Coffee Break: Sumdex Laptop Sleeve Aircube Netbook Sleeve

68 Comments

1. Fun! But make sure you check out the “Will this fit my laptop?” feature. I wanted to get one of the bubble sleeves but it doesn’t fit my Dell :(

   1. Good point… but I do love that it offers that— I hate seeing something cute like a laptop sleeve/bag but not having any size guidelines to figure out if it will work for me!

      Cute sleeve :-)

2. I love it, but it is too small for my laptop. :(

   1. They have other sizes. Might get the one for macbook…

3. I think since it’s called a “netbook” sleeve, it will probably be too small for all but the smallest notebook laptops.

   BTW, anyone have experience with a netbook? I use my laptop mostly for Microsoft Word and Exel, with some iTunes and personal photos. Would a netbook be enough?

   1. I’m typing this one one – Samsung NC10 (there’s a newer version now available), and for what you describe it would be plenty. The only thing I can’t really do is streaming video – watching television, for example. But basic multimedia is fine.

      The size has really been a major bonus. I love my main Toshiba laptop, but it’s really big and heavy. I do archival research, and it’s great for travel, but I use it for everyday things too.

   2. I have a little Toshiba (I think) netbook for school, I picked it up after my hard drive on my regular laptop died and I didn’t have 3 weeks to wait for it to be repaired. I only use it for taking notes, writing papers etc and using the internet. The storage space is not as good as a full sized laptop, and it came with Windows 7 which I’m sure took up alot of space, so I’m not sure how much music you would be able to hold. It also doesn’t have a CD drive, I had to buy an external to load up Office. But it works great and weighs about 1 pound which is great, so much lighter than my laptop. And the battery lasts about 7 hours.

      1. Is it really convenient to write papers? That’s precisely the reason why I imagines netbooks to be inconvenient!

   3. I have a Dell netbook with Windows 7 for about 8 months and while it’s very convenient (like sticking a hardback novel in my purse), the hardest thing for me to get over is the actual size. Most websites don’t scale down to fit the netbook’s screen size so you need to become adept with horizontal scrolling (which I loathe with a passion).

      As a netflix junkie, it’s very annoying to stream videos as well. Also, if you’re used to having a lot of windows and programs open at one time (like me), you’ll have to adjust to closing everything as well. Even using 2 or 3 windows of Firefox simultaneously will sometimes cause the netbook to slow down (argh!). While a more powerful processor would be great, there’s no room for a fan to cool it down so I guess sacrificing function for aesthetics was the way to go.

   4. I have an HP netbook (the smaller size.. 10.1 inches) and I love it when I travel because it’s small, lightweight, etc., and gets on the internet very quickly but I’m not letting go of my laptop at home yet.

      I like the netbook b/c its so fast .. and if I downloaded lots of music, files, etc. on it, it wouldn’t be, and the screen size is of course smaller, as is the keyboard/mouse (I’m ok w/ the keyboard, but I have very small hands… they fit into kids’ gloves in the winter, so if you have adult sized hands, go to Best Buy and play for a little while first!)

   5. Can anyone speak to how Citrix functions on a netbook? Have been wondering whether one would work for remote access to my workdesk.

      1. Have the Samsung NC10 and mine runs Citrix just fine.

         1. That’s good news! Thanks B!

      2. Works fine on mine as well (HP Mini)

   6. Most netbooks are not good for streaming. The only ones that will do a passably good job at it will probably have the Nvidia Ion graphics processor. My dad has one of those and it does alright at streaming. There are only about 6 netbooks out now that use it.

   7. Yes, if what you do is mostly Microsoft office, a net book is enough. You might want to get a portable mouse to extend the keyboard’s capacity. I actually “lurve” mine, find it easy to pack for trips without feeling like I’m limping across the airport, doing the hunchback of Notra Dame thing.

      1. I recently bought my mom a toshiba satellite t135 (whatever version of it they sell at best buy) – it’s the lightweight laptop model – and she loves it. She was concerned about screen size, so it’s large enough to get a full page online and has a full-sized keyboard but doesn’t have an optical drive, which drastically reduces the weight. It’s the in between laptop and netbook range. I thought it was a great option for those who want something portable and convenient without sacrificing too much screen space. It streams video wonderfully, as well.

4. Love the sleeve.

   question: why can you not stream videos on netbooks? I was assuming that since we can browse, we can stream videos from sites?

