Belkin launches range of laptop bags, accessories

Belkin on Thursday announced a wide range of laptop and netbook accessories, ranging from protective pouches and carrying cases to cooling pads and portable mice. Some of the cases are meant to protect the recent crop of netbooks, specifically ASUS' Eee PC. Belkin's Quilted Carrying Case is designed for full-size laptops, featuring plush fabric that will keep notebooks scratch-free, with an asymmetrical zipper that allows side or top access. A removable shoulder strap is integrated into the case; it is available in a choice of black, powder pink or denim blue colors. The Neoprene Sleeve helps protect notebooks around the house, while the Felt Tote, with reinforced handle allowing for short distance portability, protects laptops while on the move and when placed in other bags.

All three cases are priced at nearly $30, with the Neoprene Sleeve available now and the others shipping to North American dealers by October of 2008.

Made specifically for the ASUS Eee PC, Belkin also introduced a range of cases. The Mini Laptop Quilted Case fits the 7-inch version of the netbook, protecting it from wear and tear thanks to its quilted polyester material. It's priced at about $20. The Mini Laptop Carrying Case adds neoprene construction, a detachable strap and outside pockets, bumping the price up to $25. A lower-cost ($13) option is the Neoprene Sleeve, which lets users protect their netbooks as they sit among other possessions in their own bags.

Any Windows 2000, XP and Vista or Mac OS X v10.4 laptop is compatible with Belkin's Wireless Travel Mouse with USB connection. Priced at $20, the mouse features a power switch to extend battery life and three programmable buttons allow functionality customization. Priced at $15, a Retractable Mouse featuring a retractable power and signal cord is compatible with the same operating systems, and gets power from a USB port.

The Eee PC cases will launch in September, with the mice currently available. All are available in red, purple, blue and black.

The other new laptop products announced today have to do with managing the heat radiating from the portable computers. The CushTop Hideaway ($65) is made of microfiber and acts as an insulator between users' laps and a hot laptop. It sports a pocket that holds the power supply or the laptop itself when it’s not in use. The Laptop Cooling Hub ($50) is a plastic stand with the company's wave design that adds to a laptop's usability thanks to its four USB ports. It can hold laptops with screen sizes up to 17 inches. The Laptop Cooling Lounge ($40) is another laptop protecting product that adds a fan to further aid in cooling. It is extra wide, allowing 17-inch laptops to fit comfortably, and features adjustable height settings. The simple Laptop Coolstrip ($20) simply lifts portable computers up to 17 inches on flat surfaces such as desks to help with convectional heat dissipation. All four cooling products will be available in October.

Quilted Carrying Case