NetbookTech

Geez.. is it back-to-school season already? Targus Canada announced the availability of several new netbook cases/sleeves “just in time” for the back-to-school season (um.. note to Targus – the school season just finished so you’re a lil early). Four new lines are being introduced including the A7, Unlimited, Crave, and Zamba lines. Here’s what you need to know about each lineup.

Targus A7 netbook slipcase:

• Available in black or brown
• Fits 10 inch netbooks and provides protection whether used alone or within another case.
• Expected street price of $29.99

Targus A7 netbook messenger:

• Available in black, brown, or green
• Front accessory pocket
• Adjustable shoulder strap
• Durable buckle closures
• Expected street price of $49.99

Unofficial 10.2 inch netbook slipcase:

• Available in black or brown
• 360 degree netbook protection with fully adjustable shoulder strap
• Expected street price of $24.99

Crave 10.2 inch netbook slipcase:

• Available in black with light grey interior or grey with burgundy interior
• Front zippered compartment to store accessories
• Expected street price of $34.99

Zamba 10.2 inch netbook sleeve:

• Shock-absorbing quilted exterior
• Easy-to-grip material
• soft non-scratch lining
• Reversed zipper for water resistance
• Available in blue, purple, yellow, green, red, and orange
• Expected price of $19.99

You might have not have realized it, let alone heard of the company, but iLuv actually has a lineup of netbook sleeves for the 7 inch to 10.2 inch category. The iLuv sleeves feature:

• Water-resistant neoprene
• Smooth pocket interior to avoid scratches
• Secure inside lip to keep the netbook in place
• Exterior pockets for accessories

iLuv also has a line of sleeves for the 13 inch, 15 inch, and 17 inch MacBook Pro.

Fans of BUILT cases will be happy to hear the company announced several new netbook and laptop cases last week. The new cases are as follows:

BUILT Netbook & Laptop Envelopes:

• Velcro provides quick and easy access to systems
• Supports 9-10 inch netbooks or 15-16 inch notebooks
• Interior pocket for storing mouse, cords, USB accessories etc
• Checkpoint friendly
• Available in Black and Nolita Stripe
• $34.99 for the Netbook Envelope and $44.99 for the Laptop Envelope

BUILT Netbook & Laptop Sleeves

• Fits Macs and PCs
• Available in six sizes – 9-10 inch systems, 12-13 inch systems, 14-15 systems, 16 inch systems, 17 inch systems, and 17+ inch systems
• Neoprene protection
• Colors depend on size. Choices include Black, Black Raspberry, Spring Fuchsia, Fiery Orange, Micro Dot, Dot No. 7, Nolita Stripe, French Bull Mosaic, Shadow Flower, Vine, Multidot
• Prices range from $19.99 to $44.99

BUILT Hoodie Netbook & Laptop Cases:

• Supports 7-10 inch netbooks and 15-15.4 inch notebooks
• Rigid EVA back and sides provides extra protection
• Elastic neoprene cover folds over the top
• Built-in back pocket to hold cables and cords
• Colors and patterns depend on size. Choices include Black, Ski Patrol Red, Fiery Orange, and Micro Dot
• Prices range from $34.99 to $44.99

BUILT Cargo Sleeves:

• Available for 11-13 inch systems, 14-15 systems, and 15-17 inch systems
• Comes with three exterior pockets
• Colors depend on size. Colors include Black, Fiery Orange, and Spring Fuchsia
• 11-13 inch sleeve has a price of $34.99
• 14-15 inch sleeve has a price of $39.99
• 15-17 inch sleeve has a price of $44.99

The cases are available now and we’ll be checking them out at CES 2010.

If you’re looking for a multi-functional netbook/thin-and-light notebook case, you’ll want to check out the new Camber EVA Netbook Case-Sling designed for systems measuring 7 to 13 inches.

Thanks to a quad-surface dual Velcro interface strap system, the Camber case can be transformed from a sling to a briefcase carrying form factor – but that’s not all. Once you’re done transporting your netbook, the Camber can double as a travel desk or lap stand thanks to its hard outer shell. Features include:

• Elastic “Snug-Fit” compartment fits systems from 7 to 13 inches
• EVA hard outer shell and memory foam back panel
• Elastic corner restraints
• Incline design doubles as a desk or lap stand
• Self-healing zippers

The Camber is available now for $49.99.

[Check it out via SlashGear]

Hard Candy Cases, a company led by Speck Products founder Tim Hickman, http://www.hardcandycases.com/hp-bubbleshell.html announces the first ever hard-shell cases for netbook systems today – the Bubble Shell. Available initially for the 10.1 inch ASUS Eee PC 1005HA (below) and Acer Aspire One D250 (above), the new “Bubble Shell” case provides protection from scrapes and scratches while adding a bit of “personality” to netbooks.

Other features include a polycarbonate shell, easy to use snap-on/always-on design, bubble texture, and choice of six colors (black, blue, red, pink, white, and clear).

Each Bubble Shell case is priced at $34.95 and can be purchased directly at www.hardcandycases.com. A Bubble Shell case for the HP Mini 10.1 inch netbook is expected at the end of December for the same $34.95 price. The company expects to release additional products throughout the coming year.

