Notebooks & Accessories

Tip: Where to Find Notebook Bags for Women

Bag and luggage makers are finally realizing that women carry notebooks and gadgets, too. Maybe they were tipped off by the fact that women account for about half of the $120 billion annual market in consumer electronics, according to the Consumer Electronics Association. At any rate, here are a few places to find stylish notebook bags for women:

• Case Closed Bags Inc.
• EBags
• Levenger

News: Notebook Speakers That Really Rock

With an LCD screen that doubles as a set of stereo speakers, NEC's LaVie isn't your average notebook. Instead of conventional speakers, NEC put drivers behind each side of the notebook's screen to reproduce stereophonic audio; the screen itself vibrates the air. The sound is better than what most conventional notebook speakers offer, says Agam Shah of the IDG News Service. LaVie's screen also gives images a 3D effect. Currently, the notebook is available only in Japan, but the LaVie audio technology is expected to arrive soon in U.S. notebooks.

Review: Superthin Sony

The name of Sony's latest notebook, the VAIO VGN-X505ZP, is bigger than the computer itself. Less than an inch thick and just under 2 pounds, this ultraportable is gorgeous but expensive ($3000), says PC World reviewer Kalpana Ettenson. To keep the small form factor, Sony didn't add a modem, an ethernet jack, built-in wireless, an optical drive, or a parallel or serial port.