more info on netbooks!

this is another article i found with some good stats in it. i think we should definitely think about 'tablet' computers as well as netbooks and ipads.....i particularly like the last paragraph when it said that apple says "50% of Fortune 500 companies are integrating ipads into their businesses."



Report: Tablets To Grab Market Share over Netbooks
By Herb Torrens07/26/10
Tablet handheld computers will begin to outsell netbooks in two years in the United States, according to Forrester Research.

The Massachusetts-based research firm classifies tablets as a "form of personal computer," even though the definition is sometimes considered up for debate by the industry. By 2014, consumers predominantly will use tablets over netbooks. In 2015, Forrester predicted, tablets will constitute 23 percent of PC unit sales.

According to Forrester's report, "The US Consumer PC Market In 2015," published last month, PC sales will reach nearly 500 million units in the United States between 2010 and 2015. Forrester lumped PCs into four categories: traditional desktops, netbooks, notebooks, and tablets. However, tablets represent the fastest growing category, according to the report. Tablet sales will grow from 3.5 million units in 2010 to more than 20 million units in 2015.

In 2015, Forester projected, notebooks will have 42 percent of the market, while tablets will have 23 percent, followed by desktops at 18 percent and netbooks at 17 percent.

Forrester's announcement noted that vendors will need to capitalize on this trend with "chipsets, displays, accessories and content that anticipate the growth of tablets and the continued relevance of traditional PCs." Forrester said it doesn't see desktops disappearing soon.

"I wouldn't characterize it as a move away from desktops," said Sarah Rotman Epps, author of the report and research analyst at Forrester, in an e-mail. "It's true that in 2015, U.S. consumers will buy fewer desktops than they do today (15.7 [million] in 2015 [versus] 18.7 [million] in 2010), but more consumers will own desktops (158 [million]) than any other form factor. Slowing sales of desktops can be attributed to market saturation rather than lack of interest."

In a blog post this week, Epps said that interested parties ("even those not in direct competition with Apple") should keep a close eye on the adoption of Apple's iPad. She said Apple is claiming that 50 percent of Fortune 500 companies around the world are "deploying or piloting" the iPad. She noted in an e-mail that they are probably doing it on a small scale for CEOs, board members, and execs.

how many businesses are using netbooks?

so i found this article about ipads...but i haven't found anything else about netbooks yet...but basically the article is about a poll that was sent out by this company called Citrix. Citrix is:

"Citrix Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CTXS) is an American multinational corporation that provides server and desktop virtualization, networking, software-as-a-service (SaaS) and cloud computing technologies for more than 230,000 organizations worldwide. Customers include the world’s largest Internet companies, 99 percent of Fortune Global 500 enterprises, and hundreds of thousands of small businesses and consumers worldwide. Citrix partners with over 10,000 companies worldwide in more than 100 countries. Founded in 1989, annual revenue in 2008 was $1.6 billion."

They sent out a poll and although it might be biased a tad bit because the people responding to the poll probably are customers of Citrix, this is what they found out...it's pretty interesting.



• 80% will purchase and use the iPad for business
• 84% of organizations will support personal iPads; 50% expect their organization to purchase for them
• Primary app to be used on the iPad are productivity apps with 87% response rate
• 90% of respondents will use ipad for business email, closely followed by the ability to view, edit and create presentations. - Nearly 60% of respondents indicated that they will use iPad for online meetings and to access critical business information
• Largest benefits: 90% indicated increased mobility to work remote, at home, or anywhere, 74% indicated improved productivity and satisfaction


here's a copy of the article if you want to read it yourself!

http://community.citrix.com/pages/viewpage.action?pageId=141690231

Observations

What are college students carrying on a normal day?
I sat around campus the other day and I saw some stuff:

Females:
-some carry two bags (one purse and one for books)
-girls carry fairly large bags, sometimes tote bags
-when it was raining there were several people who complained that their bags were wet (and so was the stuff inside)

Males:
-majority wore backpacks
-had to take off their bags to get stuff they needed out
-most just had one bag (backpack for everything)


What are business professionals carrying on a normal day?
Again, I sat around and saw some similarities:

-a lot of black
-a lot of laptop bags and briefcases
-the bags themselves were (for the most part) at opposite spectrums ...either super sleek and minimalist or with tons of pockets and more of a utility/bulgy style
-most people (female and male) were carrying just one bag...sometimes a woman would have a purse or small handbag
-i also saw a lot of males have those pager/cell phone cases attached to their belts


so that's what i've been seeing so far!