   1. Netbooks are made to be cheap and light, so most of the components are not cutting edge; the processor is probably too slow to stream video effectively. You can try, but I bet you get a lot of stops and starts and hiccups. Browsing takes up less computer resources than streaming.

   2. The graphics processor isn’t fast enough to stream them.

   3. I can stream video on my netbook (Dell Mini), I just have to limit how much I watch a day (one episode of Glee from Hulu is pretty much the limit) and it usually does fine without much delay. I am jealous of the Toshiba battery that lasts 7 hours! I should have upgraded to the better battery from Dell, but didn’t so now I’m stuck with 2 hours of battery life.

5. Thanks. That must suck. I was leaning towards netbook thinking that it might be little bit more versatile than the IPad. I will have to evaluate my options again.

   1. I would say that whatever you do, actually play with the devices in store. It’s my understanding that the iPad is more of an entertainment device than an actual work machine (not that there’s anything wrong with that). A netbook’s design would probably be more familiar to most users, with a keyboard, etc. If I were looking for an e-Reader plus multi-media storage and browsing capabilities, I’d probably pick the iPad. If I were looking for something that would help augment my desktop/laptop, I’d probably go with a netbook. Also, cnet dot com has great product reviews. HTH.

   2. My husband has an IPad, and I definitely agree with Ru — we love it for screwing around on the internet at home, watching video, itunes, etc but I would never want it to type or work with documents. Way too clunky with the nontactile keyboard. It’s a sweet machine, but I think of it as an ipod on steroids rather than a computer scaled down.

6. This is like a modern Trapper Keeper, for adults. Inside a netbook, instead of a notebook. Too bad it doesn’t have a velcro closure and a picture of My Little Pony – I could re-live my youthful glory days.

   1. You can still add My Little Pony + Lisa Frank stickers on your techware ;)

      1. Lisa Frank! I tried to have a conversation about Lisa Frank with some coworkers a few weeks ago, and they all looked at me like I was nuts. None of them could recall the brand. Glad to know I wasn’t hallucinating it all. (The designs were quite trippy of course.) My Trapper Keeper was Lisa Frank with two flamingos making a heart shape.

         1. I had that one too!

      2. Loved Lisa Frank! I had the whole desk/school Trapper Keeper set — complete w/folders, pink paper notebook (obviously, so cool) :-)

      3. I think I still have my sticker collection floating around somewhere….

         1. I added the Lisa Frank comment because I recently read this article: http://jezebel.com/5556256/lisa-frank-from-unicorns-to-bratz

            I’m still in my 20’s but man how times have changed ;)

            P.S. I am no longer a 3L, so it’s time I switch my tag to “fresh JD” :) Or rather “I hate bar review” :(

            1. I like the “I hate bar review” moniker, personally :-D

            2. That was a GREAT article!

7. I wouldn’t want to pull this out at a business meeting, or at the airport security line when travelling with colleagues/clients. Simple, functional, PROFESSIONAL looking work accessories, please. This is akin to the young women at work who bring in cutesy post-its/memos and other office crap. It does not help you get taken seriously.

   1. I had this same gut feeling when ladies were discussing their cute rain boots. While it is true that you don’t wear them once you’re inside, what kind of impression do you make in your polka dot pink boots out on the sidewalk? Hm.

   2. Oh, please. If carrying a fun laptop cover means you aren’t going to be taken seriously, then newsflash – YOU aren’t being taking seriously, not your laptop cover.

      You don’t have to live austerely to be taken seriously unless you have no substance.

      Anytime you outward appearance or accessories can trump your performance, its not your clothes etc….

      1. And if some of the posts on the blog are any indication, the people being judge-y will be other women worried about appearing to be female, not other men.

      2. I want to agree with you… but first impressions are pretty darn hard to dissuade…
         But then I tend towards the conservative side (better safe than sorry!)

         1. First impressions about some things,* sure but if someone judges you not serious because you pull your laptop out of something feminine, one of 2 things is happening – 1) they think you’re not serious until you get work done, and that changes, or 2) the laptop is merely a cover for misogyny, and you could have a grey pinstripe cover and they are going to think you are not serious.

