Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Pulse Transformer

This is a confusing article. Nobody is going to know what I am talking about.

Transformers (cartoon) fans would scratch their heads wondering which character was actually called "Pulse". Well, there isn't any!

Electronic engineers would be wondering why someone like me, who has gone over to the dark side, would be talking about a Pulse Transformer. And on a personal blog.

Alright, on with the story!

Girls have a penchant for Gucci, LV, Coach bags (yes, these are supermarket brands I know, I have not reached that level of sophistication required for the other brands), but guys have their weaknesses too.

I got a laptop bag! I was more driven by vanity than practicality, but well, in my defense, I was not extravagant, because I did NOT get an expensive bag (though it may be 'branded' - even calling it branded might be a stretch - for goodness sakes, it is a laptop bag!!!)

Why vain? For starters, it's a convertible. It's a Pulse Convertible Case. Take a look.


It looks like a normal sling bag, but keep the sling, turn it vertical, extract the shoulder straps from the back compartment, and hook them to the bottom, and you have a ready-to-carry backpack!

I've long been unable to decide whether I should get a side-sling bag, or a backpack. Side-slings will curve your spine lop-sided (and they are waaay tiring) while backpacks, though good for your skeletal structure, have too many compartments and pads and what not.

I've been putting off the purchase for a while since I don't bring my laptop (my sexy Sony Vaio SZ483) out much, but now I'll need to carry it to and from work (and to who knows where). The current bags I have are either too big, too old, too uncomfortable, or just look plain inappropriate.

I spent the last couple of days, when I finally could leave work ON-TIME (hurrah!!!) shopping around for a suitable bag. I was originally quite fixed on the Tucano Workout, but it was too pricey and too small. I almost bought the Targus Revolution Convertible (up to 15"), a close cousin of the Pulse yesterday, but the huge velcro-ed frontal flap and uncomfortable weight made me hesitate

Today, I looked around in Funan Center again, and saw the Pulse (first at South Asia Computer). It was going for $79.90 as opposed to $45 for the Revolution. So I thought I may get the Revolution, considering the lower price, and also that my company issue laptop would be a 14" Dell Latitude D630 (I think)., so having a larger bag won't hurt.

I decided to walk around in a few more shops for a second or third opinion, and I was rewarded. Inforcomm was selling the Pulse at $49.90. Challenger had it for $79 (member price). In the end, I realized that the Pulse was more suitable for the following reasons:
  • It was lighter at 960 grams (the Revolution was almost 1.2kg)
  • It was just the correct size at 14.1" (Revolution was 15")
  • It was a more professional black than the Revolution's casual brown/red.
  • It was VERY affordable at just $5 more than the Revolution.
It was a no-brainer from then. I made my way back down to Inforcomm, and paid my money. I'm stroking it on my lap as I type. :) I'll be carrying it to work tomorrow, speaking of which, I should be turning in already!

My only issue? The carry handles cannot be kept, so they would always dangle out on the side when carrying in backpack mode.