Current Working Criteria

Given that bags are very mobile and succeptible to drops, laptop bags should protect their contents, laptops especially, from impact as measured by how well the existing laptop bags resist impact.

Given that these bags are worn for extended periods of time and for commutes, these bags should be comfortable as measured by how comfortable existing swissgear bags are.

Given that certain contents are more often accessed, these contents should be easier to access more instantaneously as measured by amount of steps to get to these objects.

Given that contents need to be found and somewhat organized, the bags should break up the contents and separate them to make them easier to get to as judged by amount og steps to find any given object.

Given that these bags are used to transport things, the load should be secured as measured by the amount of movement of the contents in all stages of usage.

Given that a variety of people will be using these bags, they should be customizable as measured by variance in strap placement, size, and length.

Given that transportation of these bags is subject to various weather conditions, the bags should repel water from laptop inside as measured by amount of water that gets into bag during rain.

Given that commuters do work while commuting, bags can have workspace while commuting as measured by ability to work on train, bus, plane, or cab.

Given that these bags will be sold by Swiss / Wenger, they should be aesthetically related to their existing products as measured by viewers ability to relate them to Swiss / Wenger.

Given that these bags will be sold to consumers, they should be aesthetically pleasing as measured by user's desire to purchase the bag.

Given that these bags will be used for daily commuting and transport, they should be durable as measured by the existing swiss wenger bags.

Given that these bags may utilize transport technology (wheels, handles, etc.), they should minimize and hide this transport technology as measured by bulk of existing products with transport technology.

Given that bags contain electronic devices, these bags could accomodate charging while contents are stored as measured by existing products.

Commuter bags in the marketplace

this is a video i found of a company that made a bag that attaches to a bike....pretty coooool

if this little embeded thing doesn't work here's the address: http://www.bikecommuters.com/2010/04/13/pcych-commuter-bag/

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the other stuff i found are pretty typical. A lot of people are calling their bags "commuter bags" and a lot of companies make these bags. Basically what makes it a commuter bag is that it has outside pockets for easy access, either a messenger bag or backpack, and most of them are for storing laptops too. A few of the bags attach to bicycles or motorcycles, like the one in the video and I actually found one that was like a little trolley thing you attached to the back of your bike and it trailed behind you as you rode it.

I talked to my dad about the project and he thought it was a great idea that you guys came up for that universal plug thingy where you only had to plug one thing in and it would charge everyhing in your bag. My dad uses a computer bag everyday for work and he recently had to get a new one and doesn't like the one he has (he got a backpack style one). He said that it doesn't hold documents as well as his old messenger bag one. (He says their isn't really a good pocket in the backpack for documents and when he puts papers and folders in it they get bent at the edges and stuff like that).

So that's what I got so far!

meeting with construction expert, brief brief

CONSTRUCTION: JOHN VENAFRO, VENAFROJ@philau.edu, office hours: monday 10-6 & wednesday 11-5:30

-ultrasonic seams, provide waterproof stitch, can be expensive due to factory ability and secondary processes (adhesive,seam tape)

-zippers are most often sewn and bound : gives clean inside seam,durability,prevents catching on other fabric

-zipper shape important when developing easy to access pockets – look at EMS bags

-box stitch used to join parts that get a lot of use / stress
(straps,handles) - also use bar tap pin or rivet to join

-shaped strap adds comfort and cost (curve helps stay on shoulder)
-handles usually "tubing wrapped in foam tape topstitched or topstiched w.foam insert and box stitch connection)

-the way patterns sewn together can provide structure, need a post machine (not at school)

