Laptop cases come out of the black

Now that laptops are outselling standard PCs in the United States, sales of laptop accessories are on the rise, including laptop bags and carrying cases. A category that was once limited almost exclusively to black leather has branched into colorful, designer bags for women and backpack-style carriers for kids.

“It continues to be one of the strongest categories in accessories,” said Stephen Baker, vp of industry analysis for The NPD Group. “There’s more variety out there now and you even have Best Buy carrying a Liz Claiborne line of bags in stores.”

A good example is a new line of back-to-school laptop bags and accessories unveiled in June by Targus. The lineup features the Incognito backpack that comes with a large, padded main pocket for laptop storage and the Velos messenger, a standard bag that comes in three different colors.

“Backpacks and laptop cases are more than just a convenient way to carry around your laptop and school accessories. They make a statement,” said Targus vp of design Kevin Gallagher. “And Targus has a bag to fit everyone’s personal style.”

Mobile Edge is broadening its line of laptop bags for women with more than a dozen different models. “We set out to develop a line of bags with styles and colors that appeal to women and we now have 15 SKUs,” said G. David Cartwright, president and ceo of Mobile Edge.

They include the stylish Monaco carrying case that debuted last fall and the bright Element due to arrive in stores this summer. Mobile Edge also pays homage to the basic black bag with its V-Load line that uses magnets instead of Velcro to keep the storage flap closed.