I’m going to come out and say the obvious: this is a backpack. In the grand scheme of technology journalism, dedicating a full review to a textile housing system for my laptop feels kind of daft. Or at least it should.

But if you are getting ready to drop over $100 on a laptop bag, it couldn't hurt to do some actual research. When I first saw Razer’s updated Rogue lineup, my immediate reaction was: "Why on earth would I spend $100-plus on a backpack when the $30 no-brand bag I bought on Amazon two years ago still works completely fine?"

Yet, in a way that only Razer can consistently pull off with their ecosystem accessories, I suddenly get it. Just like what happened with their unassuming USB-C dock, another product category I previously cared absolutely nothing about, I now care a hell of a lot about a simple backpack.

Razer Rogue V4 Backpack: Price, availability and specs

The Razer Rogue Backpack V4 line officially dropped on June 4, 2026, making its way to Razer's official store, and is also available on Amazon. The Rogue V4 comes in two sizes, priced differently depending on what you need.

• Razer Rogue 16” Backpack V4: Retails for $109.99 / £109.99.
• Razer Rogue 18” Backpack V4: Retails for $139.99 / £139.99.

Choosing between them comes down to a quick assessment of your daily haul. The 16” variant is beautifully compact and tailored perfectly for mid-sized setups like the Razer Blade 16.

However, if you are rocking an absolute behemoth of a desktop replacement, like the Razer Blade 18, or you just happen to travel heavy with massive mechanical keyboards and full-sized audio gear, you'll definitely want to step up to the 18” version for that maximum volume capacity.

Razer Rogue V4 Backpack: What's good

Despite my heavy skepticism about whether a premium backpack could actually impress me after years of relying on a bargain-basement Amazon special, I have found myself completely smitten with this Razer number.

And no, it’s not just because it looks great, though I need to mention that the clean matte-black finish, subtle leather-effect accents, and iconic Razer green stitching look incredibly sharp.

When you first unzip this bag, it immediately feels a hell of a lot more intensely engineered than a cheap import. The shoulder straps are seriously reinforced and heavily padded. During particularly chaotic weeks, my everyday carry scales up aggressively. I can be hauling anything from my standard daily laptop to both my personal and work laptops simultaneously, alongside an ROG Ally, a Kindle, a full-sized gaming headset, and all the mandatory cable paraphernalia required to keep them alive.

My normal bargain bag regularly leaves me with aching, sore shoulders under that kind of load because the straps lack substance. The Rogue V4, by contrast, features wide, ergonomically designed padded straps paired with a highly ventilated mesh back panel that distributes dense weight beautifully.

There's also a really neat velcro strip on the front of the bag for attaching badges. My partner has an entirely too large for him Xbox jacket with a stash of gaming related velcro badges that I'm about to raid.

Razer Rogue V4 Backpack: What's bad

When taking a hard look at what I missed from my old, cheap but trusty backpack, my initial critique was that the Rogue V4 seemed to lack an external charging cutout to comfortably feed a power bank cable out to my phone. Alas, as it turns out, when studying the specs, I saw that Razer actually did think of this. The backpack features a fully integrated, stealthy cable passthrough that routes charging cables from the interior to the exterior without leaving your main compartments open. It was simply buried so deeply within the bag's complex ecosystem of pockets that it managed to evade my first few looks (I found it eventually). Just goes to show exactly how many damn pockets, nooks, and crannies this thing has.

Beyond that, the only real negative here is the price tag. At $110 to $140, it's a substantial investment for an accessory that doesn't actually have a processor inside it. However, that premium cost is undeniably reflected in the build quality, heavy-duty zipper tape, and material longevity you will get. If you are a die-hard Razer enthusiast, the Razer tax is a familiar trade-off.

Razer Rogue V4 Backpack: The competition

Almost every major PC manufacturer manufactures a proprietary laptop backpack line to accompany their gaming laptops, though few manage to carry the same streetwear aesthetic appeal as Razer. If you want to keep your accessories strictly brand-loyal, here are a couple of other options in the same ballpark budget.

Hovering right around the $95–$120 mark, depending on active sales, the Legion 16" Armored is Lenovo’s ultimate protective shield. It features an aggressive, weatherproof EVA-molded front armor shell and an ultra-rugged base. It offers excellent structural protection against accidental drops, though its rigid, hard-shell design looks vastly more utilitarian and bulky than the Rogue V4.

Next up is ASUS’s massive 35-liter ROG Ranger alternative built for larger 18-inch rigs. It utilizes an incredibly tough 1260D high-density polyester fabric and excels at raw storage volume, but it lacks the eye-catching looks of the Rogue V4.

Finally, we have Alienware's 18 gaming backpack sitting right in the premium sweet spot at $129.99; this is Dell’s heavyweight champion built explicitly for massive 18-inch desktop replacements. On the inside, it features heavy-duty 360-degree EVA foam cushioning and a soft, anti-scratch Nylex lining to keep your chassis completely pristine.

Razer Rogue V4 Backpack: Should you buy?

You should buy the Razer Rogue V4 if ...

You should not buy the Razer Rogue V4 if ...

Razer Rogue V4 Backpack: Final verdict

Razer has effectively treated a basic textile backpack with the exact same premium material selection and aesthetic precision that they apply to their flagship laptops. They have done the impossible: they made me genuinely care about a piece of luggage. It’s tough, and a dream bag for the meticulously organized. After all, if you've spent hundreds on your tech, what's another $100 on something to house them in? Consider me converted from the bargain basement!

If you’ve ever looked at the price of a new laptop, monitor, or pair of earbuds and thought, “Wow, I guess I didn’t need groceries this week,” you’re not alone. Tech prices are chaotic, deals come and go faster than a Windows Insider build, and half the “sales” out there feel like someone just slapped a red sticker on the same old MSRP.

Fortunately, our sister site Tom’s Guide has decided to do something about it, and we’re more than happy to shout about it from the rooftops. Say hello to the Tom’s Guide Savings Squad, a new initiative designed to help you upgrade your life for less by cutting through the noise and surfacing genuinely worthwhile deals. Think of it as a team of bargain‑hunting Avengers, except instead of saving the world, they’re saving you money.

The Savings Squad is built around a simple idea: tech deals shouldn’t feel like detective work. Tom’s Guide already tests hundreds of products a year, including phones, laptops, TVs, wearables, smart home gear, fitness tech, and more — and now they’re channeling all that expertise into a dedicated squad whose sole mission is to help you spend smarter. Whether it’s a price drop on a flagship phone, a sneaky good discount on a smartwatch, or a genuinely worthwhile sale on a mattress (yes, tech people sleep too), the Squad is on it.

And because this is Tom’s Guide we’re talking about, the Savings Squad isn’t just reposting coupon codes from the back alley of the internet. Their team is known for independent testing, multi‑editor signoff, and a “no affiliate bias” approach. So, when they say something is a good deal, it’s because they’ve actually done the homework. If only every online “deal” worked that way.

Why Windows Central readers should care

Let’s be real: Windows fans love a good upgrade. New Surface? New gaming laptop? New monitor that’s definitely bigger than what your desk was designed for? We get it. But staying on top of the best prices across dozens of retailers is a full‑time job — and you already have one of those.

That’s where the Savings Squad comes in. They’re tracking price drops, seasonal sales, surprise flash deals, and retailer shenanigans so you don’t have to. And because they’re part of the same Future family as Windows Central, you can expect the same level of rigor, clarity, and “no BS” deal‑spotting you’ve come to trust from us.

And hey, if someone else wants to spend their day refreshing product pages and hunting for price dips, we’re not going to stop them. We’ll just happily reap the benefits.

The bottom line

The Tom’s Guide Savings Squad is officially live, officially useful, and officially ready to help you stretch your tech budget further than you thought possible. Whether you’re hunting for your next PC upgrade, looking to refresh your home office, or just trying to score a great deal on something shiny, they’ve got your back.

Check out the full announcement and start saving smarter — your wallet will thank you, and your next upgrade might come sooner than you think.

Gaming handhelds like the Xbox Ally or Steam Deck are built with stern shells to safeguard their inner workings from many hours of usage or accidental abuse, but they're not invincible.

Hence, it's important to get your gaming handheld an outer shell casing to give it extra protection and additional comfort, like dBrand's Killswitch Ultra Kit, which is now on sale for $64.80 thanks to this early 60% Black Friday discount.

Why is this gaming handheld case worth buying?

Our own gaming handheld enthusiast, Rebecca Spear, gave the Travel edition of dBrand's Killswitch Kit for Xbox Ally and the Xbox Ally X a perfect 5/5 review for being an amazing, form-fitting protective case that is a must-have for portable Xbox gaming fans.

The good news is that the Ultra edition of the Killswitch Kit that's on sale is completely identical to the regular edition in terms of build design and quality.

The only difference is that the Ultra edition comes with two glass screen protectors, and it's currently cheaper thanks to dBrand's early Black Friday deal, making the Ultra Edition cost $64.80 as opposed to the Travel Edition, which is currently on sale for $79.85.

As for what makes the Killswitch Ultra Kit so good, it has a form-fitting case that provides all the required openings for USB ports, buttons, and vents without feeling loose, it's got a kickstand for hands-free usage, and its removable screen cover makes it the slimmest case on the market.

Additionally, its textured rubber grips help prevent a gaming handheld from falling out of your hands, and its bundled, durable screen protectors are easy to install.

The Killswitch Ultra only has a few minor flaws to be aware of. Its kickstand can break if you press it back hard enough, the rubber casing can be difficult to remove once installed, and its thick design may prevent your handheld from fitting onto docking stations (though your mileage may vary).

Aside from that, this is a near-flawless gaming handheld case, and now that it's $64.80 cheaper, it's an absolute steal for gaming handheld fanatics.

FAQ

When I was preparing for my trip to San Francisco for GDC 2024, I knew I wanted to bring my ASUS ROG Ally. Sure, I read a book during a lot of my leisure and travel time, but I also wanted to continue playing Hollow Knight and other games while I was away. For that, I needed a carrying case to protect the handheld, and I landed on this product from Syntech.

Weeks of use later, and it turns out I chose right. Syntech's hard carrying case for the ASUS ROG Ally is a high-quality, well-designed carrying case that offers great protection and helpful extra features, and it's available at an excellent price. It's on the large side and so isn't for those that need as compact of a case as possible, but the case protected my ROG Ally for thousands of miles of travel, and I know it would protect yours, too.

This review was made possible with a unit purchased by Windows Central. Syntech did not see the contents of the review before publishing.

Syntech ROG Ally case: Pricing and specifications

Pricing highlights

• Syntech's ASUS ROG Ally hard carrying case retails for just $25.49 at Amazon, which nets you the carrying case and nothing else.
• It's a great price for a genuinely high-quality product, and compares favorably with the competition.

The ASUS ROG Ally is an expensive product, one that's absolutely worth protecting to the best of your abilities. A bag or case shouldn't be as expensive as the tech it holds, though, making it important that you find a good bargain that doesn't skimp on quality. Syntech's ROG Ally bag firmly fits in both categories, falling in line or even undercutting its competition without feeling cheap.

Syntech's carrying case uses a combination of quality materials here, but don't expect any extra goodies beyond the case itself. For the grand total of $25.49 at Amazon, you get the Syntech ASUS ROG Ally Hard Carrying Case in extremely simple packaging and... That's it! That's not a con, though. Syntech isn't overcharging you; this is a well-priced carrying case that won't disappoint you.

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Syntech ROG Ally case: The good

The pros highlights

• The carrying case feels very well-built, offering excellent protection from all manner of potential hazards.
• The built-in screen protection and mesh pocket doubles as a kickstand, too, which can be very handy.
• Extra storage below your handheld is perfect for a charger, earbuds, or other small items.

The outside layer of polyester fabric has handled everyday wear and tear without issue, even though it does have a tendency to pick up dust. The middle EVA (a polymer) provides rigid protection from bumps and drops, while the velvet interior prevents unwanted scratches. Everything feels nicely tailored to the ROG Ally, with indents for the joysticks and just enough space for everything to be snug.

However, there's still just enough space to accommodate other cases, as Syntech's bag works perfectly with the dbrand ASUS ROG Ally Killswitch case to offer extra storage and added protection when traveling. You can pick up the dbrand ROG Ally Killswitch from $59.95 at dbrand, which also gets you an ASUS ROG Ally skin of your choosing.

Even the zipper feels thoughtfully planned. It's a hidden double zipper that is both water and rustproof; it's a little tight and difficult to open or close at times, but that's worth it for the added protection. The handle is also comfortable and solidly attached, and I was confident in it even swinging the case around.

The build quality is excellent, but how is this carrying case in action? The ROG Ally nests neatly inside, and you can protect the screen with a simple flap secured via velcro. There's another partition that folds out, containing the mesh pocket for simple accessories like microSD cards or cleaning cloths, and can fold up to be a makeshift kickstand. The kickstand feels solid, enough that you can trust it to withstand some jostling and keep your ROG Ally rooted.

Underneath your ROG Ally is a decent-sized cavity big enough for the ROG Ally's charger, or maybe a pair of Bluetooth earbuds, or other accessories. This obviously adds bulk to Syntech's carrying case, but it does mean you can store everything you need for the ASUS ROG Ally in one place. It's all easy to understand and access, and it doesn't feel like Syntech threw anything together here.

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Syntech ROG Ally case: The bad

The cons highlights

• This is a well-built and protective carrying case, but it's definitely not the most compact on the market.
• The kickstand is also useful to have, but being built into the case makes it a lot less convenient and bulkier than an integrated kickstand would've been.

It's obvious from images that Syntech's ROG Ally carrying case is not a small affair. This is meant to be an all-in-one solution, but those needing something slim and light that can slide into practically any bag on the way out the door may be disappointed by Syntech's offering. Extra storage means extra size, but it's still something worth keeping in mind if you're in the market for an ROG Ally case.

In that case, you may be better served by the more expensive tomtoc case for $32.99 at Amazon, or the JSAUX ModCase for $29.99 at Amazon. Syntech's hard carrying case is a far better value than the former, though, and is more consistent in quality than the latter.

Finally, while the kickstand is great to have, it does mean having the carrying case sitting out, too, which takes up a considerable amount of space (it'd cramp an airplane tray, for example). It just makes me wish ASUS would've built a kickstand into the ROG Ally, instead. Maybe we'll see it with the ASUS ROG Ally 2, but until then a kickstand built into your carrying case is still better than none at all.

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Syntech ROG Ally case: Final thoughts

You should buy this if ...

✅You want an all-in-one solution to protect your ASUS ROG Ally

Syntech's hard carrying case is intelligently designed, expertly constructed, and more than capable of protecting your ROG Ally from bumps, drops, scratches, and even splashes. It's a great all-in-one carrying case with a good amount of storage, and even boasts a built-in kickstand for when you want to prop your ROG Ally up.

You should not buy this if ...

❌You want a slim case for lightweight traveling

The Syntech hard carrying case for the ASUS ROG Ally is awesome, but it's certainly not small. It prioritizes storage and protection over portability, so those needing a highly compact case to throw into a bag on the way out the door may be better served by slimmer alternatives, often at the expense of quality, features, or value.

This is hardly the most exciting review. The Syntech ASUS ROG Ally Hard Carrying Case may be an important accessory for one of the best gaming handhelds, but it's certainly not a major financial decision. Still, Syntech impressed me with the quality and thorough design of its carrying case, which offers excellent protection and some helpful features and storage. On top of that, it offers great compatibility with form-fitting ROG Ally cases like the dbrand Killswitch.

This is one of the best ASUS ROG Ally accessories you can buy; at just $25.49 at Amazon, it's also one of the easiest ROG Ally accessories to buy. You can also bundle Syntech's ASUS ROG Ally USB hub for $54.99 at Amazon to save some cash on another useful peripheral. Unless you're certain you need something extra compact that just protects your ROG Ally and little else, the Syntech ASUS ROG Ally Hard Carrying Case is a reliable, trustworthy way to transport your valuable handheld and all the accessories you need for it.

