APC Case With Integrated Power Conduits

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.apcc.com/products/family/index.cfm?id=224' target='_blank'>http://www.apcc.com/products/family...ndex.cfm?id=224</a><br /><br /></div>What a clever idea! A bag that can charge up to three of your handheld/laptop devices at the same time -- by just plugging one module in, either to an outlet, airline, or car cigarette lighter port.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20030916-APCCase.jpg" /><br /><br />My only criticism is that I'd like some <i>more</i> flexibility -- how about more than three devices, for example? I could envision carrying a camera, my Pocket PC, a cell phone, a music player, and a laptop when I go traveling.

[David Prahl]

Now if they can just integrate solar cells into the fabric, you could leave your phone trickle charging in a reachable pouch.

I wondering how it handles multiple voltages. If I need 5.4 volts for my Axim in pouch 1, but 6 volts for a phone in another, how do you change it?

Wow. Just thinking about plugging in my briefcase sends nerdy chills down my spine! :drool:

300th Post! That's:
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***** posts!

[townsendtribe]

I had an idea almost exactly like this... so let me get this straight...

If you could design your own carrying case with internal power and charge all your devices by plugging the bag into the wall or off a battery built into the bag... it would have more pockets to work the way YOU want (cell phone, camera, laptop, pda, audio device, etc). Okay, what else? :D :wink: :!: :mrgreen:

You see where I'm going with this?

[Wuss912]

I had an idea almost exactly like this... so let me get this straight...

If you could design your own carrying case with internal power and charge all your devices by plugging the bag into the wall or off a battery built into the bag... it would have more pockets to work the way YOU want (cell phone, camera, laptop, pda, audio device, etc). Okay, what else? :D :wink: :!: :mrgreen:

You see where I'm going with this?
haven't any of you heard of convergent devices? :ninja:

[jim s]

Can you imagine the ensueing panic when someone sees a bag like this at the airport plugged into a wall outlet? I'm sure it would cause quite the scene!

[DimensionZero]

What about when it passes thru the x-ray!

Security's gonna think it's a bomb or something!
*woah. deja vu. I think i said the same thing about the eVest* :D

[townsendtribe]

haven't any of you heard of convergent devices? :ninja:

Okay, no problem there, but wait until the PDA Phone runs XP, has a 12GB HDD, a digital camera with optical zoom, fits in my pocket, and is affordable. I guess while we are dreaming, a heads-up display would be nice too. :lol:

Until then, I'll be forced to carry the laptop, PDA, phone, camera, and MP3 player seperatly.

[David Prahl]

Terrorists don't wear pocket protectors. :lol:

You're absolutely right - it would be a serious security concern. I still think that a solar cell array would be cool.

[Wuss912]

haven't any of you heard of convergent devices? :ninja:

Okay, no problem there, but wait until the PDA Phone runs XP, has a 12GB HDD, a digital camera with optical zoom, fits in my pocket, and is affordable. I guess while we are dreaming, a heads-up display would be nice too. :lol:

Until then, I'll be forced to carry the laptop, PDA, phone, camera, and MP3 player seperatly.
well i can see how that justifys the laptop and the pocket pc phone edition (with builtin camera)
but why do you need the mp3 player and camera?
:roll:

[dhpss]

Being a big fan of those USB retractable cords (www.boxware.com). I found at Costco the Coleman Powermate PMB1881 likes this one http://shop.store.yahoo.com/dotcoms/copocarbabop.html, sold for $20 USD in bundled with 3 outlet cigaret lighter
This allows you to:
1-Have a convenient emergency starter for your car
2-Have a portable 12V rechargeable power with a built in 12 volt power port enables you to run your 12 volt accessories. This is very convenient for long flight..You will have enough power to charge your Laptop & PDA and other gears for at least a couple of cycles..
You can find those mini retractable cable and accessories at www.boxware.com. Price: miniSync cable: $15.50; wall charger: $14.95 ; car charger: $9.95

