GeekSugar

Solar Laptop Bag: Are These Things Getting Better, or Worse?

GeekSugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:05:24 -0700

It's like I'm playing my own personal waiting game with solar bags; I really want one, but I don't want to pay hundreds of dollars. When I see new ones, like this briefcase-looking Solar Laptop Bag from the MoMA Store, I just sigh. Six hundred dollars but it's still not amazingly fabulous-looking. It's definitely not terrible and has its own perspective, but it's not worth what I see as a large sum.

I get the necessary expense of solar, but I'm a little dumbfounded that design isn't being promoted at least. Oh well, they do appear to be getting less heinous, but still nothing will make me rack up my credit card bill until a solar bag looks close to this!

The Quest Continues: The Logan Solar Bag

GeekSugar — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 07:00:39 -0700

The hunt for an affordable bag rages on; fortunately I've found one slightly more attractive and definitely more affordable than last week's Costume National Solar Bag: The Noon Solar Logan Bag.

Unfortunately, "more" affordable than a $1200 bag still isn't that affordable; the leather, hemp, and cotton bag with the gadget-juicing panels is still $452 (and $20 more for the glam all black version).

Still, it's a lot prettier and cheaper than what I'm used to seeing in this genre. How much do solar bags need to drop for you, to make them worth their weight in gizmo-charging?

Costume National Solar Bag: Love It or Leave It?

GeekSugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:45:45 -0700

Solar bags are usually bringing the ugly in a big way, but I'm not totally sure I hate this Solar Bag by Costume National. And though most solar bags are still pretty pricey, this one takes the cake: $1,905!

I might just buy a fancy bag and slap a solar panel on it for that price. I mean, I want to be able to charge my gadgets inside my bag and save the environment while doing it, but I just can't shell out almost two grand for a solar bag. And though I'm not sure I hate how it looks, I am definitely not sure that I like how it looks either.

What do you think?

Solar Bags: Still Expensive But Now in Pretty Colors

GeekSugar — Sun, 11 May 2008 07:11:08 -0700

Aside from the Noon Solar laptop totes, there really aren't that many stylin' solar-powered bags available for geek chic gals like myself. Thankfully TeamSugar user peelapom geek geared this solar powered juice bag, which just so happens to come in purple! Still pretty pricey at $250, but this bag features removable waterproof solar panels, which charge up your gadgets on the go and a nice padded area for your laptop!

Elegant Solar Powered Totes From Noon Solar

GeekSugar — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 10:00:06 -0800

Back in June I introduced you to the Solar Powered Beach Bag, which happened to be one of the few solar bags on the market at that time. Five months later I bring to you the fashionable Noon Solar totes, which teamsugar's boyfriend couldn't help but share with me. The black leather Cortland Tote shown here features a solar panel on one side so you can face it inwards or outwards, two interior zipper pockets, and one exterior zipper pocket. In order for it to work its charging magic, the included battery box needs to be connected to the solar panel cable located inside the bag. The bag will take about six to eight hours of strong sun to completely charge and if full, the battery box will keep its charge for a few days if not used. Noon Solar bags are completely water and weather proof, so you won't get zapped if the panel gets rained on. The Cortland comes in black or chocolate (shown above) and costs $383. If you scroll down you can also see the Willow which is similar to the Cortland except it has a suede exterior, comes in chocolate and steel, and costs $274. Considering the solar beach bag costs $250, I suggest spending the extra money to have one you can actually use away from the beach. And not only are they pretty to look at, but Noon Solar creates bags that are made with materials that can either biodegradable naturally or be reclaimed and re-used for generations to come.

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Solar Beach Bag Juices Up Your Gadgets

GeekSugar — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 04:00:25 -0700

Now when you go to the beach you can mix a little business and pleasure thanks to the solar-powered Juice Bag. Featured on Chip Chick this canvas beach tote houses a removable high-tech flexible solar panel so you can charge your gadgets while you bask in the sunshine.

All you have to do is plug in your iPod, cell phone, GPS, or camera right into the bag using your car adapter and your gadgets will charge-up. Each juice bag comes with a universal CLA/Car charger female socket for easy connection to your device and will typically charge a cell phone or mp3 player in 2-4hrs- with no power outlet required. This one's for the avid beach-goers - it costs $250.

For more images, read more

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Juice Up For Free: Solar Powered Chargers

GeekSugar — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 10:00:29 -0700

While power from the sun is readily available, its usage and practicality are still a mystery to many. Solar chargers allow you the freedom to unplug from the wall and use natural light. Many battery chargers are continuously recharged via an array of photo-voltaic panels that convert light into free energy - meaning you can charge your devices whenever, wherever.

Of course, if there's no light available or you're in a terrible rush companies like Voltaic, which makes the battery packs for the backpack on the right, also include automobile and world voltage AC charging adapters. You will have to spend a bit more for solar powered bags, but the small single device chargers (say for your smartphone or iPod) cost about the same as regular travel chargers and will save energy, time and money in the long run.