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Razer may be most known for its gaming laptops and accessories, but the company also designs a line of lifestyle products from chairs to merch and even — you guessed it — bags and backpacks.

Razer likely isn't your first choice for a new laptop bag or school backpack, but maybe that should change. I used two of Razer's premium backpacks at GDC 2024, and I'm totally sold.

I tested the ultra-compact 14-inch Rogue V3 and its roomier 16-inch big sibling, and while there's room for improvement with both models, Razer impressed me with the quality and attention to detail in these bags.

They never failed me during my trip, and I'd happily recommend both bags to anyone, especially if you're willing to spend a little extra to get something more premium than what you'll find at your local retail store.

In fact, I'm still using the Razer Rogue V3 a year later — I love it, and I appreciate its build quality even more now.

This review was made possible thanks to a review sample provided by Razer. Razer had no input nor saw the contents of this review prior to publication.

Razer Rogue V3 review: Pricing and specifications

Anyone can walk into their nearest mall, supermarket, or any such store and pick up a decent backpack for around $30, but you also know the level of quality you can expect at that price.

Inversely, people with plenty of disposable income can pay hefty sums for an ultra-premium backpack, like the handmade leather bags from Waterfield Designs. Razer is straddling the line, offering high-quality, traditional-style laptop backpacks for a reasonable — but not small — price.

The Razer Rogue Backpack V3 starts from $59.99 at Razer for the compact, adorable 14-inch variant, rises to $99.99 at Razer for the mid-sized (and my personal favorite) 16-inch variant, and caps off at $149.99 at Razer for the beefy 17/18-inch version I wasn't able to test.

A Razer-branded bag also has the benefit of being offered from a variety of retailers, too, starting from $59.99 at Amazon (with all three sizes available). Considering the design and quality of materials used, I think Razer has priced these bags well.

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Razer Rogue V3 review: What I like

How much can I really write about some laptop bags? Especially when there's so very little to complain about.

The Razer Rogue V3 line of backpacks don't look too different at a glance from the traditional form factor all of us have likely worn on our back at one point or another, except they're in Razer's iconic black-and-green colorway. There's no luxurious silk or leather here; Razer used nylon and other more durable materials, and the overall construction is practically perfect.

Each bag is similar aside from the appropriate upscaling in storage space and pockets. One element each backpack shares is a large front-facing pocket with a sideways opening, adorned with the Razer logo.

In fact, this pocket is the exact same size between the 14 and 16-inch variants. Whichever size you choose based on your needs and budget, you're not going to be disappointed.

That's because these aren't specialty bags. They're not carefully tailored toward photographers or creators, or solely focused on moving your gaming setup around.

These multipurpose backpacks are just as good for school as they are for a trip to San Francisco or a jaunt to a friend's house for a night of gaming. There's dedicated space for your laptop, but the rest of the pockets and space can be used for whatever you want.

Razer was definitely thorough about the design for these backpacks, and comfort was obviously a focus as well. Both versions I tested were comfortable to wear for hours, as long as you adjust the straps correctly, and were breathable enough that I didn't suffer from an uncomfortably sweating back.

It has been nearly a year since I first wrote this review, and the Rogue V3 is still my backpack of choice. This bag has gotten a lot of use, so how has it held up over time?

It's all good news here. The zippers are tight and secure, the fabric is clean and tear-free; there's no sign of the daily wear you might expect. These are quality bags, and they're likely more durable than the high-end, leather-clad bags many people spend hundreds on.

Everything is exactly as I expected for backpacks at this price point, and then beyond that. That doesn't mean there isn't anything I want to see Razer improve in the future, though.

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Razer Rogue V3 review: What I don't like

All three of the Razer Rogue Backpacks prominently feature Razer's logo on the back. Sure, you can opt for matte black lettering rather than the flashy chromatic default, but these backpacks are always very obviously going to be Razer backpacks.

Razer's branding is undeniably important to the company, but it's also a good way to shout "This bag has expensive stuff in it" to everyone around you. Not everyone is going to want to wear a Razer logo on their back, anyways.

As far as practical features are concerned, the 14-inch backpack felt like a tight fit for all the 14-inch laptops I tested (although they did fit), and it was sometimes annoying to squeeze the laptops in and out of the bag.

I also wished there was one more small pocket for more organization in the 14-inch variant, and that the second bottle holder was a closed pocket like on the 16-inch version.

Finally, the 16-inch version absolutely has enough internal volume for a slim tablet sleeve next to the laptop pocket, and I lamented not having that when lugging my Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 around.

As a small aside, some more colorways would be awesome. There's a good chance these backpacks aren't high volume enough for Razer to justify designing, manufacturing, and distributing more designs, but I would've loved a black-and-blue version.

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Razer Rogue V3 review: My final thoughts

✅You should buy this if ...

• You want a high-quality bag without breaking the bank
• You want a multipurpose bag that can do anything
• You need a backpack you know will last for years of use

❌You should not buy this if ...

• You want a high-end, bespoke bag from a luxury company
• You don't want to carry the Razer logo around on your back

When I left for GDC, the Razer Rogue V3 14-inch had to carry the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (Gen 12), my Surface Headphones 2, my ASUS ROG Ally, my Samsung Galaxy Tab S9, a book, a water bottle, and all of the various chargers, battery packs, dongles, and storage that I use as a part of my job.

Don't get me wrong, it was a tight fit, but the Rogue V3 was a comfortable, smartly designed, and expertly constructed backpack that never once gave me issue. On the ride home, the 16-inch version held it all with a ton of room to spare.

Whether you have one of the best Windows laptops or the best gaming laptops, it's worth investing in a backpack that will be comfortable to wear, efficiently carry everything you need, and protect your valuable gear.

The Razer Rogue V3 is a little loud design-wise and some may desire more luxurious materials, but the price is reasonable for the quality you're getting in return. These are easily some of the best laptop bags for basically any use case, and they're widely available from $59.99 at Razer or $59.99 at Amazon.

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I'm the kind of person who brings most of my best tech on travels. This means I need a heavy-duty bag that provides the storage space and durable design necessary for toting my laptop, a tablet, handheld gaming systems, their cases, respective charging cables, and other belongings. Finding the best laptop backpacks for my tech isn't easy, so my eyes lit up when I saw that Waterfield was releasing the Air Porter Backpack.

It's specifically designed to fit under most airplane seats and provides zippers that make your belongings easily accessible while in flight. To test this bag out, I used it as my carry-on while flying across the United States on vacation with my husband. We packed it with all our favorite devices, which provided the best tech air travel experience I've ever had. It's not entirely perfect, but it's damn near it.

Disclaimer: This review was made possible by a review unit provided by Waterfield. The company did not see the contents of the review before publishing.

Waterfield Air Porter: Price and availability

The Air Porter Travel Backpack sells for $419 at Waterfield's official storefront. Without a doubt, these bags are very pricey, but they're also high-quality, useful, and durable. There are three color options, each available in a black ballistic nylon with a different color full-grain leather accent on the front: Chocolate Leather, Black Leather, or Crimson Leather. I reviewed a sample of the Crimson Leather version.

In addition to the bag itself, buyers can choose to add a matching Air Caddy for $59 to $79, depending on the options chosen. On Waterfield's website, buyers can purchase a matching Airtag Leather Luggage Tag for $49 if they desire. You can see the matching Crimson Leather Airtag in my pictures. This extra accessory also came with a small Apple AirTag (via iMore) sleeve, which I can drop into the luggage tag or place within a special pocket within the Air Porter itself.

Waterfield Designs has long been a producer of high-quality bags and accessories that are manufactured out of San Francisco, California. The company's use of premium materials and durable construction, combined with its focus on minimalist styles, gives Waterfield's products an exquisite look and feel. But these same aspects are also what make these bags rather expensive.

Waterfield Air Porter: Design and Storage

Altogether, the Air Porter is 12 inches long, seven inches wide, and 16.5 inches tall, with a carrying volume of 22 liters. It's a hefty bag that I packed with my and my husband's most important tech. Specifically, I packed it to the brim with two laptops (one rather chunky and the other slim), a tablet, a couple of books, two Nintendo Switch OLEDs in carrying cases, my ASUS ROG Ally in a carrying case, my husband's Steam Deck in a Tomtoc carrying case, and all of the necessary cables needed for each device. 

Despite holding a ton of weight, it never felt like any part of the bag would rip or tear, thanks to the tough 1680 Denier black ballistic nylon it is made of. This happens to be the same type of material that bulletproof vests are made of, and it's both water-resistant and doesn't easily wear out. The outside of the bag might seem minimalist and utilitarian, but inside each pocket, the bag is lined with a gorgeous gold fabric that adds a dynamic look to the Air Porter.

Along with the main zippered compartment, there are five zippered pockets in total. Four of these (the ones on the outside) are waterproof and pulled with metal zippers that can be locked together with TSA-compatible security locks (which you'll need to supply yourself).

The zippers all move nicely, and I never had to worry about them getting stuck or jammed. Considering that I was entrusting this bag to carry my favorite tech, it was nice knowing that water couldn't easily get in to damage anything.

I also love how wide the main zipper opens, allowing the top of the bag to swing open as if on a hinge and giving me plenty of room to access everything within. The two laptop slots in the main compartment are extra padded and made me feel comfortable placing my expensive and beefy Acer Swift X 16 alongside the Lenovo Slim Pro 7 inside. These laptops fit beautifully without being too snug or difficult to remove. 

Due to the bag's design, the handle is located more on the upper backside of the backpack than on the top. This prevents the backpack from experiencing too much stress when held by the strap, but it also means that the handle is in a somewhat awkward location that takes a bit more work than usual to grab. It's not the worst thing in the world, and I did get used to its placement, but it might be a notable thing for some to adjust to.

Waterfield Air Porter: Carrying and travel experience

After absolutely packing this bag to the brim, I wasn't sure how comfortable it would be to carry around, but it proved to be more comfortable than I expected. The neoprene-padded arm straps are strong, and the bag is designed in such a way that it feels very balanced and contained. It doesn't pull against my center of gravity or make my back sore.

There's also a sternum strap much like what's found on my Camelbak, which helps stabilize the bag and keep it steady. These straps can be slid up and down or removed entirely if that is your prerogative. When I first put the bag on, I found that the sternum strap was far too high and grated uncomfortable on my neck and chin.

It was only when I removed them and put them under the sewed line on either arm strap that it finally felt comfortable. Even then, I opted to remove them as they weren't the most comfortable thing, and the backpack felt steady enough for me without them.

The backside of the backpack is padded for a comfortable wearing experience, and I can even tuck the arm straps away into a backside pocket if I simply want to use the handle to tote it around.

The most important aspect of the Air Porter's design is that it is not only intended to fit in most airplanes' overhead bins or under most airplane seats. It's also the fact that the top of the bag is intended to be easily accessible when under the seat in front of you. For this reason, I placed my reading books, my wireless earbuds, and my Nintendo Switch in the top two zippers and was always able to easily remove them regardless of the four airplanes I flew on.

As advertised, the bag fit beautifully on the ground in front of me, and I never had to worry about it invading another person's space or being too large to fit properly under the seat in front of me.

As I previously said, the larger of the two zippers is big enough to fit a Switch OLED in its carrying case. I also attempted to put the Steam Deck or my ROG Ally in this top pocket, but the cases were just slightly too big. Still, this 12-by-7-by-2-inch area is perfect for books, smaller tablets, earbuds, and other items you might want to use in flight.

Waterfield Air Porter: Should you buy it?

You should buy it if...

You should not buy it if...

I absolutely loved traveling with the Air Porter Backpack from Waterfield. Thanks to the design of the bag's top two pockets, I could easily access my favorite pass-time items like books, my Nintendo Switch, earbuds, and more without having to pull my bag out from under the seat in front of me.

Moreover, the bag's various compartments allowed me to easily carry my other necessary tech devices, such as a couple of laptops and a tablet, while keeping them all safely protected in padded pockets. Despite the hefty weight of the backpack, the ballistic nylon material it is made of kept everything securely together in an extremely durable way.  

That all being said, acquiring this beautiful bag costs hundreds of dollars, so it might be too far above some people's price range. However, if you feel comfortable spending that much, you will get a very convenient travel bag that will last you a long time.

The Dell XPS 15 (7590), the model that preceded the latest 9500, is one excellent laptop. It comes at you with powerful hardware, FHD, and 4K OLED display options, and a premium chassis made from CNC machined aluminum and carbon-fiber palm rest. While it looks flashy, it might not have enough character for your liking, or you might just want to keep your XPS 15 from getting scratched up during regular use. Luckily, there are plenty of skins available.

Wrapping up

These skins all provide style and protection for your Dell XPS 15 (7590) in several different ways, but if we're making a suggestion, we can't help but recommend something from Toast. Its skins are hand-crafted in Portland, Oregon from real wood, and the inclusion of customizable engravings can give it a personal look. They stick on with a quality adhesive, and all ports are left open, so you don't have to worry about a hit to functionality.

Looking for a vinyl skin that comes in separate parts, each customizable with more than 35 different designs? Check out what dbrand has to offer. Its skins are relatively affordable despite good quality material, and the package comes with everything you need for a bubble-free, smooth installation.

If you're in search of added protection in the form of a quality sleeve or case, we've also rounded up the best of the best that will fit the XPS 15 7590 and the new XPS 15 9500.

If you're into fashion and always want to look your best, there's absolutely no reason why you can't make your laptop protector part of that. It's easy to assume all laptop cases and bags are dreary black goliaths that office workers use to carry ancient 17-inch notebooks around, but that's not the case anymore. If you want something with a bit of style, here's what you should get.

Looking good at college

Whether at college or elsewhere, there's one bag we're always quick to recommend, and that's the Peak Design Everyday Messenger. It's a little pricey, but it truly is a king of bags. Peak Design is one of the best product design companies out there, delivering a product that people actually want. The Everyday Messenger looks fantastic, but above all, it's a great bag, packed with clever dividers to maximize storage, a waterproof exterior, and space for your laptop, phone, tablet, and even a sizeable camera.

While that may be a top bag for everyone, if you're specifically looking for something super stylish for either ladies or gents, then the Kate Spade Tote and the Moshi Urbana briefcase are both excellent choices.

Kate Spade needs little introduction, and this laptop bag just looks like a regular Kate Spade bag. Can't get better than that. For the gents, the Moshi briefcase oozes class, while having enough storage and protection for your laptop and other bits of your everyday carry.

Cooler Master has quite a roster of PC cases available, including the Silencio S400. It's a case that justifies its name with sound-dampening panels on the top, sides, and front, giving you a bit of peace and quiet while the hardware inside powers on. It's a fairly basic case when it comes to styling, with a black exterior and your choice of solid steel or tempered glass side panel. It's also fairly affordable, generally hovering around the $100 mark. I built a PC inside the Silencio S400 to get an idea of its pros and cons, and ultimately to get an idea of whether or not it's worth the price.

Cooler Master Silencio S400: Price, availability, and specs

The Cooler Master Silencio S400 is available at plenty of major online retailers, including Amazon, Newegg, and Walmart. The model with a steel side panel with sound dampening (which I'm reviewing here) looks to cost about $115 across all major retailers, though we have seen it down to $85 at its cheapest price.

The version with a tempered glass side panel (and less sound dampening) is much harder to find at a decent price. You won't be able to show off your internal hardware without it, but your PC will run quieter.

Following is a look at the Silencio S400's main specifications.

Cooler Master Silencio S400: What I like

The Silencio S400 is a PC case designed to accommodate those who want a more compact build. It fits Mini-ITX and Micro-ATX motherboards, with decent fan and radiator support on the top, front, and rear. The case comes with a couple of Cooler Master's own Silencio 120mm fans, each with extra rubber padding around the screw holes to prevent vibrations. This is likely enough for a lightweight build, but anyone who's filling the case with performance hardware will likely want some extra cooling.

You can add a second 120mm fan or swap out the stock fan for a couple of 140mm fans up front. It also supports 120mm, 140mm, or 240mm radiators with the optical drive cage installed. With the optical drive cage removed — I took it out with ease since it's held in by only a couple of screws — you can fit a 280mm radiator.

