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Matthew Olivolo July 2nd, 2009
Hard to believe it’s already July, where has the time gone? Well, Mobile Edge would like to show off their patriotic side. Starting today through July 10th, enjoy a FREE Eco-Friendly Shopping Tote and FREE Shipping with any purchase over $50.00. Hurry, the offer ends soon so don’t wait. Have a fun filled Independence Day!!!
Matthew Olivolo July 1st, 2009
On a recent blog post on Gizmodo, I found an interesting article about how the computer industry is shifting from Desktops to Laptops. This shift is not a gradual shift, but a drastic shift.
By John Herman, Gizmodo
Desktop PCs have been in decline for a decade, and countless people have said their piece about it. But new evidence suggests the desktop tower’s death spiral is underway—and we’re not too broken up about it.
I say this as a guy who was baptized into the tech world with a desktop; who still obsessively follows the latest PC components from Intel, Nvidia, ATI and the like; who has built, fixed or upgraded more towers than I care to remember; and who, until a few years ago, was an avid PC gamer. As someone who would be, by most measures, a desktop-PC kinda guy, I just can’t go on pretending there’s a future for them.
The State of the Industry
This is more than a hunch; a grim future is borne out by the numbers. A week ago, iSuppli issued a broad report on the state of the PC industry. The leading claim was predictable: The PC industry was experiencing lower-than-expected quarterly sales—down about 8% from the same time last year. This included laptops, and made sense, because the whole economy’s gone to hell, right? People aren’t buying computers.
Except that’s not quite what’s happening. In the same period, laptop shipments—already higher than desktop shipments on the whole—grew 10% over last year. Desktops were entirely to blame, dropping by an astounding 23%. That’s not decline—it’s free fall. (laptop accessories grow in unison with laptop sales)
Stephen Baker, an analyst for industry watchers NPD, shared with me a wider picture of how retail PC sales break down. The way he put it made measuring the rise and fall of sales percentages seem dumb—there really aren’t any sales to lose: “In US retail, 80% of sales are notebooks now,” he said. “Start throwing in stuff like iMacs and all-in-ones”—which share more hardware DNA with laptops and Netbooks than traditional desktops—”and it gets even higher.”
The Buyer’s Dilemma
To understand why this is happening doesn’t take anything more than a little empathy. Put yourself in the shoes of any number of potential consumers, be it kids, adults, techies, or luddites. In virtually any scenario, a laptop is the sensible buy.
Take my dad. Despite spending three decades in front of commercial jet instrument panels, his relationship with computers is, at best, strained. When he came to me a few months ago asking for advice about a laptop to replace his desktop, I assumed it was a just a whim, based on what he saw happening around him. It wasn’t, at all. As someone who uses a computer mostly for news, email, music, etc—like a significant part of the population—he was actually being intensely rational. A laptop would do everything he needs simply and wirelessly, with a negligible price difference from a functionally equivalent desktop. If he wants a monitor, keyboard and mouse, he can just attach them. Choosing a desktop PC wouldn’t just be a not-quite-as-good choice—it’d be a bad one.
There are tradeoffs
But these tradeoffs aren’t nearly as pronounced as they once were, nor are they as consequential. On account of the huge demand and sales volume, newer mobile processors have become a hotbed for innovation, now rivaling most any desktop processor, and mobile graphics engines—though still markedly inferior to dedicated desktop cards—have improved vastly in recent years, to a point where most consumers are more than satisfied.
And if you really look out for them, there are some amazing deals to be had on new notebooks. (Look at Acer’s 15-inch, 2.1GHz Core 2 Duo, 4GB DDR3 RAM laptop with 1GB GeForce GT130 graphics card and Blu-ray for $750, and then try to build the equivalent in a desktop at the same price.)
The important takeaway here is that the performance sacrifice you make in owning laptop is minimal, and mitigated, or even outweighed, by its practical advantages. Want a bigger screen on your notebook? Hook it up your HDTV. Want more storage? Buy a cheap, stylish bus-powered external USB drive. Want to use your desktop on the toilet? Good freakin’ luck.
