Carrying a laptop is a prerequisite for many men during the course of a working week, and even at the weekends too – though purely for leisure reasons we hope. The general consensus about the bags we carry our beloved laptops and iPads is rather bland and mundane. Elysium magazine doesn’t do mundane, and discerning gents around the world certainly don’t do bland either. It’s just not in our DNA. Thankfully Elysium came across a Swedish outfit named Unit Portables who has splashed a bit of innovation together with bold waves of colour to help update the humble laptop bag, and give it some personality.
The first thing you notice about the Unit Portables bag design is that it’s not your usual laptop bag shape – it actually looks pretty cool. The next thing to catch the eye is the numerous, and customisable, storage options – for anyone that’s even a little bit curious this means that you’ll soon find yourself rummaging through the bag scoping out the various pockets and sizing up compartments for your different gadgets. This is the desired reaction.
The Swedish designers have a clever concept here – the main laptop bag, Unit 01, is the largest of those available. Here you’ll be able to safely pack away your 13”/15” laptop in the fully padded sleeve inside the main bag. Unit 01 also comes with Units 02 and 03 – these are small zipped cases attached securely either inside the main bag or outside for easy access – suitable for power cables or a phone/camera. If you find you need additional space, you can order further 02 and 03 Units – and the best bit is you can mix up the colours – so if you like to compliment colours the option is there. In terms of colours available, take your pick from the block tones of Blue, Red, Black, White, Beige, Green and Yellow.
There is also an iPad bag, Unit 04, which completes the range. This fits all the versions of the iPad like a glove – protecting it from the elements with padded sleeve, whilst also being easy to carry via the handle. It’s pretty much a stylish mini version of the 01 Unit.
The range from Unit Portables does shake up the old monotonous world of bland laptop bags – the innovative approach to storage options coupled with the vibrant block colours, and not forgetting the protective qualities – the main reason you’ll use such a bag. The colours are great for adding a dash of colour to the work suit outfit – but there is the low key tones of Black, White or Beige for those not wanting to be too loud yet crave the stylish and practical solution the Unit Portables provide.
Unit 01/02/03 costs RRP £59.99 and Unit 04 iPad sleeve RRP £24.99. Additional Unit 02/03 RRP £20 – available from Urban Outfitters and www.muazo.co.uk
For more details about Unit Portables visit www.unitportables.com