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Not all gadgets were created equal. Some are frivolous like the Mind Relaxer, some are awesome but expensive like the Amazon Kindle, and some are just right like X-ray-friendly laptop bags. If I had to recommend one travel gadget to frequent flyers, this is it.

Imagine breezing through security, almost laughing while all the other poor saps drag their heavy laptops out of their bags and place them in separate bins. If you're anything like me, you hate this part of flying--and you'd pay almost anything to find a way around it. Last summer the first TSA-approved X-ray-friendly laptop bags hit the market and air travel was forever changed. These bags are specially designed to allow travelers to leave their laptops tucked away inside their bags and send them through the X-ray machine without any hassle. They're like the Fastpass/Easypass of airport security lines!

I wanted to get one right away, but the first models were U-G-L-Y and expensive so I decided to have some patience and let the market figure it out. Now, I'm pleased to announce there are tons of styles and prices have come way down. My favorite ones are made by Brenthaven. Not only do they offer adorable, affordable X-ray-friendly bags, but they are an eco-friendly company, offsetting all purchases on their site with carbon credits and committing to a full line-up of green business practices.

Plus, look at how cute this bag is and it retails for less than $60! I just had a chance to try it out on my latest trip and my husband would like to report how smug I am when I use it. I got through the security line in record time and then feigned annoyance while I waited for him and his clunky old-fashioned laptop bag.

There's only one trick to using them and once you get the hang of it, it's no big deal. You can't pack any other metal pieces in with your laptop. While I was able to stuff a paperback book and some pamphlets in the case with my computer, I wasn't allowed to throw in the power cord, my iPod, etc. There are outside pockets for metal items and some bags butterfly open for those who need to bring lots of stuff in their laptop bag (men.) As a woman, I prefer to have a slim bag and throw the rest of the metal junk in my purse so this bag works perfectly for  me.

If you're a frequent flyer and it's time for a new bag, check out the X-ray-friendly ones. We can smugly compare security check-point times once you do.