Filed under: Accessories, Hardware, Peripherals, Odds and ends, iMac
A BackPack for your iMac or Cinema Display
iMac or Cinema Display owners with limited desktop space have a new way of keeping Time Machine hard disks, USB hubs, and other space hogs off the desk and out of the way.Twelve South, a Mac-only accessory design house located in Charleston, South Carolina, has just introduced the BackPack (US$29.99 or US$149.99 for six), a small adjustable shelf that uses friction and gravity to stay in place on the aluminum arm that holds up the body of the iMac and Cinema Display. BackPacks adjust to the width of the arm, so you can install two of them if desired.
While most Mac users will probably opt for hiding a hard disk, Twelve South shows BackPacks being used to display action figures and hold a flower vase (water in the vase is not recommended). My personal favorite in the BackPack gallery is a Mac mini perched behind a Cinema Display.
BackPack is a clever and well-designed product, and is available either at Apple Stores or through the Twelve South website.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Netback said 12:06PM on 8-12-2009
I know I am a cheapskate but Apple/Mac accessory pricing makes me cringe...
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betafrog said 12:16PM on 8-12-2009
Yup, look useful but $30 for a piece of metal is ridiculous, the profit must be huge!
Joanna D said 12:17PM on 8-12-2009
The whole "friction and gravity" thing is an absolute lie - there are clips which you tighten to hold it on.
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Andrew said 2:13PM on 8-12-2009
hi Joanna D,
Andrew from Twelve South. Just wanted to clarify the 'friction and gravity' thing. It is accurate. Nothing screws into the iMac stand. There are two clips that you adjust in width and then tighten onto the BackPack shelf. The shelf and clips then hold onto the iMac stand with gravity - because the stand is trapezoidal (smaller at the top - larger at the bottom). It simply slides down to the width you have set. That's also what makes it adjustable - you just change the width. Hope this helps.
Aaron said 8:46PM on 8-12-2009
I remain shocked that such an Apple hater frequents TUAW with such tenacity.
Also, as stated above, the clips simply adjust the width of the opening that makes it so the shelf can stop higher or lower on the monitor.
Martin said 12:57PM on 8-12-2009
This is one of those "why didn't I think of it" ideas. But since it's a piece of metal, now that it's been thought, why the hell would anyone buy it?
Seriously, go make one with popsicle sticks. Call it feng shui and bamboo if you like.
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Think Adrian said 1:51PM on 8-12-2009
I still wish u could put a cinema display ON TOP of a mini.
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Adam Rice said 3:08PM on 8-12-2009
I've got a USB hub on my iMac's stand. I stuck it there using a few cents worth of mounting tape.
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chris said 4:31PM on 8-12-2009
Just bought one. The minute I saw the photos I knew it solved my desktop clutter issue. Great idea. If it's too expensive, make one. I don't have time.
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Planeten Paultje said 9:03PM on 8-12-2009
I'd have preferred "BackRack" for the name ;-).....
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mrtotes said 8:05AM on 8-13-2009
Nice idea but about three times the price of what it should be.
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Krystina said 9:22AM on 8-13-2009
I like it! I think it's a great idea and it looks good.
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Krystina said 9:25AM on 8-13-2009
Plus I love the name!
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Ian Aberle said 12:00PM on 8-13-2009
Even though the idea is great, I would have to agree with the pricing. The six pack is nice for a lab, but I would have a hard time justifying more than $20 per unit or $15 per unit in bulk. Now, if they have an educational discount...
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Blaktornado said 3:33PM on 8-13-2009
Any word on a UK release? Would like to get one of these to hold my USB Hub(s)
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prnoct90 said 11:55PM on 8-19-2009
I know it might seem expensive, but their customer service is top notch, they were a pleasure to deal with. I actually just ordered one of all three products they just released and I couldn't be more pleased with all three. It is amazing that a third-company product can feel like something that came out from apple itself. Everything compliments my macbook pro so well!
Also, I know this probably won't sway many people, but I know unboxing is kind of a big deal in the mac community (as is nice packaging which apple supplies), and twelve south has kept with that. The packaging is soooo nice, and it makes the items feel all that much more special.
So anyways, if your on the edge, I say go for it.
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prnoct90 said 11:56PM on 8-19-2009
I meant third-party by the way. XP
prnoct90 said 2:44PM on 8-20-2009
http://blog.twelvesouth.com/uncategorized/backpack-installation-video-now-live/
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