Omniverse 13.3-inch Universal Tote
Company: Uniea
Price: $39.95 from uniea.com
http://www.uniea.com/universal/omniverse.html
Omniverse Small Camera Case
Company: Uniea
Price: $14.95 from uniea.com
http://www.uniea.com/universal/omniverse_s_small_silk.html
It’s impossible to find a laptop carrying case that will appeal to everybody. Some are too big. Some are too small. Some users prefer something with a shoulder strap; others want a backpack. I’ve owned five, including a couple of backpacks, and all have at least the basic protective cushioning necessary for ordinary use. My latest is Uniea’s new Omniverse 13.3-inch Universal Tote, and right now it’s my favorite way of carrying my MacBook, but I’m well aware it’s not going to appeal to everybody. Like all the other cases congregated in my closet, it has its pros and cons.
Initially, the primary appeal of my other cases was their size. I could fit my laptop, a thermos, a book, keys, Day-Timer, wallet, a piece of fruit, whatever files I happened to be working on that day, maybe a newspaper, sometimes a digital camera, my iPod, a Blackberry, a card reader, flash drive, and so on. However, the initial appeal of these trough-sized laptop cases quickly vaporized when I realized I was not so much going to work as I was going to a work-out. The bag got heavier each time I added a new “indispensable” gizmo. Was it really necessary to haul all this gear around?
For me, the answer was, “Absolutely not!” Which is why I like the Omiverse tote. First, it has a nice compact feel about it. And although it’s well-padded with memory foam on the inside and silk fiber on the outside, it’s small enough so that if I feel compelled to carry all my other junk along, I can just slip the Omniverse into my larger briefcase.
The external compartments on the Omniverse have very little clearance. You can take a cable along to recharge your laptop, but it’s a clunky fit; there’s a tiny space for an iPod and cellphone, but really this case is going to turn you into a minimalist. If you believe the old saying that “less is more,” you’ll be in heaven with the Omniverse.
It suits me because it enables me to carry as much as I really need, while discouraging me from hauling all kinds of “just in case” gear that ends up being annoyingly heavy. Less is more is very good to remember when you’re changing flights and your connection is in a terminal three muggy blocks away.
Which brings me to the cons. The Omniverse has a good strong zipper and metal snap, but that means you can’t leave it in its case when you slide it through the security checkpoint at an airport. MyMac writer Russ Walkowich, in an evaluation of another laptop case in April (https://www.mymac.com/showarticle.php?id=3592), noted that, “…in August 2008, the TSA changed the regulations and began to permit certain types of laptop bags to go through the X-ray machines without the owner having to remove the laptop from the bag. There are primarily three styles of bag that have been authorized: butterfly style, trifold style and sleeve style. The TSA further spells out the requirements for these bags —
• The laptop bag has a designated laptop-only section that can lay flat on the X-ray belt.
• There are no metal snaps, zippers or buckles inside, underneath or on-top of the laptop-only section.
• There are no pockets on the inside or outside of the laptop-only section.
• There is nothing in the laptop compartment other than the laptop.
• The bag is completely unfolded so that there is nothing above or below the laptop-only section, allowing the bag to lie flat on the X-ray belt.”
The snap and zippers on the Omniverse tote mean you’ll have to remove the laptop for airport security, not a deal breaker for me but perhaps an issue to frequent flyers. The Omniverse also lacks a shoulder strap. Arguably, it’s small and compact enough so that one is not necessary, but I like to have my hands free for other things.
Still, these are small matters. The Omniverse tote is useful and stylish and has a distinctly techie feel to it. If you don’t need to haul a saddle blanket and spurs along with your laptop, this quality product should suit you fine.
And if you need an accessory for your accessory, Uniea also recently released a small padded case with two zippered compartments suitable for either a 2.5″ hard drive, a digital camera, or an MP3 player. The small outside pocket is handy for carrying an extra battery or a USB cable. You can slide the case on to your belt or clip it to your belt loop or a ring in your backpack. It’s well-constructed and useful, especially since so many point and shoot digital are sold without even a basic carrying case.
MyMac.com Rating (both products): 4 out of 5
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