It ’s been a few hebdomad since the last installment of Mobile Mac , so rather than focus on a single bag or upgrade , I ’m going to give you the rundown on a few peregrine accoutrement I ’ve been test recently .
Matias iFold
Over the retiring year , we ’ve breed a number of laptop stands here on Mobile Mac ; for case , Griffin ’s Elevator , APC ’s Ergonomic Notebook Stand , Rain Design ’s mStand , and Neo - Flex ’s Lift Stand . These product let you work more ergonomically at a desk by upgrade your laptop screen to a right peak while you apply an international keyboard and mouse . But what if you ’ve gottwodesks — for example , at work and at home — and you want to apply a standpoint in both places ?
You could grease one’s palms a stand for each location , but another option is Matias ’ portableiFold($60 ) . The stand ’s three black - and - metallic element pieces are connected by two solidifying of smartly - design hinges . turn over the contraption opened and you ’ve get a stand that elevates the back of your laptop just about eight column inch off your desk — higher than most of the other stands I ’ve essay — with stack of elbow room underneath to stow your extraneous keyboard when not in use ; rubber pads keep the stand and your notebook computer in spot . Flip the iFold closed and it collapses down to just 11.4 by 8.9 by 0.7 inch , small enough to fit in most laptop bags .
The iFold is n’t as satisfying as some other outdoor stage ; your notebook computer will spring quite a bit if you attempt to typecast on it while it ’s on the sales booth . But that ’s to be expected , give that the iFold ’s portable design does n’t allow it to be as sturdy as some stationary models . The bigger issue is the iFold ’s heft ; it weighs just under two dog pound , which is a circumstances to impart to your likely - already - too - heavy laptop bag . Still , the iFold ’s intent makes it ready to hand for tossing in a traveling bag for a slip , and it even provides benefits for non - portable use : when you want to use your desk for other things , you’re able to crack the stand and stick it in a drawer or on a bookshelf . None of the other stand I ’ve try store as conveniently .
WaterField Designs Keyboard Cases
Speaking of using an external keyboard , I ’ve been testing Apple ’s currentBluetooth wireless keyboard , and despite charge about its deficiency of a numeral keypad — or perhaps because of that skip — it makes for a great laptop computer companion . Thanks to its astonishingly slim profile and midget dimensions , the keyboard easily slips into even the smallest laptop computer bag . compound the Apple Wireless Keyboard with your notebook computer , a portable standpoint such as the iFold , and a right portable mouse such as the Logitech VX Nano and you ’ve got a astonishingly compact , yet ergonomic , on - the - go workstation .
But even though the keyboard features a sturdy aluminum structure , I have n’t feel totally comfortable tossing it , unprotected , into my laptop battalion . A solution is one of WaterField Design’sKeyboard pillow slip and Sleeves . The Short Wireless Sleeve ( $ 37 ) feature blockheaded neoprene padding inside a tough , nylon shell with a non - slip , rubberized clench ; slide your Wireless Keyboard inside and a thickheaded strap contain it in place . The Sleeve adds very piddling volume to the keyboard but provides safe shock and scratch protection . ( You ’ll still want to sour the keyboard off , though , as its push button can be crusade when in the Sleeve . )
If you ’ve got a routine of appurtenance you need to carry , the zippered Travel Case ( $ 49 ) holds the Wireless Keyboard along with your laptop ’s AC adapter , an excess battery , a travel black eye , and several cables , with room left for a few additional small accessories . The Travel Case is a turn larger than the Short Wireless Sleeve , but it ’s still compact enough to conform to in a laptop grip or carry - on . ( WaterField also sells Sleeves for Apple ’s current wired keyboard and for the late - multiplication wired and wireless keyboard . )
Tom Bihn Absolute Shoulder Strap
Having tested many , many shoulder bag over the years , one matter I ’ve discover is that while vendors spend muckle of design hour seek to perfect the bag itself , too many neglect the part of the traveling bag you pass the most fourth dimension using : the shoulder strap . With a few notable exceptions , these shoulder strap are at best blockheaded framework with some kind of cushion pad for your shoulder , and at worst just a strap of bare , nylon weave .
We covered one “ premium ” strap upgrade , Skooba Design’sSuperbungee Strap($26 ) in our late Cool Mac Gear scout ; another timber option is Tom Bihn’sAbsolute Shoulder Strap($25 ) . In addition to the needed thick strap and grave - duty , rotating , metal snaphooks , the Absolute Strap features a meaty , semi - elastic shoulder lodgings that ’s neoprene on one side and grippy rubber on the other . The launching pad stretches just enough to act as a variety of shock absorber , get your loading sense lighter , and the inkpad stay on your articulatio humeri much well than most . The domiciliation does n’t slither along the strap , but the strap itself is adjustable on both ends to let you position the pad precisely where you desire it . If you spend a luck of clock time carrying around a shoulder joint purse , either of these replacement will belike be a welcome upgrade in comfort over your traveling bag ’s stock strap .
