Macbook | Gadgets & Technology

Gloss Find: Bold Apple Accessories By Eley Kishimoto For Incase

Screen shot 2010 10 05 at 10.40.55 PM 300x138 Gloss Find: Bold Apple Accessories By Eley Kishimoto For Incase HP isn’t the only one integrating fashion and technology. Apple users everywhere will have the chance to make a bold style statement of their own, thanks to a super hot collection by Eley Kishimoto for Incase.

These “patron saints of print” are best known for their catwalk collaborations with Marc Jacobs, Louis Vuitton, and Alexander McQueen, but this fall, Mark Eley and Wakako Kishimoto are teaming up with Incase for a collection of tech accessories designed for the Apple user who appreciates both fashion and technology.

Screen-printed with Eley Kishimoto’s striking graphic print, these statement-making accessories for the iPad, iPhone 4, or MacBook instantly add “Flash” (also the name of the graphic print) to Apple’s starkly hued product line-up. And as if a hot pink option wasn’t enough, design details such as plush faux fur linings further elevate the fabulousness.

Launched during London Fashion Week last month, the “highly limited-edition” collection has just made it stateside. All three products — the iPhone 4 Slider, and sleeves for the iPad and 13″ MacBook — are now available online and at discerning boutiques worldwide. I’ve already got my credit card out…

Apple Accessories by Eley Kishimoto for Incase, $50 – $60 at goincase.com

Gloss Find: Antimicrobial ProTouch Keyboard Protectors By iSkin

macbook fx 300x161 Gloss Find: Antimicrobial ProTouch Keyboard Protectors By iSkin The unidentifiable gunk trapped between your computer keys is probably reason enough to start using a keyboard cover but to protect against any unfortunate spillage that could cause permanent damage, they’re essential. For laptop owners, protecting the keyboard is especially important since right below it is the motherboard, a computer’s most most valuable component.

Luckily, there’s an easy (and colorful) way to protect against accidents and everyday wear-and-tear: Antimicrobial ProTouch Keyboard Protectors by iSkin. Made with pure high-grade silicone and an antimicrobial product called Microban, ProTouch Keyboard Protectors guard against bacteria, crumbs, dust, hair, moisture, and anything else that can wreck havoc on your equipment.

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Gloss Find: Antimicrobial ProTouch Keyboard Protectors By iSkin The ProTouch’s thin, unobtrusive design allows full use of the keyboard for a normal typing experience, so those concerned about a bulky design that might interfere with typing speed and accuracy need not worry. I was especially skeptical about this aspect but I found that any noticeable difference is minimal at best. (I sometimes even forget that it’s there!)

The ProTouch line includes three different styles:

* ProTouch Classic – translucent, clear protection (pictured above, right)

* ProTouch FX - glow-in-the-dark lettering, LED compatibility that allows backlight from the keyboard to show through. Available in red, purple and black. (pictured, top)

* ProTouch Vibes – enlarged key characters and printed keyboard shortcut characters for quick reference. Available in blue/light blue, red/pink, purple/light purple, and green/light green.

iSkin products are designed with Apple computers in mind — only wired keyboards and MacBook models released late 2008 and later will be compatible with ProTouch. (Have a PC? Try these antimicrobial keyboard options.)

Because the Microban product is built into the silicone, manufacturers say the antimicrobial properties will not wear off or wash off, withstanding even the cleanest of freaks. Using warm water and liquid soap, ProTouch protectors are easily cleaned - iSkin recommends doing it bi-weekly to “optimize functionality.”

But germaphobe or not, no Mac owner should be without a ProTouch protector.

iSkin ProTouch Keyboard Protectors are $25 – $35 at iskin.com.