re outdoors with the notebook
My own experience is that you need a very serious shadow across the screen to be able to use it in full daylight. The Hoodman product looks like the real deal. Your patio may offer you a few spots you can use, too, but testing outdoor use before you buy is tricky: nobody has the blazing sun indoors, and they get touchy when you clip the security cable and stroll toward the door ....
Take care,
--Tex.