This past May, I stumbled on an article in PC Magazine that may have
changed my tech shopping habits (and my bank balance) forever. The
article,
target="_blank">Get the Best Deals on Technology by Cada Metz,
outlined various web sites and online shopping tips that can help save you big
bucks on tech gear. As fate would have it, less than a week later my
five-year-old Gateway PC finally bit the dust for good. I operate an
eBay store in my spare time, so I needed to find a replacement ASAP.
At the suggestion of the Metz article, I pointed my browser in the
direction of Techbargains.com.
Am I ever glad I did! I found a coupon deal for Dell’s Small Business web
site that saved me $700 (just under 50% off) on a Dimension 4700 system
that’s twice the computer my old one was. Plus it came with a free 19″
flat panel LCD, 3 years of free tech support, and free shipping! Since
then, I’ve used Techbargains tips to shop amazing deals at
newegg.com
(saved $100 on an ATI video card, $20 on a USB hard drive enclosure),
Buy.com
(saved over $80 on an Altec Lansing 5.1 Surround speaker system), and
TigerDirect.com (saved $150 on a
Pinnacle analog-to-digital video converter). The best part of all,
though, is that I’ve dropped about 10 pounds on my new tea and water
cracker diet.
Michael recommends: Techbargains.com
Teresa recommends: Blow Out
Blow Out: Bravo, Tuesdays, 9 PM
Jonathan Antin is the most compelling figure ever to garner his
own reality show! At least, that’s my claim this week. In Season 1,
(and perhaps Jon himself realizes this) he came off as a bit of a
ego maniacal control freak on a rampage to open a salon in Beverly
Hills in order to fulfill his mission of "doing beautiful hair."
In Season 2, we’re seeing other sides of Jonathan. He is just
as likely to break down crying when someone compliments his new hair
product line as start pitching a hissy fit when things don’t go his way.
This is a man who peppers his speech with terms like "dude, bro, chick
and babe" and yet manages to come across as likable and virtually
without pretense.
He drives a Mercedes, has salons in West Hollywood and Beverly Hills
with celebrity clientele yet seems to think of his appearance on QVC as
the pinnacle of his success. His favorite self-referential catchphrase
seems to be "in the end, I’m just a hair stylist" when he’s
not busy comparing himself to Jake LaMotta in Raging Bull and freely
bastardizes quotes from the likes of Apocalypse Now.
("I love the smell of hair product in the morning!")
I used to think I was addicted to Blow Out because I loved to hate
Jonathan and don’t get me wrong, there are still those moments. Now I
realize, however, that ultimately he’s just one of those guys you can’t
help but like. And the constant drama back at the salons certainly
doesn’t hurt this show’s entertainment quotient either.
That’s a hot laptop you have
Do our Brain Cell and Monolith protective cases keep your laptop
cool? Yes and no. Our cases insulate your laptop against the summer
sun for some time, but don’t actually cool your laptop if it’s hot
from use. If you’re looking for an accessory to keep your laptop cool
while you’re using it, check out this
forum thread
where you’ll find laptop stand recommendations from our customers.
From Wired News:
“Notebook computers aren’t supposed to burn your lap. But as
customers demand smaller units with ever-faster processors and upgraded
graphics, manufacturers are having a hard time keeping them cool.”
Laptops are
hot; maybe too hot by Bruce Gain, Wired News
Notebookreview.com reviews the Brain Bag
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“I’ve tested a bunch of notebook backpacks and haven’t seen anything else
quite as robust in terms of quality, accessories and storage options as the Brain Bag.
It’s very comfortable to wear, enough so that I’m considering ditching the smaller
pack I’ve been using for over a year to migrate full-time to the Brain Bag.
I love being able to have absolutely everything with me all the time.
Because you know, that one time you need the spare backup drive, or something else
that you normally don’t carry, it’s a savior.”
Maximum carry-on bag: The Aeronaut
Tom is currently working on the design for the Aeronaut, a maximum carry-on
bag that he tested a prototype of version on his recent vacation.
The Aeronaut is divided into separate compartments so organizing clothes/shoes/etc.
is a breeze. Its padded, contoured shoulder straps zip out (backpack-style)
for the long haul across the airport or across town. It’s one of the best looking
bags Tom has designed. It’s still a work in progress, so post your comments, questions,
and suggestions in our maximum carry-on forum thread.