            I am a woman. I am not a man. While I don’t buy into gender stereotypes, there are things that appeal to me that do not appeal to men and vice versa. There are certainly lines not to be crossed but I simply do not believe that women must act, dress, or present themselves like men to be taken seriously, unless all they have to bank upon is the appearance of seriousness. Being fashionable does not equal lack of seriousness. Being feminine does not equal lack of seriousness or ability. I’d never go all Elle Woods (the character, not the poster) and wear the hot pink suit, but femininity in your work space is not a career killer.

            I used to work with a partner who had a Hot Wheels (the little car toys) collection in his office. No one thought he was childish, they just thought it was a cool collection, and often brought other people (clients) by to see them. No one suggested he was not serious about his job, and he had an office full of TOYS. Put up more than one picture of your child, and oh the horror, you aren’t committed…never-mind you just spent many many thousands of hours and dollars getting the degree(s), getting the grades, going through the process of getting the big job…. We certainly can’t control those who feel this way but we certainly can stop perpetuating it.

            (at a job interview – but you wouldn’t be pulling out your laptop in most cases – no idea why the opinion of the security guy/gal at the airport is so important, because presumably if you are traveling with colleagues, they already know your capabilities and have formed their opinion about you)

            1. I did a student clerkship for a federal judge and his entire chambers – multiple rooms- was filled with various model trains, planes, and other toys. People from the courthouse used to come by, or even bring their kids by, just to see it. I doubt it hindered his career.

            2. Amen! It’s a laptop cover, and it’s not like it actually is pink with My Little Pony decals. I would really not be worried about my abilities being questioned because of a laptop sleeve.

   3. Funny, my cutesy office supplies didn’t keep me from graduating summa cum laude nor have they ever kept me from a promotion. But imagine how much more successful I could have been if I stuck (see what I did there?) to plain yellow Post-Its! Woe is me.

      Maybe we should focus a little bit more on our work product and a little bit less on judging others?

      1. I think cutesy office supplies and things like that *are* riskier than having something run of the mill that no one notices at all. I mean, some of the judgy people on here are bosses.

         But I think being too boring could be a risk too. You need to show you have a personality, that you are a whole creative person attached to a skillset. I think everyone has to find the level of self-expression that they can rock, and some people are just more conformist/shrinking violet/ shier than others.

         Personally, I like to believe I am the kind of person who could rock hello kitty folders at a board meeting, but for that extreme I chicken out. I just don’t carry it off. And yes, there is a knee-jerk moment where I judge the people who attempt it….and then I remind myself, *it’s*a*folder*. And wait and listen to see what the person carrying it has to say/is capable of, just as I would anyone else. I think most of us are capable of rational thought that overpowers our instincts. If you want to play it safe in case someone who doesn’t have that capability happens to be your boss, well, that’s a choice I can understand. But know that your choice in folders doesn’t actually reflect superiority, professional- or taste- or anything else-wise…

         thanks for reading folks, can you tell I have some clerkship applications to procrastinate on ?

         ps- at my summer associateship this week I opened my desk drawer to find post-its in EVERY COLOR, even two different shades of purple. It’s amazing how such a simple thing can bring so much joy. I’m seriously smiling just thinking about it. If buying your own cute post its makes you a little happier at work, then I say go crazy.

         1. I’m so envious of your Post-It supplies… at my first job in public accounting there was a supply closet stuffed w/ post it products… it smelled like Office Max, and was AWESOME :-)

         2. There’s a difference between childish and cutesy, and that’s the difference between a Hello Kitty folder and a pink leather portfolio.

            Also, I whined once in a rhetorical fashion about the dearth of pretty post-its in the office supply cabinet, and my boss overheard and told me to order whatever colors I wanted for myself instead of relying on the supply cabinet. Sheer bliss.

   4. before i read this, i never would have thought someone would judge me for my laptop case. now i know.

   5. I’m not talking about using colored post-it notes. I”m talking about the people who insist that everything be pink with flowers and bring in personal stationary that has “from the desk of Annie” printed on it in purple cursive. It’s been my experience that people–male and female–notice these things, and they remark on them. I also think you have to be more carefuly when you are younger, and can relax a little when you are older and have a more established track record. In my opinion, that laptop case looks like something a high school student, and MAYBE a college student, would consider carrying, and it would look hideous on anyone else.

      Case in point – someone I know has a Tinkerbell blackberry cover. It looks ridiculous. People notice, and remark on it, all the time. This isn’t at that level, obviously, but its amazing how that stupid accessory choice has really colored people’s impressions of this person.

      1. I’m confused at what makes that laptop case look so cute. It looks informal to me, but not cute or girly. Am I missing something here?