[townsendtribe]

well i can see how that justifys the laptop and the pocket pc phone edition (with builtin camera)
but why do you need the mp3 player and camera?
:roll:

Have you seen the resolution on the Pocket PC Phone edition, let's use the Samsung i700 for an example. The resolution is 640X480 and not very clear. Now if I were just taking pictures for a MM email, that would be fine, so on the Samsung it's a good thing, but I carry a digital camera because like most prople with a digital camera, I want clarity and resolution, and I'm sorry, but there is no 5 MegaPixel cameras with an optical and digital zoom built into any Pocket PC Phone Edition that I am aware of.

The mp3 player was just an example because I would love to do a 30GB iPod, just to carry my entire library of mp3s with me. Or how about an Archos AV300 with a 40GB disc. (http://www.archos.com/products/av300_series.html?sid=j22o2fy4b22j43ob4o22kf) That would work too. 8)

[Janak Parekh]

Posts about sigs have been moved to the HOFS. Guys, please use PMs for any such discussion. That's precisely what they're there for -- much more professional, and it doesn't derail the thread.

Jeremiah, you're welcome to replicate the 2nd half of your post here.

--janak

[SassKwatch]

well i can see how that justifys the laptop and the pocket pc phone edition (with builtin camera) but why do you need the mp3 player and camera?
:roll:
&lt;mostly tongue in cheek mode ON> What I don't understand about the camera aspect is why every durn mfr of every durn digital device known to man these days thinks having a camera built into their device is the holy grail to market domination. The way things are going, Maytag will have cameras built into their washers and dryers before long.

In most cases, the camera function stinks. At *best*, they're suitable for the quick 'Hi Mom/Dad, here's your new grandson at 1 hr of age' type shots.....or the semi-masochistic "Hi, I'm here and you're not!" teaser you might send to a friend while you're vacationing at the Kantishna Roadhouse in Denali Nat'l Park and they're stuck on the mean streets of pick your own favorite big city.

Beyond that, give me a stand alone camera *ANY* day over the weak-kneed counterparts offered in 'convergent' devices. &lt;/mostly tongue in cheek mode OFF>

[beq]

1) Can someone posts some MSRP or street prices for the models?

2) WHY hasn't Brad popped in to tell us how he liked it? ;) But then again I can see that Janak is nerdly in his own way... :D

[Brad Adrian]

*woah. deja vu. I think i said the same thing about the eVest* :D
Don't be bad-mouthing my eVest!

[Brad Adrian]

2) WHY hasn't Brad popped in to tell us how he liked it? ;)
Well...This case isn't really that bad, but for me it just doesn't make the same fashion statement that my eVests do.

[bradolson]

good idea. i'm also surprised how long it took someone to do something like this.

brad

[PHactotum]

Well looking at the details, what they have really done, is create a power supply with a selectable voltage for the laptop and a USB port that can support upt to two devices (via a two port hub on a cable) to power the other two portable devices.

I think the power supply is a great idea, in that you could do it without this special power supply, but it would take plugging your devices into the usb port of your portable, which would then need to be in a active on state and not hibernate or suspend.

The rest is just a nice laptop bag.

That said, I suppose, you could get a power supply that would provide the, I think it is 5 volts, power to a usb port, and place this in your eVest, and get the same effect for it. :idea:

[weisco]

I purchased the fabric version of this case about two months ago. It was about $130 USD (vinyl version was about $100). Easy for me to justify the cost because an additional power brick for my new laptop was almost the same amount (I keep one power supply plugged into a port replicator at my office, and the other for home or travel). With the ability to plug into a wall (US or European), car, or plane, I've found the case very flexible. Designed by someone who obviously uses a laptop. Looks like a well built laptop case from the exterior when closed. For me it has been a great purchase.

[KH]

Does anyone have experience with using it? I would be concerned about the heat buildup, since there wouldn't be any air circulation.