Advice On Notebook Backpacks?

UnknowingFool writes "I'm about to go on a whirlwind trip with my laptop. Currently I'm using a generic laptop bag, but it's not really made for trips like this. I want to see if I can get a good notebook backpack and wanted to know what experiences traveling geeks here have had with notebook backpacks. My criteria: 1) Around $50 2) Functional enough to be used after my trip as a generic backpack 3) Tough enough to survive hauling through airport, yet comfortable enough to endure wearing for hours 4) Enough pockets for my chargers, cables , etc." I've been impressed with some bags from Targus; any good suggestions out there?

Comments

EBags

[NitsujTPU]

I've been browsing around ebags.com, which seems to be a good source of data on bags (though I'm interested in messenger style bags).

Re:EBags

[erwin]

I had a Timbuk2 bike messenger bag that I use to carry a Vaio and a change of clothes to and from work. It's a great bag, and I see that they now have a laptop model. The cool thing, they're bags have a rubberized skin thatm makes them largly water proof (though not water-tight). I crashed my bike once and landed flat on my back on top of the Vaio and the bag/clothes combo saved the laptop from even a dent. I think if you want a messenger bag, get it from the folks who make professional messenager bags.

Re:EBags

[cjsnell]

If you want a truly hardcorde messenger bag, you should check out Ortleib. Timbuk2 is good (we used to sell them) but I think the Ortleib's contruction is more "bomber".

However, if you want a computer bag, you really don't want a bike messenger bag. These bags are usually designed for papers and small packages--not heavy laptops. You're better off with a real laptop backpack. I love my JanSport pack--I think it's the "Firewire" model. I bought mine at the mall and probably paid about $100 than I would have paid at eBags. I carried a heavy Apple TiBook, along with books and cables, on a business trip to New Zealand. My laptop survived six flights, five hotels, and countless bus rides without a scratch.

Chris

Re:EBags

[Collin]

i second the recommendation on the swissgear maxxum. i got mine for $45 after rebate at staples during the back to school sales. they were clearancing them but you may still be able to find them at the office stores or as the original poster mentioned, at bestbuy for a bit more money.

the bag has pockets all over the place and would be ideal for travel. it has two large compartments. the one closest to you back is the laptop sleeve with padding and a few pockets for CDs and other stuff. You can fit more flat stuff in this compartment as well. The second large compartment is a deep bathtub that can take a bunch of books, clothes, etc. if this compartment had some velcro strips so you could add dividers for camera and other gear it would be ideal.

there is also a zippered back section with organizer pockets inside for business cards, key clip, and other stuff. Between the two large compartments is a small pouch for CD/MP3 player with earphone cord port. along the sides are two tall narrow zippered pockets that can fit cords, mice, chargers, small tripodds, etc.

on the sides are two generously sized mesh pockets that can hold water bottles or umbrellas or a rolled up newspaper or magazine. Finally, there is a open compartment held by straps on the very back that you can shove shoes or other weird shape stuff and pull the straps tight to hold it on. The bottom of the pack is flat and helps keep the bag standing up when you set it on the ground.

There are two convenient handles on the top: a nice big rubber grip one, and another one that is just a strap. The shoulder straps are very padded and use a elastic mount, which is comfortable, but i'd rather have solid straps rather than the bouncy feel of these suspension systems. The flat black is very thickly padded with airflow channels. I find this very comfortable, but the padding tends to rub against your back in a way that rides the back of your shirt upwards as you walk. There is also a waist strap which helps keep things stable. when you are running or walking. I wish it had a sternum strap though.

Overall, a great bag, although a bit large for everyday use. I got another smaller swiss gear bag for daily use going to class.

A little pricy, but excellent

[scapermoya]

I use the Jinx backpack: Jinx Laptop backpack its $80 but i feel like it was well worth it. it has all the room for the extra stuff, its really comfy, and I feel like it is keeping my dell lappy nice and secure. It sounds like we do similar things, airports, etc. If you are willing to spend it, go for this one. Scapermoya.

Re:A little pricy, but excellent

[molrak]

Or you could just get the regular Metro backpack on Amazon. It's the same backpack, $17 cheaper, unless you really want the jinx stuff on it. The Metro has survived rather well for me thus far this semester.

Just use a regular backpack

[Rick and Roll]

The targus bags look nice, but they have "EXPENSIVE LAPTOP" written all over them.