The top has room for the same fan setup, though if you'd like to double up the 120mm or 140mm fans, you will have to remove the optical drive cage. As for radiator support, you can fit a 120mm up top, or a 240mm with the drive cage removed. The rear mount holds a 120mm fan or radiator only.

The case offers four PCI expansion slots — enough to handle the best graphics cards and their serious girth — as well as plenty of storage space. There's an HDD cage next to the bottom PSU position with room for three 3.5-inch drives, plus you can mount an HDD on the bottom of the optical drive cage if you decide to not remove it. The PSU shroud has a couple of 2.5-inch SSD mounts on the top (which are right below the GPU), as well as two mounts on the back of the motherboard panel. The HDD cage can be secured in three different positions depending on how much space you need for the PSU, and it can be removed entirely with just one screw.

Building a PC inside the Silencio S400 was painless even though I went beyond suggested dimensions. My AMD RX 6800 GPU is about 330mm long, which is 11mm over the limit of the case. This caused issues with the stock 120mm fan; the mounts for the smaller size didn't go high enough to clear the GPU, but luckily I had a few 140mm fans lying around in wait.

Taking Cooler Master's "Make It Yours" slogan to heart, I removed the entire front section of the case, including the hinged sound-dampening door and dust filter. This plastic portion is held in by pressure clips so it was quite easy to get off. From there, I replaced the 120mm fan with the 140mm option (which could sit way higher in the case) and plugged it into the four-pin extender that can run up to three fans. This was also when I removed the optical drive cage. Those of you with oversized GPUs should also be able to get the case to work, but do note that going over the dimensions will remove the ability for a front radiator. You're pretty much cemented into a single 140mm fan up front.

From there the case was accommodating, and the full fresh build took no more than about 45 minutes without rushing anything. The motherboard mounts are clearly marked for Mini-ITX and Micro-ATX, there are plenty of cutouts for smooth cable management — including a couple of openings with rubber gaskets to better hide cabling — and the PSU fits in snugly and rests on rubber feet. This is a fairly simple build, but I still felt like I had a ton of room to work with, especially after removing the HDD cage. And since the PC is sort of like a vault for your hardware, I felt less pressure to spend a ton of time on making the cabling look perfect.

This case is all about keeping your hardware silent. To achieve that, the metal side panels have sound-dampening material on the inside. The front panel, which is hinged to provide access to the dust filter and optional optical drive, is also equipped with the same heavy material. I love the hinged design, as you can open up the PC to get a bit more air through if your PC is suffering with a particular task.

The top venting can either be covered with a magnetic dust filter for better airflow, or with a steel panel with sound dampening for less noise. Since I didn't mount any top fans, I primarily used the steel panel since it gives the case just a bit more of a complete look. And, as we will see, it didn't cause too much of a rise in temperatures. The back of the case is essentially left open as most cases are, but with it pointed away from you there isn't a whole lot of racket to be heard.

I tested noise and heat generated by the PC, both with the mesh top and the solid top, as well as while idling and while under load. The test system includes an AMD Ryzen 5 5600X CPU, AMD Radeon RX 6800 GPU, M.2 PCIe 3.0 SSD, and a Gigabyte AORUS Pro X570 motherboard. Keep in mind that I replaced the 120mm front fan with a 140mm fan to better fit the oversized GPU. I left the top open, though there is plenty of room for a couple of fans or a radiator.

Testing first at an idle, I measured 51.2 decibels directly above the PC with the mesh top installed. With the solid top, I measured 40.9 decibels, a significant drop. At this level it's safe to think of a quiet library, and that's if you have your ear basically pressed up to the PC. Testing noise at the front from about 2 feet away, sound actually went up by a couple of decibels when I replaced the solid top with mesh, from 36.1 to 38.2. This could have to do with the PC hauling more air through the front when the top grate is closed. Still, it's not a ton of noise.

Under load, I measured 54.5 decibels directly above the PC with the mesh top installed. With the solid top, I measured 43.1 decibels. From about 2 feet away it's significantly quieter even when the system is being stress tested. You can still definitely hear the system running, especially with the oversized GPU I installed, but this is still one of the quietest PCs I've built.

Moving on to temperatures, I took separate readings of the CPU, GPU, and motherboard at idle and following a 10-minute stress test. I let the system cool down for about 30 minutes between mesh and steel top covering stress tests.

It's evident that going for the full sound dampening isn't going to make a big difference over the mesh panel when it comes to cooling. I went with the bare minimum here: one fan in front and one in the back with a stock CPU cooler in the middle. This isn't a PC case that focuses primarily on airflow, and your system is likely going to run a few degrees hotter than usual. But the system still seemed to not be under risk of overheating. If you are looking to maximize thermal efficiency, be sure to check out our collection of the best PC cases for airflow.

Cooler Master Silencio S400: What I don't like

With a smooth, quick build process behind me and a silent PC running next to me, there's not that much to complain about when it comes to the Silencio S400. This is a case that moves between about $85 and $115, so it's definitely in the affordable range. With this in mind, I did note a few areas where the case shows its price. The bottom dust screen for the PSU has fallen off a number of times, held in with but just a few fingers. The plastic front panel that I removed and reinstalled during the build held together, but it does feel a bit flimsy.

The case's foam feet (to cut down on vibrations) don't seem like they'll last long, especially if you're often moving the case around. And the top dust filter's magnets don't line up in the corner. It's all small, ultimately inconsequential stuff that I'm nitpicking here, and it's nothing out of the ordinary for a case this price. As for the front I/O, I appreciate the SD card reader but wish there was a USB-C port for better future-proofing.

Finally, the Silencio S400 version with a tempered glass side panel now seems to be in short supply, and any options I found online were hundreds over the list price. If you want this case at a reasonable price, it looks like you will have to settle for the full metal panels and better sound dampening.

Cooler Master Silencio S400: Competition

If you like the idea of the Silencio S400 but don't think it will have enough space inside for your intended build, Cooler Master also has the larger Silencio S600. It fits up to an ATX motherboard, it has seven PCI expansion slots, space for five 2.5-inch SSDs, and better fan and radiator support. Otherwise it's a very similar design, with black finish and sound dampening throughout. It also comes with tempered glass or steel side panel.

If you have a bit more money to spend on a case, the be quiet! Silent Base 802 is another excellent option. It has a bit more style compared to the Silencio S400, and it's much larger with space inside for up to an E-ATX build. There's tons of radiator support, I/O is modern, and you get decent airflow along with quiet performance.

Be sure to check out our collection of the best PC cases for more general options, as well as our picks for best Cooler Master cases if you'd like to stick with the brand.

Cooler Master Silencio S400: Should you buy it?

You should buy this if …

• You like a clean look without RGB
• You want your PC to run at a whisper
• You want a more compact build with Mini-ITX or Micro-ATX board

You shouldn't buy this if …

• You want lots of RGB styling
• You have a bunch of oversized hardware
• You like to see the inside of your PC

The Silencio S400 posed no problems while building a new PC, and even having to go over the suggested dimensions with my oversized GPU really didn't cause any issues beyond not being able to fit a radiator up front. Despite its compact size, the case has plenty of room for storage and cabling, and there's even an optional optical drive bay.

With an average price of about $100, there are some corners cut here and there when it comes to quality. However, all the points that really matter are covered. The case is able to keep performance hardware relatively cool despite its sound dampening capabilities, and the system is whisper quiet even under load. If you're looking to go with a Mini-ITX or Micro-ATX size for your next build and don't want to hear your system, this case should definitely be on your shortlist.

What you need to know

• Asus made cool Gundam-themed PC components.
• They were only available in Asia... until now.
• Four of the components have been listed for sale on Newegg, available to U.S. buyers.

If you're a big fan of the Gundam franchise and want to upgrade your gaming rig with style, the crossover collaboration of your dreams has just arrived on U.S. shores. Though Asus' special Gundam-themed PC parts were initially exclusive to Asia, four of them have trickled onto Newegg and are purchasable by Gundam-loving Americans, as spotted by Tom's Hardware.

The mecha action comes in four distinct flavors. First, there's the Asus Z590 WiFi Gundam Edition LGA 1200 Intel Z590 SATA 6Gb/s ATX Intel motherboard. It supports Intel's 11th-gen and 10th-gen processors as well as metal product descriptions. Here's the one listed on the Newegg page: "Decked out in the heroic white livery worn by the RX-78-2 of the Mobile Suit Gundam anime series, Asus Z590 WiFi Gundam Edition is a special-edition motherboard that propels the latest Intel platform to new heights with game-ready features and proven durability." You know a motherboard is cool when it gets a mecha's livery. It costs $319.

There's also the Asus TUF Gaming B550M-Zaku WiFi AM4 AMD B550 SATA 6Gb/s Micro ATX AMD motherboard. It supports AMD Ryzen 5000 Series, 4000 G-Series, and 3000 Series processors. It also has an energetic description that tells you to "pledge your allegiance to the Principality of Zeon" by spending $219 on the motherboard.

Along with the Zaku-themed motherboard, there's the Asus RT-AX860U Zaku II Edition gaming router. It can provide speeds of up to 5700 Mbps for the (not so) low price of $299.

And lastly, there's an ASUS TUF Gaming GT301 Zaku II Edition case. It's made from steel, plastic, tempered glass, and concentrated anime style. It's $119.

What you need to know

• Microsoft launched a website for original Surface skins inspired by celebrities and influencers.
• The website features designs inspired by former NFL player Martellus Bennett and creator Cache Bunny.
• The skins featured on the website are made by dbrand.

Earlier today, we spotted a video by the Microsoft Surface team with the tagline "original by design." Alongside that video highlighting the Surface family of devices, Microsoft announced a website called WeAreOriginalByDesign. The website includes dbrand skins for Microsoft's entire range of Surface devices.

The website features original designs inspired by different celebrities and influencers, such as creator Cache Bunny and former NFL player Martellus Bennett. In total, there are seven skins featured right now, six of which are inspired by people. The seventh is dbrand's well-known Robot Camo pattern. Each featured person also has a video that tells their story and a section that breaks down the Surface kit that they use.

If you click the section to redesign your Surface, you're taken to an area to pick out your skin. You have to select a category of Surface first, such as Surface Pro, and then you can pick a specific model. For example, if you'd like a skin for your Surface Pro X, you have to first select Surface Pro and then specify that you want a skin for the Surface Pro X.

When you've picked out what you'd like to buy, going to your cart redirects you to dbrand's website.

The website seems a bit awkward to navigate at this point, especially with a keyboard and mouse. There are several different types of movement required to navigate the site, including clicking and dragging a page, clicking through content, and ultimately jumping to another website entirely to make a purchase. It doesn't load on Edge on my Android phone either at this point.

Your reward for navigating the website is a unique set of skins for just about any Surface device that you'd like.

Primarily a storage and memory manufacturer, ADATA and its XPG gaming brand have recently made a move into gaming laptops and gaming PC components. That includes PC cases like the XPG Invader, a mid-tower chassis with plenty of airflow, lots of room for expansion, and some built-in RGB lighting for extra style. The timing for the arrival of the case was perfect, and I was able to build a new PC inside to see what the case is all about. Here's what I liked, what I disliked, and ultimately, whether or not it's worth the relatively agreeable price.

XPG Invader at a glance

The XPG Invader is a mid-tower case that can fit ATX, Micro-ATX, and Mini-ITX motherboards, with plenty of room for custom cooling and rather large graphics cards (GPU). That's a good thing since the latest generation of the best graphics cards from AMD and NVIDIA are getting rather large. Here are the specs that make up the Invader case.

What the XPG Invader has to offer

Starting at the front of the case, there's a solid steel panel with the XPG logo near the bottom. It's held snugly against the case with strong magnets, making it easy to remove but hard to bump out of place. It's an elegant solution. Removing the panel reveals a mesh filter large enough to cover the entire front air intake. It's also held into place with magnets for easy removal and seating. The front of the case supports three 120mm fans or two 140mm fans; the included stock is a single 120mm fan. It will also fit either a 240mm or 360mm radiator.

Below the front panel is an RGB strip that gives the tower a bit of underglow, customizable with a dedicated button on the top front of the case. There are the standard colors to switch between, as well as some animated presets. Perhaps the best part is the included RGB extenders you can use to absolutely fill this case with synced lighting. And if RGB isn't really your idea of fun, you can turn it off or simply leave the SATA power connector unplugged.

Alongside the RGB button on the top of the case, there are dual USB-A 3.0 ports, a 3.5mm headset jack (works with input and output), a restart button, and a triangular power button with a white LED. The cabling running from this collection is a bit messy, but I was able to mostly clean it up during the build process. Also on the top of the case is a sizable vent that aligns with inside mounting options for dual 120mm fans or a 240mm radiator. It, too, has a magnetic filter.

Moving to the back of the case, there are seven PCI expansion slots for lots of customization potential, a PSU insert (with an included bracket for easy installation), and an included 120mm fan for exhaust. Each PCI expansion slot has a removable steel grate to keep the PC looking sharp even if you're not maximizing its potential. Flipping the case onto its side reveals dual filtered vents (this time non-magnetic) for the PSU and for a potential bottom fan. The 3.5-inch HDD cage that normally sits toward the front of the case's bottom can seemingly be removed and replaced by a 120mm fan.

XPG has gone with two handscrews on the back edge of the tempered glass panel that makes up an entire side of the case. That means there's nothing sticking out the side, delivering a more streamlined look. The tempered glass is plenty thick, and there's a solid black border around the edge. It does seem like there's a bit of tint to the glass, not enough to hide any hardware, but just enough to really highlight any RGB lighting you might have inside.

The other side of the case has a vented steel panel, also held in place with two rear screws. The vent on the side has its own magnetic filter and aligns with an optional vertical mounting area for a 240mm radiator or dual 120mm fans. It's clear that you pretty much have your pick of what type of cooling you want to run with. Even though I haven't yet taken full advantage of the potential radiator or extra fan mounts, I appreciate how much airflow is available.

The case rests on four robust plastic feet, and any potential vibration issues are eliminated thanks to soft rubber pads on the very bottom of the feet. Overall impressions of this case are quite positive. The steel construction feels durable and not cheap at all, the magnetic front panel and vent are a great choice, the glass is thick, and the paint job — available in black or white — is without noticeable flaw. But what's it like once you actually start building a PC inside?

Building a PC inside the XPG Invader

The best way to test out a case is to build a PC inside of it, and that's exactly what I did. I went to the largest recommended ATX motherboard size with an MSI MAG B550 Tomahawk and otherwise didn't really push things too far. The NVIDIA RTX 2060 GPU isn't particularly large, so it fits fine, the custom cooler had no problems, and there was enough dedicated space for myriad storage options.

The motherboard fits in exactly as it should, with included screws and risers making the installation a breeze. The case fans and front I/O cables (including the usual power, reset, USB hookups) clip in easily, and you're good to move on. Installing the PSU is a breeze thanks to an included external bracket. You fasten it first to the face of the PSU, then slide the entire unit into the back of the case where it matches up with screw holes. Even using a rather large 750W PSU, there was no issue with space once inserted.

The mount for a vertical radiator next to the motherboard is set ahead just a bit compared to the motherboard mount, leaving a gap to run cables through to the board. There are also slots cut out above the motherboard and in the PSU shroud to make connecting the GPU and CPU power as easy as possible.

Behind the motherboard are two 2.5-inch SSD brackets that mount your drives vertically. Because the brackets attach to the drive then fasten to the motherboard mount with handscrews, you can quickly detach them. Why? There are two more cutouts on the top of the PSU shroud where the SSDs can be mounted horizontally. It would be nice to have two more brackets to fill the spots, with SSD attached or not, but at least the slots on the PSU shroud aren't very noticeable once the PC is up and running.

A removable cage with two 3.5-inch HDD bays near the front of the PC makes it easy to slot drive in without any tools. I just pulled out a bracket, clicked the HDD into place, and slid the package back into the top slot. Older 3.5-inch HDDs are becoming more rare for sure, so if you're not in need of the mounts, you can remove the entire cage to make room for another fan on the bottom of the chassis.