Sunga and Nicole recommend: Milk and Cookies and Alien Productions
Sunga recommends:
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alt="Jaws Bunny" width="70" height="70" />
Hooray for Angry Alien Productions. If you
haven’t already discovered this hilarious site, go there now. This is
great animation. A bit sick & twisted, of course, but what isn’t these
days? The 30-Second Bunnies are great entertainment. I have to admit
that my favorite piece on the site is the PigeonKam. It is really
stupid, but it just makes me smile.
Nicole recommends:
milkandcookies.com is a great place for the slightly weird and totally
random. Lots of links to interesting websites, videos, online games,
etc. that people have stumbled across while browsing the Internet. You can have
their daily headlines at your fingertips via their RSS feed, or browse their
site for things that strike your interest or do a search for something
specific. My favorite thing this week was definitely
this.
It’s proof that falling is funny – again, and again, and again.
Michael recommends: MXC
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I almost hesitate to admit this, but Spike TV’s surreal extreme sports show parody
MXC (Most Extreme Elimination Challenge) seldom fails to crack me up.
Teams of costumed Japanese contestants compete in a series of bizarre obstacle courses
consisting of giant styrofoam boulders, oversized spinning mushroom stools and corn
cobs, suspended surfboards rotating over vile-looking ponds, and the like.
Onscreen player interviews are arbitrarily dubbed by members of L.A.’s Groundlings
improv comedy troupe, and the rapid-fire voiceover commentary of the show’s two main
hosts consists primarily of thinly-veiled double entendre.
In the end, virtually all of the participants wind up plunging into water obstacles
and/or being covered in muck…or worse. If you have a perverse sense of humor and don’t
mind an occasional wallow in the juvenile, then I say check it out. (Of course I also
enjoy zombie movies, so take that for advice for what it’s worth.)
Michael is our Inventory Coordinator.
Gearlive reviews the Brain Cell
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width="100" height="133" />
Andru Edwards, the founder and Editor-in-chief of Gearlive, his wife Monica, and their
son Alijah (pictured) visited our Seattle retail store in April to interview Tom and
check out our full product line. It was a lot of fun and Alijah is the cutest baby ever,
always smiling! Andru has been testing our Brain Cell and Empire Builder bags for
upcoming reviews. He has just published his review of the Brain Cell – excerpt and
links below.
“The Brain Cell feels as light as a feather, yet offers top-notch
protection for notebook computers. The folks at Tom Bihn did their homework, and it
really shows. It is offered in a great selection of colors, and looks great being carried.
If you just need your notebook, your accessories can be placed in the front pocket and
you will have everything you need in a sleek space. If you have a need for more gear,
grab this along with a larger Tom Bihn bag, and you will still be left with only one
thing to carry since it intelligently integrates right into the rest of their product line.”
Teresa recommends: 1972 by Josh Rouse
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alt="1972 @ Amazon" width="100" height="101" />
CD 1972 by Josh Rouse
For anyone who grew up listening to 70s AM radio who still enjoys the hits of
yesteryear as performed by the likes of America, Seals & Crofts, The Chi-Lites
& Ambrosia (whose popularity remains undiminished thanks to your local lite
rock station and multi-disc collections like AM Gold,) this album approaches
perfection. For fans of the talented singer/songwriter type, this album is a must own.
Josh’s songwriting is particularly strong and the arrangements on this record are
brilliant. The perfect companion piece for summer road trips, evenings on the patio
and late night conversations.
1972 @
Teresa is our Shipping Manager.
ID bag back in stock and ready to ship
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Our ID messenger bag is back in stock in all colors, including the new color combination
Black/Black/Crimson. You asked for a solid black bag with a bright interior color – here
it is.
The ID is clever and stylish, current and classic: it’s a mid-sized messenger-style shoulder
bag that has lots of useful features, yet still comes off as understated and stealthy.
The front flap features a large pocket with a splash-proof zipper to hold your iPod or
CD player. Secured under the front flap is an open-top pouch with organizer pockets for
business cards, pens, PDA, etc., and a dual-position snap-strap for your keys. The front
of this pouch has another zippered pocket and an open-top pocket sized for a plane ticket
or a utility bill. The back of the ID features a flat pocket that will hold your favorite
‘zine or newspaper, and a removable waist strap that allows you to secure the bag around your
waist for extra stability when you’re on your bike (motorbike or pushbike). Speaking of bicycles,
for added visibility, you can attach a flasher/reflector by Cat Eye™.