A Form Factor on Life Support
But no matter how irrational a choice the desktop tower is for the regular consumer, sales won’t hit zero anytime soon. As we’ve hinted, much of this can be explained by simple niche markets: Some businesses will always need powerful workstations; older folks will feel comfortable with a familiar form factor; some people will want a tower as a central file or media server; DIY types will insist on the economy and environmental benefit of desktop’s upgradeability; and a core contingent of diehard PC gamers, despite their drastically thinning ranks, will keep on building their LED-riddled, liquid-cooled megatowers until the day they die.
Baker sees another factor—less organic, more cynical—that’ll keep the numbers from bottoming too hard. “Desktops are a lot more profitable than notebooks for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is that big shiny monitor, which has a nice margin attached to it. For the retailers, people tend to buy a lot more peripherals and accessories when they buy desktops than when they buy notebooks.” Even if the volumes are ultra-low and concept is bankrupt, retailers are going to keep bloated, price-inflated desktops and desktop accessories out there on the sales floor until they’ve drained every last dollar out of them.
To read the full article click here.
Matthew Olivolo June 26th, 2009
In the relentless pursuit to give our customers the tools they need to travel smart, and comfortably while looking good, here are some new travel tips I found posted in the Long Island Daily Newspaper, Newsday.
The Associated Press
You’ve got to stop by the bank, pick up your dry cleaning and put gas in your car. That’s a lot to do and still make it to the airport two hours before your 11 a.m. flight.
But what if you could cut that time in half and not miss your flight? Here’s a cheat sheet to help you navigate more quickly.
1. Take public transportation No car means you don’t have to spend time looking for a space and trekking over to the terminal. It usually costs less to take public transportation than to park.
2. Pack light The fewer bags you have, the quicker you can get past security and on board the plane. Try to avoid checking bags, which will probably save you at least $15. Don’t forget your new Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag which helps get you through security checkpoints faster while leaving your laptop inside your bag.
3. Use self-service Print your boarding pass online the night before your trip. Otherwise, check in at a self-service kiosk at the airport.
4. Breeze through security Have your ID and boarding pass in your hand as you walk through the security line. Separate liquids and remove your laptop from its bag. With your TSA compliant laptop bag, you will fly through security like you own the airport. Choose from Backpacks, Messenger Bags, Briefcases and Totes.
5. Eat later Wait until you get through security or you may miss your flight. On the other side, you can grab some food and take it to the gate.
6. Upgrade to business class It costs more, unless you use reward points or credits, but you’ll be the first to get on and the first to get off.
7. Consider an alternate airport Flying out of secondary airports can save time, since lines can be shorter, the terminals less crowded and parking easier.
8. Know where you are going If you are connecting, map out the location of cross-terminal transportation ahead of time, suggests Rick Seaney of FareCompare.com.
Matthew Olivolo June 23rd, 2009
Mobile Edge ScanFast Element Checkpoint Friendly Briefcase, the TSA approves…and so will you!
I don’t know if you’re aware, but brown and pink is the new black. It’s true! It’s taken me awhile to come around to the brown/pink combo - I’m still scarred from the last time it was popular. But I must admit, I’ve wholeheartedly embraced it - ever since Matthew from Mobile Edge sent me a pink and brown ScanFast Element Checkpoint Friendly Briefcase.
Such a vibrant pink! Such a rich brown! Such a delightful inner lining! I’ve been quite the smitten kitten with this bag.
I posted a review of Tom Bihn’s excellent CheckPoint Flyer men’s laptop bag on my Cool and Stylish Laptop Bags for Men lens, but this was the first time I’d had a chance to try out a TSA-approved laptop bag for women.
I tested the ScanFast Element out on a recent business trip and was very pleased with its performance in the security check. A quick unzip and the bag glides right through the x-ray machine, my laptop securely in place, the rest of the bag undisturbed. Very handy.
I felt quite smug being able to skip the “stuffing my laptop back into my bag” ritual that my fellow travelers were performing - in fact, the Element and I strutted all the way to the gate (with only a brief stopover at the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory - I did have all that extra time, you know).
Like all of Mobile Edge’s bags, the ScanFast Element is extremely well-made and designed with your needs in mind. You can carry it by the handles, or use the nicely padded shoulder strap to carry it messenger-style.