[Check it out]

If you’re looking for a new case for that shiny new netbook of yours, you’ll want to check out Speck’s new TuckPack Notebook Carrying Sleeve which holds notebooks and netbooks up to 13 inches in size. The TuckPack comes with a removable heavy duty strap which means you can either wear the bag over the shoulder, slip it into a larger bag, or tuck it underneath your arms. Other features of the TuckPack include:

• Durable exterior with double-needed stitched bindings
• Thin front inner pocket for quick access to documents
• Duraflex high performance buckles
• Secure velcro closure
• Holds notebooks of sizes up to 1.5 inch thick, 9.5 inch deep, and 13.5 inches wide
• Measures 14 x 2.5 x 10.5 inches

The TuckPack is available in Speakeasy Grey Pinstripe, Restart Greyscale Pixel, Velocity Plum Stripe and can be purchased now for $39.95.

[Check it out]

Case Logic Europe has a wide range of cases and bags designed specifically for mini-notebooks/netbook systems. The cases/bags include the Urban Messenger Pack, the Urban Mini Messenger Bag, the Casual Ultra-portable Attache for 10 inch systems, and the Casual Neoprene Shuttle. Here’s a complete rundown of the bags.

The Case Logic Urban Messenger Pack (model XNTM-4) features:

• Ultra portable laptop compartment
• Durable, lightweight material
• Full featured organizer panel with lined electronics pockets
• Adjustable shoulder/hand strap
• Magnetic flap closure
• Measures 31.5 cm x 23.0 cm x 9.5 cm

The pack is made of nylon and is available in black or cream.

The Case Logic Urban Mini Messenger (model UMM-10) features

• Designed for 7”-9” Ultra portable laptops
• Unique materials and step up hardware
• Fully lined colorful interior
• Interior drop pocket for accessories
• Matching/portable USB shuttle included
• Dual lock shoulder strap with shoulder pad
• Measures 31.0 cm x 26.0 cm x 8.8 cm

This Mini Messenger is made of canvas and is available in Anthracite/Gray color.

The Business Casual Ultra-portable Attaché for 10″ (model BUA-10) features:

• Compact design for small and ultra-portable laptops
• Handy front pocket offers quick access to phone, wallet or iPod, or can be used as a Power Pocket
• USB and electronics pockets inside
• Padded shoulder strap
• Measures 34.5 cm x 21.5 cm x 4.0 cm

The Casual Ultra-portable Attache is available in Brown or Black.

Finally, there’s the Casual Neoprene shuttle for 13 inch systems (model PLS-13). Features include:

• Compact design

• Power Pocket – Research shows that consumers want a pocket for an AC/Power adapter

• Smart, contemporary design

• Durable neoprene construction with extra protection for packing a laptop in a backpack, messenger bag or luggage

The Neoprene Shuttle is available in blue or black.

The Neoprene Shuttle is available in the U.S. but the other models are still only available in Europe.

Have a netbook and need a good case for it? Yeah join the crowd. There seems to be a dearth of good netbook cases out there right now. In any event, ComputerWorld’s compiled several cases that are either designed specifically for netbooks or could be used for netbooks here on their website. The article lists six cases/bags – the Case Logic 7 – 10 inch laptop sleeve, the Belkin 7 inch laptop carrying case, the Proporta Gadget Bag, the Acme Made netbook sleeve, the Crumpler Breakfast Buffet, and the Tom Bihn Buzz.  I’m a fan of either a neoprene sleeve like the Case Logic sleeve or a messenger bag with a customized compartment for netbooks. Still waiting for that ultimate netbook case – maybe we need to just create our own?

[Check it out]

Belkin will be coming out with several new case designs for 7 inch netbook systems. Three of these cases can now be seen on their website including a 7 inch Laptop Quilted Carrying Case, a 7 inch Laptop Neoprene Sleeve, and a 7 inch Laptop Carrying Case. Here’s what you need to know about each of the new cases:

Belkin 7 inch Laptop Quilted Carrying Case:

• Fits laptops up to 8.86 x 6.3 x 1.26 inches
• Removable strap allows you to use it as a sleeve or a carrying case
• Will be available in Plum Berry, Black, or Techno Blue
• MSRP of $29.99

Belkin 7 inch Laptop Neoprene Sleeve

• Fits laptops up to 8.86 x 6.3 x 1.26 inches
• Made of durable neoprene
• Will be available in Jetset Red, Plum Berry, Techno Blue, Black, or Monument Grey
• MSRP of $19.99

Belkin 7 inch Carrying Case

• Fits laptops up to 8.86 x 6.3 x 1.26 inches
• Made of durable polyester
• Will be available in Jetset Red, Plum Berry, Techno Blue, or Black
• MSRP of $29.99

All of these cases will be “coming soon” from Belkin. No word on exactly when though.

via Gadling

Crumpler, one of my favorite bag manufacturers, has announced that they will be making a dedicated netbook case called the Gimp handle (you have to love that name!). The Gimp handle will be available in four colors and will be made out of their Chicken Tex material. The 7 inch case will retail for around 30 EUR.  Pocket-Lint reports that the bag should be available in the UK over the next few months.

[Check it out]