e-pac review

If you're an iBook owner you're probably a 'Think Different' kind of person.

You're probably also suffering from a sore shoulder, as the iBook, for all its charms, isn't exactly featherweight. Most bags made for carrying laptops simply hang off one shoulder, protecting the hardware at the expense of your posture. On top of that (adding insult to injury) they're pretty generic containers, not created with the iBook's curves in mind. What you need is something designed for iBook owners - something with style, and a cunning variety of straps. In short, an e-pac.

The e-pac is to standard laptop bags what the iBook is to laptop computers. iBooks have curves, e-pacs have curves, too. iBooks mix good looks with functionality, so does the e-pac. iBooks come in a choice of bright colours... well, the e-pac comes in silver or black, but how loud do you want to get?

The e-pac is designed to be a backpack, a shoulder bag, or a briefcase. The main 'back-pac' can be connected to the 'waist-pac' using two clips at the sides. The waist-pac's belt helps keep it all snugly in place even while running, although when you take it off they do tend to slip apart.

If that's too much bag for you, unclip the waist-pac and leave it at home. Now your e-pac can be used as a more compact, but still roomy, backpack. Or, if you don't want to spoil the cut of your outfit by wearing something on your back, tuck the backpack straps away, clip on the shoulder strap, and march off with your iBook by your side. Or ignore all the straps completely, grab the handle, and use it as a briefcase.

Inside, the e-pac is all pockets. The waist-pac has a couple of document pockets and space dividers. The back-pac has two main zippered sections; one for paper storage, and the other for hardware. Strap your iBook into its own compartment, then pull open the flap to reveal the inside of the padded cover. This is where special pockets will hold the iBook's cables and power 'yo-yo', as well as a removable e-pac CD-ROM holder.

The base of both parts is shod with soft rubber ridges, the various zippers can be secured with padlocks, and all-in-all it feels reassuringly robust. The iBook's handle is fine when you walk around a room, but when you go out, use an e-pac.