Above: the Tri-Star and Horizontal Freudian Slip.

See the Beers & Beans Tom Bihn Luggage Review set on Flickr.

Left: a 2002 Brain Bag in Sapphire. Right: a 2011 Brain Bag in Black.

Posted by retrophisch on Flickr. See also: the Brain Bag.

“I love tech. I love my dog. I really love things that allow me to use tech in relation to other things in my life, like my dog, Jack. Tom Bihn, a premier bag maker in Seattle, has a great specialty bag called the Citizen Canine which can help you keep all your “dog stuff” in one place. I was sent the black version with the Steel grid interior to test.”

Read the full review at the Gadgeteer. See also: the Citizen Canine.

We think you’ll want to listen to the entire show if you haven’t already (other topics include evolution of MacWorld|iWorld, the evolution and future of cameras and camera makers, Super Bowl winners that make John sick, the inevitable Facebook IPO, and Apple factories), but if you want to go straight to the discussion of the Ristretto, jump to about 51:18 in the broadcast. Listen here.

And just for Dan: here’s a photo of the Ristretto empty of stuff except for a 13″ MacBook Pro.

“So useful it’s hard to describe. Especially when your grocery run includes walking, stairs, subways in all or various forms.”

Another great photo iPhone photo taken by Jon ‘Geo’ Camp.

“The absolute best part of the [Smart Alec] bag is how the pockets open, because it’s very easy to stand the bag up on the ground and pull out my iPad from the main compartment. I don’t have to futz about with balancing the bag and trying to get my iPad out as I have had to with most shoulder bags. Set the backpack down, unzip, and pull the iPad out — all while the bag is standing upright on its own.

I can do that one handed.”

Read the full Brooks Review: Smart Alec (Part III) See also: the Smart Alec

“Latest use for Travel Tray: Airplane picnic basket. I packed mine with plastic bags of crackers, cheese, fruit, etc., and pulled the drawstring shut. On the plane I took it out and folded the top back, so my food was sitting in it instead of on the tray table, and when I was done I could just close it up again with the leftovers and cracker crumbs and pop it back in my carry-on (Smart Alec with a Little Swift and Yarn Stuff Sack inside, and the Western Flyer in the overhead bin). Thanks TB!” – Posted by AlexD in the TOM BIHN Forums.

(We think that’s pretty smart.)

“I thought I’d drop you a line to tell you how impressed I’ve been with my Smart Alec, and what a tough bit of kit it proved to be.

I have ridden my motorbike to work and back, every day, no matter what the weather. My Smart Alec went with with me on every journey, safely carrying my laptop and other bits and pieces. Last year I was involved in an accident, in which I bounced down the road at around 50mph. My motorcycle was a wreck. I broke both legs and smashed one arm to bits. But….. my backpack and contents survived with just a little scuffing as you can see in the attached photo. I think a few “battle scars” only add to its appeal!

So it was really no contest what make of bag I chose to protect my new tablet computer – I’ve just received my Ristretto and I’m absolutely delighted with it.

Many, many thanks.”

– Ian