Design, Products
June 16, 2011
By Amy Feezor
1. Molecule Dish, $44.00 Streamline supplies like paper clips and pushpins in a chemically inspired bone china dish by London design firm VoonWong&BensonSaw. Get it: Merchant No. 4
2. eweBOL, $64.00 This reversible merino-wool felt bowl—perfect for storing necessary knick-knacks—can snap together with other eweBOLs to create larger modular designs. Get it: Perhacs Studio
3. Baby Splash Pewter Bowl, $29.40 Place this unique handmade piece on your desk (or even in the front hallway) to easily keep track of keys or spare change. Get it: Gretel
4. Mini Berry Bowl, $75.00 We like the individually hand-drilled holes of this milky white porcelain bowl, which could double as a business-card holder (or a candy dish—your call). Get it: isabelleabramson.com
5. Good Eggs, $24.00 Hold smaller accessories in these ceramic stoneware containers cast from actual eggs. Get it: Supermarket
Images linked to their sources within the numbered text
Technology
February 22, 2011
By Cerentha Harris
There is no comfort in using a hot tempered laptop. Nowadays, the overheating of laptops has become one of the most common problems they have. The fact that most of the time they are resting on our lap, make these cooling units, even more appealing. They are simple to use and harvest the power from the USB source from the computer. The only drawback could be a lower battery range.
Belkin F5L001-BLK Laptop Cooling Pad
The Laptop Cooling Pad’s unique patented wave design prevents your laptop from overheating. It uses natural convection to enhance fan cooling, and ensures low power consumption via your laptop’s USB port. It requires no bulky power adapters. Gentle slope improves typing comfort and reduces wrist strain while raising the screen height to help reduce neck strain. Fits conveniently inside a laptop bag and the wave design enhances cooling capabilities. We love the fact that it even has a convenient storage compartment for USB cable when not in use.
Logitech N100
For a fan-equipped laptop cooler, Logitech’s N100 is really silent. It is otherwise a simple construction with an attractive, rounded design. The surface is gray (or an optional pinkish hue), but underneath it is moss green for some reason. Whether you like this particular choice of color is a matter of taste of course, but it is distinctly unique. The single, centrally placed fan in combination with the efficient air channels provide good cooling and exceptionally low noise.
Targus Lap Chill Mat
This is one of few fan-based laptop coolers that do not have fans in the base of the stand, but relies on air intake from the sides. This is great since you will not get needlessly cold when operating it on your lap. In terms of design it’s not spectacular in its dark and light gray appearance – Targus has instead gone for a discreet and low-key approach with the Lap Chill Mat. Neither is it all made of metal. Instead it is clad in neoprene fabric on top and bottom, which provides added comfort when it rests on your lap.
Microsoft Cooling Base
The big fan in the middle of the stand provides adequate cooling, but is also relatively loud. To make matters worse, Microsoft forgot to include a compartment where you can stow away the USB cord when it’s not in use. On top of the Cooling Base are two rubber strips, one at the top and bottom, to keep your computer in place. They are gray while the rest of the board is white. On the black bottom there is a fold-out that allows you to place your computer a bit higher if you want to.
By Joel Pirela.
This story appears in partnership with Unplggd, a site for people who embrace technology and design in their home.
Design, Products
April 27, 2010
By Amy Feezor
1. Welded Address File with Laser Cut Tabs, $45 This sturdy industrial piece is sanded, grinded, buffed, coated, and tougher than any other address file on the block. Get it: etsy.com
2. Silver Card Index, $40 Get your workspace in order with a timeless silver design. Get it: See Jane Work
3. Letterpress Address Card File with Box, $49 Smart and charmingly handmade—the oak box is even built in the storeowner’s dad’s woodshop. Get it: etsy.com
4. Desktop Business Card Holder, AUD $49.95 This simple acrylic filer allows for quick contact management (and looks sleek while doing it). Get it: Kikki.K
5. Address File, $65 The handcrafted wooden box comes in maple or black walnut and uses recycled papers (good for the earth; good for your desktop). Get it: Lovely Design
Images linked to their sources within the numbered text