** This is a work in progress ** Last updated 14th July 2009
I wanted to design a tailored and organised case suited perfectly for Macbooks (and still functions with others) which enhances the users productivity.
Imagine this scenario; you pack your bag, travel to where you need to be, unpack your back with what you need such as pens, pencils, your work, laptop, mouse etc… You do what you need to do then pack it all back into the bag.
Such a waste of time, this design speeds up this unpacking process, enabling the user to start work quickly and easily.
You get to where you need to be, open the case and everythings set up where you want it, at the ready and allows you to start your work in an instant!
All your equipment, extremely organised, efficient and at the ready wherever you are. All in a very luxurious and completely unique case.
- Holds iPod/iPhone, earphones, pens, pencils, ruler, Macbook, mouse and papers
- Crisp modern design; Totally unique
- Rubber sealed to be water tight
- Sliding mouse tray for left and right handed users
- Sliding secondary tray (*original version – a drink or a notepad with your brief on to refer to)
- Off-Center handle to counter balance the weight of the Macbook
Available in a choice of woods; Oak, Walnut, Cedar, Teak, Cherry and possibly glossy white.
Check back here to follow this projects progress.
June 11th, 2009 - 4:57 pm
QUALITY product here Luke, I may need to invest …
How much will this cost?
June 15th, 2009 - 4:29 pm
Thanks for the comment Steve,
I have not looked into the cost of this product yet as I only started this design a few days ago. I would imagine around £150 would be quite a good price but I have no idea how much it will cost to produce, or the cost of other luxury briefcases on the market. My guess is that it the materials will make it cost more than I think.
Cheers,
Luke.
June 17th, 2009 - 1:15 am
[...] for those who’ve not known him, this is a portable workstation that can be reckoned with. The “Lavoro,” as the designer call his new workstation, is an organized case, suited perfectly for MacBooks, [...]
June 17th, 2009 - 5:05 am
Very interesting concept and product! Have you considered producing it in several sizes for 15″ and 17″ MacBook Pro? I would be very interested to buy one for my 17″ MBP.
Keep up your fantastic work!
Cheers,
Aleksei
June 17th, 2009 - 11:08 am
Thanks for the compliment!
I was thinking of having 2 sizes, the first fits a 15″ but also has an insert so that a 13″ can be used as well. The insert would be some sort of padding so that the 13″ Macbook has a snug fit. The second size would be for 17″ laptops. But as it states on this page this is a work in progress. I literally started the project 1 day before it was posted on my website. It’s somethings thats been in my head that I wanted to do so I started do develop it as a project.
Thanks for the interest,
Luke.
June 24th, 2009 - 9:01 am
Luke,
While your choice of woods would be aesthetically pleasing to the eye, their weight would not be so pleasing. I can guarantee that no one will want to lug around one that’s made of oak, teak, or walnut.
To get an idea of what I am saying, I would suggest you build a mock up of one, or simply cut out the necessary pieces out of oak and weigh it. Also, the handle is not very ergonomic especially considering that the piece will be heavy. I would suggest that you talk with an experienced furniture maker and research your choice of materials.
RL
June 26th, 2009 - 8:35 pm
[...] Luke wrote an interesting post today onLuke Riggall » Blog Archive » Mobile Workstation 'Lavoro'Here’s a quick excerpt [...]
June 27th, 2009 - 1:06 pm
awesome work luke!!!!!
i like the briefcase even more!
as i’m producing ‘mac-only’-workstations for my architecture office myself, i really find your work very interesting and inspiring!
keep up the great work!
marcus
July 9th, 2009 - 3:49 pm
I see a couple of issues with this design so far:
- The slot for the macbook appears to allow it to slide from side to side. This could lead to damage. However, making it firmly fit the computer will make it hard to retrieve it from the case. I’d suggest a firmly fitting slot with a recess, where the user can easily grab the notebook.
- Wood is not the best material for a notebook case. It’s heavy weight and not shock absorbing. Again, this might damage the macbook.
- The handle is completely unergonomic. and there does not seem an option for a shoulder strap. Virtually nobody will want to carry that case around for more than five minutes.
- There are no rounded edges. This might cause injuries and is subject to wear and tear.
- The Desktop area may work well, when the case sites on your lap, but will be awkward to use, when the case sits on a table. Considering, that the current design is not fit for being carrying around, this feature will not be all that useful.
- The Pen&Pencil holder probably wastes to much space, unless you do a lot of drawing and indeed need lots of different pens. In that case however, the Desktop area is a complete waste. You’ll probably not be able to draw accurately, with your pad sitting on your lap and it will definitely not be enjoyable, if the pad is 5 cm higher than your tabletop.
- The mousetray is not going to work this way. It’s too short, but making it wider will increase the chance of it breaking off. Also if it is to slide into the desktop area, it will never be at the same height and the user will constantly be bumping his hand either against the desktop or the macbook resting upon it.
- The lid does not appear to be very stable and might easily break. It might also break your wrists, if someone decides to slam it shut, while you work on a drawing.
July 14th, 2009 - 11:16 pm
Thanks for the feedback, I knew the initial idea was flawed.
I’ve just updated the design, very early stages again but still I like this new idea much more and believe it has much more potential
I would be interested in feedback from this new version?
Luke.
July 18th, 2009 - 1:54 am
Luke,
It seems as if you are quite serious about creating these items. The Novanta looks fantastic.
Because I own more than my fair share of apple products and appreciate their design let me tell you what I have a need for.
1) Something that doesn’t take up much more space than the actual laptop and keeps it very secure and undamaged during movement
2) Enough space for for 20 or so 8×11 papers, two pencils, two pens, a car key, house key, and an iPhone
If you could create this you would have a great product.
The most recent design is just too big for most.
Think thinner (the base for the laptop) and lighter.
Best of luck. JTM
July 28th, 2009 - 10:34 am
[...] The idea is still only a project, so if you want to see how it is being developed, you can do so in its official website [...]
October 30th, 2009 - 10:48 am
[...] Plus d’information : Luke Riggal [...]
November 2nd, 2009 - 1:21 pm
Heck, I would love it just for when I want to work in bed.
January 4th, 2010 - 12:17 am
There’s no chance that’s possible! Macs never used to be anywhere like that. I’m aged enough to think back to the very first one like that had mouse support AND two buttons, forget all this fancy stuff they have anymore.
March 22nd, 2010 - 11:34 pm
[...] [via lukeriggall.co.uk] [...]
April 9th, 2010 - 10:10 am
what a great Idea, I love these beautyful things, that are practical too and useable! just like the mac it self.