Once I had everything put together, I put the side panels back on and tested to see how well the case manages heat. With the two stock 120mm fans and nothing else added (save the CPU cooler), the temperature inside the case maxed out at about 49 degrees Celsius with the system under a relatively heavy and sustained load. Idling, it sat between 29 and 35 degrees Celsius. That's with a Ryzen 7 5800X CPU, RTX 2060 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and two M.2 PCIe SSDs. The stock fans run quietly. If you're not planning on immediately adding a bunch of fans to your build, you shouldn't run into any problems.

I'm an amateur PC builder at best, and even I could get everything connected neatly without much effort. Cabling in the bottom and on the right side of the case (hidden by the steel panel) is a bit of a mess, but there's lots of room to work despite the large PSU. I could spend more time dealing with cable management to clean it up, but the case could also do a better job in some areas to help builders get exactly what they want.

What I disliked about the XPG Invader

The XPG Invader offered a straightforward yet versatile build experience, though there are some areas for improvement. Perhaps most noticeable are the built-in cables that run from the front I/O panel. Some aren't quite long enough to not cut across the side vertical radiator mount, which is left open in my build. Of course, mounting a radiator here would cover everything up, but for those of us not planning on adding more cooling, it would be nice to have some sort of cover, even plastic if not steel. And don't expect any fancy Velcro straps to come pre-installed in this case for easier cabling. It comes with a few zip ties, but otherwise, you're on your own.

On the note of mounting a vertical radiator next to your motherboard, be sure the GPU isn't going to interfere. XPG notes a maximum GPU length of 400mm for the case, but that's definitely without a side-mounted radiator. If you do have a rad there, your GPU should be closer to about 250mm or 260mm in length to fit. The same goes for a top-mounted radiator. Depending on the motherboard or RAM you're using, there may be some spacing issues if the radiator you want to mount is particularly thick.

Should you buy the XPG Invader?

After building a PC inside the XPG Invader, it's clear that ADATA isn't just pushing products onto the market without considering what builders want. There is plenty of space for your hardware (just watch out for GPU length), and the case is versatile enough to accommodate a bunch of different cooling options. Even with the two stock 120mm fans, the ample filtered venting offered enough airflow to keep my system cool.

The built-in RGB controller and underglow lighting — with easy expansion thanks to included cables — are a nice touch on a really well-built case. The steel construction feels premium, as does the thick tempered glass. Even the vents and filters have some design elements to them to give the case a bit more flair. And the front panel and mesh filter held on by magnets is an elegant solution.

It would be nice to see a cover for the vertical radiator mount to hide some of the cabling, but at least with the glass panel installed, they're not super visible. And the same applies to the 2.5-inch SSD bracket mounts that remain empty on the top of the PSU shroud. You can, of course, move the rear brackets to the front, but you'll still run out of mounting options with more than two drives.

If you're looking for a relatively affordable case that can fit up to an ATX board and has plenty of room for customization, the XPG Invader is no doubt a viable choice for many builders. It's built well, it comes with RGB lighting and a controller, and there is more than enough airflow for most builds. If it's not quite what you're looking for, be sure to check out our collection of the best PC cases under $100 for more options.

What you need to know

• Noreve has a new leather pouch available for Surface Duo.
• The pouch is very customizable, with different leather finishes, slots, engravings, and more.
• The Noreve Leather Pouch for Surface Duo is available now starting at $49.

Surface Duo is slowly seeing more accessories hit the market, and Noreve is one of the latest companies to jump on board. The company now has a customizable leather pouch available for Microsoft's folding phone, with plenty of finishes on offer.

The leather pouch is different from a case, letting you tuck your Duo away when you're not using it. Noreve is known for making some high quality leather accessories with a variety of different finishes, and that's no different here. You can choose from quilted or unquilted leather, along with various different grains, synthetic, vegan, and other options.

Beyond the different leather types and finishes, you can also add things like card slots and grips to the pouch. There's the option for a belt clip, necklace holder, and engraving as well. Of course, there are a ton of different color options, too.

The Noreve Leather Pouch for Surface Duo starts at around $49 for the synthetic leather version with no frills. That can quickly go well north of $100 depending on what you want, though.

What you need to know

• WaterField announced the new Hitch Crossbody Brief today.
• The bag comes in two sizes, and can hold up to a 15-inch Surface Laptop 3 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
• The bag is available now starting at $250.

WaterField Designs took the wraps off of another premium leather bag for your tech gear today. The new Hitch Crossbody Brief starts at $250, and it comes in two sizes. Regardless of size, the bag comes with two interior compartments for laptops and tablets, along with plenty of pocket space to spare.

The "Compact" Hitch Crossbody Brief is big enough to hold up to a 13-inch Surface Laptop 3, while the "Full" size can fit up to the 15-inch Surface Laptop 3. Both bags contain another padded compartment you can use for either a tablet or a second laptop, if that's your typical setup.

You'll find plenty of extra space in the bag's front pockets, along with dedicated interior pockets for pens and the like. There's also a quick-retrieval key tether, and on the back of the bag you'll find a suitcase passthrough. The front pocket is also expandable, allowing it to hold bulky items if necessary.

In addition to the standard leather finish, the Hitch Crossbody Brief is available in a ballistic nylon material. The "Compact" version is priced at $250, while the "Full" bag is priced at $260.

Speck is celebrating Leap Year with a special sitewide sale taking 29% off a variety of cases for various devices. Whether you're an iPhone or Android user, looking to protect a tablet, or need a case for your AirPods, Speck makes cases for quite a lot of different devices, though there are a few restrictions to keep in mind during the sale. You'll see the offer appear underneath the image of anything the discount is valid on; there's no coupon to clip or codes to worry about entering. You'll even score free standard shipping with today's purchase along with the option of upgrading to two-day shipping for just $5.

The deal given is no longer valid and we do not have a better one. However, we have found some similar deals

Speck Merry Christmas Sale

Prices Vary 1608996020

Speck is offering an extra 50% off sitewide for just one day only as part of its Merry Christmas sale! This sale includes discounted iPhone and Samsung Galaxy cases along with a few Google Pixel 5 cases as well.

Speck Laptop Backpacks

Starting at $10 1607091467

Speck has select laptop backpacks on sale today starting at just $10! You'll even score free shipping with the purchase. Speck is also taking 25% off sitewide for a limited time.

Speck Laptop Backpacks

Starting at $15 1598556241

Speck's laptop backpacks provide durability and a safe place to keep your laptop while traveling. Today you can save up to $100 on the backpack of your choice when you use the following code at checkout. Shipping is free.

Speck Products Compatible Phone Case for Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus, Presidio Sport Case, Black/Gunmetal Grey/Black

$16.11 $20.38 Save $4 1521086400

Speck Products Compatible Phone Case for Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus, Presidio Sport Case, Black/Gunmetal Grey/Black

$16.29 $20.38 Save $4 1521086400

The very first thing you should do when purchasing a new phone is grab a case for it, though if you haven't done so already, now's a perfect time as well. Speck's sale saves you nearly 30% on cases across the site, though you won't be able to save on certain products including cases for AirPods, the new Samsung Galaxy S20 devices, Presidio Inked Mossy Oak Edition cases, or limited edition items. The discount can't be applied to already discounted items either.

Put this year's extra day to good use by shopping at Speck. This sale is live through February 29 and offers some pretty fine discounts. For instance, this Presidio V-Grip case for the Samsung Galaxy S10 normally sells for $40, though today you can pick one up for only $28.36. Another option is this transparent iPhone 11 case. It drops to the same price in today's sale, saving you $12 off its usual cost.

Speck makes more than just cases, and many of its other accessories are discounted in this weekend's sale as well. You can save on backpacks, charging cables, screen protectors, and more, but only while the sale is still live. Be sure to shop soon and get your order placed today.

MAINGEAR is a relatively young gaming brand starting to make serious headway in the busy gaming laptop market. The firm has launched a range of updated laptops, but also some accessories to go along with it. The first one we've been able to take a look at is this rather sexy laptop bag, which frankly, checks all the right boxes while also containing a few surprises of its own.

What you'll love about the MAINGEAR Classic Backpack

Source: Windows Central

At a glance, the MAINGEAR Classic laptop bag is simply that, another laptop bag. However, not only is it more ergonomic than your basic laptop bag option, but it also comes with a few hidden surprises along the way.

First, though, let's go over the basics. This laptop bag is designed firmly with gamers in mind, complete with pockets catered explicitly to up to 15.7-inch laptops, complete with additional pockets for tablets, and even a dedicated Nintendo Switch pocket, complete with iconography to keep you informed of what goes where.

There are various other pockets strewn throughout the bag too, including two on the sides, two nested pockets on the back, one on top, and two hidden, RFID-resistant pockets beneath the lumbar supports on the inside front, which is a nice touch.

Speaking of the RFID-resistant pockets, MAINGEAR teamed up with Tile to include a tracking chip directly inside the bag, complete with its own pouch. The Tile fob can pair with a smartphone app on Android and iOS, ringing out when you lose or leave your backpack behind. It can also link up to a community of other Tile users in case you forget it completely, to help you track it down. Take a look at the video below for more information on how that works.

The materials MAINGEAR opted for here feel very premium, reflected in the bag's $100 price point. The interior of each pocket on the inside is lined with soft material to prevent scrapes and scratches impacting any displays and screens you might have ensconced within. And while it isn't listed as waterproof, the additional linings should help keep your devices dry unless you plan to go scuba diving with this kit. That said, the side pocket designed to house a portable battery does have a waterproofed zip, complete with a cable pass-through for charging needs. There's some great attention to detail here.

What you'll dislike about the MAINGEAR Classic Backpack

Honestly, there's very little to poke at with the MAINGEAR Classic Backpack. The price feels fair, particularly when you count the included Tile fob, and the volume of pockets and storage features make this a clear winner for anyone looking for a simple laptop bag. However, there are a couple of reasons I'm not sure I'd take this with me on a trip to an event like E3 or something similar.

The side pocket, which, typically might be used for things like a water bottle, is simply too small for anything beyond the slimmest drinks bottles. It's also a little bit shallow, which makes me wonder if a bottle wouldn't just fall out or slip out easily when moving the bag around. They could have easily solved this by including a net-style wrap with elasticated material instead, particularly since I the amount of stuff you pack into the main compartment pushes out against the exterior pockets, limiting their own room.

This is probably solved easily by using a specifically-sized water bottle, but for any old plastic bottle you'll buy from a store, it might not be suitable on the fly. It's a nitpick, admittedly, but hey, we needed at least something negative to write here.

Should you buy the MAINGEAR Classic Backpack?

Quite honestly? Yes. It's a great product, through and through. It's lightweight and comfortable to wear, with tons of padding for those of us with lower back problems (me, me, me), and has enough storage for all but the most over-packed techies out there, complete with great attention to detail.

I wish the water bottle compartment were a bit bigger, but that's ultimately a minor gripe and far from being a true deal-breaker. If you're in the market for a new laptop bag, you have to consider this one.

Casely's Almost Holiday sale is live! For a limited time, using promo code GIVETHX during checkout will save you 25% on your order. With everything at Casely valid for this offer, from smartphone cases to phone rings and even slim silicone wallets, this might be a nice time to pick up a few gifts for the upcoming holiday season. You'll even score free U.S. shipping with orders totaling $20 or more.

Casely sells cases for various Samsung Galaxy and iPhone devices, and today's deal is valid on all of them. There are tons of different styles to choose from, but three different lines including Classic, Bold (or ultra-protective), and Power. The Power cases feature a built-in battery to keep your phone charged for longer.

Meanwhile, Casely's Phone Rings are compatible with just about any smartphone. These are really useful in helping to keep your phone steady in your hand when you're trying to take a photo. Just like with the cases, there are a bunch of styles to choose from which simply stick onto the back of your device. You could even pick a style that matches the case you buy. These rings regularly sell for $10 each, but since they're aleady 50% off, you can pick one up today for just $3.75 using the code above.

This sale won't last for long, so head to Casely now to find some new accessories for your device while they're all still discounted.

Why can't you use older Type Covers with Surface Pro X?

The reason why you can't use older Surface Pro Type Covers with the Surface Pro X is because Microsoft has designed the device to be significantly thinner than all other Surface Pro devices before it. This means that the older Surface Pro Type Covers won't fit the chassis of the Surface Pro X. You'll need to get Microsoft's special Surface Pro X Type Cover that's designed to work with the new thickness.

Why get a Surface Pro X?

While the incompatibility with older Surface Pro Type Covers is unfortunate, it's hardly a good reason to shy away from the Surface Pro X. It's got a sweet 13-inch 2880x1920 display, Microsoft's capable new SQ1 processor, and it can be outfitted with up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, too. It's got LTE connectivity, two convenient USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports, and compatibility with Windows Hello, as well. Lastly, as previously stated, the device is the most compact Surface Pro ever, coming in at just 1.68 pounds and featuring a slim design. With how well the device balances power with size and convenience, it's easy to see why the Surface Pro X is an exciting product.

What if you want to use an older Surface Pro Type Cover?

If your heart is set on using one of Microsoft's older Surface Pro Type Covers, then you'll want to check out the Surface Pro 7. The 12.3-inch 2736x1824 display will likely look great, and it will have awesome computing power thanks to its 10th Gen Intel CPUs. Also, it can be configured with up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage space, which should be more than enough for anyone. It has a Windows Hello-compatible camera as well, and it will be compatible with Wi-Fi 6, the newest Wi-Fi standard that provides significantly increased efficiency and speed. There's also a USB-C port, too. It's not as thin or light as the Surface Pro X, but this is what allows it to be compatible with older Surface Pro Type Covers.

Waterfield is one of my favorite makers of quality laptop bags, backpacks, and slings. Hand-stitched and assembled in San Francisco these bags are certainly more money than your average mass-produced ones from China. But these bags also last a lot longer and are like nothing else available.

I've been using the new Tech Rolltop backpack for the last three months. It's the perfect bag for those who sometimes want to pack a lot, but on most days travel light. That ability is thanks to the expanding main pocket with a rolltop and ingenious latching mechanism. Here's what you need to know about the latest from Waterfield Designs.

What you'll love about the Tech Rolltop backpack

Compared to other Waterfield backpacks the Tech Rolltop brings two water bottle holders, has a slim design, and is meant for both the office as well as a jaunt to the great outdoors on the weekend. The holders on the side are perfect for a pen, soda bottle, umbrella, etc. and made life with this backpack much more enjoyable.

Being quite versatile, the Tech Rolltop has been perfect at tech events, the coffee shop, or when flying (it fits easily under the seat on airplanes).

The rolltop is a feature found on many outdoor and hiking backpacks. The benefit of the functionality is when not in use, the bag is thin and small. However, if you suddenly need to jam some clothes, or larger items the unrolled bit gives your back much more expansion abilities. The rolltop expands the volume by three to six liters, which is massive. I found this ability very useful when grabbing last-minute gifts at the airport as I could now stuff in a few extra boxes while also latching the bag closed.

Materials are also essential and one of the hallmarks of Waterfield backpacks. The black version is 1050 denier black ballistic nylon, which I have used on some of Waterfield's other bags – it's smooth and modern looking.

For a more traditional look, there is a blue or brown waxed canvas. Waterfield has never done blue before, so that is the version I chose.

Two sizes are available for the Tech Rolltop:

• Compact:16.5 X 10.5 X 4.75 inches; 2.4 lbs. Volume: 12 liters; Expanded 15 liters.
• Full: 19 x 12 x 5.5 inches; 2.8 lbs. Volume: 18 liters; Expanded 24 liters.

I chose the compact size, and the rear laptop compartment could still squeeze in a 13-inch Razer Blade Stealth. For those with 15-inch laptops (or larger) getting the full size is a better choice. That laptop slot is lined with a very soft fleece-like material to ensure your precious cargo won't scratch. Padding on both sides also prevent dings and adds comfort.