The bag itself is divided into three main sections. The front area unzips to reveal:
The ScanFast also has plenty of room for files in the third zippered section, behind the laptop - great for documents, keeping receipts and whatever else you need. And at the very back of the bag is a pocket big enough to slide a magazine or slim book - easy to access without having to unzip the bag.
To read the full review visit Kate’s Blog Site Funky, Chic and Cool Laptop Bags on Squidoo by clicking here.
Matthew Olivolo June 5th, 2009
Traveling is great, but sometimes packing for trips can be a tenacious task. Here are a few helpful tips on how to pack the right way. Keep in mind several airlines now charge for the first checked bag in addition to a second checked bag. When traveling with a friend or spouse, double the charges for everything.
I found this checklist on a terrific website called Hitched.com. They offer great advice on a variety of topics. Here are a few packing tips they recommend.
1. Bring it on board. Unless you are going for an extended vacation, consider traveling with a carry-on and an oversized purse or tote bag (2x if you are traveling together). Put your wallet and personal belongings in the tote, along with any magazines, a pair of comfortable shoes for your trek through the airport and anything else you will need during your flight.
2. Check it off. Make a check list of the basics; pj’s, reading glasses, medications, contact lens case, make up, underwear, band aids, etc. Don’t forget to review the list before leaving the house.
3. Is that regulation? Make sure your carry-on suitcase is FAA regulation size. Regardless if your suitcase is made of leather, aluminum or sturdy cloth, or even a duffel-style carry-on, make sure it has wheels. Throw your tote bag over the handle of the wheeled case and off you go. If you need to bring a laptop make sure you use a Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Bag. It makes traveling much easier. Click here for more info.
4. Easy access. Store your larger suitcase in the overhead and keep your tote under the seat in front of you for quick access to magazines, tissue, hand sanitizer or your laptop.
5. Wrinkle-free tip. Recycled dry cleaning bags works miracles for wrapping sweaters, skirts, shirts, trousers and assorted articles of clothing. This tip is the key to your clothes arriving wrinkle free.
6. Bag the footwear and get them in position. Place your shoes in old grocery bags, wrap them in dry cleaning bags or professional shoe bags and line them around the perimeter of the suitcase. This will create a sturdy shell, allowing you to place your garments in the middle and preventing them from shuffling during the flight.
7. Keep ‘em separate. Use small travel bags or zip lock storage bags to separate undergarments, belts, inexpensive jewelry (wear the good stuff or keep it in your tote—never check it), toiletries, medicines, computer and cell phone chargers and all other miscellaneous items that inevitably get lost or sink to the bottom of the suitcase.
8. Wrapped up. In your tote, pack an oversized scarf or pashmina that can be used as a blanket for the frigid plane trip. Nothing is worse than feeling chilled and your only option of warmth is the dirty airplane blanket that is crumpled up next to the earlier passenger’s old newspaper.
9. Keep it identifiable. Label your luggage with a distinct luggage tag and before you zip it up, throw in a couple of empty trash bags for dirty clothes. Bags don’t weigh a lot and you can use them to separate your smelly gym socks from your delicate lingerie.
10. Travel ahead. Finally, consider pre-shipping any gifts that may be fragile or breakable. Better safe than sorry and it will be one less thing to worry about.
Matthew Olivolo May 26th, 2009
Have you visited Twitter today? If not you are missing out. It’s one of the largest online social media websites on the planet and seems to be growing by the second.
Like Mobile Edge, companies now are jumping on board the Web 2.0 revolution highlighting their companies in a new interactive approach. For instance, I frequently offer Mobile Edge Twitter followers exclusive discounts only they know about. I also like to post interesting notes about our new products such as our new Eco-Friendly Messenger Bags or our new Netbook Cases and Sleeves. I also post interesting photos on TwitPic, an online photo sharing program similar to Flickr. Why I like TwitPic is it’s integrated with Twitter so all posts automatically are posted to your Twitter Page. I recently discovered TweetDeck, which allows you to follow multiple categories on your Twitter Page including Facebook.
Another great aspect about having a Twitter account is the interaction with people who may never have known about your company and its products. This online forum gives them insider information about your products or services and they have the opportunity to ask you any questions they may have. It’s a fast way to post virtually anything you like while at the office, at home or even your iPhone or mobile device.