-fabric utilization vs labor of seams , usually smaller pieces better because it allows for more pieces to fit maximizing use of material(use existing patterns mark in dead space to fill, really usefull in large scale productions)
-usually in china/asia cost of labor is cheaper than cost of material, so cheaper to make a larger piece two smaller pieces with extra stiches

- rolling luggage pulls II II not II, prevents bags from swinging around front

-General Steps of process
1.design bag through sketches/concepts
2.mach up a sample (canvas muslin ect)
3. layout patterns from mach ups, marker in different color according to material (outer shell,mesh, ect)
4. alter patterns to maximize use of fabric, thinking of dead space/large scale production
*****identify small parts like pockets with multiple processes (zipper,piping,embroidery) assemble them first then assemble the bag****

components, features, & areas of interest:
-color indicators for use (ex. Red zipper on laptop comp)
-more pockets & accessible
-telescoping / accordian pockets
-a bag for bags
-reflective materials
-key chain pull out (ex lighter leash)
-zip in / zip off compartments
-luggage stowage width & height
-strap adjustments
-look at garments/garment design
-type of thread increase strength
-hiking back packs
-columbia,burton
-closures (mag toggle snap clip zipper)
-pull cord covers
-stuff falling out when opened
-materials to optimize usage


BRIEFLY BRIEF ABOUT BRIEF

1.use marketing analysis tools to find niche in market, aide in selection of materials, determine price
-consumer behavior,SWOT, 5 p’s, PEST, CEG
2.Keep Good Traits
-durability,ruggedness,versatility
3.Change/Propose new solutions/ new opportunities
-cut down bulk,minimal option,womens design,add increased functionality, comparative analysis
4.Provide travel friendly options
-quick access PC /luggage attach /wheels
5.Investigate User Interaction
-7,14,28 ,observations, surveys
6.Make more ergonomic
-strap design, how naturally held, ask mike/research
7.Utilize expert consultants
-have specific examples/questions

There are two major factors I need from a gadget bag– smallest size possible to carry everything I need (and nothing more) and light weight. The latter condition is no joke, I have tried bags that weight a couple of pounds or more empty, which doesn’t make sense when you are trying to go lean and mean.

A company that has garnered quite a reputation for awesome computer bags is the Booq company. Booq is a company that makes practical bags to fit all types of mobile devices such as iPods, PDAs and notebook computers. They have a complete line of bags, backpacks and laptop sleeves to fit just about any gadget you might be carrying around. I did a lot of research and gathered a lot of user comments that indicated how good these bags are viewed by consumers so I decided recently to pick one up for myself.


Construction

The Boa.XS is nice and small yet will carry everything I need to make it through my work day and even for short trips. The dimensions of the XS are:

14.5 x 12.0 x 3.5”

This makes the bag perfect for carrying my stuff, and even those trying to carry a Tablet PC or notebook computer with a 12” screen will find the XS to be of adequate size. The laptop pocket of the XS has the following dimensions:

12.5 x 9.75 x 1.6”

The outer construction of the Boa is first rate with ballistic nylon used throughout the bag and all stitching is extremely durable. I would think it would be very hard to rip or abuse this bag. The attention to detail in the design of the Boa.XS extends to the back panel and backpack straps which together make this one of the most comfortable backpacks I have ever used. The back panel is molded with a slight curve to fit the owner’s back and the straps are wide and padded for comfort. The way the straps are designed make this bag very comfortable to wear draped over one shoulder, my preferred method to wear it during the day. I can carry the Boa over my shoulder for extended periods with no discomfort or fatigue of the shoulder at all. It is apparent Booq put a lot of thoughtful design into the usability of the Boa.

Virtual Tour of the Boa.XS

When you first take a good look at the outside of the Boa it is readily apparent the level of detail that Booq put into the design and construction of the bag. The large front pocket on the bag is covered in a nicely patterned nylon that is smooth to the touch and embellished with the tasteful silver “booq” nameplate. There is a small orange rubber tag with the Booq logo on the left side and all the various zippers have the same logo in silver on the pull tabs. All pockets on the Boa have two zippers which allows easy access to most of them without having to completely open the zipper.