Inside there is another large slot for carrying a tablet, but it is big enough to fit a Surface Pro or small 13-inch laptop with ease. Waterfield uses its gold color lining (versus black) to make it simple to see things, and I appreciate that.

A small zip pouch can hold incidentals. On the rear of the bag are two larger pouches. One pocket has an easy-access magnet lip and the lower, larger pocket with a zipper and key fob so you can retrieve your keys without digging.

What you'll love less about Tech Rolltop backpack

The new blue looks great although waxed canvas is more prone to picking up some lint. Waxed canvas is easy enough to clean, but I was surprised at how quickly it picked up stains from putting it on the ground. If you're fastidious about cleanliness, the black ballistic nylon is the better choice.

Waterfield is also not keen on using sternum straps – a clip strap that connects the two shoulder ones to alleviate pressure on your shoulders and back significantly. I wish they'd at least offer that as an add-on feature.

The two pockets on the back are great – especially the top magnetic one, but I also found the angled pockets on the Staad a bit more convenient for quick access.

Finally, price is always a sticking point. Starting at $229 for the compact and $249 for the full, the Tech Rolltop is only for diehards with a solid budget.

Should you buy the Tech Rolltop backpack

The Tech Rolltop is a fantastic purchase. Assuming you're in the market for a long-lasting, premium laptop backpack that can do double duty for the office and play and you can afford it.

Even though I have a closet full of bags to choose from I've been using the Tech Rolltop exclusively going to Microsoft Build, private press events in New York City, Taipei for Computex, and Mexico on vacation.

The main selling points are small, light bag that held my Surface Headphones, Nintendo Switch, Dell Latitude 7400 2-in-1, Amazon Kindle, plus my passport, cables, chargers, and even sleep gear for the plane. But the ability to suddenly expand it even more so I can stuff some small boxes, shirts, or whatever is precious. I also enjoyed having those side pockets back as I missed having those on the Waterfield Staad.

That adds up to make the Tech Rolltop my favorite backpack yet and very easy to recommend to others.

If you're taking your Surface Go into a rough environment, you'll want to add some rugged protection to tis exterior. UAG, which specializes in tough tech cases, has outed a new entry in its Surface Go lineup that could fit the bill, the $70 Plyo.

The Plyo case is made up of a transparent material and it's designed to work with the Surface Go's Type Cover keyboard attached. Around back, you'll find an "infinite position" kickstand, allowing the tablet to be tilted with a surprising amount of flexibility. Up top, you can stash away your Surface Pen so it doesn't get lost while you're out and about.

If your Surface Go takes a tumble, the Plyo case is flanked on each corner with shock-absorbing corners to protect from drop damage.

UAG already has a fairly robust lineup of protective cases for Surface Go, including an aluminum-backed option that looks quite similar to the Plyo and matches it on price. But if you're in the market for something that features rugged protection without looking like it's straight out of the military, the new Plyo case should be available this week for $70.

Microsoft has confirmed compatibility

Besides a new color choice, all other changes to the Surface Pro 6 from its predecessor have taken place inside. On the outside, everything is the same size and location, as Microsoft has confirmed:

Reusing will keep your costs down

One of the biggest things you have to deal with when buying a new Surface Pro 6 is that it's a fairly pricey item. Prices start at $899 and for that, you get only the tablet. No keyboard, pen, case — nothing.

You want to at least keep your new device safe, and while a case isn't the priciest accessory you'll be buying, every saving helps. So if you have a case for an earlier Surface Pro, you might as well re-use it.

Plenty of choice to get yourself a case

Beyond reusing existing cases, there's also a bonus point if you don't have a case at all. Since all cases for last year's Surface Pro will fit the new Surface Pro 6, there is already a wide range of great cases available to buy.

Whether you want something rugged or stylish, premium or budget, there's plenty of choice out there.

Surface Go shipments are arriving on store shelves and doorsteps today, which means it's also time for case makers to get in on the action. First out of the gate are Incipio, UAG, and Kensington – each of which has debuted its own set of cases and covers for Microsoft's diminutive tablet (via Reddit).

UAG Metropolis Series

First up is UAG (seen above), which has a rather bulky but tough-looking Metropolis Series case on offer. With three colors available – black, blue, or red – the Metropolis Series case for Surface Go is rated to meet military drop-test standards, according to UAG. And despite its large size, the case will still let you slot in and use your Type Cover as needed. There's also a built-in slot for Surface Pen storage and a sturdy looking kickstand around back.

UAG's Metropolis Series case for Surface Go is available to order now for $69.95.

Kensington BlackBelt

Sticking with the rugged theme, Kensington's BlackBelt case for Surface Go also features "military-grade protection," meeting the same drop-test standards as the UAG model. Where Kensington differs is in the case's design, which is slightly sleeker. Around back, there's a cutout for the Surface Go's own kickstand to pop out, rather than a dedicated kickstand attached to the case.

Also included are a silicone hand strap and Surface Pen holder, along with a cutout so you can use the Type Cover with your Surface Go.

Kensington's BlackBelt Rugged case for Surface Go is available now for between $55 and $70, depending on where you order it.

Incipio

Finally, Incipio has a more diverse range of cases available for Surface Go, ranging from a typical folio option to an ultra-rugged design. The Incipio Faraday Folio case fits around a Surface Go with a polycarbonate shell with a magnetic cover for the screen. Meanwhile, the Capture case packs a bulkier, rugged design with a 360-degree rotating handle around the back. Lastly, Incipio's Octane Pure case is a simple clear back shell that protects against bumps while giving you a peek at your device.

Of course, Incipio is offering up a couple of tempered glass screen protectors as well, including a privacy protector.

None of Incipio's offerings are available to order just yet, but they range in price from $49.99 to $79.99.

Are you planning to pick up a Surface Go? Let us know in the comments below, and be sure to read through our full review for more.

See at UAG See at Kensington{.cta .shop} See at Incipio See Surface Go at Microsoft

It's a bit of a boring thought, buying a laptop bag, but in today's climate of expensive, somewhat fragile portable computers, it's a really important thing to consider.

And that's why we're looking for some crowdsourced information from the community on what your favorite is.

The Windows Central team recently showcased our own favorite bags of holding and there's a pretty good mix in there. Some fancy, some less so, all great bags to both carry and protect today's top laptops.

But while we are wise and make great choices (no, really, we are, hadn't you heard?), there are way more than nine great laptop bags in the world. So hit the forums thread linked below and let us know what you're using and why you love it!

Your favorite laptop bag?

Looking for an adorable laptop bag for you or the special lady in your life? Here are six super cute ones that are bound to catch 'er eye!

Shopping for a laptop can be challenging, but in some instances, shopping for the perfect laptop bag can be even more difficult.

Whether you're someone who prefers more of a backpack look, a classic over-the-shoulder purse style, or maybe a little mix of both, there's a laptop bag out there for every woman on the go!

Here are six super cute, functional, and stylish laptop bags that are perfect for women!

• ECOSUSI PU Leather Laptop Messenger Bag
• S-ZONE Canvas Laptop Backpack
• Pad&Quill Valet Luxury Laptop Bag
• Fjallraven - Kanken Classic Pack
• Estarer Women's Business Laptop Briefcase
• Himawari Waterproof Travel Backpack

What are your top kawaii bag picks?

Is there a particular bag that you love to use? Let me know in the comments below!

Picking out the perfect laptop for all of your daily needs can be challenging, but sometimes picking up a bag that works effortlessly with every task, every outfit, and every occasion can be tres difficult.

Luckily for you, I have this awesome list of six of the best laptop bags for almost every woman in any situation!

Here are the top picks:

• Dasein Designer Purse Laptop Shoulder Bag.
• Estarer Vintage College School Rucksack.
• Kayond Canvas Fabric Laptop Shoulder Bag.
• UGRACE Slim Business Laptop Rucksack.
• BOSTANTEN Leather Shoulder Briefcase.
• Dasein Women's Top Handle Laptop Satchel.

Dasein Designer Purse Laptop Shoulder Bag

Keep your laptop safe and secure while still looking hella stylish with this Dasein Designer Purse Laptop Shoulder Bag!

This particular laptop bag comes designed with a fabric lining and a zipper closure, along with an easily adjustable shoulder strap, if you're not down to carry it like a standard purse. It can fit a 14-inch laptop.

The Dasein Designer Purse Laptop Shoulder Bag is made from a high-quality faux leather (for all my vegans out there!), making it easy to clean in the event of a spill or a stain. This laptop bag also comes with a 100-percent money-back guarantee if you change your mind about your bag in the first 30 days.

The best parts about the Dasein Designer Purse Laptop Shoulder Bag? The relatively affordable $37 price point and the massive color selection; you can pick up your very own Dasein Designer Purse Laptop Shoulder Bag in black purple, blue, brown, gold, red, silver, tan, burgundy, gray, cream pink, and so much more!

See at Amazon

Estarer Vintage College School Rucksack

If you're looking for classy, sassy, and functional, it might be worth taking a peek at the striking Estarer Vintage College School Rucksack.

This faux leather backpack is designed with a front buckle closure and comes equipped to hold and protect your 15.6-inch (or smaller) laptop. The bag is also designed with a front pocket for storing other things, and a rear zippered compartment to hold charging cables and your wallet.

You can pick up your very own Estarer Vintage College School Rucksack in a classic brown or a sleek black color for around $36.

See at Amazon

Kayond Canvas Fabric Laptop Shoulder Bag

Keep it cute and keep it canvas with this pretty n' practical Kayond Canvas Fabric Laptop Shoulder Bag!

This floral laptop case is designed with a padded, fluffy protective layer of fleece fabric to save your laptop from bumps and falls along with the dust and grime of the outside world, while the zipper gives you full and easy access to your laptop without having to move or remove any pesky straps.

This particular case comes in a few different sizes, but if you have a laptop between 11.6 inches and 15.6 inches, the Kayond Canvas Fabric Laptop Shoulder Bag's got you covered! It's also great for storing tablets, smaller computers, and other tech.

The Kayond Canvas Fabric Laptop Shoulder Bag will cost you between $18 to $20 depending on the size you're looking for.

See at Amazon

UGRACE Slim Business Laptop Rucksack

Canvas bags with leather accents are all the rage these days so, of course, I had to include the ultra-modern and super hip UGRACE Slim Business Laptop Rucksack on this list.

This highly-rated laptop backpack is made from a tear-resistant fabric and comes with one main pocket with a laptop sleeve that fits a laptop up to 15.6 inches, two pockets at the front, and two side pockets for your water bottle and umbrella.

The UGRACE Slim Business Laptop Rucksack is also reasonably priced at around $26. You can pick up your very own in a grayish green color, a gray color, a black color, or a purple color.

See at Amazon

BOSTANTEN Leather Shoulder Briefcase

If you're a businesswoman on the go and you need a bag that means business, you need to check out the BOSTANTEN Leather Shoulder Briefcase.

Made from high-quality, genuine leather, the BOSTANTEN Leather Shoulder Briefcase is designed with a durable, protective fabric lining and a heavy-duty zipper that'll prevent your laptop from slipping out as you run from one life event to the next.

This bag is fantastic for people who like to stay organized; with this particular laptop carrying case, you have one big inner pocket, one sleeve for your laptop, one zipper pocket, two smaller pockets, and two pockets for your pens. The case can hold a 14-inch laptop.

The BOSTANTEN Leather Shoulder Briefcase is a bag that prides itself on its hand-made, high-quality design, so it's no wonder you'll be paying a little bit more at $90.

You can pick up this particular laptop bag in light brown or dark brown colors.

See at Amazon

Dasein Women's Top Handle Laptop Satchel

Are you someone who's always carrying your tech around, but you don't want to sacrifice the look and feel of a purse? The Dasein Women's Top Handle Laptop Satchel might be perfect for you!

This particular laptop bag is made from a soft faux leather on the outside, while the inside is padded and protected. Unfortunately, this purse can only fit a 13-inch laptop, but that doesn't mean you don't have space for other things like chargers, a mouse, and your cell phone.

The Dasein Women's Top Handle Laptop Satchel comes with an easily adjustable strap, or you can choose to carry it around via its eye-catching metal handle design.

You can pick up your very own Dasein Women's Top Handle Laptop Satchel in colors like gray, red, and purple, but the really stylish ones are the striped designs: choose from pink and white, red and white, orange and white, blue and white, and coffee and while color combos! All for about $40.

See at Amazon

What are your top picks for laptop bags?

Is there a particular satchel or backpack that you've used recently that you've been head-over-heels about?

Let us know what your top options are in the comments below.

WaterField is a well-known manufacturer of quality bags based out of San Francisco, California. Hand-made with only the most exceptional tanned leather and ballistic nylon the bags are not cheap, but they are meant to last a lifetime versus lower-cost mass produced ones.

The WaterField Staad Laptop Backpack is the company's first backpack in its nearly 20-year history. Coming in two sizes – slim or stout – the bag has enough room to fit the new Surface Book 2 15-inch with some extra pockets and the main compartment to spare.

I've been using the Staad for the last few weeks with the Surface Book 2, and it blends quality with a fashionable look.

Design and appearance

The Staad comes in a variety of color and material combinations – six in all, to be exact. Some of those are a leather type with either a black ballistic or waxed canvas combinations. All are water resistant ensuring no matter the weather your PC is protected.

Inside is the main pouch for various accessories, a few pockets, and the central laptop divider. Padded on both sides the area for your PC is secure for minor bumps and bangs. A secondary slot is ideal for a tablet, e-reader, or magazines. Two inner pouches flank the main compartment and are suitable for an AC adapter and some laptop accessories.

On the outside, there are two more side pockets for your phone or any other smaller gadget. The pockets are designed so you can swing the backpack around on one arm and still have easy access.

The primary latch is unique too. All metal, the design is influenced by the military who used a similar single lock for ammo boxes during World War II. It seems it wouldn't hold, but the smart design works very well and is exceptionally secure. Just pull the latch up, and it releases with no effort.

Finally, in the portion that meets your back, WaterField uses a porous material that helps whisk away any sweat and allows some air to pass through keeping you cool. The same material is used on the inner straps, and it works well.

Unique design for those who travel light

Overall, I was impressed with the Staad backpack. The design is easily the unique of all my bags. The Surface Book 2 fit nicely in it and, of course, as does any other 15-inch or smaller laptop.

One downside for those who travel on public railways or are often in crowded areas is there is no common security with the Staad (or any WaterField product, really). While getting access to your laptop while wearing it would be obvious, for those who want a more protected system with hidden flaps and compartments will want to try something else.

Compared to some other backpacks that feature many side pockets, and multiple sub-compartments the Staad is somewhat minimalist. It's a messenger bag, like the WaterField Bolt Crossbody but in a backpack format. For instance, there is no water bottle holder, and if you have a large camera or any object that is not very flat, it may not fit.

The choice for the Staad comes down to personal preference – do you want a do-it-all bag that can hold a million items, but at lesser quality, or do you want a premium, stately backpack that you can wear even when dressed up and not look like a kid going to school?

Related: Best Laptop backpacks

Price wise the Staad is very expensive. Starting at $319 for the slim, or $329 for the stout the Staad is one of the poshest backpacks you can find. The reason for the cost is these are designed, made and stitched in the U.S. almost on a per order basis. Many people – including myself – opt to buy products made in the U.S. as they are often higher quality and that holds true here. Whether that matters to you is a personal choice, but having the option on the market is welcomed, and WaterField lives up to its name.

Overall, the Staad is an excellent choice for those who want a backpack to wear to the office without looking like a kid going to class.

See at SFBags.com

The company's new Maverick Leather Laptop Messenger Bag is one of its pricier offerings at around $300. But it's immediately clear where your investment goes.

The "full size" WaterField Maverick bag I reviewed fits just about any 15-inch laptop AND a 12-inch or smaller tablet. (A slightly less expensive "compact" version is also available for 13-inch laptops and smaller tablets.)

Related: Best messenger bags for laptops

I used the Maverick bag for nearly a month, along with a 15-inch Surface Book 2 and a Surface Pro. It feels like the bag was made specifically for these devices. Honestly, it's hard to find anything negative to say about the Maverick. But it's not flawless.

