by John Nemerovski, with help from David Weeks
Two categories of new products have become ubiquitous during the past year: rugged, comfy laptop backpacks, and small, speedy external hard drives. Nemo and Weeks are big fans of both classes of items, and the good news keeps getting better.
Willow Design sent us a lean, mean, versatile case for a monster portable computing machine, the 17†PowerBook. PK-12 Garibaldi at well under $200 US is attractive, strong, and easy to use. Nemo carries a ton of computer equipment with him in Willow’s original 15†TiBook case, working all over town every day. His recommendation remains highest for road warriors who need maximum security and minimum bulk. Garibaldi holds a 17†PowerBook and just the right amount of gear to function efficiently. You want to climb a mountain and bring your MegaBook along? Ubetcha.
Nemo’s favorite feature remains the clever way Willow places straps and handles within and on the backpack, turning it into a briefcase when appropriate. Many other comparable, creative components come as standard issue in Garibaldi and the entire range of Willow Design products.
When your portable computer costs several thousand dollars, don’t be stingy when choosing a case or pack! Depending on your need for additional storage, you’ll agree with our rating of between:
MyMac Rating: 4
A very decent product. Worth the time and investment, but look for competing products.
–and—
MyMac Rating: 5
Fantastic product! Well worth your money and investment. The best of its kind.
At the other end of the size/weight scale is WiebeTech’s slim, speedy MicroGB800 Portable Disk Drive, featuring combo FireWire (800 and 400) plus USB (2 or 1) ports, utilizing bus-powered or electric-powered operation, as appropriate. Weeks did initial tests on our review unit, a 60GB/7200 rpm drive, and MicroGB compares favorably with other FireWire 800 drives evaluated previously.
It’s small and it’s fast, it’s stylish and it’s lightweight, it comes with all necessary cables plus an on/off switch. DO NOT DROP! is printed on the disk’s label, so please treat MicroGB with care. From our personal experience, it’s fairly rugged, but don’t push your luck.
WiebeTech continues to add speed, design, and miniaturization throughout their entire line of products, with regular price reductions. Customer service is first-rate, and on a first-name basis, with efficient repair or replacement when a drive fails within your warranty period.
Nemo uses WiebeTech external drives for desktop and mobile data storage, with ease and reliability. If you find competing products that are either cheaper or more robust, I won’t give you an argument, but for best value and data transfer response, WiebeTech remains at the top of our list.
MicroGB comes in a range of disk sizes and speeds, and is easy to recommend, receiving a rating between:
MyMac Rating: 4
A very decent product. Worth the time and investment, but look for competing products.
–and—
MyMac Rating: 5
Fantastic product! Well worth your money and investment. The best of its kind.
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