Recommended Laptop Bags

There's a massive MacNN forum discussing different PowerBook bags.
It's been running for several months now.

http://forums.macnn.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=178702

--
Chik chikmac.com

I've been using a Timbuk2 messenger bag for a few years now, great
bags. But living up in the woods, getting hands-on time with different
bags can be very difficult. One site that I found a wonderful resource
especially with the number of bags on the market today is Bagreview.

<http://www.bagreview.com/index.php>

The reviews go through every part of the bag, what works well and what
doesn't. The site has gotten a little more "professional" makeover than
when it started, but the reviews are still great hands-on testimonials.
Chris uses each bag for at least a week, and lists the stuff he
normally carries every day.

<http://www.bagreview.com/brev_way.php>

Even better, there are no ads.

Steve Cochran

Anyone tried Westfield Design bags? I've been toying with the idea of either getting the cargo bag or the cozmo bag. Has anyone tried these bags, how comfortable are they, especially when you have to walk a 2/3 mile up a hill to get to the metro station? If you want to look at the bags, you can find them at http://sfbags.com

Paul

Kewl PR move from Tom Bihn bags:

http://www.nbc5.com/news/2982856/detail.html?z=dp&dpswid=2265994&dppid=65192

Marilyn

I did a review of laptop backpacks for MacTech and I tested a number of
them extensively -- but not the Kensington. I am a huge fan of their
products, by the way, so no bias against here.

I really, really liked the Brenthaven Professional <
http://www.brenthaven.com> -- it's held up to my abuse unbelievably
well and seems to incorporate some tesseract features, it's bigger on
the inside than on the outside.

For an excellent iPod enabled backpack, look at booq BP3
<http://www.booqbags.com/Detail.bok?no=39> or Spire Volt
<http://www.spireusa.com/products/VL3.html>

--
Lorin Rivers
Marketing Professional
<mailto:lriversmac.com>
<http://homepage.mac.com/lrivers>
512/203.3198 (m) 408/580.8588 (f)

On 4/7/04 at 6:43 PM, pkgmac.com wrote:

> Anyone tried Westfield Design bags? I've been toying with the idea of
> either getting the cargo bag or the cozmo bag. Has anyone tried these
> bags, how comfortable are they, especially when you have to walk a
> 2/3 mile up a hill to get to the metro station? If you want to look
> at the bags, you can find them at _ http://sfbags.com _

I can't comment on those particular models, but I love their Sleevecase. I
use one for my TiBook (actually 'books plural; the one case has held two
generations of them) and it still looks like new. Very well made, and I
like the aesthetics as well.
--
Todd Ruston
toddhackneyponies.com

Last year I bought a backpack from Booq. I'm fond of its combination of
looks and utility -- probably the nicest backpacks I've seen so far.

http://www.booqbags.com/Detail.bok?no=39

The pictures on the Web site make it look *huge*, and while it's certainly
not dainty, it's still a manageable size.

One note about the Kensington Saddlebag. I've always found it to be pretty
unattractive anyway, but even setting that aside, I wouldn't carry one
around these days because the model has become so ubiquitous. I've even seen
some tech companies have had their logos emblazoned on Saddlebags as
giveaways (I presume) to customers/partners. So its original benefit of not
immediately calling attention to itself as a laptop carrier has diminished
significantly; any potential laptop thief is going to be able to tell you've
got a laptop on you if you're sporting one of those.

K

work: www.behaviordesign.com
play: www.subtraction.com

On Apr 7, 2004, at 9:51 PM, Lorin Rivers wrote:

> I really, really liked the Brenthaven Professional <
> http://www.brenthaven.com> -- it's held up to my abuse unbelievably
> well and seems to incorporate some tesseract features, it's bigger on
> the inside than on the outside.

A few more notes on this bag:

1) it's available at the Apple Store, so it's easy to check out in
person.

2) it has around a bazillion pockets. If you're like me and you tend
to carry your entire life around with you, it's utterly perfect.
Literally the only aspect of my life that is well-organized is my
backpack -- I can reach in it without looking and pull out just about
any gadget/wire/accessory I need. Only possible because everything in
there has its own place, and it's a *logical* place -- i.e., the inner
flap pocket that's exactly the size of the spare 17" battery.

3) in case you don't believe Lorin's tesseract comment, I've used mine
to simultaneously carry two PowerBooks (17" and Wall Street), all
cables/AC/accessories for both, 3 days worth of clothes, and the
O'Reilly Javascript manual. I needed bed rest afterwards, but the bag
was fine.

In my earlier post about the backpack that I use from Booq, I forgot to
mention that when I need a more professional carrier, I use a Tumi shoulder
bag. I can't seem to find my specific model on the Web site anymore, though
this one resembles it closely, at least in JPEG form:

http://www.tumi.com/products/index.cfm?ModelID=14531&bb_id=c13013&sub_site_i
d=3&TMI_PL_3_Link=Details

The differences are that my older Tumi was not expressly made for laptops
(therefore lacking the cheesey pull-out backpack straps), and will only fit
a 12" iBook or PowerBook, besides. On the other hand, it's made of
incredibly tough stuff, and it looks sharp and I doubt that most people
would be able to guess I'm toting around a laptop in it.

Of course, to carry my PowerBook around in my older Tumi, it needs an extra
layer of protection. I slip it into a sleeve from Waterfield Designs and I'm
ready to go.

http://www.sfbags.com/PRODUCTS/SC_SLIDE/SC_HORO_VERT.htm

Khoi

work: www.behaviordesign.com
play: www.subtraction.com

I got the large size Cargo Bag by Waterfield. Great bag, top loader plus flap, tons of pockets, comfortable to carry. My only complaints are 1) the large is designed to stand upright, but if the outside pockets are loaded it falls over, and 2) the seatbelt buckle looks great and works great, except when the bag is loaded and the flap pocket sticks out, the buckle catches on everything and unlatches. The sleeve case fits my 12" PowerBook perfectly, and the optional "Gear pouch" carries the loose odds and ends. Ordered it off the web - not much choice locally (Canada).

> Anyone tried Westfield Design bags? I've been toying with the idea of
> either
> getting the cargo bag or the cozmo bag. Has anyone tried these bags,
> how
> comfortable are they, especially when you have to walk a 2/3 mile up a
> hill to
> get to the metro station? If you want to look at the bags, you can
> find them at
> <a href="http://sfbags.com">http://sfbags.com</a> <br><br>Paul

That's Waterfield Design.
Anyway, I've bought 2 of their bags and promptly returned them. There
are nice design elements but others are senseless and kludgy; like a
clip on exterior sleeve which flops around and looks half-baked. The
sleeves fit my TiBook very loosely. You have to spend an extra $20 just
to get a top flap (which is unpadded).

I've been using a Bob-L-Bee pack for about 5 years and it's nearly shot
and I've been looking for a cool alternative. I prefer packs and like
the hardshell because I often commute by bicycle or subway. Axio bags
look interesting but aren't available yet.

http://www.axio-usa.com/site_home.html

Jeff Harris - NYC
Macintosh: It just WORKS!</a>