There are a lot of editors I follow in order to stay in touch with content they are writing about or looking to write about. One of my favorite editors from the Wall Street Journal is Katherine Boehret. She has a Twitter account and always seems to post interesting topics. I often find it easier to connect to writers via Twitter than regular e-mail.
If you have a Twitter account, follow Mobile Edge updates by clicking here. I promise to reciprocate and follow you too.
Matthew Olivolo May 21st, 2009
The all new ScanFast Element Briefcase is one of the first Checkpoint Friendly laptop bags designed specifically for women. Technology editor, Sue Burns from Just Another Mobile Monday (JAMM) took the feminine TSA compliant laptop bag out for a test drive flying to Phoenix from John Wayne Airport. Read her review below to see how well the test drive went.
A few weeks ago, I came across an interesting article in my local newspaper regarding a “checkpoint friendly” laptop bag from a company called Mobile Edge. “Oooooh”, thought my good self, “this could be good to review”. After finding out that their headquarters are just down the street from me, I was promptly dispatched to meet with them and see if there was anything they would like us to review.
They have hundreds of laptop bags available in different sizes, shapes and colors, but a couple of things impressed me very much. First of all, they were the first company to specifically design laptop bags that would appeal to women instead of us girls having to carry around a bag that’s obviously designed for and looks like it’s designed for a man!
The other great thing about them is that they do a line of bags called The Caring Case Collection, whereby 10% of all proceeds go towards the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Breast Cancer Foundation.
I opted to review a delightful looking pink ScanFast(TM) “Element” Checkpoint Friendly Laptop Briefcase. Hit the jump for the review!
The briefcase is made out of pink poly-suede and brown faux-leather with white stitching. The interior is a fetching striped pattern in varying shades of pink, black and white.
One of the things I really like is that the briefcase has a handle that allows you to put it over the handle on your luggage cart, instead of having to precariously balance it on the top of your luggage. There is also an zippered compartment on the outside that comes in handy for things like boarding passes and passports – thing you need quick access to.
Checkpoint Friendliness!
So, let’s start with the Checkpoint Friendly bit! First of all, the TSA have not approved any laptop bags for “checkpoint friendliness,” however, they did write guidelines on what would be required in order to get your laptop bag through security checkpoints without having to take the laptop out.
There must be nothing obstructing the screeners view of the laptop, and so Mobile Edge developed their ScanFast™ “Element” Checkpoint Friendly bags with no external zipper or other compartments on one side. The bag opens up to reveal a plastic see through compartment that doesn’t obstruct the view of the laptop. So, while going through the security screening, you just open up the bag and lay it flat as in the picture below.
This last weekend, I flew to Arizona to see my partner’s son graduate ASU (a fine young man whom I’m super proud of, if I may say so!), and figured it would be an awesome opportunity to test the checkpoint friendliness of the bag. Just in case you haven’t flown recently, the TSA now have signs up at the security gates giving hints on what is checkpoint friendly and what isn’t – for instance, a laptop sleeve is fine.
After standing in line at John Wayne Airport for what seemed like forever, it was finally my turn to take off my shoes (travel hint: always wear flip flops if possible!), dump my purse in the tray and deal with the laptop. Instead of struggling to take the thing out of the bag, I just unzipped it and put it on the conveyor belt……meanwhile the girl in line behind me commented on the cool pink color. As it went through the screening, the TSA agent looked at me, said “cool, we don’t get many of those” and the guy in front of me asked where I got it from – he is a frequent business traveler and gets irritated at having to take his laptop out all the time.
The briefcase itself has 3 main compartments – one for your laptop and then 2 others which are more than adequate for carrying books, magazines, folders, notebooks etc. It reminds me of the Tardis (calling all Dr. Who fans!)!
There is also a small, removable clutch type purse – which is impressive forethought on Mobile Edge’s part. This allows us ladies to carry makeup, if we so choose, but it’s also big enough for a PDA or cellphone.
In the first compartment, there is a pocket for magazines or a folder, along with lots of handy little pockets for pens, pencils etc and another zippered compartment. There is also a pocket for a PDA or cellphone which is protected by a Wireless Security Shield™ - this protects your Bluetooth phone or PDA from hackers, viruses & spam. Again, geared towards the girls is a little “pen holder” that’s actually sewn at the bottom so you can put a lipstick or mascara in there without it falling out.
