Laptop Back Packs?

Cownonymous Award asks: "The company I work for recently gave me a laptop. Nothing wrong with that, of course. But: with it came a huge (and I really mean _huge_) laptop case, big enough to carry an RS/6000. Anyway, I look like a complete idiot when I take this humonguous "I'm a laptop, please steal me"-case with me. So I'm looking for an alternative, preferably a back pack. My question is: Has anyone had any (good) experiences with laptop back packs, especially ones like Eastpak's PC Pak'R or Timberland's HAKK?"

Comments

What about VAIO's?

[Cycon]

While we're on the topic of laptop carrying cases, can anyone recommend a descent carrying case for a superslim VAIO? My notebook is just under and inch thick, and not very big around, making it rather difficult find find anything as slim as the laptop that will still protect it from minor impacts...

Sun's Java backpack

[schnurble]

I purchased one of the Sun Microsystems Java laptop backpacks they were selling at the Java Store in November 98. So far it's protected two laptops, plus my cd cases full of audio and data cds, and still has room for my cellphone, a palm III and batteries, a few ethernet router and switch console cables, and a bottle of Dew. Unfortunately I dont think they're being sold anymore. But it's quite the kickass bag. Has a nice bad between your back and the laptop, plus a separator for cables, etc.

Laptop Backpack from LL Bean

[Edgester]

I have a backpack (bookbag) from LL Bean that has a laptop compartment in it. I use it CONSTANTLY. I have a Kensington Saddlebag, but I don't use it.

My LL Bean lasted through my senior year and hasn't quite yet. I give it a recommendation because of the abuse the I put backpacks through.

I looked on their website, but couldn't find it. It was one of the Campus Organizers.

Besides being durable, it's big enough to carry my books too (3 classes worth). The backpack doesn't look like a laptop bag either so it's not so conspicuous.

I've got the Eastpak

[GeorgeH]

My Eastpak "PC Pak'r" is a pretty nice bag. It's got a laptop pouch in the main compartment, which ties down with a velcro strap. Plenty of room for O'reilly books along with your laptop. There's a nice little side pouch, perfect for a cellphone or a Palm Pilot. It also has an easy to access disk carrier, which holds six 3 1/2" or zip disks.

The handle on top is nice for carrying it, and the shoulder straps are really nice, because they're coated with some grip-tape like substance. Oh, and the back is padded, so you don't feel your laptop on your spine constantly. I'm pretty happy with my purchase, and I've got a couple friends who got the same bag, and seem to be equally pleased. Check around your local Target for it, I got mine for $50 there, $15 less then the price on Eastpak's website.
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I have one

[jfunk]

I bought the Kensington Saddle Bag (from Software Online) and I am very happy with it. It's very configurable. It can hold a lot more stuff than most cases (gee, you gave me enough room for a few slices of paper, thanks) and is great for travelling.

I use it a lot, I love the damn thing.

The best

[Biolo]

I use a Jansport laptop bag that I have had for over two and a half years. It still looks almost as new, has bottom and back padding as well as some separating the laptop from the other contents of the bag and adjusts really well to different sizes of laptop. So far it has coped with an AST Ascentia A that was really thick and my current Compaq Armada 3500 that is really thin. It even copes when I put the expansion base on the Compaq. It's best feature however is that the bag doesn't look like a laptop bag. I used this bag on a daily basis for a year at Uni and could comfortably chuck it down wherever I wanted without worrying people would steal it because it obviously contained a laptop. Ideal!

Unfortunately Jansport no longer appears to make this particular bag, but they still do a laptop bag which I found here.