The front pocket also has a black plastic loop for attaching other accessories to hang on the front of the bag. This pocket is a large area to store those items you need quick access to during the day and is nicely outfitted. The upper back of this pocket when opened has the same patterned nylon as the front of the bag except it is a tasteful orange that is only visible when the pocket is open. It is quite stylish and this pocket is the one I use all day long. The back of this pocket has a flat zippered pocket within a pocket where you can put flat items securely. There are two other smaller pockets on the back of varying sizes for business cards and the like. Two of the pockets are mesh so you can see what is in them without digging around, a nice touch. Hanging from the top of the open pocket is a clip for keys.

The next pocket you encounter as you move to the back of the bag is a very small pocket designed for an MP3 player. There is a grommet pass-through to feed the player headphone cord through the front of the bag and if you have a player with a remote control you can clip that to the loop I mentioned earlier and run your player without taking it out of the Boa. This is very useful for listening to podcasts like techADDICTION or The Tablet PC Show with your player of choice. The zipper for this little pocket is covered by a flap of durable nylon to prevent the player from accidentally falling out of the pocket.

The next pocket back is a large pocket that has more of the orange nylon on the back and is big enough to carry a small file or some magazines. There are two additional pockets on the front of this pocket to accommodate various sized items, with the front most pocket constructed of mesh so you can see what’s inside.

The last (or rear-most) pocket is the laptop compartment which in addition to the same double zippers that all the outer pockets use also has a durable nylon flap with two velcro enclosures. This has a dual purpose of keeping the two zippers from accidentally opening plus making it impossible for someone to snatch your laptop off your back without alerting you. The big pocket is completely made out of a soft velour type material that pads and protects your mobile computer from scratches. Tablet PC owners who are concerned about the exposed screen of the computer can rest assured it will not be scratched in the Boa computer compartment. The pocket keeps the notebook from flopping around while still remaining easy to take it out of the bag when you need it. The back of the pocket rests opposite the padded back molding I mentioned providing even more cushion for your expensive gadget.

The top of the Boa.XS is where the wide shoulder straps are attached to the bag with a handle bridging the two straps for stability. The handle is a padded sure-grip rubber and is easy to use to carry the bag around if needed. The shoulder straps have another orange Booq logo tag and are completely adjustable for length. There is a small strap that can connect the two shoulder straps across the chest for additional comfort if the back is loaded very heavily, but I find I don’t need that much. There is another removable waist strap which can be used to further distribute the weight evenly along the back and prevent the bag from moving around while it is being worn. I have removed this strap completely and do not find I need it but I can see a use for it for long walks.

The bottom of the Boa shows the same level of construction as the rest of the bag, from the rubberised non-slip bottom to the two “feet” that sport the Booq name in black and silver. You can safely stand the bag up to root around in the pockets without worry the bag will slip away from you. The aforementioned padded back has a large molded Booq logo that is quite clever and stylish, like everything else on the Boa.

Conclusion

It is probably apparent by now that I am quite happy with the Booq Boa.XS, and find it perfect for carrying all the stuff I need every day while still remaining light and with a low profile. The entire bag tapers narrower toward the top of the bag making it very low profile which I really like. I find the Boa to be stylish and tasteful enough to carry into any meeting without attracting undue notice from the other attendees.

Here are a couple of photos that shows how flat the bag is both empty and loaded with all my stuff:



You can barely tell the difference which suits me just fine. Here is a photo of the bag with all the stuff I carry in it piled in front of it for your reference:


The Boa.XS is available from the Booq Bags site for $109.95 and while that is normally more than I would pay for a bag such as this the construction and utility of the Boa makes that price worth paying. When I purchased my Boa a few weeks ago Booq had an online discount of $30 making this bag a real steal so check their site before buying elsewhere to make sure you’re not missing a special. If you need a bag that is larger Booq has bags that accommodate laptops with screens up to 17” so you are sure to find the perfect bag in the right size for your needs.

