Review: Tom Bihn eM2
The mini’s portability presents an interesting conundrum: its size makes it an obvious choice to haul around with you, but it clearly needs an enclosure and, say, a handle. The eM2 bag by Tom Bihn ($40US) fits this description quite nicely, and it fits the mini as though it were tailored—which it is.
The eM2 is a soft padded case for the mini. Its dual-handled zipper opens three of the case’s four sides, revealing an accordion design that facilitates easy insert and removal. The exterior is made of Geosung Musora, a Google-defying material which appears to be a form of nylon mesh, similar to the Cordura nylon you remember from your high school backpack and available in five colors. The sides are padded with 1/4-inch foam to keep the mini safe and snug.
A person’s first reaction on seeing any Tom Bihn product is, “Whoa, dig the zippers.” The zipper’s tape and teeth are laminated with a thin coating of polyurethane that slides beneath the zipper body, right along with the teeth. When the zipper is closed, the polyurethane on each side abuts its counterpart and forms the “splash-proof” zipper seal. Only polyurethane is exposed to the elements; the zipper’s bottom stop is concealed within the bag’s body. The zippers come from Uretek’s aerospace line of polyurethane products—a savvy choice for a company based near Seattle, WA.
One side of the bag is covered with a double layer of stretchy black material, forming a pocket for carrying the odd small and slim items, such as a couple of CDs. Bihn’s Web site includes a photo the mini’s power adapter in this pocket, but we suspect extended use would stretch the material beyond usefulness.
Two black nylon handles complete the exterior with a plastic eye loop next to each for a shoulder strap.
If shopping for a standalone Mac mini conveyance, we’d choose the eM2. With the case closed, the mini is tightly secured by the padded sides. The handles and eye loops make it a practical choice for carrying only the Mac mini, and the accordion-style case make insert and removal a breeze. (And of course, those wicked cool zippers mean you don’t have to worry if water spontaneously falls from the sky.)
Given that the mini is Apple’s lightest Mac, we easily imagine using the mini as a transportable CPU, with a power supply, monitor, mouse and keyboard each lodging either end of your journey. In this situation, we’d happily use the eM2 to sling a mini over our shoulder and walk from the house to the car, and from the car to the office.
Tom Bihn bags can be purchased direct from their web site or their retail locations in Port Angeles and Seattle, WA (how novel).