      2. i’m pretty sure that tinkerbell (or winnie the pooh or mickey mouse or tweetie bird or cinderella) is a little different than a funky/fun laptop sleeve. or colored post-it notes.

         seriously, i work in an EXTREMELY casual office (as in, one person shows up in jogging clothes frequently… everything’s cool here). i went an entire day wearing my vibram five fingers with a dress and no one said a WORD or even noticed them until 20 minutes before we left for the day. and that was only after a 30 minute conversation, standing, in the hallway. people don’t pay as much attention to you as you’d like to think they do.

      3. i’m pretty sure that tinkerbell (or winnie the pooh or mickey mouse or tweetie bird or cinderella) is a little different than a funky/fun laptop sleeve. or colored post-it notes.

         i went an entire day wearing my vibram five fingers with a dress and no one said a WORD or even noticed them until 20 minutes before we left for the day. and that was only after a 30 minute conversation, standing, in the hallway. people don’t pay as much attention to you as you’d like to think they do. (and quit judging me; it’s perfectly fine at my workplace. my boss loves them and had me come in to a meeting so he could show them off.)

      4. While I disagree about the impression the laptop case makes, I do think that you need to be conscious about what image your office decorations, supplies, etc. projects. For instance, someone in my office has an assortment of decorations with the word “princess” on them–which is NOT the impression that I would want my coworkers to have of me. I think it’s important to surround yourself with things that make you happy and that reflect your personality, but it would be naive to think that others won’t form an impression of you based on those choices. (But if you’re bold enough to go for it and know that you can prove yourself independent of a “princess” office theme, more power to you, I suppose.)

   6. I am a partner. I hire and fire people. I don’t give a $h!t what kind of office supplies or laptop sleeves associates use.

      1. Interrobang – I am a manager too. If you do good work, I don’t care if your whole office is bedazzled. I care that you look presentable, but that means well groomed and well kempt, not in a particular cookie-cutter or sloppy fashion. I don’t care what kind a bag you carry, as long as your personal belongings are not falling out, and its not an obvious fake (moreso because I have an IP component, and I expect other lawyers to not wilfully break the law)

8. OMG you guys. I need to know what you think about these shorts:

   http://www.saksfifthavenue.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=282574492703780&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524446253036&R=436035657795&P_name=Marc+Jacobs&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395222441&bmUID=1276516693070&site_refer=AFF001&siteID=BolFSqx4S4U-RcFvv6htx2KOMeDo1qBfEg

   I think they are beyond hideous. Can anyone point out the appeal to me? And hey, if you own them and love them, more power to you – but my .02 is they are ugly.

   1. HAHAHAHAHA! Thank you so much for posting that link! You just made my night. :) *wiping tears from corner of eyes*

      1. I’m glad you enjoyed it. But seriously, my mind is still reeling. Not only are those shorts bizarre and unattractive, but they are more that $1000!!!

         I’m serious now. Someone point out some good points to me because I simply don’t understand. I have very eclectic fashion tastes, but this I just don’t get. Especially the weird diamond patchwork at the front crotch area.

         1. The diamond patch was what did it for me… I’m snickering as well..

            I guess anything in Argyle sells?? Talk about group think at the extreme!

      2. I have to agree – those are hideous but I really do appreciate the laugh! I have to admit that I completely misread the OP’s follow up comment – I thought it said $100 and nearly choked when I saw the price. Seriously, the only good point I can come up with is that if you see someone wearing them, you’ll immediately know that it’s a person with more money than sense!

         1. I suppose on the plus side they are 1/2 price Marc Jacobs shorts. That probably means something to someone wearing hideous shorts out there.

      3. WOW. WOW. WOW.

         Hideous Marc Jacobs shorts = $1800. Appeal = ZERO.

   2. Oh my. This cracks me up. You couldn’t pay me $1000 to wear that out in public!!

      1. if you don’t zoom in, it looks as if the model had a rather unfortunate accident

   3. ha ha ha ….!!

   4. Those are just insane. Thanks for sharing :)

   5. OMG. That just made my morning.

      The back looks like she’s wearing her thong outside her clothes. The front … I’m still speechless.

      1. Whyyyyy just whyyyy.

9. Uncontrollable laughter!!! @ Clerky – EXACTLY. Not even $2000. Too funny.

10. Now I want ice cubes…

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