Executive Series

BELKIN NEUELEMENTS

Belkin has identified that there’s more than one type of laptop user and with its NeuElements range of cases, the company is out to convince us it has one to suit everyone’s needs. The range is split into three groups:
executive, business casual and studio. We chose to take one bag from each group and see how they stand up to the test of life on the road. All the cases in the range are constructed from ballistic nylon ballistic nylon with Synthis2 fabric for rugged endurance.

EXECUTIVE SERIES

The Vertical Slip Case (£18 inc. VAT) is the most simplistic bag in the range. It consists of one large wallet, which is capable of holding a laptop measuring up to 286 x 368 x 51mm in size, and slip pockets on either side.
Designed for the commuter rather than the over night traveller, what makes this different from the others laptop cases reviewed here is that you place your laptop, as the name suggests, vertically into the case. This may seem a little strange at first, but once out in the street and on a commuter train, the smaller exposed area came into its own. The carry case also has sturdy handles as well as a shoulder strap. If we had any concerns about the build quality of the Vertical Slip Case it was regarding the thickness of the carry strap. While the strap had a shoulder support we would have preferred to have had a thicker strap, which would have made the overall effect more rigid.

Business Casual Series

RATING: 7

PRICE: £29/£35 (EX/INC. VAT)

BUSINESS CASUAL SERIES

The Leather Case NE-L01 (£35 inc. VAT) has a clamshell design that has the appearance of an oversized bowling bag. It’s made from a combination of ballistic nylon and is finished in leather. Built to be the toughest bag in the range, the laptop compartment has been reinforced and can withstand being crushed. The main section of the case can support a laptop up to 368 x 305 x 51mm in size and also has sufficient space for power leads and cables. Front and rear folder pockets add to the functionality of the case, and with a reinforced handle and additional shoulder strap, it’s heavy, but comfortable, to carry. While the bag is large, it can’t be used as an overnight bag as the main compartment and extra pockets are built around laptop functionality. If you are looking for a laptop-specific case that can be placed in the cargo hold, then this case is certainly up to the task.

RATING: 8

PRICE: £15/£18 (EX/INC. VAT)

STUDIO SERIES

Studio Series

The Women’s Tote (£35 inc. VAT) is the first mainstream carry case that’s been specifically designed with the female user in mind. To this extent it looks more like an overlarge handbag than a briefcase. On first impressions, it does seem large, but the carrying handles allow for a great deal of freedom. The laptop compartment is capable of fitting a system that measures up to 356 x 267 x 51mm, which covers anything up to and including a 14.1-inch laptop. We found that our test machine fitted in with plenty of room to take the plug and power brick along as well. When it comes to pockets, this carry case should suit even the most stereotypical of women – those who like to carry everything with them regardless of whether they need it or not – as it has an abundance of pockets. On the side is a pocket for a mobile phone, while a compartment on the front of the case is large enough to carry a notepad and pens without too much fuss. With additional slip pockets hidden on either side of the case, it offers enough storage for daily use.

All the bags in the range come with support from Stuffbak (www.stuffbak.com), which is free to register your details with the company. Should your laptop go missing and be returned
using the service, there is a fee of $15.

A great deal of thought has been put into the layout of pockets on all the NeuElements range. We were impressed on how well they were constructed. While we found a number of them too large for regular use, Belkin has thought about what laptop users need and, for the most part, seemed to have delivered.

RATING: 8

PRICE: £29/£35 (EX/INC. VAT)

CONTACT: WWW.BELKIN.CO.UK