To read th efull review click here.
Matthew Olivolo May 15th, 2009
Mobile Edge Laptop Backpacks have become quite popular, especially right around Back to School season. Mobile Edge now offers an array of Backpacks for large 17 inch laptops, to the small Ultra Portable Netbook computers with screens as small as 8.9 inches. Choose from rugged styles for men or stylish backpacks for women.
Recently, our Select Backpack was featured on ABC’s Good Morning America (GMA) during a Back to School segment. Click below to see the segment.
Matthew Olivolo May 12th, 2009
Netbooks seem to be all the rage today. Due to their lightweight portability and ease of use, they are perfect for taking to your favorite wireless hotspot or for the traveling business person who is always on the road. Of course the price tag is nice too with most Netbooks selling for under $400. If your main uses are in office suite, internet connectivity, checking out your favorite blog or simply watching new videos posted on YouTube, a Netbook may be just the ticket. Netbooks are actual computers only much smaller and need to be protected just like a traditional laptop. Don’t let their small stature fool you, at 8.9” a Netbook can run most software applications.
Once you purchase a Netbook, you will definitely need a case to protect your investment. Some Netbook cases are made specifically for a particular brand or model. Whatever you choose, make sure your particular Netbook fits comfortably in the case. Very few manufacturers offer full fledged Netbook Cases, however Mobile Edge offers three traditional styled cases to suit your needs.
In fact, Mobile Edge offers the widest range of stylish cases for your Netbook. From our signature SlipSuit style, to our sporty Netbook Sleeve, to our new Sumo Collection of stylish Netbook sleeves to our Edge Ultra Portable Collection there is something for everyone. The Edge Ultra Portable Collection consists of a Netbook Briefcase, Backpack and Messenger Bag. Each case has an adjustable computer compartment suited perfectly for 8.9”, 10.1” Netbooks and up to 13” screens for tablet PCs.
Get your Netbook case today and use coupon code MEBLOG and receive free ground shipping just for ready my blog post.
Matthew Olivolo May 8th, 2009
The ever so popular ScanFast Backpack was reviewed on a technology website called E-zine. The Editor owns a Mobile Edge ScanFast Backpack and absolutely loves it. His review is listed below.
In 2008 The Transportation Security Administration scaled back it’s security screening regulations for laptop carrying cases and allowed notebooks to be screened while still in their bag, assuming the bags met a certain standard. Currently there are multiple manufacturers producing approved laptop backpacks. Mobile Edge is one of the companies that currently has checkpoint friendly bags in production. One of these checkpoint friendly bags is the Mobile Edge ScanFast Backpack.
As of 2009, Mobile Edge is one of many companies now making laptop carrying cases that are security screening friendly. Airport security now allows you to keep your notebook in your bag while passing through security screening. This in turn allows you to save time and quickly make it through the security scanning area and onto your gate.
The Mobile Edge ScanFast Backpack is mainly advertised as a laptop bag, however, the ScanFast is actually a backpack. The ScanFast Backpack is made with 840D Ballistic Nylon and is designed for you to be able to quickly pass through all airport security airport checkpoints with no hassle. The ScanFast backpack provides the user with ample pockets and plenty of room for any other accessories you throw at it. The ScanFast backpack is designed to fit laptops up to 17 inches in size and has been approved by the TSA as carry-on luggage.
Currently there is a wide range of checkpoint friendly bags available for you to choose compared to when they were first released in 2008. Now you have more of a choice between functionality, style and price. Some things to consider when purchasing a laptop carrying case is protection, style, price, comfort and personal/business needs.
From my experience with the Mobile Edge ScanFast Backpack, it has everything you need in a quality laptop carrying case. I was able to carry my 17 inch laptop and additional gadgets with ease and comfort. This back pack had so many pockets I had no idea what to do with them. I had no issues passing through airport security using this backpack. If you are in the market for a new notebook backpack The Mobile Edge ScanFast backpack is a quality product with a reasonable price tag and deserves your attention.
To read the rest of the article click here.
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