Solar chargers used to be clunky devices that were best for home use, but now there are some great, moderately priced chargers that are small enough to fit in your suitcase and chic enough that airport security won't think it's a homemade bomb. If eco chic is your thing you can even charge your gadgets with a solar powered swim suit. Talk about hot.

Sierra Solar Systems Laptop Charger	Solar-Powered Bikini
Solar Charger For iPod and Phone	PDA Solar Battery Charger
Solar Cell Phone Charger	Solar iPod Charger
Voltaic Solar Powered Messanger Bag	Voltaic Systems Solar Powered Backpack	Soldius 1 Solar Charger

Must Haves for December!

GeekSugar — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 06:00:02 -0800

December is such a festive time of the year, with chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nibbling at your toes and with kids everywhere ripping open Wii boxes on Christmas morning. If you've been checking out my holiday gift guides, you've probably spotted a few of these items which are sure to be at the top of many Christmas lists. Here are my top five must have picks for the month of December. Enjoy! To learn more about these fabulous must-haves, just read more

Nintendo has just released two special edition Nintendo DS bundles which come in metallic rose and gold. Each bundle not only comes with a DS Lite that is two-thirds the size of the original Nintendo DS but it is also paired with a game! The rose model includes the "Best Friends" version of Nintendogs and the DS Lite Gold comes with Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass. Both bundles are priced around $160.
The solar powered tote by Noon Solar is the ultimate geek chic laptop bag. The built-in solar power panel on the outside of the bag attaches to a battery box in an interior pocket that will charge-up in six to eight hours of strong sunlight. A portable and stylish gadget charger on the go! This Courtland bag costs $383. Other styles available as well.
Super Mario Galaxy is worth all the hype and then some. The hottest game for the Wii this holiday season, Super Mario Galaxy combines the best features from Super Mario Brothers, Super Mario Brothers 3, and Super Mario 64 into this super galactic 3D adventure. Priced at $50.
The future of reading has arrived with Amazon's latest creation, The Kindle. Weighing that of a traditional paperback book, the Kindle features a revolutionary electronic-paper display that looks and reads like real paper. With no computer, no cables, and no syncing required and access to more than 90,000 books, you can't help but want to get your hands on one. The Kindle costs $400 each.
Fire engine red iPhone cases are definitely a growing trend in Hollywood. These silicone cases are a cheap, chic way to protect your precious iPhone. You just can't beat their $6 price tag!

Daily Tech: Wired Celebrates 40 Years of Mighty Mice

GeekSugar — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 12:00:02 -0800

The mouse had a big birthday yesterday and Wired put together a beautiful and geeky retrospective of 40 years of mighty mice. - Wired
Power up with the sun! The Voltaic Generator solar bag is now shipping and capable of charging a laptop. - Boing Boing Gadgets
Need a little vintage geek pick-me-up? Check out old computer ads to make your machine look shiny and new. - Gizmodo
Google has added several magazines to its searchable book cache, complete with decades' worth of archives. - Switched
It's easy to let a salesperson convince you that you need to buy a $50 HDMI cable to make your new gear work. Save yourself some dough with a $10 version! - Crave
There's nothing better than getting a brand new functional and chic computer for the holidays, which is why we have teamed up with our friends at HP to give one lucky geeksugar reader a HP Mini! - geeksugar
Feeling crafty at the office? Binder clips make the perfect iPhone stand. - Unpluggd

Must Haves For August

GeekSugar — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 08:00:24 -0700

Every month on geeksugar I offer my picks for the top five gadgets, gizmos and techie treats you need to get through the month. August means last minute summer vacations, gearing up for fall and fun, flirty colors. Check out these five buys that will help you on the road to being completely geek chic!

To find out about these must-haves, just read more

The pink Sumo laptop sleeve offers a simple and safe way to transport your laptop, whether you stick it in a larger bag or carry it. The sleeve is $34.99 and made from quilted corduroy and comes in an assortment of sizes (13", 15", and 17"). Comes in pink, black, red and green. Enter the promotion code "koloparis" at kolobags.com to get 10 percent off any order over $50 now through the end of August.
Dress up your boring headphones with the inexpensive Emotibud Earbud Set. You can select from a series of funny, colorful emotibuds to suit your mood. It's $16 for a set of four, headphones not included.
The Solar Beach Bag is the must-have bag of the summer because it combines solar power with geek chic style. All you have to do is plug in your iPod, cell phone, GPS, or camera right into the bag using your car adapter and your gadgets will charge-up. It costs $250.
The Sonic Impact i-F2 Speaker w/ Remote-Black is perfect for playing music from your iPod, MP3 player or iPhone on the go. For $150 you get a set of i-F2 speakers in a small, portable case. Slip it in your beach bag and go!
No doubt about it, the iPhone is the gadget of the summer. For $499 (for the 4 GB) or $599 (for the 8GB), you get an iPod, phone, web access, Youtube all-around smartphone. Enough said.