So you're shopping for the perfect laptop, and you love to relax and work at your local cafe... your cafe that often resembles a portable computer lab. (Have you seen how some people even bring their DESKTOPS in to Starbucks? While we all try not to judge, lets be honest, your laptop makes a big first impression. Are you the mac guy? Are you the PC guy? Do you have hundreds of stickers for your favorite bands, favorite companies, custom made stickers, or your school and clubs? Is your laptop completely dinged and filthy? Or is it completely pristine (because next to it is your handy cleaning cloth that you put to good use if someone so much as breathes on it)? Is it dressed in leather? Have you tattooed it with engravings? Given it a custom glossy paint job leaving it nearly unrecognizable?
These flickr pics are from:
- http://www.flickr.com/photos/jimthompson/312293218/
- http://www.flickr.com/photos/raaphorst/1340262701/
- http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveschappell/421291249/
- http://www.flickr.com/photos/jaycross/269461011/
As you can see, a laptop is not just a laptop, it's an extension of you! So why let it look like everyone else's. Even in movies and tv shows you can start to notice logo band-aids popping up... look closely and you'll often see bizarre strategically placed stickers covering the signature glowing apple on the backs of mac book pros. Perhaps they didn't weren't sponsored and didn't want to have overly obvious product placement, but what it ultimately results in is a re-branding of the machine to make it more YOU!
So as carefully as you pick out your clothing and accessories... consider what your laptop says about you. And don't let the initial exterior of your laptop define you! Here are 5 of our favorite options to beautifully and simply personalize that laptop.
1. InCase Hardshell Case
It quickly snaps on to your MacBook or MacBook Pro (this model launching end of march). Made of hard plastic, my favorite detail is that it has a soft-touch coating which not only feels great, but gives it a beautiful frosted look where the apple logo glows through ever so subtly. It's also a nice affordable way to have the power a mac book pro on the inside, and the subtlety of a black macbook look on the outside.
Note: for the sticker lovers, these are a nice way to still have fun with all those stickers, and when it comes time for a new look, or to sell it, pop off the case, and its good as new.
2. ColorWare
I consider these guys like the auto body shop of the gadget world... only you can bring in nearly anything, from your macbook, thinkpad, sidekick, and wii to your HDTV or mp3 player. They will turn your machines into the crazy colored glossy solid/metallic gadgets of your dreams. If this isn't enough for you, i suppose once its done, you can even take it to your local car guy to give it some pin-striping or some flames?
3. Vaja i-volution shell with leather handles.
Vaja cases consistently impresses me with their molded Argentinean leather in nearly any pantone you can imagine. These i-volution shells for the macs are customizable in not only colors, but also whether or not you want a handle. Lush, leather, nice and discreet (depending on your color choice), perfect for hiding out in the corner of the cafe. THey also have gorgeous leather suits for the Sony Vaio TRs.
4. Adafruit Laser Etching
This one is for those who are not scared of "forever". This is no temporary tattoo. Pick your graphic, design your perfect laptop imagery, and off to the laser etching machine it goes! Anything is possible. Whether its your dell, mac, mp3 player, if you can draw it, they can etch it.
5. Computer Choppers
Their tagline is "The absolute best in custom computers and accessories". So, maybe instead of toning down the branding on your laptop, you simply want to bling it up a notch, and REALLY attract attention... Computer Choppers will plate your laptop in white gold, platinum, and even rose gold. And i'm sure if you wanted, they could add some swarovski crystals. (and if they won't you can always try http://www.crystalicing.com/proddetail.asp?prod=9000)
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to customizing your laptops, but i hope this at least gets you thinking a bit more about what your options are, and what your laptop says about YOU! Whether you want to stand out more, or play down the powerful machine sitting next to your latte, i'm sure you can find just the right solution to be anything but ordinary.