My suggestion: get a regular JanSport (or whatever) backup, so theives can't tell you have a laptop.

Not too long ago, a /.'er told the story of leaving his empty laptop bag in the back seat of his car, only to return to a car with smashed windows.

Besides, I think a regular backpack is perfectly functional, unless you have a 17" laptop. Used one all the time for my old 12 incher (which was about the same time as today's 15 incher, because of widescreen and having the screen stretched very close to the edge).

Arcteryx Blade 21

[penguinstorm]

Arcteryx makes the Blade 21:
http://www.arcteryx.com/product.aspx?group=Pa cks&p rod=1026

and it's the best laptop backpack I've ever owned. I've owned 7.

I like the Arcteryx because:
1) It's a great backpack; the straps are conmfortable and nothing digs into your bag. Why bother wearing a backpack that's not comfortable?
2) It will generally fit any computer; there are limits, but my 15" PowerBook wasn't a problem, even if I choose to carry it (unnecessarily so) in a Neoprene sleeve
3) It has a separate pocket for carrying files etc, which is fairly cavernous. There are two additional pockets for pens/cards/cables etc.
4) It is clean looking, and doesn't look like a dorky Targus notebook bag. The pack itself doesn't really have anything hanging off of it, so it never gets caught on things.
5) It includes a handle that lets you carry the bag briefcase style; very convenient when moving short distances, or arriving at corporate offices.
6) I can use it to carry my avalanche shovel on winter expeditions, although I have another pack that does that as well.

What I don't like about it:
1) Zippers can be bad for shiny white plastic iBooks; if you're carrying one of these, you'd better get a neoprene sleeve or something to avoid scratches (or buy a PowerBook, which was my solution to the problem; the Aluminum doesn't scratch easily.) I like Marware's Neoprene sleeve
2) There is no padding on the top of the bag (the side with the handle.) This is not uncommon - in fact this bag has padding on every other side, which is rare. I blame my golf clubs for it, but I have a minor dent in a corner a of PB which might have been prevented with padding on the top of the bag.

All in all a great bag; I considered some of the Swiss Army products, but they sort of look a bit too back-packy for me in a work environment.

Depends on what you're looking for...

[nekoes]

I've got a Targus bag which I've been using for a year. The thing is rather comfortable, but can get a little rough after a few hours with it. I'd give you a link off the targus site, but it doesn't appear to be on there. The back and shoulder straps are completely padded, and the back most compartment is huge and holds a slip for my laptop. The slip has a netted pouch for nick-nacks (PCMCIA cards, etc) and there's space enough for my power adaptor. The next Compartment up has enough room for whatever books I might be carrying, notebooks, compartments for pencils, and another netted one that holds my minidisk player, LAN cables, etc. Then there's another front one that could fit smaller books, and two others on the sides of the bag (each about the size of a can of soda). From the looks of their site all the bags are nearly as spacious. With these bags full they can be quite bulky, but when I've got just my laptop in there, it doesn't seem so cumbersome.

There's a few problems with using Targus bags though.

If you're paranoid... since Targus is a name brand laptop bag it's pretty much a guarentee to thugs that you're carrying a laptop with you.

Second, I don't think any of their bags are particularly attractive. I think I got the lesser of the devils with the black/silver I have, but I still think it's kind of ugly.

The other route you could go, is get a truely comfortable bag and convert it to a laptop bag. Using cardboard, or some other type of padding to make a slip, then sew a cover on that and attach it to the inside of the bag. It's a little more covert and you might like it better. But I'm lazy, and I was willing to drop 75 on my bag.

Re:Crumpler

[ShogZilla]

I'll second recommending crumpler bags - I actually have two, a "formal lounge" and a "brian's hottub" - got the hottub when I moved on to a laptop larger than the formal lounge could handle.

They're both of the "camera bag" variety, and deceptively roomy inside. I have, on occasion, carried three laptops plus associated cables, bricks, & sundry drives at once in the hottub - though admittedly only one laptop got the full padded-pocket protection. The entire interior is fuzzy velcro, so velcro straps can be used to secure items on the inside; has a wealth of pockets & straps; is amazingly comfortable to wear and sturdily built.

The downside is cost - these bags aren't even close to the 50$ price point. More like $150+.

Oh, and if you move to a 17" widescreen or 16" 4:3 laptop, you'll have to get the hottub model.