At first glance I thought this bag probably wouldn’t work for me. Aside from my aforementioned concern about having only one back, this bag looked too small to house all the stuff I carry with me on a daily basis. When I took it out of the box it was compressed flat. This was misleading.

The bag/backpack actually has three full length vertical pockets – each with considerable space. The center pocket comes with a variably sized laptop sleeve. You select one of eight boot sizes to fit your laptop when you order the Torq.


I typically carry two laptops and I found that both fit easily into the center pocket. I put the Toshiba I own inside the laptop sleeve and slide the Dell machine provided by my employer right in there next to it.


In the front-most vertical pocket I carry the two laptop power bricks and a mouse. There is plenty of room in there for more stuff!


The front vertical compartment also has a nice selection of mesh, nylon, and zippered pockets to help you organize your equipment.

In the rear-most vertical pocket, I carry my 6×8 Wacom tablet, a mouse pad, and a fair stack of papers, CDROMs, etc. Again, there is room for a lot more stuff here.


There is also a roomy front pocket which will expand to carry smaller items like card readers, office supplies, etc.


After you get everything packed into this expandable pack, you can bind everything together with the dual sets of straps on the sides. Each side has a permanent adjustable strap located about a third of the way up.


Each side also has another set of adjustable straps with quick disconnects located about a third of the way down from the top.

Spire has done a good job creating a flexible design which allows you to expand to contain your gear while still keeping everything tight inside so it doesn’t shift around when you are moving. I think I could reasonably double the amount of gear I am currently carrying, but this is not necessarily a good thing.


Let us talk about straps. The Torq comes with four different strap systems. You can choose which way you prefer carry the bag and stow away the unneeded straps in the pockets provided for this purpose.

The removable laptop sleeve is held in place inside the Torq by a Velcro pad on the back of the sleeve mating to the solid Velcro backside of the center vertical pocket. You can just pull it out and attach the included nylon strap to the two D-rings located at the top of the sleeve.


Of course the Torq comes with standard padded backpack straps. These straps are fastened at the bottom with quick disconnects. This allows you to quickly stow the straps away inside the gap between the bag and the rear padding.


The standard backpack straps are easily adjustable. They also come with a sternum strap which is adjustable vertically as well as for tension. Each has a small horizontal nylon strap and one has a medium sized D-ring where you could hang small items.


Spire has also included a padded waist strap with a large quick disconnect buckle which can be used to take some of the load off of your shoulders. This strap can also be stowed in the gap between the pack and the rear padding when not in use.


Finally, the Torq comes with a fairly wide, padded shoulder strap which can be connected to the bag in a number of ways. The bag has metal O-rings located at all four corners. I prefer to connect my shoulder strap to the two O-rings at the top of the bag. You could carry the bag on its side – or even upside down if you are feeling wild and crazy!

Note – carrying a fully loaded Torq backpack upside down is not recommended by either the author of this review or The Gadgeteer. Please do so at your own risk.

This shoulder strap allows me to carry my Crumpler Karachi Outpost backpack simultaneously with the Torq with minimal discomfort – said discomfort having more to do with the overall weight of my gear than any design issue with either bag. The amount of gear I carry around with me is really ridiculous and seems to grow over time. I am like the old woman in the Labyrinth who has accumulated a lifetime of junk on her back.

This is not your problem and I apologize for bringing it up.

The bag also includes two nylon mesh side pockets with synch straps. These are suitable for water bottles, cell phones, etc. I use one of mine for my PDA. At the top you will also find a round, hard rubber, nylon covered grab handle.

Now it is time for specifications. The backpack’s external material is primarily 1680 Denier Ballistic Nylon. The interior pockets are lined primarily with 210 Denier light gray nylon. The bag weighs appx. 2.9 pounds and has overall dimensions of 19.5″ x 14.5″ x 9″ unexpanded (49.5cm x 37cm x 23cm). As mentioned earlier, the laptop sleeve, included in the price of the bag, is variable — based on the size of your laptop.