of a bummer.
I guess the problem with the poor non-glamorous Brain Cell is that you only buy a new one when you need a new one, but when you need a new one, you REALLY NEED one.

Agreed, I have one Brain Cell, that is NOT the right size for a macbook Air. I have pulled it apart and added in more foam, to protect it. I now find myself needing a new vertical 15 Brain Cell.... with none to be found.

[quattro_joe]

Not sure why you don't think a cache offers enough protection. I've been using one for MBP w/o any issue.

With the Brain Cell, and the Photo Insert, I could easily carry a couple lenses, Camera body, batteries, along with my 15" Macbook pro, through airports, train stations, etc with no worry of any of it being damaged.

With the Cache, and Photo Insert, I have to worry that the person trying to jam their oversized carry on into an overhead bin, has just crushed my Macbook Pro..... There is no real protection with a cache, other then from small scratches and bumps....

[quattro_joe]

I agree that the Brain Cell is overkill for a lot of people - hence the perennial lack of many other options in the industry. To each their own. I am not saying that people should get a Brain Cell if it does not fit their use case or concerns. I am saying that the Brain Cell was a differentiator that brought people in that might not ordinarily have become TB fans - myself included.

Also, a thinner version of the Brain Cell would be great too

Cheers!

I think I have sold at least 10 Brain Bags + Brain Cells. 3 of which are co-workers.....

[quattro_joe]

The only thing I think is given is that the sales of the brain cell have slowed down considerably and that Tom Bihn would not have discontinued if sales had stayed strong.

The fact that you don't see Tom Bihn listed when you search on Macbook Pro Case, or anything along those lines certainly hurts sales.