Backpack & Laptop (2002-2004)
Feb 20, 2009 14:21:47 GMT -5
Post by ada on Feb 20, 2009 14:21:47 GMT -5
I don't have the backpack, but I got the laptop today and there was no review for it, so I figured, why not
Here is the description: (taken from the Playthings page)
Backpack & Laptop
Your American Girl’s roomy blue backpack holds all her homework, plus her berry-colored laptop and two pretend discs. Her laptop keeps you connected, too—it holds 50 names and phone numbers and displays the date and time. It even has a built-in calculator so you can help your American Girl check her math homework!
My thoughts on the laptop:
I wanted Lindsey's laptop, because that one has a nicer color scheme, but it fetches much higher prices on ebay due to it being for a LE doll. This one has a less-pleasing color scheme, IMO, but it can be found for cheaper. The backpack in the set it ugly, which is why I didn't try to buy them together. I have Lindsey's bag instead.
This laptop is exactly the same as Lindsey's, except for the colors. Lindsey's is clear plastic and light blue, and this one is white plastic and a raspberry color. These laptops are the most realistic computers AG has made for dolls. Yes, the original Mini Macintosh was a tiny reproduction of a Macintosh of the day, BUT the scale was so off on it that it was hard to make it seem believeable that even the most nimble of dolly typists could actually use that thing. These have a realistic scale, and are less toy-looking than the desktop that followed.
The keys actually work, unlike the Mini Macintosh ones. The computer has address book and clock functions. I, personally, will not be using these. Since it's not backlt and doesn't have an alarm, the clock is pretty useless apart from the novelty of having a doll laptop clock. And I have no use for a doll laptop address book, although young children may find it cool.
I would prefer they did something like the Field Trip report on the Mini Macintosh, rather than try to make it functional for humans, since the end result was pretty weak. It's OK in the looks department though--it's reminiscent of the ibooks which were popular in the early part of the decade.
I think a computer is a pretty neccessary prop for a modern doll, though, and this computer is the best option currently going, I think. If AG releases another laptop, I'll probably sell this one and get that instead. Right now I'm pretty satisfied, though.
I give it a B+ overall.
Here is the description: (taken from the Playthings page)
Backpack & Laptop
Your American Girl’s roomy blue backpack holds all her homework, plus her berry-colored laptop and two pretend discs. Her laptop keeps you connected, too—it holds 50 names and phone numbers and displays the date and time. It even has a built-in calculator so you can help your American Girl check her math homework!
My thoughts on the laptop:
I wanted Lindsey's laptop, because that one has a nicer color scheme, but it fetches much higher prices on ebay due to it being for a LE doll. This one has a less-pleasing color scheme, IMO, but it can be found for cheaper. The backpack in the set it ugly, which is why I didn't try to buy them together. I have Lindsey's bag instead.
This laptop is exactly the same as Lindsey's, except for the colors. Lindsey's is clear plastic and light blue, and this one is white plastic and a raspberry color. These laptops are the most realistic computers AG has made for dolls. Yes, the original Mini Macintosh was a tiny reproduction of a Macintosh of the day, BUT the scale was so off on it that it was hard to make it seem believeable that even the most nimble of dolly typists could actually use that thing. These have a realistic scale, and are less toy-looking than the desktop that followed.
The keys actually work, unlike the Mini Macintosh ones. The computer has address book and clock functions. I, personally, will not be using these. Since it's not backlt and doesn't have an alarm, the clock is pretty useless apart from the novelty of having a doll laptop clock. And I have no use for a doll laptop address book, although young children may find it cool.
I would prefer they did something like the Field Trip report on the Mini Macintosh, rather than try to make it functional for humans, since the end result was pretty weak. It's OK in the looks department though--it's reminiscent of the ibooks which were popular in the early part of the decade.
I think a computer is a pretty neccessary prop for a modern doll, though, and this computer is the best option currently going, I think. If AG releases another laptop, I'll probably sell this one and get that instead. Right now I'm pretty satisfied, though.
I give it a B+ overall.