Close-Look: Radtech.us

Radtech has been making cool products for the Mac for a while now. Their amazing material used for iPod and notebook cases as well as screen protectors and Mac and PC companies have given cleaning but lately Radtech has ventured into other sectors of the computer industry. Not abandoning the Mac products like the new Podsleeve for all iPods in more colors including black and white; Radtech has become a reseller for an Australian company, STM, which makes bags and cases designed with mobile computer users in mind. The bags have unique features and a subtle design that donít look like typical computer bags. This is good for traveling notebook users that try to hide their computers so foil thieves. Carrying a notebook case on a plane is asking for it to be stolen. Radtech is also selling a screen cleaner spray that works with almost all computer products without damaging them. What sets this cleaner apart from others is the addition of Radtechís Optex cloth (lint-free and machine washable) allowing for better convenience over other cleaners that sell one time use cloths or those that you canít wash after getting dirty.

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Radtech Podsleeve: Radtech has done well keeping up with Apple. Seems like every quarter for the past year, Apple has released some kind of hardware for the iPod. Each time, the size of the iPod gets larger, smaller, and the buttons move to an opposite corner. The new Podsleeves for the iPod keep your Pod safe and secure like before but does so with new features and colors. The case has received our editorís choice before and these improvements really shine through. First of all, the Podsleeve is available for every iPod, including the new iPod photo and the click wheel area has been improved with raised pieces to help you push the iPodís buttons the right way. Also, the case feels thicker although it may just be me but two problems I always had was the sewing job around the screen seemed weak. Although I never had any problems, the stitching on the new Podsleeve is much thicker. Finally, the excess material at the top of the Podsleeve comes out further providing more protection against the elements and lint from your jean pocket. A final feature helping you make the white iPod any color is the addition of many more colors. A very requested addition of black and white Podsleeves is being well received by users as well the other colors.
Radtech OmniCleanz: Not your dadís screen cleaner, the OmniCleanz package is a 1oz bottle with a sufficient spray output to use on computer screens, keyboard, mice, optical media, glasses and anything else you canít clean with a wet paper towel. If the object would be scratched by a towel or tissue, then it is a good idea to use something like OmniCleanz. What separates this cleaner with others is the included Optex fabric. Optex is lint-free durable, stretchy and machine-washable (thatís a new feature, darling). The shipping is cheap, as with most Radtech Products, because it comes in a small 4-inch tube.
STM vertical Notebook case: This case is pretty flexible and holds a lot for the size. This is not a Brenthaven or Waterfield but better for the price range and its features. STM, based in the Land Down Under, has selected Radtech as a U.S. reseller allowing North America to pay cheaper shipping charges. This bag in particular fits up to a 15Ē Powerbook down to 14Ē iBook and the 12Ē iBook and Powerbook. Its main holding compartment is soft but may scratch the polycarbonate shell of iBooks. Just surface scratches but it tends to move around in there and no secure strapping mechanism other than an elastic holding strap that is one size so the smaller your laptop, the less secure it holds your notebook. The compartment is closed by a zipper opening halfway just large enough to get the notebook in and out. This is good so you wonít risk dropping it on the ground if you open the case all the way.
There is another section that does open fully with holders for pens, iPods, paper, documents, stationeries and anything else up the size of a graphing calculator or those bulky eighties phones. The case does expand a bit at its core to allow for many things to be put inside with a laptop and not have to worry about straining when you try to zip it up. There is a large outside compartment. Although large it is not very forgiving so I would recommend placing odd things in there, nothing important or expensive since the protection is minimal. A great feature is a sewn strap made to place the notebook on a wheel suitcase with the pull-bar. I donít know if you have an idea what I am talking about but the bar you pull when pulling the suitcase down the airport terminal. If you have a Powerbook g3, you wonít want to lug that thing around on your shoulder so you can slide the case on the bar of your suitcase and tow it with you.
The great thing about STMís bags and backpacks is they resemble a regular bag and not one with a 2000-dollar notebook inside. You can travel a little safer knowing most thieves wonít recognize this being a computer bag. The shoulder strap is extra thick and a reasonable bag for a moderate traveler. If you plan on carrying more than small office supplies and a notebook, I would suggest a larger bag, but sufficient for basic things. I will definitely be using this at Macworld for daily walks to the convention center.