What’s in your bag? is a recurring feature where we ask people to tell us a bit more about their everyday gadgets by opening their bags and hearts to us. Show us your bag in this forum post. This week, we’re featuring Dann Berg.
It was strange seeing the contents of my bag knolled on the table and realizing that I carry such an extremely light load. Aside from a few loose cables and a pack of gum that were left out of the picture, my bag is really only filled with the essentials. If someone asked, I’d say that my minimalism is an effort to save my back as I walk around New York City. But in reality, my bag tends to become a black hole of lost items if I don’t regularly clear things out.
Still, this photo shoot happened on a particularly light day. You can usually find an extra laptop, tablet, or smartphone stuffed in a pocket depending on what I’m reviewing at the time. While I’m always happy to be trying out a new gadget, I’m not complaining about the lighter bag.
Bag
I’ve had this nylon III Parcel bag for nearly a decade. It hasn’t always been my main bag — many others have come and gone throughout the years — but this one has held together better than anything else I’ve owned. I love that the top flap is short, allowing me to dig through the bag without taking it off my shoulder, and the three zippered front pockets keep me semi-organized. I’m always on the lookout for something better, something new and exciting, but I haven’t found a proper upgrade just yet.
Essentials
13-Inch MacBook Air (mid-2013)
This is my work laptop, not to be confused with my personal 13-inch MacBook Air, circa 2011, sitting on my coffee table at home. I sold my old MacBook Pro and bought my Air last year, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. This new notebook has quickly become one of my favorite possessions and I find myself rarely using the older model. I’ve become incredibly spoiled thanks to the insane battery life and I can’t remember the last time I had to toss the charger in my bag.
iPad Mini
A 10-inch tablet is just way too big for me. If I need a screen that big, I’ll just use my notebook. The iPad mini, however, is the perfect size to scratch that casual-gaming itch that my iPhone just can’t reach. I only really use it for the occasional puzzle and browsing Reddit, but it’s nice to carry with me as an entertainment option on my daily commutes.
6-inch Amazon Kindle with Special Offers
I’m a firm believer that a touch screen does not always make something better. I’ve had a Kindle since the first generation and I’ve never wished I could tap the screen. On the contrary, I’ll often hold the device with my fingers on the display or touch a word to hold my place while getting on or off the subway. I’ve tried using the Kindle app on my iPad mini, attempting to eliminate an extraneous item, but it’s just not the same. My Kindle has a permanent place in my bag.
Other Stuff
Warby Parker Prescription Sunglasses
I had always thought of prescription sunglasses as a luxury item. They are usually really expensive, not covered by insurance, and I could never really justify the purchase. But then Warby Parker came along and offered the full package — frames and prescription lenses — for just $150. I got these sunglasses at the beginning of this summer and now it’s hard to remember how I could ever stand so much squinting.
Mophie Juice Pack Powerstation Duo
In the past, I’d break into a cold sweat when when I realized it was 2PM, my iPhone battery was at 20 percent, and there were no power outlets in my foreseeable future. Then I got this Mophie Juice Pack, and I haven’t had those feelings of dread since. I only need to use this battery pack every few weeks, but it has always been at times when I really really need the extra power. A quick 30-minute charge can usually get me through the rest of the day, but this Mophie Juice Pack has enough power to fully charge a couple different electronics, allowing me to rest easy throughout my day.
8GB Memobot USB Drive
I don’t often need a USB drive but when I do, I want it to be shaped like an Ugly Doll. Mimoco has the coolest selection of thumb drives, and I opted for a design that elicited a strong nostalgic response. I’d probably hold onto this drive even if there was a better option for transferring multi-gigabyte files, but for now it’s both useful and pretty.