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Ideas

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Laptop Desk - A true working laptop solution

Submitted by: bigred
Created: Jun 12, 2008, 1:14 pm

Sorry, voting is now disabled.

The Elevator Pitch

For anyone who is continually on the go the True Laptop Bag is a miniature, portable desk that sits on your lap that still has all the appeal of a standard laptop travel bag. Unlike usual bags that are useless if you need to continually set them next to your feet while working at a table or in your lap our product allows for time-saving, trouble-free, comfortable operation, access and storage of your laptop and all your other belongings..

The Idea

As usual, a laptop travel bag with the usual pockets and compartments. The difference is the one side of the bag (that would be resting on your lap) is padded modestly with beanbag foam or gel for comfort. The opposite side is lined with a durable rigid insert that keeps the operator's laptop stable and partially elevated/angled etc. Part of the rigid insert includes a slide-out surface component that allows for parking a bluetooth mouse, mouse pad, PDA etc. The bag's interior has a rigid, desk drawer-like structure so that items still inside the bag are not compressed or trapped by the weight of the laptop and its operator's hands. Also, the major compartments are removable components (drawers) with I.D. tabs or handles on them - side opening of course - such that access to them does not require putting the bag or laptop aside. Consider it a miniature desk for you lap, but padded for comfort, designed for flexibility, style, functionality. Perfect for airports, living rooms, bedrooms

I thought of this idea when I was...

... using a portfolio in my lap, and coincidentally while watching another person in a waiting room trying to get set-up to use his laptop.... it seemed like quite a struggle until everything (books, pens, PDA) were the way he needed them. Also inspiring this idea is that fact that people normally wouldn't expect a traditional lap desk to be incorporated into a laptop/travel bag. This solution would combine both a travel bag and a lap desk. Portable, light, functional, stylish, time-saving.

Comments Posted

Selise Posted: June 22, 2008, 12:58 pm

don't they make lap desks already?

bigred Posted: June 22, 2008, 1:20 pm

Hey, Selise...

thanks for the comment. If I know what you're talking about - as simple apparatus that sits on your lap OR desk - for notebook computers, then yes, those are available in droves. But my concept is actually a travel bag that can contain both your notebook and other travel items/documents etc. as you normally would expect, however, when you take your notebook out for use, the laptop desk doesn't sit next to you at your chair or table, but rather in your lap, providing comfort, elevation, proper ergonomic etc., and due to its structural nature, contains physical compartments that are very similar to desk drawers - with side access - again, meaning you wouldn't need to set the notebook aside to gain access to its contents.

Does that help answer your question? if not, I clearly need to add some sort of illustration or schematic ;-)

cheers

creeper Posted: June 23, 2008, 5:21 pm

Sound great, I'd like to see that schematic views.

ideaz Posted: July 9, 2008, 11:12 am

Yes, I'd like to see a diagram as well. There are similar cases and varieties of portable laptop desks on the market today; but could be improved. Examples:

** Work in Case:
http://www.lap-pro.c...ing_cases-pg2aN.html
** Case Converts to Desk:
http://www.amazon.co...rrying/dp/B000NR6IBU
** Portable Stands:
http://mobileoffice....s/tp/traveldesks.htm

(links are for reference only -- not trying to sell anything here!)

muunkky Posted: July 10, 2008, 9:01 am

I'd buy it. I'd probably spend up to $400 depending on quality and durability. Leather would be nice.

Please include a heat sink on the laptop side to help conserve battery life.

I would also like to see a multisocket charger for all my electronics inside the bag. That way I can plug the bag in and charge everything at once, laptop, pda, cellphone, iPod, etc.

I wouldn't care if it looked like other bags, it could look unique. In fact, it's appearance could be a branding issue if it stands out.

Schivmeister Posted: August 16, 2008, 3:21 am

With all that comes weight. How are you to rectify that? I get where this idea is coming from, it's good, but at the same time it reaches an ultimatum whereby it's overkill. Law of diminishing returns maybe?

bigred Posted: August 16, 2008, 7:25 am

Schivmeister:

I totally agree about weight and size and proportion concerns. My idea wasn't meant to permit taking one's entire office on the road, but rather just the essentials, considering the contents of a travel bag add up rather quickly. A few documents, notepad, pens, PDA, handout materials acquired as though you were a participant of a seminar/workshop etc, (and of course a laptop) were all I had imagined being contained in such a bag. The bag's structure could be based on lightweight, rigid styrene (cheap) or even aluminum/titanium (not cheap). Compartments or various components would be modest yet adequate. I know I've yet to produce any kind of mock-up or simple schematic to help illustrate the concept. That would definitely help folks get the idea. Hopefully soon!

Tigran Posted: September 22, 2008, 12:44 pm

Cool idea. Think about fitting a camera (an average size SLR) somewhere:) This is what people carry most often along with their laptop:)

Tigran Posted: September 22, 2008, 12:44 pm

Well, maybe not that often, but still... would be nice:)

Shibumijin Posted: November 20, 2008, 10:35 am

I think this is a really good idea, especially if you include charging/cooling mechanisms as muunkky suggested. I'd go with the high-end titanium and target the luxury/executive traveller rather than the average business joe-shmo...it justifies the higher cost of adding in the power etc. Although you could easily have both a high-end and low-end product, based on materials:

Low end - ripstop nylon outer with polystyrene internal frame, no power/cooling option

High end - leather outer, titanium shell, power/cooling, divided internal compartment etc.

Where would you manufacture and how would you market the product(s)? Work with an established mfr like Targus?

sfgamer10 Posted: November 23, 2008, 12:55 pm

cool idea gl

wiseguy88 Posted: December 8, 2008, 4:05 am

sounds good, but I think the schematic view would enable a better visual of the product.

bigred Posted: December 8, 2008, 5:41 am

@Shibumijin @sfgamer10 & @wiseguy88

Thanks for your recent comments. Definitely a schematic and a higher level of visualization is in order. I realize this started so long ago, and yet I've done little to improve on the presentation or respond the suggestions so far. Despite my being busy with life, it's time for some diligence :)

Hello!

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