What you'll love about WaterField Designs' Maverick bag

I love the look of the WaterField Designs Maverick bag. It's simple but stylish. And it looks perfectly appropriate if you're on your own, trekking to your corner coffee shop, or heading to a big meeting with the boss. And it comes in three color options: black (that's the one I reviewed), "chocolate" brown, and "grizzly," which is a light brownish tan.

It has one main padded sleeve with compartments on both sides, one for a 15-inch laptop and one for a smaller tablet device. There are also two smaller gear compartments, one zippered and one with an open top. And finally, you can throw some more loose stuff in the bag's main section. The bag closes when you secure the flap, which attaches to a small metal post. And the bag's handles are secured with similar metal rivets.

Related: Best laptop bags

The quality of the leather and craftsmanship is immediately apparent. And like all good leather, it should change and develop over time. It also smells ridiculously good, even after a month of use. This is a well-made bag that should last a long time if you take care of it.

The bag has an adjustable nylon strap that makes it simple to find the right fit for you, whether you want it snug or if you prefer a bit of "hang." And it comes with a padded leather strap-pad, to take some of the burden off your shoulder.

Speaking of gear, I used the bag to carry both a Surface Pro with Type Cover attached and a Surface Book 2. The Maverick literally could not fit them any better. And its two laptop and tablet sleeves are padded and protective on the inside, thanks to some soft neoprene-like material.

Finally, the bag features a long leather loop on its rear side that slides over the handle of your roller bag for easy transport while you're running to catch your next flight at the airport or walking to a hotel after a long train ride. This is a simple yet essential touch for frequent travelers that I really appreciate.

What you will not love about WaterField Designs' Maverick bag

My biggest complaint about this bag is its lack of slots for pens, pencils, styluses or other writing instruments. Maybe I'm just old school, but I still use regular pens. And I take my Surface Pen with me when I travel. You can toss pens and pencils into one of the two smaller compartments in the bag, and they fit in there OK. But they're not secured, and they clink around with whatever else you pack in.

The shoulder strap on the Maverick is fixed and cannot be removed. This isn't a big deal. But if it was clipped onto some metal rings, so it could be removed and replaced, it would be more versatile. And people who like carrying bags briefcase-style would appreciate that feature.

The full-size Maverick is quite large. Its dimensions are 11.5 inches tall by 14 inches wide and four inches thick. And it weighs about 2.5 pounds. It's not overly bulky, but it's also not small. However, when you have both a tablet or 2-in-1 like the Surface Pro, and a Surface Book 2, jammed in there, along with a bunch of stuff in the smaller gear compartments, there isn't much room in the main bag section. That's largely due to the messenger-bag design, which is thin and wide. For a big bag, you can't really fit all that much stuff in it, at least if you're carrying a laptop and a tablet.

Finally, the bag isn't cheap. For most folks, $300 is a significant investment. (The smaller "compact" bag costs $289 and the larger "full size" one goes for $319, plus tax and shipping.) However, quality leather and fine craftsmanship are expensive, and if you look at the prices of some comparable designer laptop bags, $300 may seem cheap. It's not unusual for designer leather bags to enter the thousands-of-dollars range.

Related: Best laptop backpack

Bottom line on WaterField Designs Maverick Leather Laptop Messenger Bag

WaterField's Maverick bag looks great, and it's equally appropriate in casual and business settings. It's built to last, and should actually get better looking as you use it. It's functional, and even though it's not specifically made for Microsoft Surface products and can be used to tote any larger laptop and tablet, it feels like it was designed for the Surface Book 2 and Surface Pro.

The bag could really benefit from some pen slots and a bit more room in the main compartment. And I prefer the shoulder strap to be removable. But those are minor complaints.

The Maverick bag does not come cheap, but if you decide to drop $300 on it you won't be disappointed.

This is an extraordinary tech-gear bag that's just perfect for a Surface — or any other quality PC.

See at SFBags.com

This laptop backpack, which fits devices up to 15 inches, has a premium look that would suit an office but isn't so flashy that you'd hate to walk around with it on a weekend. I've been mostly a messenger bag kind of guy, but after using this backpack for a couple of weeks, it's made me a convert.

It's light, accessible, and roomy, but it does cost a couple of hundred dollars. Worth the price? Here's our review.

What you'll love about the Booq Cobra Squeeze

A lot of laptop backpacks look the same. You have a boxy design with some pockets on the sides and a zipper that runs from side to side to open the compartment. The Cobra Squeeze takes the normal design and gives it some slimming lines, really making it seem smaller than it actually is. It does look like it's being squeezed in the middle, and the overall shape is more like a turtle's shell than a box. A heavy zipper follows the slimming line, and the bag opens wide in the front for easy access to the main compartment.

There are two zippered compartments on the outer sides of the bag, one on the inside of the main flap, and another at the top, which is lined with microfiber to protect your phone's screen. All compartments except the top have sleeves inside them, bringing the grand total of stash spots to 12. I had more than enough options for organization considering I carry a couple laptops, (sometimes) a charger, a few books, and a water bottle. The main compartment has ample padding for your laptop, and is big enough that I could fit a 15-inch Samsung Notebook 9 and a Surface Pro 4 inside at the same time.

The inside of the bag is made from polyester and seems durable enough to stand up against the wear of what you carry around. The outside is a blend of cotton and PET plastic, offering water resistance and a rugged feel that sort of resembles denim. Zipper pulls and the top handle are made from leather for a nice accent and lasting durability.

The back of the bag has thick, vented padding and a channel for your spine, and wearing it fully loaded didn't put pressure on my back or cause it to sweat. A test in the summer rather than winter, however, might change my opinion on the venting. The bag, empty, weighs less than a lot of laptops, so you can keep your everyday carry pretty light.

What you'll dislike about the Booq Cobra Squeeze

Strapping on the laptop when it's full is, for the most part, comfortable, but I did find that the straps were a bit too short to find the perfect adjustment. Disclaimer: I'm a relatively big guy, and it seemed like I had to choose between the connecting clasp occasionally hitting the meaty part of my underarm or having the bag sit too high or too low on my back. This isn't anywhere near a deal breaker for me, and it's a design that's necessary due to the size of the bag.

Other than the strap size, there really isn't much that I can dislike. One thing I did notice is that if you're thinking of toting around a smaller laptop — or in my case, a large laptop and a smaller one — the strap over the laptop sleeve inside only hits one corner. A smaller device might not be completely secured in the dedicated sleeve. Still, as long as you're not holding your bag upside down, things should stay in place.

Bottom line on the Booq Cobra Squeeze

I've thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Cobra Squeeze, and I can see myself continuing to use it for a variety of purposes, whether professional or recreational. The added bonus of a Terralinq badge and serial number means you'll have a much better chance of getting your bag back if you happen to leave it behind on a bus or train.

For someone who's more than six feet tall and over 200 pounds, the straps do feel a bit awkward when trying to find the right placement on my back, but nothing that made me not want to use the bag. The laptop sleeve has thick padding, there are plenty of pockets and sleeves to store your stuff, and the bag is built well and seems durable enough to withstand daily use. Booq also offers a limited five-year warranty for standard defects.

Whether or not dropping about $195 on a laptop backpack can be justified, it definitely seems like you'll be getting your money's worth.

See at Amazon

GT Omega Racing as a brand is best known for its range of gamer-focused accessories, most notably its racing fashioned chairs and its cockpits for keen sim racers. The company's latest product is something smaller, very useful and extremely well priced.

It's hard to get excited about laptop bags, but this is probably the best one I've ever tried.

Not just for gamers

The company may target gamers, but aside from a little bit of red in the styling, this is mostly just a well made, pretty smart looking bag. The one I have is the Strike edition, while there are also Apex and Nitro editions. The only difference between the three is the design on the outside.

It boasts a maximum load weight of a whopping 40kg, but don't do that to your spine. It's got something for everyone. Not only will it keep your laptop safe, there are enough pockets to hold a camera, lenses, battery packs, tablets, that mess of cables you never seem to leave home without, water bottles, and anything else you can think of to take on your outing.

But if you are a gamer, you'll love this backpack. It can hold up to a 17.3-inch laptop as well as your mechanical keyboard, mouse, and headset. And there's still plenty of space left to fill.

Thoughtful details

The build quality of this bag is excellent, there's no other way to say it. The material used to make it is thick and feels really durable, but it's not the whole story. Neither is the crazy amount of pockets you'll find literally everywhere. There's even one in the padding that rests against your lower back.

But there are little things that make all the difference. Like giant zips that you're not going to be fumbling around to find. And that you can open up the laptop compartment entirely and wrap your expensive machine up safely, rather than having to slide it in and out (this is particularly useful if you are carrying a 17-inch notebook). The compartment is also advertised as shockproof, though I didn't feel like giving that a real test with my precious tech.

Part of the padded area can also double as a stand that you can rest the laptop on while maintaining optimal cooling beneath it. In practice, this isn't as awesome as it sounds, but it's a nice touch and may be useful to some.

Take it anywhere

I've already said how durable this bag feels, and GT Omega Racing says the stitching is reinforced. I'm no sewing expert, so I'll take that as fact, but there's no denying a quality feel.

This backpack is a one size fits all situations solution. It's big, yet comfortable to wear, especially with the chest strap helping take a load off your back and shoulders. The backpack is also waterproof without the need for a cover, which even makes it perfect for leaving my house in the UK.

The bottom line

It really is hard to be excited sometimes by something as mundane as a laptop bag. But for the company's first attempt, GT Omega Racing knocked it out of the park. It's big, it's well made, comfortable to wear and best of all it's very affordable. At the time of writing in the UK the price is an extremely reasonable £34.95, which is a special offer for a while, but even at $70 in the U.S. it's worth the price.

You spend a lot on your laptop, so you should look after it. This will look after your laptop, anything else you can think of to stash inside its cavernous insides. It's an easy recommendation.

See at GT Omega

Going back to school and getting back into the swing of things can be tough, but you can easily put some pep in your step with a super stylin' laptop bag!

Here are 25 of the sleekest laptop bag options that'll have you turning heads this back-to-school season!

1. Felt + leather + matching charger bag = YES PLZ

Seriously, though, this handmade laptop sleeve from Etsy goes well with every backpack/messenger bag/sweatpants combo for around $50.

2. INTER-DEPARTMENTAL MAIL

Made from Italian leather, this simple, $20, super sleek laptop sleeve is perfect for smaller computers.

3. All that glitters … glitters, OK? It just glitters.

Glitter glitter glitter glitter glitter for around $53. Try saying that 10 times fast.

4. Show off all the letters you know with this black-and-white letter laptop sleeve!

WOAH: You know an H, an S, and a W?! Get out of here, nerd! (And this case'll cost you around $30).

5. I can show you the wooooooorld…

… It's on my laptop sleeve and it cost me around $50, see?

6. Designer brands + Adorable comics = WIN WIN WIN.

Seriously, though, tokidoki is an adorable high-end brand, and this case is the cutest for $46.

7. Show off what's on the inside of your laptop by putting it on the outside of your case!

… Get it? Cuz it's a circuit board? I dunno, I didn't really have much material for this one besides the fact that it's so super cool looking and will cost you around $30.

8. Laptop sleeve, or super stylish leather clutch?

YOU DECIDE. Ps this sleeve will cost you around $150.

9. Black and white and Kate Spade all over

She had an itsy-bitsy, teeny-weeny, $98 black-and-white polka dot… laptop… case…

10. Are you cool, man?

If you are, check out this laptop case from Zazzle for $30.

11. Roses are red, violets are blue…

Meh, forget the violets: this stunning laptop case has enough beautiful roses on it for $36!

12. 4 words: MUST-HAVE FOR CAT LOVERS FOR $150

🐱!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

13. What's better than pizza for breakfast, lunch, and dinner?

Pizza on your laptop case always for $26.

14. Vintage glam meets modern art collage with this beautiful laptop sleeve

Designed by artist Eugenia Loli, this sleeve will cost you around $36.

15. Marble, marble, and more marble

Who doesn't like a li'l marble? Especially when it makes your laptop sleeve POP like this one does for $25?!

16. Want to carry around one of those vintage leather laptop bags, but can't quite afford one yet?

"Fake it till you make it for $63 lol" — Shakespeare (probably)

17. Keep it classy, simple, and posh…

… With this stunning handmade, yellow leather laptop case and a $50 price tag.

18. Looking for something SUPER simple? And we mean SUUUUUUUPER simple?

Don't worry. We gotcha covered for $15.

19. Somewhere over the rainbow…

I FORGOT MY LAPTOP IN ITS SUPER CUTE RAINBOW CASE THE CHEM LAB MOVE OUT OF THE WAY IT COST ME $53.

20. Top Secret Evidence, or just your laptop?

If you're someone who's in criminology or law, this might be the perfect $65 laptop sleeve for you!

21. Peek-a-boo...

I see you (for $20)!

22. Holographic, unicorn realness meets your laptop sleeve

"YAAAAAS GIRL SLAAAAAAYYYYYYYY WITH YOUR $53 SLEEVE" — someone while you're carrying this sleeve around campus

23. Keep it classy with this $40 red tartan laptop sleeve!

Bagpipe sound effects not included

24. Manilla meets machine

… With this $43 super stylin' leather laptop sleeve!

25. MARC JACOBS NEW YORK MARC JACOBS NEW YORK MARC JACOBS NEW YORK

(You get the $88 designer picture, right?)

The Tylt Energi Pro Power Backpack can charge up to three devices including a phone, tablet, or laptop with a USB Type C charging port. There's plenty of space for storage, with several internal pockets for organization.

See at Tylt

Battery

The main star of the backpack is the included portable battery. It's not permanently attached to the bag, so you can remove it or even use it with another bag. The 20,100 mAh battery includes a USB Type-C port, USB Type-A with Quick Charge 3.0, USB (2.0) Type-A, and micro-USB input for recharging the battery. It is relatively big, measuring 6.5 x 3.25 x 0.9 inches, and weighs 13 ounces. The power button lets you know how much charge is left in the battery. There are four LEDs that light up in 25% increments. They also indicate whether or not the battery is fully charged, which takes about 6 hours to fill from empty.

There are several cable routing channels located throughout the bag to keep things tidy. Even when placing the battery in the separate pocket on the left side of the bag, it's very easy to route cables into the other pockets where your gadgets are stored.

Storage

The Tylt Energi Pro is a big bag, and it will surely bother people standing next to you in a packed bus or train. It measures 13.5 x 19.5 x 13 inches (34 x 49 x 33 x cm) and weighs about 4.5 pounds (2 kg) with the battery together. It's only available in a gray color, so you're out of luck if you want a stealthier black bag or a more colorful one.

Storage space is where the Energi Pro shines. There's so much room in this thing, and there are many internal pockets available. For example, the padded top compartment built for sunglasses can easily fit more than just eyewear. The main compartment is approximately 11 x 10 x 3 inches (28 x 25 x 8 cm), which can fit your books, clothes, and more. Inside the main compartment are several pockets for smaller items like business cards, pens, memory cards, earphones, and more.

Even the compartment for a tablet has more than space. If I'm able to fit my Surface Pro 4 with Type Cover attached, your tablet will fit. The lining is also soft, so your tablet will be extra comfortable.

There's space on the back for 15-inch laptops and a netted compartment for its power brick. The bag's zippers let you separate the laptop section from the rest of your items; therefore it is TSA-friendly when you are at the airport. You won't need to take out the laptop from the bag. Speaking of travel, there are slots on the back so that you can slip it over the handle of your rolling luggage.

Have a bottled drink that you don't want to store inside the bag next to your gadgets? There's a separate compartment you can pull out to put the bottle in too!

Even though the Tylt Energi Pro Backpack is big, it's surprisingly comfortable to carry around. In addition to the padding for your devices, there's padding for your shoulders, back, and hips. If you need more support for heavier loads, you can also utilize the built-in sternum straps.

