Advice On Notebook Backpacks? 642
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?
Go hardpack! (Score:1, Interesting)
Hard-shell? (Score:3, Interesting)
Thanks!
Obusforme (Score:2, Interesting)
Make your own... (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Arcteryx Blade 21 (Score:2, Interesting)
I since traded it for a Powermac otherwise I'd have kept it.
But I admit it's a bit other the 50 bucks the story submitter mentioned.
Best Laptop Backpack of many I have ever owned (Score:1, Interesting)
The big drawback to these bags is that they do not sell/ship with the laptop sleeve (at least as of the time of my purchase) and it must be purchased from a phone retailer (number and instructions included with bag).
This trouble asside the laptop sleeve is on par or better than that which comes with the Targus bags.
FFR:
http://www.swissarmytravelgear.com/webstore/morei
http://www.swissarmytravelgear.com/webstore/morei
Depends on what you're looking for... (Score:5, Interesting)
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.
Another (stylish?) option... (Score:2, Interesting)
Hard-Case Notebook Bags (Score:2, Interesting)
http://www.unicorn-video.smartemail.co.uk/axio-
Sleeve and Regular backpack (Score:2, Interesting)
neoprene (Score:3, Interesting)
"We are sorry that our president is an idiot..." (Score:3, Interesting)
Tom Bihn [tombihn.com] designs T-shirts based on labels; all proceeds to go to homeless veterans's charity.
PORT ANGELES, WA: Tom Bihn, a Port Angeles-based company that designs, manufactures and sells laptop bags, messenger bags, backpacks and briefcases, has garnered worldwide media attention this week after a Web blog posted the contents of the label sewn into most bags.
The inside label carries instructions on washing and caring for the bags. Because the bags are sold in Canada, the instructions are also printed in French. The French version, however, contains an additional phrase: "NOUS SOMMES DESOLES QUE NOTRE PRESIDENT SOIT UN IDIOT. NOUS N'AVONS PAS VOTE POUR LUI."
Translated to English, the phrase reads, "We are sorry that our President is an idiot. We did not vote for him."
This week, reports have aired on Seattle, Chicago and California NBC affiliates, on Seattle's KOMO radio and the nationally syndicated Paul Harvey radio show, on MSNBC's "Countdown with Keith Olbermann", and on the Port Angeles cable station PNN. Bihn has fielded inquiries from German, Irish and other international media outlets.
The company has recorded record sales this week -- with sales more than double all previous weeks in the company's history. Customers have flocked to the Seattle and Port Angeles stores to scoop up the bags with the now infamous label. E-mails and calls have poured into the store, with many customers ordering directly from the company's Web site at www.tombihn.com [tombihn.com].
The "secret" message began as an inside joke among seamstresses and staff at the Tom Bihn factory, and was apparently intended to poke fun at company's founder and president, Tom Bihn.
Bihn has created a t-shirt featuring the label, and will donate all proceeds of the sale of the shirts to the Seattle Vet Center, specifically towards its Homeless Vet Program. The t-shirt is available for purchase on its Web site and at its Seattle retail store.
Tom Bihn products are proudly made in its Port Angeles, Washington, factory.
Supplies are limited. Be controversial. Place your order today.
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Re:EBags (Score:1, Interesting)
Re:Get a laptop sleeve (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:EBags (Score:3, Interesting)
The El Ocho is the best all around size (about the size of a school backpack) but they make 2 larger ones and 1 smaller. I ordered mine in the ballistic nylon and it really is quite bombproof. At the time they offered an additional inside coating (it already comes with a waterproof rubberized coating) and a rubber bottom but I am glad that I didnt order them as they wouldnt help (its already waterproof enough and durable enough). Get the Strap Pad you will thank me later.
My mother has the small size (of the clasic model...not this new "mini" model that I see they have) and while it would probobly have room for a laptop, it is just a little bit too small for use as anything but a large purse.
Re:EBags (Score:3, Interesting)
It's called Ortlieb, but apparently it's misspelled so often that they made a website mirror under the name ortleib.com...