Week of 23 September, 2007 - 00:00 to 29 September, 2007 - 23:59

"Having minimal luggage allowed us to move quickly through the streets, the Metro, and the Atocha train station. It also meant we didn't have to check anything at the airport. This was a huge timesaver as we did not have to wait for our luggage to be brought off the plane before getting into line to clear Customs." -- Visit Rainy Day Magazine or checkout the Aeronaut.

TOM BIHN bags, and accompanying straps, are designed to easily adjust to your body and to ensure your comfort. Protecting your spine is also important. This feature article at SpineHealth.com -- "Back to School Means Backpack Safety" -- focuses on protecting children's spines but its safety tips are good ideas for all of us at any age:

Use both straps in order to better distribute the weight of the backpack and to promote a well-aligned, symmetrical posture. Using one strap means that one side of the body has to bear most of the weight of the backpack.

Be careful when putting on and removing backpacks. Keep the trunk of the body stable and avoid excessive twisting.

"I have used the Smart Alec for about 6 months now and the following are my thoughts on the bag.

Background:

I am a backpacker and own 3 different backpacks I use varying on the time of year and length of trip. I also choose to travel by taking backpacks instead of a duffel or a rollerboard since I enjoy just being able to go and have my hands free. I use the Smart Alec to carry my laptop (HP dv2000), papers, books, etc. to/from work and school. I also wanted something that if I went on an overnight business trip, it would have enough room for a change of clothes and I wouldn't need an additional bag. I did a lot of research on various bags before choosing the Smart Alec, sight unseen." -- Read the entire review in the TOM BIHN forums.

TOM BIHN Customer Service (phone and email) as well as our Seattle retail store/factory showroom will be closed on Thursday, October 4th. Emails and phone messages received that day will be replied to and returned on Friday, October 5th. Our Shipping Department will remain open and all orders will be shipped as usual. For more information, visit our Schedule page.

From DanNorris.com:

"I hunted high and low, bought at least 4 bags from the typical computer stores locally and, one by one, took them all back. Finally, I asked my good friend Matt Topper, who generally knows lots of useless things, for a recommendation. As usual, he came through with what may be my last computer bag ever: The Empire Builder from Tom Bihn. The only negative thing I can say about this critical piece of equipment is that it is fairly expensive. Once you get beyond that and realize that it’s worth it because it’ll last you forever, you won’t be sorry. It’s a great piece of equipment and I actually paid them to write this testimonial. In fact, I may buy another bag from them at some point if I need something else (smaller or backpack style or something else)."

Two new sizes of Horizontal Brain Cell, designed specifically for HP Pavilion and IBM-Lenovo laptops, are now available for pre-order and ship in mid-October.

The Size 2M Horizontal Brain Cell has interior dimensions of 15.5 × 11.4 × 1.6 and is designed to fit laptops such as the HP Pavilion dv9000, dv9000t, and dv9000z, Dell Precision M90, Dell XPS M1710, Toshiba Tecra M9, among many others. The Size 2M Brain Cell can be used on its own, inside your current (large) messenger bag, or clipped inside our Super Ego messenger bag. While a Size 2M Vertical Brain Cell isn't planned, a Size 2M Vertical Soft Cell is available now for use with backpacks like our Brain Bag or Smart Alec.

The Size 6T Horizontal Brain Cell has interior dimensions of 12.4 × 10.0 × 1.3 and is designed to fit laptops such as the IBM-Lenovo Thinkpad T60 14.1", IBM Thinkpad T40, T41, various Sony VAIO series laptops, and the Dell Inspiron 600m, among many others. The Size 6T Brain Cell can be used on its own, inside your current bag, or clipped inside our Zephyr or Empire Builder briefcases, Super Ego, Ego, or ID messenger bags, or Brain Bag or Smart Alec backpacks. Because of its small size and square shape, the 6T will fit inside almost any bag, and a vertical version isn't planned.

We recommend using our Laptop Bag Fit Guide to determine which size of Brain Cell is best for your particular laptop.

"I really like the Aeronaut, their travelpack. It's extremely sturdy, but what makes it special is that it's so streamlined. There aren't a lot of danglies that can snag or tear. One example is the side handles, which you use to shove it into the overhead bin of an aircraft. The handles are easy to grab, but because they are flush against the side of the bag, they don't stick out and take up extra space. I realize that's a minor feature, but it's attention to detail that gives them brownie points." -- Lani Teshima
Read the full review of the Aeronaut at Mouse Planet

After being sold out for two weeks, the Size 4X Horizontal Brain Cell is once again available in colors Black, Steel, and Crimson.

The Empire Builder is now available in the new color combination Black/Black/Sapphire.

The Medium Cafe Shoulder Bag is available in these new colors: Plum/Olive, Sapphire/Steel, Black/Crimson, and Pine/Wasabi.

The Large Cafe Shoulder Bag is also available in Black/Crimson, Sapphire/Steel, Steel/Sapphire and Plum/Olive.

The Horizontal and Vertical Brain Cells will soon be available in three color choices: Black, Steel, or Crimson. The third color (currently Crimson) may be rotated: stay tuned for a color closer to orange later this year. Previously, the Brain Cell was available in up to six color choices. If you are interested in a Deep Blue, Olive, or Wasabi Brain Cell, we suggest you order now as they are selling out daily.

TOM BIHN Forums user Kount has posted pictures showing that his IBM T60p 15.4 Widescreen will fit inside of our 17" Archetype molded laptop case.