Bottom Line

It's not the most beautiful backpack, but the Tylt Energi Pro will exceed your needs. You get a lot of storage space, a generous portable charger for your gadgets, excellent cable management, and several pockets for organization. It's very comfortable, too. I've also added a camera interior case from Amazon so that I can use the Energi Pro as my camera bag. I just wish it came in black!

See at Tylt

Pros:

• Lots of storage space
• Big battery for devices
• Cable management
• Very comfortable
• TSA-friendly

Cons:

• No other color options
• Bulky

If you own a Lumia 650, Lumia 950, or Lumia 950 XL the various replacement back covers from Mozo are likely on your radar. The one hindrance for many is cost as some of those Mozo covers are north of $50.

MobileFun US and MobileFun UK are both official distributors of those Mozo replacement covers, and they are running a big clearance sale on many of those highly coveted items. Even better, we're teaming up with MobileFun to offer you some exclusive codes to help lighten the financial pain even more!

Currently, MobileFun and MobileFun UK have savings of 20% or more on many of the covers, including:

• Lumia 650 Wood (various colors) - $18.99 (was $23.99; Savings of 20%)
• Lumia 950 Cognac Leather - $29.99 (was $41.99; Savings of 29%)
• Lumia 950 Black Leather - $29.99 (was $41.99; Savings of 29%)
• Lumia 950 XL Cognac Leather - $29.99 (was $41.99; Savings of 38%)
• Lumia 950 XL Black Leather - $27.49 (was $41.99; Savings of 43%)
• Lumia 950 XL Red Leather - $35.99 (was 47.49; Savings of 25%)

Besides the already lowered prices you can also get FREE SHIPPING by using a special code during checkout ($2.99 savings):

• WINDOWSCENTRALUK
• WINDOWSCENTRAL

Obviously, the first code is for those using the UK store, while the second is for the US. All of the above cases are now shipping so there should be no wait times.

Bonus: Mozo Wallet Flip Cover + Free screen protector

For those who are interested in the Mozo wallet-flip covers, those too are on sale, and you now get a free Olixar Tempered Glass screen protector either for your Lumia 950 or Lumia 950 XL.

• Mozo Lumia 950 Black Leather Wallet Flip - $23.99 (was $47.99; Savings of 50%)
• Mozo Lumia 950 Cognac Leather Wallet Flip - $24.99 (was $47.99; Savings of 48%)
• Mozo Lumia 950 XL Black Leather Wallet Flip - $24.99 (was $47.49; Savings of 48%)
• Mozo Lumia 950 XL Cognac Leather Wallet Flip - $23.99 (was $47.49; Savings of 58%)

Use the follow codes during checkout to get the free Olixar Tempered Glass screen protector a $15.49 value. These codes apply to both the US and UK MobileFun stores.

• 950SCREEN
• 950XLSCREEN

Unfortunately, you cannot combine the codes, so you have to go either with the free shipping or free glass screen protector with the Wallet Flip cases.

Besides the above sales MobileFun also have the new Mozo color cases that I recently reviewed in stock, including Blue, Green, and Coral all of which are shipping now and go for $41.99. If you use the free shipping code, you'll save yourself $2.99 off that price too.

To grab the deal head to either MobileFun US or MobileFun UK and search for Mozo to find the covers you want and add to your card. During checkout, apply one of the above codes. The codes are valid until June 30 and while supplies last.

Let us know which one you get if you choose to order!

Related Reading

• Review of Mozo color and wood covers for the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL
• Hands-on with the Mozo leather covers for the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL
• This is the striking red leather and gold Mozo cover for the Lumia 950
• This is the new Mozo 'Black Rim' Lumia 950 replacement back cover
• The Microsoft Lumia 650 and Mozo Light Wood back cover are just perfect together

The Microsoft Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL get dinged from users over the thin, plastic back cover that ship with the phones. Luckily, Finland-based Mozo, which is comprised of some ex-Nokians, have stepped into saving the day with the premium replacement back covers.

I managed to get my hands on the latest Mozo cases featuring new color options like Blue, Coral, and Green. Additionally, Mozo is making some "wood" cases like the Zebra Wood variant I have on hand as well.

So, how are they and which is the best? Let's find out!

Oh, the colors!

Blue, Coral, and Green can now adorn your Lumia 950 or Lumia 950 XL thanks to Mozo. The replacement covers are not cheap at $50 a pop, but they are high quality and let you maintain Qi and NFC on your Windows 10 Mobile device.

According to Mozo, these covers are made from "high-quality PU", which is also known as Bycast or Reconstituted Leather. However, I can say it does not quite feel like that instead it has more of a nylon effect. As you can see in my macro photo below, there are small lines that add texture to the cover and the effect is a very smooth finish allowing the phone to slide easily in and out of your pocket.

I find all of this interesting if only because I think many of us were expecting a polycarbonate design (aka plastic). Instead, the materials used give this a much more premium finish and feel with some slight texture too.

The sides of the covers use a smooth rubberized color matched paint that feels magnificent in the hand.

The back cover clicks into both the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL and feels very solid with no creaks or gaps. Of course, there are appropriate pinholes through for the two rear microphone holes on both devices and their speakers.

It's too early to see if they will collect dirt over time. Due to the covers being more leather/nylonish I suppose they could get dirty, but at the same time, they should be easy to wipe down as the teeny grooves are not very deep.

My favorite thing about this color replacement back covers is how thin they are compared to the very popular leather ones. In fact, they feel very similar to the covers that ship with the phones regarding their profile. Granted, they are slightly thicker and more premium, but I do not feel like these are bulking up my phone. The leather ones, while moderately thin do change the way the device feels for thickness and size while these do not. They just feel better.

Overall, I like these color covers so far and give them a big thumbs up if you are considering purchasing them. The colors all look great, and the feel unique, and smooth. Plus, it's super exciting to see my Lumias now all colorful and happy looking.

Oh, and if you are wondering which color is my favorite it's green. Blue and Coral are fantastic as well, but this Green, which is more a yellow/green, is great looking with a blue lock screen and blue Glance enabled.

Let's get oaky

Besides the new color back covers Mozo has three wood options now available too, including:

• Light Oak
• Zebra Wood
• Black Walnut

All three sell for €49.50 or about $56. At the time, I only saw the Zebra Wood one being offered otherwise I would have opted for maybe the Black Walnut version, which looks super elegant.

First things first: these are made from real wood! Once again, in my macro shot, you can even see the wood fibers that make up the cover.

What's interesting is the wood is not lacquered as you may expect. Instead, it feels similar to a corkboard with a soft, smooth touch. You can feel those wood fibers (it's almost fuzzy) and it's a unique experience. The long-term question is how such material will hold up, which we'll have to wait and see.

Like the color cases, these feature a rubberized paint on the sides (shell) and are black. It's a great look and rubberized paint always feels super smooth and great to hold.

These cases are always relatively thin and are still lighter than the leather options. Due to the soft nature of the wood, it's not quite as even on the back where the NFC and Qi reside, giving an almost imperceptible bump. It is not a big deal, but I figured I would point it out.

Overall, the wood back covers are also highly recommended. I would say these give a more conservative, classier look to the color covers, but I like bold so Green it is for me for now. From the front, the wood covers keep the very somber, black look to the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL due to the black shell/sides whereas the color covers let their vibrancy peek in when looking at the phones from the front.

B-B-Buttons

Up until now, I have not talked about the buttons because that is one area that needs a little care specifically for the Lumia 950 XL.

First, the Lumia 950 covers whether wood, leather, or color all have fantastic metal buttons that have excellent travel. Zero complaints. I have heard of some users having issues with the leather cover buttons later on, but I cannot say I have personally seen or experienced this issue, so your mileage may vary.

The one difference I have noticed is the Lumia 950 XL. The power button on the new covers is very shallow. I'm not sure I want to say it's bad, it is just different from the default back cover. I think Mozo did this on purpose so that when you have a physical difference between the up and down volume keys and the power button letting you hit the right one without looking. While I get that, the result is a button that on first blush feels very low requiring a little extra effort to power on the device. I assume you can get used to this, and I have already seen some people report that they actually prefer it as it helps prevent accidentally turning on the display.

Personally, I find it odd, and I'm not sure I care for it, but then again, I don't care for the XL's button layout to begin with, which is why I use the Lumia 950 more often.

Wrap up

In conclusion, if you are on a Lumia 950 I say either the wood or color back covers are an excellent choice. Just pick the color or style you want and, unfortunately, wait for 4-6 weeks for Mozo to make and deliver them. Yes, that is one massive downside with Mozo is the terrible wait times. However, if you are going to keep your Lumia 950 for some time, I would say it is worth it.

Simply put, I love my green Lumia 950. It looks great and feels much better.

For Lumia 950 XL owners I am a bit mixed. While I find the designs and styles of these cases nearly perfect (depending on your personal preference) the shallow power button thing cause me concern. I suggest to read what others think in our forums and here in comments who have experiences with these cases and the button to see if this is really an issue.

See Mozo cases for Lumia phones

Speaking of, did you get your Mozo color or wood case? Sound off in comments about what you think and tell us if you recommend them!

Back in early May, we told you about some new aluminum cases hitting China for the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL. The cases were interesting due to their design, colors, and $4 price tag.

Well, we finally got them in after their long trek from out East and here are my quick thoughts on them.

Design

First and foremost, let me point out that these are cases, not replacement back covers like the Mozos. That means you will be adding girth to your phone, and I would not classify these as slim, per se.

The covers come in two parts:

1. Aluminum side/top shell
2. Thin plastic back cover

To install the lid, you just slide out the back cover, which locks in, and you drop the phone into the aluminum shell protection from the back. Then you slide the back cover in and it clips into the lock. To remove the cover, there is a small groove for your nail where you can pop out the back lid.

The metal part is quite substantial, and it feels splendid. This feature is important because I do believe this will provide adequate protection if you drop your phone. Granted, I also expected the color metal to dent and chip away the color were that to happen, but that is still better than your phone breaking.

The back cover is very thin plastic and is mostly cosmetic and just keeps the phone locked in. Because the cover itself is plastic, those who charge wirelessly via Qi will have no issue as the phone and case can quickly charge with no interference.

The back cover also has a cutout to let the Microsoft logo show through. It's a little cheesy, but since so many have complained that the Mozo cases do not have the logo maybe this will make some of you happy. I should point out that the Lumia 950 XL cases do not line this cutout perfectly making the logo now off-center, and you can see this in some of the photos here. This issue does not apply to the Lumia 950.

Finally, the aluminum case raises just slightly above the display to offer protection when placed with the screen facing down. I consider the amount of edge presented as being nearly perfect.

Colors

For this write-up I managed to get the black, silver, gold, and cyan covers. There is also a pink option. My favorite is the cyan, followed by gold and silver. The black, for some reason, seems chintzier to me than the others mostly because those fake antenna lines are very visible.

Buttons

For the Lumia 950, the camera button area is carved out, which makes random camera button clicks impossible, but I have had no issue when I want to use the camera, either. It's an excellent design. On the Lumia 950 XL case, however, there is a faux button to replace the one on the device.

For both the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL there are faux buttons that are also aluminum. To my surprise, they work very well and always make contact. They are not loose at all, and they feel great. This is one area where many case makers get wrong, and I'm glad to see that these pretty much nailed the experience.

On the Lumia 950 XL, the power button is slightly recessed when compared to the up and volume buttons that flank it. I think I would have preferred the opposite as I use the power button more than the volume keys, but at least there is a discernable tactile difference.

Looks?

I think these cases will be very divisive when it comes to people's opinion of their aesthetic value. In fact, I know many of you will think they are "hideous" or "fugly." I will say they look better in person than in photos, and I get how some people will find them…off-putting.

Personally, I like the Cyan cover for the Lumia 950 and the gold for my Lumia 950 XL. If anything, the back cover here is the biggest offender with unnecessary silver lines added. While it does add some style, I would prefer they weren't there at all. Still, I have seen worse.

I would have also preferred if the back cover was not glossy and was matte instead.

Value

Considering that these are quality aluminum cases, and they add some serious protection all for just $4, I mean, it is hard to ding these cases on value. In fact, compared to the $50 Mozo back covers you are saving a lot of money here.

If you find these covers hideous even $4 won't sway you, but come on, it's nice to have options out there especially ones that cost a cup of (good) coffee.

Also included are two decent screen protectors if you are into that sort of thing.

Recommend?

I think for owners of the Lumia 950 who want some reliable protection from drops with some added flair these are a bargain. The Lumia 950 XL variant has that off-center logo issue, which I find distracting, but it's also not the end of the world (seriously, have you seen some of the cases iPhone users buy?).

I also appreciate how these cases make the phones feel in my hand. There is some added heft, but not too much, and holding the phone is even easier. Honestly, they now feel like how a Lumia felt like two years ago.

While I think there is room for improvement on the look of the back cover the rest of the case feels great, features solid button replacements and at just $4 this is a case you could be pleasantly surprised with if you like the looks.

See at AliExpress

Mozo Accessories has begun taking pre-orders for its new wood and polycarbonate covers for the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL, along with the candy covers for the Lumia 650.

The wood covers for the Lumia 950 and 950 XL are priced at €49.50 each, and come in black walnut, zebra wood and light oak. The polycarbonate cost €44.90 each and come in blue, green and coral (red) colors. Finally, the candy covers for the Lumia 650 are priced at €24.90 each and come in stripes, bean and dot candy designs. Order made today should ship in three to four weeks.

See at Mozo

Update Mobile Fun has also posted up pre-orders on their site for the new Mozo cases

The Microsoft Store website in the U.S. has recently begun selling covers for the Lumia 950 and 950 XL from Mozo Accessories. Evidently, we missed it so here is a quick reminder.

At the moment, the selection is a bit sparse with just two covers from Mozo listed on the Microsoft Store site. It has the black leather cover for the Lumia 950 on sale for $40 while the brown leather cover aka cognac for the large Lumia 950 XL is priced at $50. Hopefully we will see more Mozo covers and cases sold on the Microsoft Store in the near future.

See at Microsoft Store

Looking to change the color of your Lumia 950 or 950 XL but don't want to spend a ton of money to do it? This aluminum case is available in a variety of colors and looks to be a great option to do just that for only $4. The listing, which was first spotted by some redditors, is available from AliExpress.

While we aren't quite sure of the quality or fit just yet, for $4 it is worth the risk to see for yourself. We have ordered a couple of these to check out, and will let you know what we find out once they arrive. Will you be picking up any of these for yourself? If so, be sure to let us know in the comments which color you are ordering.

See at AliExpress

If you have not read our Lumia 650 review this week, then you should take a look. Besides our full review last week we showed you the Black Wood Mozo cover for the Lumia 650.

Today, we're taking a look at the white Lumia 650 with the Light Wood Mozo cover. Needless to say, it's a match made in heaven for the surprisingly well-done Lumia 650.

What you need to know

The Mozo Light Wood cover runs for €24.90 (about $27 USD) and is imitation wood with the following features:

• Replaces the original back cover of your Microsoft Lumia 650.
• NFC components integrated (no Qi)
• Super thin Wood like textured design
• Premium look and feel
• Protects against scratches

We ordered ours a few weeks ago, and it just arrived today.

How is it?

It should also be noted that the Light Wood cover is significantly thicker than the default back cover for the Lumia 650. In fact, it's easily twice as thick. Considering how thin and flimsy the default back cover is (you can bend at ease), this is not a big deal. The Mozo is much more rigid, and that is a good thing as the Lumia 650 is already crazy think and light.

Although this is not "real" wood, it certainly feels like it! You would be hard pressed to tell that it is likely some polycarbonate with a wood grain added to it. Concerning quality, this cover gets an A+. Due to the thickness, there is no more bend when you push in the center of the back cover unlike the default one, which clearly has some space between it and the battery.

The Light Wood Mozo cover adds some weight too, but it just makes the Lumia 650 feel more robust when compared to the default cover.

Combined with the laser cut metal edge and the Lumia 650 is now punching higher than its class for a low-range Windows Phone. If you thought the Lumia 650 felt premium before this Light Wood cover takes it up a notch.

