Photo of the Moment: Inner Light of Metro de Caracas, Venezuela © Vagabondish.

Photo of the Moment: Rollercoaster Atop Shanghai, China © Vagabondish.

One downside for the frequent laptop user is, ironically, that keeping it atop your lap for extended periods of time can be downright uncomfortable. Nevermind having to contort your eyes, body, and fingers to work on it, there’s also the little matter that laptops get hot – sometimes ridiculously so.

There’s a bevy of products on the market to help with this issue – mini fans that plug into available USB ports and such. But who wants yet another accessory that adds unnecessary weight to your laptop bag and sucks even more juice from your laptop’s already tiny battery?

Enter ThermaPAK’s HeatShift laptop cooling pad.

The Skinny

In ThermaPAK’s own words, the HeatShift 15″:

• Perfectly sized for 15″ laptops
• Uses unique cooling crystals to cool
• No need for refrigeration
• Cools with no noise, no fans, no laptop power
• Performs better than USB fan cooling devices
• Durable and maintenance free

… and their sales pitch:

ThermaPAK’s Patented HeatShift Laptop Cooler is the most effective solution against laptop heat. In a recent CNET study the HeatShift Laptop Cooler was proven to lower laptop temperature by more than 10 degrees Fahrenheit and significantly outperformed USB cooling fans. Unlike the fan products that blow dirt and dust at your laptop the grooved channels on the HeatShift laptop cooler enhances airflow.

Not only does the self cooling HeatShift dissipate heat faster and more effectively than alternative products, it uses no power (extends battery life), wires, or refrigeration – making it the most advanced, and eco-friendly laptop cooler you can buy. The HeatShift cools uniformly by using organic cooling crystals that dissipate heat away from your laptop allowing it to perform at its best while keeping your laptop at a safe temperature.

Fair enough. So how does it stack up?

In Detail

The great part about reviewing products like this is there isn’t much to them. They either work or … they don’t.

I have the perfect laptop to test out the Heat Shift: a 17” HP behemoth that should come with two sherpas and a pack mule to lug it around for me. That is to say: it’s big and it generates a lot of heat. To be fair, the HeatShift I tested is designed for 15” laptops so, ideally, I should be using their 17” model. But: why not put it through its paces and torture it a bit?

I spent three nights – a couple hours at a stretch just before bedtime – using my HP with the HeatShift placed atop my lap. Typically, after thirty minutes in this position, the bottom of the system grows uncomfortably hot and I need to move it to the bed.

The HeatShift remedied this problem in two ways: it naturally acts as a barrier between the bottom of the system and my otherwise scalded nether-regions. Plus: its fancy, space-age construction pulls the heat away from the system, keeping it cooler. Nice!

As the above reference indicates, ThermaPAK assures a 10 degrees cooler external temp. Though I have no way of personally verifying this, I’ll take CNET’s word for it. It definitely made a difference and a good one at that.

The bad news is that the HeatShift weights 1.5 pounds – a testament to its sturdy construction and durability. But not exactly music to this minimalist traveler’s ears.

Availability

Available now in 13″, 15″, and 17″ sizes directly from ThermaPAK and select online retailers for approximately $25-35.

Bottom Line

All of the above being said, the HeatShift does exactly what it’s supposed to do. Plus it’s well constructed, durable and, at around $30, relatively inexpensive to boot. All of this makes it ideal for home and office use.

The question for travelers is: are you willing to add an extra 1.5 pounds of weight to your pack to cool your laptop 10 degrees? For this minimalist traveler, unfortunately the answer is no.

ThermaPAK HeatShift Laptop Cooling Pad © Vagabondish.

Photo of the Moment: Southbound Toward Monument Valley, Utah © Vagabondish.

Photo of the Moment: Waiting for Spring, Madrid © Vagabondish.

The observatory that sits above the clouds on Maui’s famed volcano, Haleakala, as dusk approaches.

Photo of the Moment: Above the Clouds at Haleakala, Maui © Vagabondish.

A few months back, I spent the better part of a day in search of the perfect laptop backpack. After hours and hours of reviewing customer testimonials, product photos, and specs, I decided to give the folks at San Francisco-based Timbuk2 a go.

They claim, “For 20 years, we’ve been building bags and accessories for urban adventures with a simple philosophy – create good-looking, tough-as-Hell bags you can truly make your own.”

Enter the Timbuk2 Patrol laptop backpack …

The Skinny

First, the bullet points (via Amazon.com):

• Day pack for holding books, clothes, shoes, and laptop
• Tuck-away shoulder straps and organizer pockets
• Fits laptops as large as 17 x 11.5 x 1.5 inches
• External compression straps; internal zippered pockets
• Measures 14.5 x 19 x 8 inches (W x H x D); weighs 4.1 pounds

… and a little more in-depth:

Some people don’t do rolling bags, believing they have the strength to carry the world–or at least their life–on their shoulders. Enter the Timbuk2 Patrol backpack, which is roomy enough to store books, clothes, shoes, and even a laptop.

The Patrol backpack includes a large main compartment, several internal pockets, and a laptop sleeve.
Ideal for the urban backpacker or day traveler, the Patrol includes a large main compartment, a separate laptop compartment, and several internal zippered pockets. The pack is also airport friendly, with tuck-away shoulder straps and organizer pockets to help you easily pass through security checkpoints. And you can pack the Patrol heavy or keep it light thanks to the external compression straps. Other features include a grab strap for easy lifting and an external water bottle pocket.

So how does the Timbuk2 Patrol stack up?

In Detail

Design

The exterior is a straightforward, no-frills affair – black with a noticeable Timbuk2 logo. That’s it.

Other color options include brown/red and army green/green. While these other options are quite eye-catching, I opt for stealth. I’d rather not let on that I’m carrying a brand new shiny laptop bag full of overpriced electronics and photography hardware. I am of course, but why advertise it?

It boasts a remarkably well thought out interior. The laptop compartment is not merely a zippered enclosure attached to the strap-side of the pack. It’s a sleeve that allows you to pack your clothes “around” it for added protection.

Dual handles on the outside allow for easy carrying and tossing around in either “landscape” or “portrait” format.

The compression straps also mean that you can pack as heavy or light as you like with the confidence that all your possessions will remain snugly in place inside the Patrol.

Construction

Ripstop nylon – heavy, amazingly durable. Let me put it this way: I never check my bags. Ever. But if I did need to check the Patrol, I would have absolutely no worries that it would return to me in one piece. Yes, I don’t think even the TSA could ruin this little beast. And that’s saying something.

Size

Not too small, and not too large. The size is perfect for a weekend away or a trip around the world. I have a closet full of duffel bags, suitcases, and wheeled luggage. Since acquiring the Patrol, they’re all sitting in my bedroom closet quietly wondering what their purpose now is in life. It’s become my go-to pack for literally any trip. I’ve no need for any other.

Availability

On sale now from Amazon.com (from $225).

Bottom Line

At more than $200, it ain’t cheap. But flashpackers always ask: does the quality warrant the cash? For the Timbuk2 Patrol Bag, the answer is a resounding, Hell yes! Just right sizing, bullet proof – almost military-grade – construction, and smart pocket design make this the perfect laptop travel bag at almost any price. Highly recommended.

Timbuk2 Patrol: Possibly the Perfect Laptop Backpack © Vagabondish.

Photo of the Moment: Facing Pura Tanah Lot, Bali © Vagabondish.

Photo of the Moment: Colegio San Gabriel, Quito © Vagabondish.

Photo of the Moment: Zipping from Flagstaff to Phoenix, Arizona © Vagabondish.