Sparky writes:
“The Imago gets a clear 10/10 Editors Choice pick – between its medium size (smaller than a backpack, larger than a purse), well laid out pockets, and sturdy construction the Imago is an easy buy for anyone looking for a messenger bag. For the asked price of $85.00 is of similar price to many other bags lacking the durability and style of Tom Bihn.”
Eric Dey of the Gadgeteer reviews the Archetype:
“Did I mention that the bag itself is very stylish, and seems at home just about anywhere? We wandered throughout Venice with The Archetype, and never felt out of place amongst the stylish Italians or the throngs of tourists. In more pedestrian settings such as the office, The Archetype invites both comment and compliments. To be fair, comments and compliments may have been offered in Italy, but being monolingual, I cannot say for sure. It should also note that it was sturdy enough to survive a surprise pigeon attack near St. Marks Cathedral.”
Imago Metrics has written another intensely thorough review of a Tom Bihn bag, complete with descriptions of what each pocket and compartment can hold, and pictures showing the features of the bag, what it looks like on a person, and even pictures showing a few suggested improvements.
Right: You’ve asked for it, and Imago Metrics has given it to you — a picture that shows what the Imago looks like while being worn.
Excerpt:
“Strategic pockets are where you’d want them to be. Obviously that’s a subjective observation — or is it? High Gloss gadgets are all the rage- but scratches are so declassé! Thus…my highly scratch prone Samsung T809 phone as well as highly scratch-prone Black iPod Video — both found very plush and cozy homes in the respective Imago end pockets — all within easy reach. The waterproof zippers ensure security from loss and let me tell you — those sexy Ultrasuede liners are velvety enough to have given the late Roy (Halston) Frowick — Goosebumps!”
Below: A picture from the Imago Metrics review of the Imago shows how a 13″ MacBook Tom Bihn Archetype fits inside of the Imago.
Josh Spear writes: “I’m often stopped with it asking if it’s real wood. Splash proof zippers, molded plastic handles and 8mm of dense, closed-cell foam keeps your Macbook protected to the max. Made in Seattle, Tom Bihn continues to impress us with awesome bags, superior customer service and fabulous attention to detail.”
Judie Hughes recently reviewed the Imago for the Gadgateer, and, as you would expect, wrote a thorough review with a lot of pictures.
Excerpt:
“The main compartment of the bag measures approximately 14″ wide x 12″ tall x 4″ deep, and is large enough to hold files, several books or other paperwork. There are two open pockets against the front wall of the bag, each measuring approximately 7″ tall x 6″ wide x 1″ deep. These pockets are perfect for even the largest sized PDAs or smaller UMPCs like my DualCor. On either side of this front pocket wall are metal rings for attaching Organizer Pouches or the included and removable extension keyring clip.”
And be sure to check out Judie’s new blog Gear Diary. Judie will be the first person to review the smaller Empire Builder briefcase (working name: the Zephyr) in early 2007.
Excerpt:
“I’ve said it before, and I’m sure I’ll say it again (and again and again): a lot of MacBook, MacBook Pro, iBook, and PowerBook bags and sleeves pass through my doors. I’ve turned into the Imelda Marcos of notebook bags and sleeves (or maybe I should use a more masculine example? Ted Nugent is to guns as I am to laptop bags). Recently I decided I had to do something about my overflowing closet and decided to offer my friends to pick a bag and sleeve out of the pile to help clear up some floor space.
When one of my friends picked out the Imago, though, I had second thoughts. I considered telling him that this bag was not available for the taking. I thought about this without having any need whatsoever for the Imago; for all the bags I see, I’ve been using the same setup for quite some time and it meets my needs. The thing is, the Imago is just really, really attractive, particularly in the colors of my review unit (which you can see below).”
Read the full review or check out the Imago Product Page.
About.com Computer Peripherals Guide Shane McGlaun reviews the Brain Bag
Excerpt:
“At the end of the day, the Brain Bag from Tom Bihn coupled with their Monolith to protect my Acer 4404 laptop was virtually perfect for my needs. The bag isn’t cheap and the set up I tested would cost you around $185 for the Brain bag and Monolith. However, if ultimate comfort and flexibility is what you are after in a very durable package, the Tom Bihn Brain Bag Laptop Backpack is what you are looking for.”
Check out:
The full review at About.com
The Brain Bag Page
It’s the week of the Archetype with three new reviews of our ultra-cool Cork laptop sleeve by NoteBookReview.com, Macsimum News, and the Bleeding Edge Video Review.
NoteBookReview.com reviews the Archetype:
“The Archetype comes in a number of sizes to snuggly fit 17″ and 15.4″ MacBook Pros, the 13″ MacBook, and the 12″ Powerbook. I tested it with my 15″ Powerbook and the fit was as close to perfect as you can get. The Archetype is designed to fit like a glove and hence doesn’t provide extra pockets for power supplies, cables, disks, water bottles, or other items. In fact this was a deliberate design choice. The case is aimed at buyers who are looking for a sleek and minimalist means to protect their laptop on those quick jaunts to the cafe or the office. The Archetype is slim enough however that it could easily fit into a briefcase or messenger bag when you need to travel with more accessories.”
More reviews:
Macsimum News Review of the Archetype
Let Andru Edwards and the gang at The Bleeding Edge take you on a video tour of the Tom Bihn headquarters.
“In this episode, we take a visit to the Tom Bihn labs, where we get a first hand look into exactly what it takes to design and manufacture their awesome line of bags. We take a tour of their facility, and talk with Tom about concept, design, manufacturing, as well as a few stories about how they stress test their stuff. I mean, when a bag gets blown up in war over in Iraq, but your computer that was in the bag is protected perfectly, you know these things are good.”
Watch the episode: The Bleeding Edge 019: A Visit To Tom Bihn. We also highly recommend watching Bleeding Edge Byte 025: Melting Hard Drives With Thermit and Bleeding Edge Byte 024: The Walluminate, a DIY Light-Up Wallet.
You must check out the new review of the Aeronaut by Judie Hughes of The Gadgeteer . It’s that simple. The review features thirty-one pictures, ranging from detail shots to pictures of Judie’s husband Steve wearing the Aeronaut.
Picture by Judie Hughes/The Gadgeteer
What did Judie Hughes think of the bag? Here’s an excerpt of her review:
“The beauty of the Aeronaut is that it can be configured to work in whatever way the owner needs. If it is needed as a piece of traditional luggage with clothing and shoes stored in its compartments, then it can be that; if it is called upon to hold a plethora of electronics along with other packed items, it will adapt. This bag can be personalized and customized to be exactly what the owner wants – even if the owner’s needs change upon a whim. The Aeronaut, in combination with its packing cubes and the other Tom Bihn accessories, is the ideal travel bag for anyone that wants a quality piece of luggage that will adapt to their travel needs.”
For the full review, head on over to The Gadgeteer. Or, read more about the Aeronaut, Packing Cubes, Absolute Shoulder Strap, TerraGrip Shoulder Strap, and Brain Cell on our site. And feel free to post your thoughts on the review or the Aeronaut in the Tom Bihn forums or the Gadgeteer forums.