For $27 USD the Mozo Light Wood cover is not super cheap, but it is well worth the money if you want to spruce up your Lumia 650.

Highly recommended.

See the Light Wood Lumia 650 cover at Mozo

Read more about the Lumia 650 on our topic main page for all the latest news!

The Mozo covers for the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL are considered required additions for the new Microsoft phones. I have taken a look before at the tan, white and black variants and even did a special feature on the red version with gold trim.

For some odd reason Mozo also sells a black leather case with a black rim. It 's strange because this variant cannot be found on Mozo's own website and is instead available only from MobileFun.com (as far as I know). Why? I have no idea, but we have one and figured we would post some photos in a gallery.

What's different?

In case you are wondering why this case is unique, it is because the previous version of this case had only a chrome/metal rim (vacuum metal coated polycarbonate if you want to get technical).

The version that MobileFun.com sells has a matte black trim. In fact, the rim is still metal-ish but has a soft-touch paint feel making it smooth and silky. The result is a back cover that is completely jet black and it looks quite beautiful.

NFC and Qi wireless are still included in this back cover. The only difference is the rim.

The case is available for the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL, and it costs $42. Once again, that is not cheap but you are getting leather back, Qi wireless charging and NFC sensor plus that vacuum metal coated polycarbonate rim.

How is it?

I have only had the back cover for a few hours but so far I like it a lot. Mozo cases are quite durable and I have had no complaints about any of them (sure, the white leather one can get dirty but you already knew that).

The dark jet-black Mozo back cover gives a fantastic contrast with the Lumia 950's punchy display. For those who prefer a more toned-down or conservative Lumia, I don't think you can go wrong. You lose the flashy chrome of the alternate version but still retain that Mozo quality and it looks great.

So, like all Mozo cases I'll put this under Highly Recommended.

Bonus: MobileFun.com took just six days to deliver the case after ordering. That is a lot faster than some of their other Mozo shipments.

• See Mozo Black Rim for Lumia 950
• See Mozo Black Rim for Lumia 950 XL

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Use coupon code BG16 upon checkout to instantly save 20% on your entire cart, and don't forget about FREE shipping on all orders over $50 within the continental US. Expedited and international options are also available for a little extra. You're going to want to tackle these savings while you can because this sale expires midnight, February 8!

Hit up Windows Central Shop{.cta.shop.nofollow}

A few weeks ago, we mentioned that you could buy third-party knock off replacement covers for the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL that came in matte orange, blue, black or white. Obviously, it was the first two colors that sparked interest for readers, and I promised that once we had the replacement covers in-house, I'd review them.

That day has come.

What you need to know

• Cost is about $4 USD
• Free shipping to the US; Ours were delivered in ten days
• They do not have Qi or NFC built in, however, they do have space for them so you could add them yourself
• They are better than expected

After reading some reader reviews of similar replacement covers, I was worried that I would regret the purchase. Far from it. While the cases are not metal and lack the quality of the Mozo ones (see our hands-on below) they do not feel all that much different from the official covers from Microsoft.

Hands-on with the Mozo leather covers for the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL

The biggest thing I can say is they are fragile and light especially since there is no Qi or NFC pads on the inside. This design makes both phones feel even thinner and lighter than before and frankly, I like the change.

As an example of the weight difference, the official Lumia 950 XL cover is 20 grams (0.70oz) while the replacement ones here are just 13 grams (0.45oz). The majority of that weight difference is no doubt attributable to the lack of Qi coil and the NFC sensor, but some of the difference is also likely due to thinner materials used in the new shell.

All the appropriate cutouts are there, and nothing was machined badly. I did have one of the power buttons feel a little sticky, but it always worked. Right after we shot the video, however, with some fidgeting, I got the button to click as it should. They are not the best feeling buttons out there, and your experience may vary, but it is better than I anticipated (low expectations, after all). More importantly, when I depress the button I got the desired result, which is what matters.

While I wouldn't recommend this cover for always taking on and off if you are looking for something to toss on for just a few dollars to get some color, well, this is it. Being so thin the replacement covers could crack under wear and tear from removal, so heed caution.

While the cover does not raise the feel in quality like a Mozo, I am more than fine with the thinner, lighter and more colorful look.

Bottom Line: Hey, you get what you pay for and, in this case, you are talking about $4 replacement covers for the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL. While they do nothing for the feel in quality, they do not lessen it either. Considering these covers are about 6% the cost of a Mozo (plus they ship faster, ahem) they are not a bad solution at all.

I plan on rocking these on our Lumias going forward until something better comes along. In any case, you should order up a few just in case.

Order Lumia 950 Blue or Orange Battery covers Order Lumia 950 XL Blue or Orange Battery covers

Back when news of the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL was leaking in late summer reports of the phone coming in a Windows Blue color were circulating. We quickly squashed those rumors noting the blue color was only for the prototype, and instead the phone would be offered only in black or white. That came to be the case although third party manufacturers can indeed fill the gaps.

Now, a seller on AliExpress is offering replacement battery covers for the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL and besides black or white you can also grab them in bright orange or that Windows blue color.

The cases themselves are super cheap at about $3 a piece. However, it should be noted that as far as we can tell they do not contain the Qi wireless or NFC components. Instead, they are just plastic covers and for all we know cheap knock-offs. Still, you could solder in your Qi pad even removing the one from your existing case if you are brave.

Shipping is also very cheap although since it is coming from China, you are looking at about a 2-week timespan. Expedited shipping goes past $100, which is just ludicrous for a $3 item. You are also limited to just two covers per order.

Needless to say, we have ordered up some covers for our Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL and will, of course, do a hands-on when they arrive. For now, if you want to take the gamble you can head to the store links below to order them up.

Order Lumia 950 Blue or Orange Battery covers Order Lumia 950 XL Blue or Orange Battery covers

Via: Windows Central Forums

Owners of Microsoft's Surface Pro 4 tablet who want to keep it safe might want to look at Kensington's newly revealed product. The Kensington BlackBelt 2nd Degree Rugged Case was revealed as part of the accessory maker's CES 2016 announcements.

Here's a look at the features for the case:

• Military-Grade Drop Protection – A strong, rugged TPU body surrounds the Surface Pro 4 and meets the MIL-STD-810G testing protocols for drop protection.
• Custom-Designed for Surface – Kensington is an official participant in Microsoft's Designed for Surface program, which helps third-party manufacturers create exceptional accessories that work seamlessly with Surface devices.
• Hand Strap – Constructed of flexible silicone to fit a wide variety of hand sizes, the hand strap provides users with a convenient and worry-free way to hold the tablet when sharing or collaborating, especially in a highly mobile environment.
• Type Cover Channel – Allows users to quickly and easily attach or detach the Type Cover without having to remove the rugged case from the Surface Pro 4.
• QuickFold Design – Ideal for mobile viewing, the Type Cover can be folded up the backside of the rugged case so the keyboard is neatly out of the way without having to detach it.
• Unobstructed Access – Strategic cutouts in the case allow users to take full advantage of the Surface kickstand, buttons, ports, and cameras.

The Kensington BlackBelt 2nd Degree Rugged Case will be priced at $59.99 but a release date was not announced.

Source: Kensington

Although Microsoft's new Lumias – the 950 and 950 XL – have been nearly universally panned for looking a bit cheap, there was always the promise from Mozo who is one of the official partners for Lumia accessories.

The Mozo deal was snuck in at the October New York event where we first saw the leather cases for the new Lumias and today our order arrived.

Here is our hands-on video and first impressions of these covers for both Lumias!

Mozo cases shown in video

• Back cover for Lumia 950 (Black, White) €48.50 / ~$51 USD
• Back cover for Lumia 950 XL (White, Brown) €48.50 / ~$51 USD

What you should know

• Lumia 950 back Mozo cover is 23 grams (versus 19 grams for original)
• Lumia 950 XL Mozo back cover is 26 grams (versus 24 grams for original)
• Orders could take 2-4 weeks
• NFC and Qi Wireless charging are built in
• Genuine cow leather
• Premium finish with non-conductive vacuum metal coated polycarbonate

Where to buy?

You can order these direct from Mozo. It is not yet clear if retailers will be stocking the accessories as well. They do ship worldwide.

Order Back cover for Lumia 950/950 XL from Mozo

Thoughts?

The cases are what you expect. They certainly add a more premium feel to both Lumias especially the Lumia 950 as you are gaining 4 grams in weight. That is a tiny amount, but just enough to make the device feel a little more substantive.

All the cases look really good, but you have to give a nod to the brown leather with white stitching. We'll also look to order the red and gold variant as well.

Should you buy? Between the cost of the back cover and the shipping, you are adding a significant bump in cost over the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL. Alternatively, if you are dropping $550 or $650 on a phone, you want it to look – and feel – good. Well, these cases fit the bill.

We'll have to spend at least a few days if not weeks with them on our phones to see how they hold up. For now, watch our hands-on video, check out Mozo's website or jump into our forums to see what others are saying. No need to take just our word!

Also, remember that Mozo has said other designs and materials for these back covers are being worked on including flip covers. So if you prefer not to use animal products on your phone or would like different colors, watch this space.

Let us know what you think in comments. Are these back covers something you will consider?

Update: Some people are concerned that on the Lumia 950 XL these '5 mic array' near the top and bottom is blocked by these cases. This is not true at all. Four out of five of those holes are actually faux, only for design. There is only one HAAC mic at the top and one HAAC mic at the bottom (the other two are on the front of the phone). So the Mozo cases match just fine. See the above image.

More resources

Want all the latest news on these phones? Hit these topic pages for all that we got.

• Microsoft Lumia 950 main page
• Microsoft Lumia 950 XL main page

Support and help forums

Want to chat about the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL? Jump into our forums and ask others what they think or get help and advice on your new phone!

• Microsoft Lumia 950 forums at Windows Central
• Microsoft Lumia 950 XL forums at Windows Central

Mozo Accessories is already taking orders for its leather-based cases for the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL. Now, the company has announced, and shown off, some leather flip covers for both phones that it will release in the near future.

The flip covers are designed to protect both the front and the back of Microsoft's upcoming Windows 10 Mobile devices. The cases will cost €59.90 ($65 USD) and they stated they "will be available for pre-order soon." What do you think of these flip covers for the Lumia 950 and 950 XL? Let us know in the comments!

Mozo Shop for Lumia covers

Thanks to Yohance for the tip!

Source: Mozo (Facebook)

The Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL smartphones from Microsoft are scheduled to be released sometime in November. That's also around the time Mozo's impressive looking cases for those phones are expected to start shipping. The company has now launched pre-orders for the high-end cases, all of which will priced at €48.50, or about $55, and Mozo will be shipping worldwide.

Once again, here's a quick description of those cases:

• Genuine leather
• Premium finishing with vacuum metal coated polycarbonate
• Easy charge with QI wireless charging included
• NFC included
• Removable back cover (replaces Microsoft´s original cover)

Shipping is worldwide including U.S. and Brazil. There is no word if Microsoft and the Microsoft Stores will be stocking these accessories, although they have in the past.

The Mozo cases will come in Black, White, Red and Brown colors. Will you be buying these cases to go along with your Lumia 950 or Lumia 950 XL purchase? Let us know in the comments.

Update: Due to high traffic many people are having issues getting to the site. Our advice: try again later or wait until Mozo fixes their servers.

Pre-order Mozo's cases for the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL

Last week, Mozo revealed its plans to offer "'Designed for Microsoft Lumia" cases for the just announced Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL smartphones. Now the company has revealed those cases will be priced around €48.50, or about $55. when they go on sale.

Here's a quick description of those cases:

• Genuine leather
• Premium finishing with vacuum metal coated polycarbonate
• Easy charge with QI wireless charging included
• NFC included
• Removable back cover (replaces Microsoft´s original cover)

The Mozo cases will come in Black, White and "Leather" (brown) colors. A promo image also shows a red colored case but it's not listed on the company's store. There's no word yet on when they will go on sale.

Check out the Mozo Lumia 950 cases{.cta .shop} Check out the Mozo Lumia 950 XL cases{.cta .shop}

Microsoft announced the new Lumia 950, Lumia 950 XL and Lumia 550 smartphones earlier this week, and third-party companies such as Finland-based Mozo and Sweden-based Krusell have already been named as "official" case makers for those phones, complete with a "Designed for Microsoft Lumia" logo.

This new logo looks to be a legit program started by Microsoft to shuffle off accessory production from themselves to third-party companies on an official scale.

However, so far Microsoft has not yet indicated it will offer its own cases for the new Lumia phones as it has with previous devices in the family. As MobileFun.co.uk points out, Microsoft has not yet listed any such cases on the official pages of the new Lumia smartphones.

Instead, Microsoft may have decided to abandon that part of the phone business in favor of giving "official" case licenses to third-parties. We have contacted Microsoft to see if we can get more information on their cases strategy for their new Lumias.

Meanwhile, Mozo says it will take pre-orders for its new Lumia cases soon on its website. Krussell is also showing off its cases for the phones on its site, including the Boras FolioWallet for the Lumia 950XL that's designed to also hold credit cards, and the Boden cover for the Lumia 950 that has a one-piece design made to quickly snap on the back of the phone.

Even better? Many of these cases will be Qi-enabled too. This solution essentially solves the "what about this color?" problem for potential customers. Microsoft offloading the risk of production and distribution to professionals is a good idea and inline with their current program of focusing on what they are good at.

What do you think? Is Microsoft taking the right approach here? Do you like what Krussel and Mozo have revealed so far? Sounds off in comments.

Source: Krussel, Mozo Accessories; Via MobileFun.co.uk

The Surface Pro 4 tablet from Microsoft won't start shipping until later in October, but Urban Armor Gear is already taking pre-orders for rugged cases made for the 12.3-inch tablet.

Urban Armor Gear has already made similar rugged cases for many of the previous Surface tablets, and the ones for the Surface Pro 4 looks like they will continue that tradition.

• Impact resistant soft core
• Compatible with Microsoft Type Cover Keyboard and multiple keyboard positions
• Built-in Surface Pen storage and magnetic holder compatibility
• Aluminum stand with 5 angular positions plus portrait viewing option
• Non-slip, Frogskin exterior grip material
• Un-compromised audio and access to touchscreen, buttons, and ports
• Meets military drop-test standards (MIL STD 810G 516.6) when used with Microsoft Type Cover keyboard

The cases come in three colors (Black, Red and Cobalt) and will start shipping in late October for $69.99.

Pre-order the Surface Pro 4 rugged cases from Urban Armor Gear / $69.99

Microsoft may have just announced the Surface Book notebook and Surface Pro 4 tablet, but well-known tablet and notebook accessories maker WaterField Designs has already planning to release three custom sleeves and bags for those devices.

The Dash Sleeve for both products includes:

• Black ballistic nylon shell with impact-resistant compression foam and plush liner
• Elastic band to secure tablet/laptop
• Stretch-mesh back pocket
• Black or copper piping

The Laptop SleeveCase for the Surface Pro 4 and Surface Book includes:

• High-grade neoprene in an indestructible black ballistic nylon or tan waxed canvas shell
• Padded flap
• Angled back pocket for papers or flat accessories
• SP4 size includes rear loop to hold updated Microsoft Pencils
• Customizable options: horizontal or vertical oriented case, D-rings and shoulder strap

Finally, the Outback Solo case includes

• High-grade neoprene padding within a tan, coated-canvas shell
• Distressed, premium "chocolate" leather flap
• Custom-fitted, padded main compartment for Surface 3 and Type Cover
• Two front pockets for power adapter and a smart phone (such as the new Lumia 950 and 950 XL) or other accessories
• Magnetic snap closure
• Removable strap allows use as shoulder bag or case within another bag

You can pre-order all of these cases and sleeves now. The Dash Sleeve and SleeveCase are both priced at $59 while the Outback Solo costs $109. All of them will begin shipping by early November.

• Pre-order Surface Pro 4 sleeves from WaterField Designs
• Pre-order Surface Book sleeves from WaterField Designs

Source: WaterField Designs